A system of morality that is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception that has nothing sound in it and nothing true.
SocratesRead
The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world, is to be in reality what we would appear to be, all human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice and experience of them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Living honorably requires authenticity, and practicing virtues strengthens them.
This quote by Socrates emphasizes the importance of authenticity in one's character. To live honorably, one must genuinely embody the virtues they represent, as true integrity leads to the enhancement of those virtues through continuous practice and experience. Socrates suggests that by being true to ourselves, we allow our human virtues to flourish, thus improving our lives and the lives of those around us.
Themes
HonorAuthenticityVirtuesIntegritySelf-Improvement
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about personal ethics and integrity, one might use this quote to illustrate the importance of being true to oneself.
More from Socrates
All quotes →The poets are only the interpreters of the gods.
SocratesRead
I am wiser than this man, for neither of us appears to know anything great and good; but he fancies he knows something, although he knows nothing; whereas I, as I do not know anything, so I do not fancy I do. In this trifling particular, then, I appear to be wiser than he, because I do not fancy I know what I do not know.
SocratesRead
The unexamined life is not worth living.
SocratesRead
When I was young, I believed that life might unfold in an orderly way, according to my hopes and expectations. But now I understand that the Way winds like a river, always changing, ever onward.. My journeys revealed that the Way itself creates the warrior; that every path leads to peace, every choice to wisdom. And that life has always been, and will always be, arising in Mystery.
SocratesRead
Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued." "It is not living that matters, but living rightly. The unexamined life is not worth living.
SocratesRead
Similar quotes
If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.
Sun TzuRead
The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.
Samuel JohnsonRead
When you love a problem, its contours, obstacles and resistances are all just part of its character.
Steven StrogatzRead
Don’t be vain because you happen to have talent. You are not responsible for that; it was not of your doing. What you do with your talent is what matters.
Pablo CasalsRead
Our job in this lifetime is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it.
Steven PressfieldRead
And this gray spirit yearning in desire To follow knowledge like a sinking star, Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.
Alfred Lord TennysonRead