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
Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Choose friends carefully and commit to those relationships fully.
Socrates emphasizes the importance of being cautious when forming friendships, advocating for a thoughtful selection of friends, and once a true friendship is established, it should be nurtured with steadfast loyalty and consistency. This highlights the balance between discernment in choosing companions and the dedication required to maintain meaningful connections.
Themes
FriendshipLoyaltyCommitmentCautionRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of building strong relationships, one might say, 'As Socrates wisely noted, be slow to fall into friendship; but when you are in, remain steadfast.'
More from Socrates
All quotes βThe 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
Friendship is a sheltering tree.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
Friendship multiplies blessings and...soothes the soul.
Baltasar GracianRead
Friendship has its illusions no less than love.
StendhalRead
I still have friends from primary school. And my two best girlfriends are from secondary school. I don't have to explain anything to them. I don't have to apologize for anything. They know. There's no judgment in any way.
Emma WatsonRead
To lose a friend is the greatest of all losses.
Publilius SyrusRead
I remembered this one time that I never told anybody about. The time we were walking. Just the three of us. I was in the middle. I don't remember where we were walking to or where we were walking from. I just remember the season. I just remember walking between them and feeling for the first time that I belonged somewhere
Stephen ChboskyRead