Plato (c. 428/427 or 424/423 – 348/347 BC) was an Athenian philosopher who, along with his mentor Socrates and his student Aristotle, laid the foundations of Western and Greek philosophy. His best-known work is the Theory of Forms, according to which the sensible world is an imperfect copy of an intelligible world, of Forms or Ideas. Plato wrote numerous philosophical dialogues, in which Socrates is usually the main interlocutor. He founded the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. His ideas profoundly influenced philosophy, theology, science, and politics. He is considered one of the greatest thinkers of all time.
Poems List
Philosophy is an elegant thing, if anyone modestly meddles with it, but if they are conversant with it more than is becoming, it corrupts them.
1
Physical excellence does not of itself produce a good mind and character: on the other hand, excellence of mind and character will make the best of the physique it is given.
2
Philosophy, Socrates, if pursued in moderation and at the proper age, is an elegant accomplishment, but too much philosophy is the ruin of human life.
2
Only a philosopher's mind grows wings, since its memory always keeps it as close as possible to those realities by being close to which the gods are divine. A man who uses reminders of these things correctly is always at the highest, most perfect level of initiation, and he is the only one who is perfect as perfect can be. He stands outside human concerns and draws close to the divine; ordinary people think he is disturbed and rebuke him for this, unaware that he is possessed by god.
2
Of necessity, the most like are most full of envy, strife, and hatred of one another, and the most unlike of friendship. For the poor man is compelled to be the friend of the rich, and the weak requires the aid of the strong, and the sick man of the physician; everyone who knows not has to love and court him who knows.
2
Now actions vary according to the manner of their performance. Take, for example, that which we are now doing, drinking, singing and talking these actions are not in themselves either good or evil, but they turn out in this or that way according to the mode of performing them; and when well done they are good, and when wrongly done they are evil; and in like manner not every love, but only that which has a noble purpose, is noble and worthy of praise.
2
Old age has a great sense of calm and freedom. When the passions have relaxed their hold and have escaped, not from one master, but from many.
2
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