The poets are only the interpreters of the gods.
SocratesRead
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.
Interpretation
Socrates criticizes morality based on emotional values as deceptive and lacking truth.
In this quote, Socrates expresses skepticism towards moral systems that rely solely on emotions or subjective feelings. He believes that such a system is illusory and lacks the sound basis necessary for true morality, which should be objective and grounded in reason rather than personal sentiment.
In practice
This quote can be used in a philosophy class to illustrate discussions about moral relativism.
The poets are only the interpreters of the gods.
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.
The unexamined life is not worth living.
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.
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.
The hour of departure has arrived and we go our ways; I to die, and you to live. Which is better? Only God knows.
Movement is a fantastic privilege but it ultimately only has meaning if you have a home to go back to.
If you should ask me where I've been all this time I have to say "Things happen." I have to dwell on stones darkening the earth, on the river ruined in its own duration: I know nothing save things the birds have lost, the sea I left behind, or my sister crying. Why this abundance of places? Why does day lock with day? Why the dark night swilling round in our mouths? And why the dead?
All men would be tyrants if they could.
A businessman cannot force you to buy his product; if he makes a mistake, he suffers the consequences; if he fails, he takes the loss. If bureaucrat makes a mistake, you suffer the consequences; if he fails, he passes the loss on to you.
And we have made of ourselves living cesspools, and driven doctors to invent names for our diseases.
I would have written of me on my stone: I had a lover's quarrel with the world.
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