Plato quotes

Athens, Greece

• And now, I said, let me show in a figure how far our nature is enlightened or unenlightened:—Behold! human beings living in a underground den, which has a mouth open towards the light and reaching all along the den; here they have been from their childhood, and have their legs and necks chained so that they cannot move, and can only see before them, being prevented by the chains from turning round their heads.

• The excess of liberty, whether in States or individuals, seems only to pass into excess of slavery.

• Further, we affirmed that justice was doing one’s own business, and not being a busybody; we said so again and again, and many others have said the same to us.

• Then, I said, let us begin and create in idea a State; and yet the true creator is necessity, who is the mother of our invention.

• You know also that the beginning is the most important part of any work, especially in the case of a young and tender thing; for that is the time at which the character is being formed and the desired impression is more readily taken.

• Now the worst part of the punishment is that he who refuses to rule is liable to be ruled by one who is worse than himself.