To find the Father of all is hard. And when found, it is impossible to utter Him.
socratesquotes
c. 469 – 399 BC
Little is known about the actual life of Athenian philosopher, Socrates (c. 469–399 BC), but his methodologies and ideas have had immeasurable influence on both ancient and modern philosophy. Socrates wrote nothing down, he founded no school and formed no sect, and yet he is famous for developing the Socratic Method, which provided the groundwork for Western logic and philosophy.
What we know of him comes mostly from the writings of two of his famous students, Plato and Xenophon. They write of his unrelenting courage in three Peloponnesian wars and throughout his entire life, even unto death, where against the urging of his students he does not flee his condemnation to death by poisoning, but embraces it fearlessly. We learn of his vast humility and poverty, and deep concern for the intellectual development of Athenian youth.
For Socrates, the world was divided into two realms: the world of senses and the world of ideas. He believed the latter held more importance, and encouraged dialectic discussions to help people form logical conclusions. Socrates believed creating an ethical system of rule based on human reasoning would improve the good of society more than any theological doctrine.
Socrates did not call himself a teacher because, he said, he had no ideas of his own. According to his students, he offered no answers but always inquired. He spoke to the elite and the commoner alike to better understand definitions of values. For this ancient man of mystery, the understanding of one’s own ignorance was truly the beginning of wisdom.
Do we have not choice but to agree that in each of us are found the same elements and characteristics as are found in the city? After all, where else could the city have got them from?
The mind is the pilot of the soul.
Now it is time that we are going, I to die and you to live; but which of us has the happier prospect is unknown to anyone but God.
The way to gain a good reputation, is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.
desire / endeavor / reputation
The only wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
It is a disgrace to grow old through sheer carelessness before seeing what manner of man you may become by developing your bodily strength and beauty to their highest limit.
beauty / carelessness / disgrace / manner / strength
A good man cannot be harmed either in life or in death, and that his affairs are not neglected by the gods.
It is not difficult to avoid death, gentlemen of the jury; it is much more difficult to avoid wickedness, for it runs faster than death.
avoid / death / wickedness
It is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong.