Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
PlatoRead
The most virtuous are those who content themselves with being virtuous without seeking to appear so.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True virtue lies in being good for its own sake, rather than for recognition.
This quote by Plato emphasizes that the highest form of virtue is found in individuals who embody goodness and morality for their intrinsic value, rather than to gain admiration or validation from others. It suggests that genuine moral character is demonstrated through actions that are not aimed at self-promotion or public approval, but rather stem from a sincere commitment to ethical principles.
Themes
VirtueContentmentGoodnessCharacterSelflessness
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared during a philosophy discussion on ethics and morality.
More from Plato
All quotes βNot 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
I am in fact, a hobbit in all but size
J. R. R. TolkienRead
In solitude we are in the presence of mere matter (even the sky, the stars, the moon, trees in blossom), things of less value (perhaps) than a human spirit. Its value lies in the greater possibility of attention.
Simone WeilRead
Victory and defeat are each of the same price.
Thomas JeffersonRead
Born with blue spectacles, you would think the world was blue and never be conscious of the existence of the distorting glass.
T. E. HulmeRead
I'm like a book you have to read. A book can't read itself to you. It doesn't even know what it's about. I don't know what I'm about.
Christopher IsherwoodRead
Religion is the possibility of the removal of every ground of confidence except confidence in God alone.
Karl BarthRead