There are not in the world at any one time more than a…
“There are not in the world at any one time more than a dozen persons who read and understand Plato:-never enough to pay for an edition of his works; yet to every generation these come duly down, for the sake of those few persons, as if God brought them written in his hand.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Only a few people truly grasp Plato, and they are too few to support publishing, yet each generation receives his teachings as if divinely delivered.
In simple terms: Few understand Plato; their numbers are too small to sustain editions, yet his ideas persist across ages.
Key Takeaway
Value deep, rare insight despite limited audience.
Themes
philosophy
education
legacy
divine inspiration
knowledge transmission
Mood
reflective
hopeful
respectful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
cultural.
When to use this quote
- academic study
- private reading groups
- publishing decisions
- cultural preservation
Key Concepts
Plato's works
intellectual scarcity
generational transmission
divine metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies preserve valuable but niche knowledge?
- What responsibilities do readers have to keep rare wisdom alive?
A Different Perspective
Even with few readers, Plato's influence endures, suggesting ideas can outlast commercial viability.