Seeing the lightest and gayest purple was then most in fashion, he would always wear that which was the nearest black; and he would often go out of doors, after his morning meal, without either shoes or tunic; not that he sought vain-glory from such novelties, but he would accustom himself to be ashamed only of what deserves shame, and to despise all other sorts of disgrace.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes valuing true shame over superficial perceptions and societal norms.
Plutarch reflects on the importance of focusing on genuine disgrace rather than conforming to societal expectations. By choosing to wear black when purple is in fashion and going without shoes or a tunic, he illustrates the rejection of vanity and superficiality. He suggests that one should only feel shame for actions that truly deserve it and disregard trivial criticisms from others.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about individualism at a school graduation ceremony.
Sometimes small incidents, rather than glorious exploits, give us the best evidence of character. So, as portrait painters are more exact in doing the face, where the character is revealed, than the rest of the body, I must be allowed to give my more particular attention to the marks of the souls of men.
It were better to have no opinion of God at all than such a one as is unworthy of him; for the one is only belief - the other contempt.
Come back with your shield - or on it
The richest soil, if uncultivated, produces the rankest weeds.
For the correct analogy for the mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting.
Our senses through ignorance of Reality, falsely tell us that what appears to be, is. FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real
You lack a foot to travel? Then journey into yourself - that leads to transformation of dust into pure gold.
Truth is not something you can appropriate easily and quickly. You certainly cannot sleep or dream yourself to the truth. No, you must be tried, do battle, and suffer if you are to acquire the truth for yourself. It is a sheer illusion to think that in relation to the truth there is an abridgement, a short cut that dispenses with the necessity for struggling for it.
We have all, at one time or another, been performers, and many of us still are - politicians, playboys, cardinals and kings.
It is better to die of hunger having lived without grief and fear, than to live with a troubled spirit, amid abundance
Shrines! Shrines! Surely you don't believe in the gods. What's your argument? Where's your proof?
It is a tragic mix-up when the United States spends 500,000 for every enemy soldier killed, and only 53 annually on the victims of poverty.
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