WORDS FROM A GREAT MIND

Socrates

Athenian philosopher

Born: c. 470 BCE
Died: 399 BCE
Lived in: Athens

Socrates was an Athenian philosopher who used persistent questioning to examine claims about courage, justice, knowledge, and the good life. He wrote no books; his life and ideas survive through authors including Plato and Xenophon, whose portraits do not always agree.

A LESSER-KNOWN DETAIL

After an Athenian jury found him guilty, Socrates was invited to propose his own penalty. He first suggested the comic reward of free meals for life — an honour normally given to public benefactors.

Words by Socrates

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Socrates ↗

“To fear death is indeed the pretence of wisdom, and not real wisdom, being a pretence of knowing the unknown.”

Socrates ↗

“I shall obey God rather than you, and while I have life and strength I shall never cease from the practice and teaching of philosophy.”

Socrates ↗