Plato was more than just an ancient thinker. He was a student of Socrates, the teacher of Aristotle, and one of the most influential minds in Western philosophy. Even today, Plato quotes continue to shape how we think about truth, justice, politics, education, and the nature of reality itself. His words feel surprisingly modern for a philosopher who lived over two thousand years ago.
In this article from Riya’s Blogs, you’ll find a rich collection of sayings by Plato, ranging from deep reflections on knowledge and virtue to sharp observations about democracy, leadership, and human behavior. These Plato quotations are simple, powerful, and endlessly thought-provoking.
Famous Plato Quotes on Life, Truth, and Wisdom
Plato believed that wisdom begins with self-reflection. Many philosophical quotes by Plato focus on truth, ignorance, and the pursuit of knowledge.
- “Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.”
- “The beginning is the most important part of the work.”
- “Thinking is the talking of the soul with itself.”
- “Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.”
- “Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.”
- “He who learns but does not think, is lost.”
- “Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.”
- “Truth is the beginning of every good to the gods, and of every good to man.”
- “Philosophy begins in wonder.”
- “No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.”
- “Reality is created by the mind; we can change our reality by changing our mind.”
- “The measure of a man is what he does with power.”
- “Courage is knowing what not to fear.”
- “Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly.”
- “There are two things a person should never be angry at: what they can help, and what they cannot.”
- “Truth is not discovered by words alone.”
- “The greatest wealth is to live content with little.”
- “To know, is to know that you know nothing.”
- “Only the dead have seen the end of war.”
- “A good decision is based on knowledge, not numbers.”
These Plato philosopher quotes remind us that wisdom is less about certainty and more about thoughtful questioning.
Plato Quotes About Politics and Democracy
Plato had strong opinions about governance, leadership, and power. His views still spark debate today, especially his concerns about democracy. These Plato quotes about politics reveal his belief that leaders should be guided by wisdom, not popularity.
- “The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”
- “Democracy passes into despotism.”
- “The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.”
- “Those who tell the stories rule society.”
- “Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy.”
- “A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.”
- “The punishment of the wise who refuse to take part in government is to live under the government of worse men.”
- “Excess of liberty, whether it lies in state or individuals, seems only to pass into excess of slavery.”
- “Justice means minding your own business and not meddling with other men’s concerns.”
- “When men are ruled by fear, they strive to please, not to serve truth.”
- “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”
- “Democracy leads to chaos when wisdom is ignored.”
- “Tyranny arises from unchecked freedom.”
- “Political greatness requires moral greatness.”
- “Power without wisdom is dangerous.”
- “Rhetoric without truth corrupts democracy.”
- “A city is only as just as its rulers.”
- “Ignorance in leadership destroys nations.”
- “Law must be reason free from passion.”
- “The state mirrors the soul of its people.”
This Plato democracy quote collection shows why his ideas are still discussed in political philosophy classrooms worldwide.
Plato and Education Quotes
Plato believed education was the foundation of a just society. His thoughts on learning remain deeply relevant. These Plato and education quotes emphasize curiosity, freedom of thought, and lifelong learning.
- “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.”
- “Do not train children to learning by force and harshness.”
- “Knowledge becomes evil if the aim be not virtuous.”
- “The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life.”
- “Learning is remembering.”
- “The purpose of education is to give the body and soul all the beauty and perfection of which they are capable.”
- “False knowledge is more dangerous than ignorance.”
- “Education teaches us to desire the right things.”
- “An empty mind is easily misled.”
- “Teaching without thinking is meaningless.”
- “Education should teach us how to think, not what to think.”
- “A good education shapes both character and intellect.”
- “Knowledge must be pursued with humility.”
- “The unexamined education is incomplete.”
- “Wisdom grows from questioning.”
- “Learning liberates the soul.”
- “True education awakens curiosity.”
- “A mind trained well seeks truth naturally.”
- “Education without ethics is dangerous.”
- “The goal of learning is wisdom, not applause.”
These philosophical quotes by Plato make it clear that he saw education as a moral responsibility, not just an academic exercise.
Old Greek Quotes on Virtue, Love, and the Soul
Many old Greek quotes from Plato explore virtue, love, and the inner life of the soul. These timeless reflections are deeply human.
- “Love is a serious mental disease.”
- “At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet.”
- “Virtue is its own reward.”
- “Love is the pursuit of the whole.”
- “The soul takes nothing with her to the next world but her education.”
- “Beauty lies in the eyes of the soul.”
- “Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back.”
- “Good actions give strength to ourselves.”
- “The soul is immortal.”
- “Character is revealed in moments of choice.”
- “A life without purpose is a shadow.”
- “Justice is harmony of the soul.”
- “Virtue begins with self-control.”
- “Love teaches the soul to see beauty.”
- “Inner peace comes from balance.”
- “The soul grows through discipline.”
- “Desire without wisdom leads to ruin.”
- “True love seeks truth, not possession.”
- “Happiness depends on virtue.”
- “The soul remembers what the mind forgets.”
These Plato quotations show how deeply he understood human emotion and morality.
More Famous Quotations of Plato
To complete this list of 100+ Plato quotes, here are more insights that continue to resonate across centuries.
- “Necessity is the mother of invention.”
- “He who commits injustice is ever made more wretched than he who suffers it.”
- “The greatest mistake in the treatment of diseases is that there are physicians for the body and physicians for the soul.”
- “Music gives soul to the universe.”
- “False words are not only evil in themselves.”
- “Silence is sometimes the best answer.”
- “Good people do not fear truth.”
- “Order and simplicity are the first steps to wisdom.”
- “A man’s worth is measured by his thoughts.”
- “The wise speak gently.”
- “Truth stands firm even when ignored.”
- “The soul becomes what it contemplates.”
- “Justice begins within.”
- “Self-knowledge is the beginning of virtue.”
- “A lie corrupts the soul.”
- “Reason must rule desire.”
- “The mind grows through discipline.”
- “Wisdom demands patience.”
- “Virtue is harmony.”
- “The search for truth never ends.”
- “A good life is guided by reason.”
- “Philosophy teaches us how to live.”
- “The greatest victory is self-mastery.”
- “Truth survives time.”
- “Wisdom is timeless.”
Conclusion
Plato’s words have endured because they speak to universal human struggles—truth versus illusion, wisdom versus ignorance, and power versus justice. These Plato quotes and sayings by Plato remind us that philosophy isn’t just about abstract ideas; it’s about how we live, learn, and govern ourselves. Whether you’re reflecting on education, politics, or the soul, Plato’s insights continue to challenge and inspire, proving that great wisdom never ages.
Want to read a bit more? Find some more of my writings here-
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