Isocrates Quotes

20 quotes in 385 categories

• Of all our possessions, wisdom alone is imortal.
• Spend your leisure time in cultivating an ear attentive to discourse, for in this way you will find that you learn with ease what others…
• So far has Athens left the rest of mankind behind in thought and expression that her pupils have become the teachers of the world, and…
• Never hope to conceal any shameful thing which you have done; for even if you do conceal it from others, your own heart will know.…
• Democracy destroys itself because it abuses its right to freedom and equality. Because it teaches its citizens to consider audacity as a right, lawlessness as…
• Oratory is good only if it has the qualities of fitness for the occasion, propriety of style, and originality of treatment, while in the case…
• And let no one suppose that I claim that just living can be taught for, in a word, I hold that there does not exist…
• But I marvel when I observe these men setting themselves up as instructors of youth who cannot see that they are applying the analogy of…
• It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement. Remember that there is…
• Consider that nothing in human life is stable; for then you will not exult overmuch in prosperity, nor grieve overmuch in adversity. Rejoice over the…
• Make no man your friend before inquiring how he has used his former friends; for you must expect him to treat you as he has…
• Conduct yourself towards your parents as you would have your children conduct themselves towards you.
• Always when you are about to say anything, first weigh it in your mind; for with many the tongue outruns the thought.
• Let there be but two occasions for speech - when the subject is one which you thoroughly know and when it is one on which…
• Regard as your most faithful friends, not those who praise everything you say or do, but those who criticize your mistakes.
• Abhor flatterers as you would deceivers; for both, if trusted, injure those who trust them. If you admit as friends men who seek your favor…
• Be gracious to all men, but choose the best to be your friends.
• If all who are engaged in the profession of education were willing to state the facts instead of making greater promises than they can possibly…
• If you be a lover of instruction, you will be well instructed.

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