--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Shall we not, then, lay down a law, in…" description: "\"Shall we not, then, lay down a law, in the first place, that boys shall abstain altogether from wine till their eighteenth year, thereby teaching that ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4d/plato-103_add_shall-we-not-then-lay-down-a-law-in-the_1420748.jpg" --- # Shall we not, then, lay down a law, in the first place… ![“Shall we not, then, lay down a law, in the first place, that boys shall abstain altogether from wine till their eighteenth year, thereby teaching that it is wrong to add fire to fire, as through a funnel, pouring it into their body and soul before they proceed to the labor of life, thus exercising…” quote by Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4d/plato-103_add_shall-we-not-then-lay-down-a-law-in-the_1420748.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4d/plato-103_add_shall-we-not-then-lay-down-a-law-in-the_1420748.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4d/plato-103_add_shall-we-not-then-lay-down-a-law-in-the_1420748.jpg) > “Shall we not, then, lay down a law, in the first place, that boys shall abstain altogether from wine till their eighteenth year, thereby teaching that it is wrong to add fire to fire, as through a funnel, pouring it into their body and soul before they proceed to the labor of life, thus exercising a caution as to the maddening habits of youth.” [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Youth should be shielded from harmful indulgences until maturity, teaching restraint early. **In simple terms:** Teach young people to avoid harmful habits until they’re mature. Key Takeaway Instill self‑control early in life. Themes education self‑control youth vice Mood thoughtful instructive Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - parenting - school curricula - mentoring programs Key Concepts virtue ethics temperance Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance protection with fostering responsibility? - What limits are appropriate for youth? A Different Perspective Over‑protectiveness can hinder personal growth and critical thinking. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Caution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caution/) [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [First place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Teaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [I am obliged to renounce violence, and abstain from it altogether.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/i-am-obliged-to-renounce-violence-and-abstain-from-it-altogether/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [You shall abstain, shall abstain. That is the eternal song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/you-shall-abstain-shall-abstain-that-is-the-eternal-song/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“Waiting for the end, boys, waiting for the end. What is there to be or do? What's become of me or you? Are we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-empson/waiting-for-the-end-boys-waiting-for-the-end-what-is-there-to-be-or/) [William Empson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-empson/) > [Boys should abstain from all use of wine until their eighteenth year, for it is wrong to add fire to fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/boys-should-abstain-from-all-use-of-wine-until-their-eighteenth-year/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Make no mistake: Deciding to abstain from the Pledge of Allegiance does communicate something, and therefore, it is a form of speech. It's also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-timpf/make-no-mistake-deciding-to-abstain-from-the-pledge-of-allegiance/) [Kat Timpf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-timpf/) > [When you are near I abstain myself,but when you are away I badly miss you sweetheart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pappi-reddy/when-you-are-near-i-abstain-myself-but-when-you-are-away-i-badly-miss/) [Pappi Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pappi-reddy/) > [The Christian must abstain from sin. It is as simple and direct as that. You have no right to say, 'I am weak, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martyn/the-christian-must-abstain-from-sin-it-is-as-simple-and-direct-as/) [Martyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martyn/) > [When we are in doubt whether an action is good or bad, abstain from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/when-we-are-in-doubt-whether-an-action-is-good-or-bad-abstain-from-it/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [When I am giving the relation of a thing, remember to abstain from altering either in the matter or manner of speaking, so much,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/when-i-am-giving-the-relation-of-a-thing-remember-to-abstain-from/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [We live only to dance. If living were not an essential prerequisite, we would abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-bentley/we-live-only-to-dance-if-living-were-not-an-essential-prerequisite-we/) [Toni Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-bentley/) > [“THAT you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves, from these you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/that-you-abstain-from-things-offered-to-idols-from-blood-from-things/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I find it easier to abstain than do a little bit of anything. I'm not a 'little bit' kind of dame. I want it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-stritch/i-find-it-easier-to-abstain-than-do-a-little-bit-of-anything-i-m-not/) [Elaine Stritch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-stritch/) > [In doubt if an action is just, abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/in-doubt-if-an-action-is-just-abstain/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/all-philosophy-lies-in-two-words-sustain-and-abstain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [We ought to observe that practice which is the hardest of all-especially for young physicians-we ought to throw in no medicine at all-to abstain-to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-randolph-of-roanoke/we-ought-to-observe-that-practice-which-is-the-hardest-of-all/) John Randolph of Roanoke ## More by Plato > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [You may be sure, dear Crito, that inaccurate language is not only in itself a mistake: it implants evil in men's souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-may-be-sure-dear-crito-that-inaccurate-language-is-not-only-in/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“If men learn this, it will implant forgetfulness in their souls; they will cease to exercise memory because they rely on that which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/if-men-learn-this-it-will-implant-forgetfulness-in-their-souls-they/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/knowledge-which-is-acquired-under-compulsion-obtains-no-hold-on-the/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [I do not think it is permitted that a better man be harmed by a worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/i-do-not-think-it-is-permitted-that-a-better-man-be-harmed-by-a-worse/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Any city, however small, is in fact divided into two, one the city of the poor, the other of the rich; these are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/any-city-however-small-is-in-fact-divided-into-two-one-the-city-of/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-as-nobody-may-believe-them/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“The love of man to woman is a thing common and of course, and at first partakes more of instinct and passion than of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/the-love-of-man-to-woman-is-a-thing-common-and-of-course-and-at-first/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Strange times are these in which we live when old and young are taught in falsehood's school, and the one man that dares to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/strange-times-are-these-in-which-we-live-when-old-and-young-are/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“He was a wise man who invented God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/he-was-a-wise-man-who-invented-god/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [For let me tell you, that the more the pleasures of the body fade away, the greater to me is the pleasure and charm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/for-let-me-tell-you-that-the-more-the-pleasures-of-the-body-fade-away/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“What shall we say about those spectators, then, who can see a plurality of beautiful things, but not beauty itself, and who are incapable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/what-shall-we-say-about-those-spectators-then-who-can-see-a-plurality/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Geometry existed before creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/geometry-existed-before-creation/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [When men speak ill of thee, live so that nobody will believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-that-nobody-will-believe-them/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [We must, if we are to be consistent, and if we re to have a real pedigree herd, mate the best of our men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/we-must-if-we-are-to-be-consistent-and-if-we-re-to-have-a-real/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) [Explore all 1,278 Plato quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## More Abstain quotes > [We ought to observe that practice which is the hardest of all-especially for young physicians-we ought to throw in no medicine at all-to abstain-to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-randolph-of-roanoke/we-ought-to-observe-that-practice-which-is-the-hardest-of-all/) John Randolph of Roanoke > [When you are near I abstain myself,but when you are away I badly miss you sweetheart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pappi-reddy/when-you-are-near-i-abstain-myself-but-when-you-are-away-i-badly-miss/) [Pappi Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pappi-reddy/) > [“THAT you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves, from these you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/that-you-abstain-from-things-offered-to-idols-from-blood-from-things/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Make no mistake: Deciding to abstain from the Pledge of Allegiance does communicate something, and therefore, it is a form of speech. It's also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-timpf/make-no-mistake-deciding-to-abstain-from-the-pledge-of-allegiance/) [Kat Timpf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-timpf/) > [All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/all-philosophy-lies-in-two-words-sustain-and-abstain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [In doubt if an action is just, abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/in-doubt-if-an-action-is-just-abstain/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [I find it easier to abstain than do a little bit of anything. I'm not a 'little bit' kind of dame. I want it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-stritch/i-find-it-easier-to-abstain-than-do-a-little-bit-of-anything-i-m-not/) [Elaine Stritch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-stritch/) > [We live only to dance. If living were not an essential prerequisite, we would abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-bentley/we-live-only-to-dance-if-living-were-not-an-essential-prerequisite-we/) [Toni Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-bentley/) > [When I am giving the relation of a thing, remember to abstain from altering either in the matter or manner of speaking, so much,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/when-i-am-giving-the-relation-of-a-thing-remember-to-abstain-from/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [When we are in doubt whether an action is good or bad, abstain from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/when-we-are-in-doubt-whether-an-action-is-good-or-bad-abstain-from-it/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [The Christian must abstain from sin. It is as simple and direct as that. You have no right to say, 'I am weak, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martyn/the-christian-must-abstain-from-sin-it-is-as-simple-and-direct-as/) [Martyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martyn/) > [When you are in doubt abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/when-you-are-in-doubt-abstain/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [Every man who has ever been earnest to preserve his higher or poetic faculties in the best condition, has been particularly inclined to abstain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/every-man-who-has-ever-been-earnest-to-preserve-his-higher-or-poetic/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [To abstain from sin when one can no longer sin is to be forsaken by sin, not to forsake it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/to-abstain-from-sin-when-one-can-no-longer-sin-is-to-be-forsaken-by/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Abstain from all sinful, unwholesome actions, perform only pious wholesome ones, purify the mind; this is the teaching of enlightened ones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/abstain-from-all-sinful-unwholesome-actions-perform-only-pious/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) Browse all 61 Abstain quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Shall we not, then, lay down a law, in the first place, that boys shall abstain altogether from wine till their eighteenth year, thereby teaching that it is wrong to add fire to fire, as through a funnel, pouring it into their body and soul before they proceed to the labor of life, thus exercising a caution as to the maddening habits of youth.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plato" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/shall-we-not-then-lay-down-a-law-in-the-first-place-that-boys-shall/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abstain" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/shall-we-not-then-lay-down-a-law-in-the-first-place-that-boys-shall/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4d/plato-103_add_shall-we-not-then-lay-down-a-law-in-the_1420748.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4d/plato-103_add_shall-we-not-then-lay-down-a-law-in-the_1420748.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4d/plato-103_add_shall-we-not-then-lay-down-a-law-in-the_1420748.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Shall we not, then, lay down a law, in the first place, that boys shall abstain altogether from wine till…” — Plato", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Plato", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Shall we not, then, lay down...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/shall-we-not-then-lay-down-a-law-in-the-first-place-that-boys-shall/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/shall-we-not-then-lay-down-a-law-in-the-first-place-that-boys-shall/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```