"I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled poets to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophe...
The unexamined life is not worth living.
More Socrates quotes
"The greatest blessing granted to mankind come by way of madness, which is a divine gift.
"The beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms.
"I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled [poets] to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prop...
"I examined the poets, and I look on them as people whose talent overawes both themselves and others, people who present themselves as wise men and are...
"Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for.
"One day, the old wise Socrates walks down the streets, when all of the sudden a man runs up to him "Socrates I have to tell you something about your f...
".. is there not one true coin for which all things ought to exchange?- and that is wisdom; and only in exchange for this, and in company with this, is...
"Are you not ashamed of caring so much for the making of money and for fame and prestige, when you neither think nor care about wisdom and truth and th...
"When you want wisdom and insight as badly as you want to breathe, it is then you shall have it.
"For the poet is a light and winged and holy thing, and there is no invention in him until he has been inspired and is out of his senses, and the mind ...
"By far the greatest and most admirable form of wisdom is that needed to plan and beautify cities and human communities.
"The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.
"I only know that I know nothing
"God takes away the minds of poets, and uses them as his ministers, as he also uses diviners and holy prophets, in order that we who hear them may know...