To prefer evil to good is not in human nature; and when a man is compelled to choose one of two evils, no one will choose the greater when he might have the less.

Topics: Plato Quotes

Nothing can be more absurd than the practice that prevails in our country of men...

Nothing can be more absurd than the practice that prevails in our country of men...

Then not only custom, but also nature affirms that to do is more disgraceful than...

Then not only custom, but also nature affirms that to do is more disgraceful than...

The rulers of the state are the only persons who ought to have the privilege...

The rulers of the state are the only persons who ought to have the privilege...

Knowledge without justice ought to be called cunning rather than wisdom.

Knowledge without justice ought to be called cunning rather than wisdom.

When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty and there is...

When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty and there is...

A state arises, as I conceive, out of the needs of mankind; no one is...

A state arises, as I conceive, out of the needs of mankind; no one is...

Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another

Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another

Time carries off all things; wouldst thou exchange - Name, looks, nature, luck? Just give...

Time carries off all things; wouldst thou exchange - Name, looks, nature, luck? Just give...

Excess generally causes reaction, and produces a change in the opposite direction, whether it be...

Excess generally causes reaction, and produces a change in the opposite direction, whether it be...

It is right to give every man his due.

It is right to give every man his due.

This I know - that I know nothing.

This I know - that I know nothing.

For a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest of all victories.

For a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest of all victories.

Love is the joy of the good, the wonder of the wise, the amazement of...

Love is the joy of the good, the wonder of the wise, the amazement of...

Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty.

Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty.

Virtue is relative to the actions and ages of each of us in all that...

Virtue is relative to the actions and ages of each of us in all that...

Perfect wisdom has four parts, viz., wisdom, the principle of doing things aright; justice, the...

Perfect wisdom has four parts, viz., wisdom, the principle of doing things aright; justice, the...

Atheism is a disease of the soul, before it becomes an error of the understanding

Atheism is a disease of the soul, before it becomes an error of the understanding

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by...

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by...

Politics ruins the character.

Politics ruins the character.

I have learned from experience that, in the bluff and counterbluff of world politics, to...

I have learned from experience that, in the bluff and counterbluff of world politics, to...