Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
PlatoRead
Man...is a tame or civilized animal; never the less, he requires proper instruction and a fortunate nature, and then of all animals he becomes the most divine and most civilized; but if he be insufficiently or ill- educated he is the most savage of earthly creatures.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote signifies that education and a good nature are essential for human development and civility.
In this quote, Plato emphasizes the fundamental role of education and inherent qualities in shaping humanity. He suggests that while humans have the potential for greatness and civility, a lack of proper education can lead to savagery, highlighting the importance of nurturing both the mind and spirit to cultivate a truly refined individual. Essentially, the responsibility lies in the education system and the qualities of the individual for achieving a balanced and elevated human condition.
Themes
EducationNatureHumanityCivilitySavagery
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of education, this quote can underscore the role of proper learning in societal development.
More from Plato
All quotes →Not 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.
PlatoRead
...for the object of education is to teach us to love beauty.
PlatoRead
Pleasure is the greatest incentive to evil.
PlatoRead
Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.
PlatoRead
Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.
PlatoRead
Similar quotes
In war, whichever side may call itself the victor, there are no winners, but all are losers.
Neville ChamberlainRead
The English think they are free. They are free only during the election of members of parliament.
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead
And when we look in through the windows, all we see are shadows. And when we try and listen, all we hear is a whispering. And we cannot understand the whispering, because our minds have been invaded by a war. A war that we have both won and lost. The very worst sort of war. A war that captures dreams and re-dreams them. A war that has made us adore our conquerors and despise ourselves.
Arundhati RoyRead
Remember Jesus of Nazareth, staggering on broken feet out of the tomb toward the Resurrection, bearing on his body the proud insignia of the defeat which is victory, the magnificent defeat of the human soul at the hands of God.
Frederick BuechnerRead
This is what I know. I look like my father. My father disappeared when he was seventeen years old. Hannah once told me that there is something unnatural about being older than your father ever got to be. When you can say that at the age of seventeen, it's a different kind of devastating.
Melina MarchettaRead
But she was waiting patiently. She no longer believed in talk. It never rescued anything. At seventy she had come to believe in time alone. ~pg 254
Alice SeboldRead