--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: thither I went, and sought to persuade…" description: "\"“thither I went, and sought to persuade every man among you that he must look to himself, and seek virtue and wisdom before he looks to his private int..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc3/plato-103_every-man_thither-i-went-and-sought-to-persuade-ev_1840116.jpg" --- # thither I went, and sought to persuade every man among you… ![“thither I went, and sought to persuade every man among you that he must look to himself, and seek virtue and wisdom before he looks to his private interests, and look to the state before he looks to the interests of the state; and that this should be the order which he observes in all his actions.” quote by Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc3/plato-103_every-man_thither-i-went-and-sought-to-persuade-ev_1840116.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc3/plato-103_every-man_thither-i-went-and-sought-to-persuade-ev_1840116.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc3/plato-103_every-man_thither-i-went-and-sought-to-persuade-ev_1840116.jpg) > ““thither I went, and sought to persuade every man among you that he must look to himself, and seek virtue and wisdom before he looks to his private interests, and look to the state before he looks to the interests of the state; and that this should be the order which he observes in all his actions.”” [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. Emphasizes self‑reflection and personal virtue before pursuing personal or state interests. **In simple terms:** Focus on self before external goals. Key Takeaway Cultivate inner virtue first. Themes ethics self‑improvement politics Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal development - leadership - public service Key Concepts virtue ethics Socratic method Questions to Reflect On - How do you prioritize self‑growth versus external obligations? - What virtues guide your daily actions? A Different Perspective Neglecting external duties can harm society. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [Shall ignorance of good and ill Dare to direct the eternal will? Seek virtue, and of that possest, To Providence resign the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/shall-ignorance-of-good-and-ill-dare-to-direct-the-eternal-will-seek/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [“Much of the Soul they talk, but all awry; And in themselves seek virtue; and to themselves All glory arrogate, to God give none”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/much-of-the-soul-they-talk-but-all-awry-and-in-themselves-seek-virtue/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [One ought to seek out virtue for its own sake, without being influenced by fear or hope, or by any external influence. Moreover, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/one-ought-to-seek-out-virtue-for-its-own-sake-without-being/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [Seek virtue and of that posest, to Providence resign the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/seek-virtue-and-of-that-posest-to-providence-resign-the-rest/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [You can persuade a man to believe almost anything provided he is clever enough, but it is much more difficult to persuade someone less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/you-can-persuade-a-man-to-believe-almost-anything-provided-he-is/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [You persuade a man only insofar as you can talk his language by speech, gesture, tonality, order, image, attitude, idea, identifying your ways with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-burke/you-persuade-a-man-only-insofar-as-you-can-talk-his-language-by/) [Kenneth Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-burke/) > [I would rather try to persuade a man to go along, because once I have persuaded him, he will stick. If I scare him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/i-would-rather-try-to-persuade-a-man-to-go-along-because-once-i-have/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [It is impossible to persuade a man who does not disagree, but smiles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/it-is-impossible-to-persuade-a-man-who-does-not-disagree-but-smiles/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [Leadership is a word and a concept that has been more argued than almost any other I know. I am not one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-david-eisenhower/leadership-is-a-word-and-a-concept-that-has-been-more-argued-than/) [Dwight David Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-david-eisenhower/) > [“I would wait to I react until I see it. Nobody has a monopoly for virtue and wisdom. 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Nobody has a monopoly on virtue or wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-hsien-loong/the-world-is-a-diverse-place-nobody-has-a-monopoly-on-virtue-or-wisdom/) [Lee Hsien Loong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-hsien-loong/) ## 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 Every man quotes > [I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict Scripture. MARTIN LUTHER, letter to Chancellor Gregory Brück, January 13,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/i-cannot-forbid-a-person-to-marry-several-wives-for-it-does-not/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [Every man has his secret sadness and sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-man-has-his-secret-sadness-and-sorrows-which-the-world-knows/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [“The old intergenerational give-and-take of the country-that-used-to-be, when everyone knew his role and took the rules dead seriously, the acculturating back-and-forth that all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/the-old-intergenerational-give-and-take-of-the-country-that-used-to/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/) [James A. 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Use them after your own honor and dignity, the less they deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/use-every-man-according-to-his-desert-and-who-should-scape-whipping/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“China reminds me most of America at its own moment of transformation—the period that Mark Twain and Charles Warner named the Gilded Age, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-osnos/china-reminds-me-most-of-america-at-its-own-moment-of-transformation/) [Evan Osnos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-osnos/) > [Every man is a missionary, now and forever, for good or for evil, whether he intends or designs it or not. He may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chalmers/every-man-is-a-missionary-now-and-forever-for-good-or-for-evil/) [Thomas Chalmers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chalmers/) > [“John, let me make one thing clear,” Jim said, cutting me off in his most stern, evangelical voice. “Every man is blessed with his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wong/john-let-me-make-one-thing-clear-jim-said-cutting-me-off-in-his-most/) [David Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wong/) > [Every man's heart one day beats its final beat. His lungs breathe a final breath. And if what that man did in his life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-ultimate-warrior/every-man-s-heart-one-day-beats-its-final-beat-his-lungs-breathe-a/) [The Ultimate Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-ultimate-warrior/) Browse all 3,342 Every man quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“thither I went, and sought to persuade every man among you that he must look to himself, and seek virtue and wisdom before he looks to his private interests, and look to the state before he looks to the interests of the state; and that this should be the order which he observes in all his actions.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plato" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/thither-i-went-and-sought-to-persuade-every-man-among-you-that-he/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Every man" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/thither-i-went-and-sought-to-persuade-every-man-among-you-that-he/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc3/plato-103_every-man_thither-i-went-and-sought-to-persuade-ev_1840116.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc3/plato-103_every-man_thither-i-went-and-sought-to-persuade-ev_1840116.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc3/plato-103_every-man_thither-i-went-and-sought-to-persuade-ev_1840116.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“thither I went, and sought to persuade every man among you that he must look to himself, and seek virtue and…” — 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": "“thither I went, and sought to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/thither-i-went-and-sought-to-persuade-every-man-among-you-that-he/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/thither-i-went-and-sought-to-persuade-every-man-among-you-that-he/#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 } } ] } ```