Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
PlatoRead
When a Benefit is wrongly conferred, the author of the Benefit may often be said to injure.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Misplaced kindness can lead to harm rather than help.
This quote by Plato highlights a fundamental philosophical idea that good intentions do not always lead to positive outcomes. When someone offers a benefit or kindness without fully understanding the situation or the recipient's needs, it can result in unintended harm, suggesting the importance of wisdom and discernment in our actions.
Themes
BenefitKindnessHarmWisdomIntention
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about ethical decision-making, one might use this quote to illustrate the complexity of intent versus outcome.
More from Plato
All quotes βNot one of them who took up in his youth with this opinion that there are no gods ever continued until old age faithful to his conviction.
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...for the object of education is to teach us to love beauty.
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Pleasure is the greatest incentive to evil.
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Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.
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Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.
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