Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
PlatoRead
In particular I may mention Sophocles the poet, who was once asked in my presence, How do you feel about love, Sophocles? are you still capable of it? to which he replied, Hush! if you please: to my great delight I have escaped from it, and feel as if I had escaped from a frantic and savage master. I thought then, as I do now, that he spoke wisely. For unquestionably old age brings us profound repose and freedom from this and other passions.
Interpretation
Sophocles expresses relief in escaping the turmoil of love in old age, highlighting the peace that comes with maturity.
In this quote, Plato recounts a moment when Sophocles reflects on love and aging. He suggests that love, often viewed as a beautiful passion, can also be a chaotic and overwhelming force, akin to a 'frantic and savage master.' With old age, Sophocles feels a sense of freedom and tranquillity, emphasizing that the wisdom and calm that come with maturity allow one to transcend the tumultuous nature of romantic emotions.
In practice
During a discussion on aging at a senior center, this quote can remind participants of the peace that comes with maturity.
Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
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.
...for the object of education is to teach us to love beauty.
Pleasure is the greatest incentive to evil.
Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.
Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.
Fortune is like the market, where, many times, if you can stay a little, the price will fall.
Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech; which is the right of every man as far as by it he does not hurt or control the right of another; and this is the only check it ought to suffer and the only bounds it ought to know.... Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freedom of speech, a thing terrible to traitors.
In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.
Whatever you think someone else should give to you, you need to be able to give yourself first.
Have patience. Wait until the mud settles and the water is clear. Remain unmoving until right action arises by itself.
You must not pity me because my sixtieth year finds me still astonished. To be astonished is one of the surest ways of not growing old too quickly.
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