Socrates

Father of Western philosophy

Ancient influential 106 sayings

Sayings by Socrates

The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.

c. 399 BCE (approximate) — Attributed saying.
Humorous Confirmed

As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.

399 BCE — A common phrasing of his famous statement, derived from Plato's Apology.
Humorous Unverifiable

I know that I know nothing.

399 BCE — Reported by Plato in 'Apology' as Socrates' admission of ignorance
Controversial Confirmed

It is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong.

380 BCE (approx.) — From Plato's 'Gorgias', discussing morality
Controversial Unverifiable

Bad men live that they may eat and drink, whereas good men eat and drink that they may live.

1st century CE (attributed) — From Plutarch's 'Moralia', attributed to Socrates
Controversial Unverifiable

Be slow to fall into friendship, but when you are in, remain firm and constant.

3rd century CE (attributed) — Attributed in Diogenes Laertius
Controversial Unverifiable

I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.

c. 3rd Century CE (quoting older sources) — As recounted by Diogenes Laërtius in Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers
Humorous Unverifiable

I only wish that wisdom were such a thing as flowed from the fuller to the emptier man, as water does from a full cup to an empty one when we a thread between them.

c. 385–370 BCE — As recounted by Plato in Symposium
Humorous Unverifiable

I am a gadfly who God has attached to the state, and all day long and in all places am always fastening upon you, arousing and persuading and reproaching all of you.

c. 399 BCE — As recounted by Plato in Apology
Humorous Unverifiable

There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.

c. 4th Century BCE — Attributed, often found in collections of Socratic sayings
Humorous Confirmed

He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.

c. 4th Century BCE — Attributed, often found in collections of Socratic sayings
Humorous Unverifiable

I would rather die having spoken after my manner, than speak in your manner and live.

c. 399 BCE — As recounted by Plato in Apology
Humorous Unverifiable

The nearest way to glory is to strive to be what you desire to be thought to be.

c. 390 BCE — As recounted by Xenophon in Memorabilia
Humorous Unverifiable

As for me, all I know is that I know nothing, for when I think I know something, I discover that I had no idea about it.

c. 3rd Century CE (quoting older sources) — As recounted by Diogenes Laërtius, similar to Plato's Apology
Humorous Unverifiable

I am not at all a politician.

c. 399 BCE — As recounted by Plato in Apology
Humorous Unverifiable

Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.

c. 4th Century BCE — Attributed, often found in collections of Socratic sayings
Humorous Unverifiable

If a man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it.

c. 4th Century BCE — Attributed, often found in collections of Socratic sayings
Humorous Confirmed

Contentment is natural wealth.

c. 4th Century BCE — Attributed, often found in collections of Socratic sayings
Humorous Unverifiable

The more I know, the more I realize I know nothing.

c. 4th Century BCE — A common paraphrase of his philosophy, not a direct quote but captures the essence of his 'knowing n…
Humorous Unverifiable

I am called wise, for my hearers always imagine that I myself possess the wisdom which I find wanting in others.

c. 399 BCE — As recounted by Plato in Apology
Humorous Unverifiable