Accounts Quote by Plato
“Being well satisfied that, for a man who thinks himself to be somebody, there is nothing more disgraceful than to hold himself up as honored, not on his own account, but for the sake of his forefathers. Yet hereditary honors are a noble and splendid treasure to descendants.”
About This Quote
A man who seeks honor through ancestors rather than personal merit is disgraceful, yet hereditary honors remain valuable treasures for descendants, highlighting tension between personal virtue and inherited status.
In simple terms: Seek personal merit, not just inherited honor.
Key Takeaway
Value personal achievement over lineage.
Themes
ethics
honor
heritage
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- family legacy
- education
Key Concepts
virtue ethics
social status
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance respect for heritage with personal effort?
- What role should lineage play in modern society?
A Different Perspective
Inherited prestige can stifle individual growth.
![“[I]n Great-Britain it is said that their constitution relies on the house of commons for honesty, and the lords for wisdom; whichwould be a rational reliance if honesty were to be bought with money, and if wisdom were hereditary.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/033/thomas-jefferson-43_britain_i-n-great-britain-it-is-said-that-their_143406.jpg)
