100+ Timeless Socrates Quotes: Ancient Wisdom For Today’s World

In the realm of philosophy, few names shine as brightly as that of Socrates. The ancient Greek philosopher, known for his Socratic method and profound wisdom, left behind a legacy of thought-provoking quotes that continue to inspire and challenge us to this day.

His words resonate across the centuries, offering timeless insights into the human condition, ethics, knowledge, and the pursuit of truth.

In this exploration of Socrates’ best quotes, we embark on a journey through the corridors of intellectual enlightenment. We delve into the mind of a thinker whose ideas laid the foundation for Western philosophy and continue to shape our understanding of the world.

Socrates’ approach to questioning, his relentless pursuit of knowledge, and his unyielding commitment to virtue have left an indelible mark on the annals of human thought.

Throughout this blog, we will unearth the most inspirational and thought-provoking quotes by Socrates. Each quote serves as a doorway into the philosopher’s profound insights, inviting us to reflect on our own beliefs, values, and the nature of existence.

These timeless aphorisms transcend the boundaries of time and culture, resonating with anyone seeking to enrich their intellectual and moral lives.

So, join us on this intellectual voyage as we navigate the wisdom of Socrates and unlock the treasures hidden within his words.

Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and moved by the enduring brilliance of one of history’s greatest philosophical minds. Let’s embark on this journey into the heart and mind of Socrates, where his best quotes await, ready to ignite your curiosity and provoke your thoughts.

100+ Timeless Socrates Quotes

1. “An unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates
2. “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates
3. “To find yourself, think for yourself.” – Socrates
4. “I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.” – Socrates
5. “The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” – Socrates
6. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” – Socrates
7. “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” – Socrates
8. “Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for.” – Socrates
9. “He who is not a good servant will not be a good master.” – Socrates
10. “There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.” – Socrates

These quotes reflect Socrates’ emphasis on self-examination, the pursuit of wisdom, and the importance of ethical living. His philosophical insights continue to inspire and challenge individuals in their quest for knowledge and personal growth.

11. “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” – Socrates
12. “Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” – Socrates
13. “Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of.” – Socrates
14. “The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.” – Socrates
15. “Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.” – Socrates
16. “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.” – Socrates
17. “The easiest and noblest way is not to be crushing others but to be improving yourselves.” – Socrates
18. “Let him that would move the world, first move himself.” – Socrates
19. “I know that I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing.” – Socrates
20. “Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual.” – Socrates

These additional quotes further illustrate Socrates’ deep insights into wisdom, virtue, self-awareness, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. His timeless wisdom continues to resonate with people seeking guidance and inspiration in various aspects of their lives.

21. “Wisdom begins in wonder.” – Socrates
22. “Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty.” – Socrates
23. “He who is not a good servant will not be a good master.” – Socrates
24. “The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” – Socrates
25. “An honest man is always a child.” – Socrates
26. “By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.” – Socrates
27. “An evil man is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil man will wound your soul.” – Socrates
28. “The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.” – Socrates
29. “I was really too honest a man to be a politician and live.” – Socrates
30. “Understanding a question is half an answer.” – Socrates

These quotes continue to capture Socrates’ profound insights into ethics, self-knowledge, and the human condition. They serve as reminders of the enduring relevance of his philosophy in our modern world.

31. “To move the world, we must first move ourselves.” – Socrates
32. “Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for.” – Socrates
33. “Be as you wish to seem.” – Socrates
34. “He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.” – Socrates
35. “I know that I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing.” – Socrates
36. “The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.” – Socrates
37. “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates
38. “An unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates
39. “To find yourself, think for yourself.” – Socrates
40. “Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us.” – Socrates

These quotes encompass Socrates’ enduring wisdom and his emphasis on self-examination, virtue, and the pursuit of knowledge. They continue to inspire individuals on their quest for a more meaningful and ethical life.

41. “The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.” – Socrates
42. “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.” – Socrates
43. “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” – Socrates
44. “The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates
45. “Envy is the ulcer of the soul.” – Socrates
46. “The only good is knowledge, and the only evil is ignorance.” – Socrates
47. “Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore, avoid undue elation in prosperity or undue depression in adversity.” – Socrates
48. “The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways—I to die and you to live. Which is the better, only God knows.” – Socrates (spoken at his trial)
49. “If you don’t get what you want, you suffer; if you get what you don’t want, you suffer; even when you get exactly what you want, you still suffer because you can’t hold on to it forever.” – Socrates
50. “Be slow to fall into friendship, but when you are in, continue firm and constant.” – Socrates

These quotes encapsulate Socrates’ profound insights into various aspects of life, including knowledge, virtue, humility, and the human condition. They continue to inspire and provoke deep thought in those who seek to explore his philosophy.

51. “He who is not a good servant will not be a good master.” – Socrates
52. “I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.” – Socrates
53. “It is better to change an opinion than to persist in a wrong one.” – Socrates
54. “The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” – Socrates
55. “When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.” – Socrates
56. “Bad men live that they may eat and drink, whereas good men eat and drink that they may live.” – Socrates
57. “To be is to do.” – Socrates
58. “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates
59. “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” – Socrates
60. “I know that I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing.” – Socrates

These quotes reflect Socrates’ enduring influence on philosophy and his commitment to the pursuit of wisdom, self-examination, and ethical living. His words continue to inspire those who seek to better understand themselves and the world around them.

61. “Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual.” – Socrates
62. “The greatest blessings granted to mankind come by way of madness, which is a divine gift.” – Socrates
63. “He who is not a good servant will not be a good master.” – Socrates
64. “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.” – Socrates
65. “Be slow to fall into friendship, but when you are in, continue firm and constant.” – Socrates
66. “Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us.” – Socrates
67. “The unexamined life is not worth living for a human being.” – Socrates
68. “I was really too honest a man to be a politician and live.” – Socrates
69. “I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.” – Socrates
70. “He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy.” – Socrates

These quotes continue to illuminate Socrates’ profound thoughts on life, wisdom, courage, and the importance of self-examination. His enduring wisdom serves as a beacon for those who seek to lead a more thoughtful and virtuous existence.

71. “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.” – Socrates
72. “Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.” – Socrates
73. “An honest man is always a child.” – Socrates
74. “He who is not a good servant will not be a good master.” – Socrates
75. “To find yourself, think for yourself.” – Socrates
76. “Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of.” – Socrates
77. “The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” – Socrates
78. “Be as you wish to seem.” – Socrates
79. “By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.” – Socrates
80. “The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.” – Socrates

These quotes encapsulate Socrates’ wisdom, emphasizing the value of self-awareness, virtue, and the pursuit of truth. They serve as a timeless source of inspiration and guidance for those seeking a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

81. “Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore, avoid undue elation in prosperity or undue depression in adversity.” – Socrates
82. “I know that I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing.” – Socrates
83. “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates
84. “An unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates
85. “To find yourself, think for yourself.” – Socrates
86. “The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.” – Socrates
87. “Understanding a question is half an answer.” – Socrates
88. “The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” – Socrates
89. “Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” – Socrates
90. “Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual.” – Socrates

These quotes continue to showcase Socrates’ timeless wisdom and his focus on self-knowledge, ethics, and the pursuit of genuine understanding. They offer valuable insights into the human experience and the quest for a more meaningful and thoughtful life.

91. “The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.” – Socrates
92. “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.” – Socrates
93. “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” – Socrates
94. “The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates
95. “Envy is the ulcer of the soul.” – Socrates
96. “The only good is knowledge, and the only evil is ignorance.” – Socrates
97. “Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore, avoid undue elation in prosperity or undue depression in adversity.” – Socrates
98. “The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways—I to die and you to live. Which is the better, only God knows.” – Socrates (spoken at his trial)
99. “If you don’t get what you want, you suffer; if you get what you don’t want, you suffer; even when you get exactly what you want, you still suffer because you can’t hold on to it forever.” – Socrates
100. “Be slow to fall into friendship, but when you are in, continue firm and constant.” – Socrates

These quotes encompass Socrates’ profound insights into various aspects of life, including knowledge, virtue, humility, and the human condition. They continue to inspire those who seek to better understand themselves and the world around them.

101. “Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual.” – Socrates
102. “The greatest blessings granted to mankind come by way of madness, which is a divine gift.” – Socrates
103. “He who is not a good servant will not be a good master.” – Socrates
104. “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.” – Socrates
105. “Be slow to fall into friendship, but when you are in, continue firm and constant.” – Socrates
106. “Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us.” – Socrates
107. “The unexamined life is not worth living for a human being.” – Socrates
108. “I was really too honest a man to be a politician and live.” – Socrates
109. “I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.” – Socrates
110. “He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy.” – Socrates

These quotes encapsulate Socrates’ wisdom, emphasizing the value of self-awareness, virtue, and the pursuit of truth. They serve as a timeless source of inspiration and guidance for those seeking a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

111. “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates
112. “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.” – Socrates
113. “Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.” – Socrates
114. “An honest man is always a child.” – Socrates
115. “He who is not a good servant will not be a good master.” – Socrates
116. “To find yourself, think for yourself.” – Socrates
117. “Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of.” – Socrates
118. “The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” – Socrates
119. “Be as you wish to seem.” – Socrates
120. “By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.” – Socrates

These quotes reflect Socrates’ enduring influence on philosophy and his commitment to the pursuit of wisdom, self-examination, and ethical living. They continue to inspire individuals on their quest for a more meaningful and virtuous life.