From Plato’s dialogues in Benjamin Jowett’s translation. Most are spoken by Socrates, Plato’s teacher and main character; the references are the standard Stephanus page numbers.
“… the unexamined life is not worth living.”Apology 38a (tr. Benjamin Jowett)
Question how you live.
“… he knows nothing, and thinks that he knows; I neither know nor think that I know.”Apology 21d (tr. Benjamin Jowett)
Knowing your ignorance is the start of wisdom.
“The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways — I to die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows.”Apology 42a (tr. Benjamin Jowett)
Socrates faced death with calm uncertainty.
“… the beginning is the most important part of any work, especially in the case of a young and tender thing.”Republic II, 377a (tr. Benjamin Jowett)
Early habits shape a life.
“Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy … cities will never have rest from their evils.”Republic V, 473d (tr. Benjamin Jowett)
Power without wisdom ruins cities.
“Behold! human beings living in a underground den, which has a mouth open towards the light.”Republic VII, 514a (tr. Benjamin Jowett)
The allegory of the cave: we mistake shadows for reality.
“… the true philosophers, Simmias, are always occupied in the practice of dying, wherefore also to them least of all men is death terrible.”Phaedo 67e (tr. Benjamin Jowett)
Philosophy prepares us to let go.
“… human nature was originally one and we were a whole, and the desire and pursuit of the whole is called love.”Symposium 192e (tr. Benjamin Jowett)
Love is the search for wholeness.
These circulate widely under the same name, but don’t hold up:
More famous misquotes: Quotes They Never Said
The Republic (Project Gutenberg) · Apology (Project Gutenberg) · Plato
