Skip to content

Knowledge Quote by Plutarch

“I would rather excel in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and possessions.” quote by Plutarch — Download Open image

“I would rather excel in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and possessions.”

About This Quote

Source Essay: Moralia, 1st century AD

Pursue excellence in virtue rather than power or wealth.

In simple terms: Seek excellence, not riches.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate character over material gain.

Themes

virtue excellence wealth

Mood

thoughtful inspirational

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

career choices
leadership
personal development
education

Key Concepts

ethics philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

What does excellence look like in your life?
Can you be influential without wealth?

A Different Perspective

Power can corrupt; wealth may not bring fulfillment.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2.1 out of 5 (6 ratings)

Excellent Extent Extent Power Knowledge Knowledge Excellent Possessions Power Power Possessions Rather

More by Plutarch

When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…

Image

The generous mind adds dignity to every act, and nothing misbecomes it.

Image

Painting is silent poetry.

Image

King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are."

Image

Alexander wept when he heard from Anaxarchus that there was an infinite number of worlds; and his friends asking him if any accident had…

Image

Proper listening is the foundation of proper living.

Image

Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.

Image

Speech is like cloth of Arras opened and put abroad, whereby the imagery doth appear in figure; whereas in thoughts they lie but as…

Image

There were two brothers called Both and Either; perceiving Either was a good, understanding, busy fellow, and Both a silly fellow and good for…

Image

Why does pouring Oil on the Sea make it Clear and Calm? Is it that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no force,…

Image

This excerpt is presented as reproduced by Copernicus in the preface to De Revolutionibus: "Some think that the earth remains at rest. But Philolaus…

Image

It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.

Image

Explore all 451 Plutarch quotes

More Knowledge quotes

“Knowledge without conscience is but the ruin of the soul.”

Image

For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…

Alfred North Whitehead

Image

Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…

William Bernbach

Image

But I already saw no great difference between the psyche and spirituality. To amass knowledge without becoming wise is not my idea of progress…

Image

If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Image

An enlightened awareness is within each one of us, right at this moment. This enlightened awareness is truly unborn and marvellously illuminating; and everything…

Image

One of the deepest and strangest of all human moods is the mood which will suddenly strike us perhaps in a garden at night,…

Image

“I never knew any man who had once tasted the sweetness of experimental knowledge, that ever afterward fasted after ye Vapour garlick and onions…

Image

I would rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent than in the extent of my powers and dominion.

Alexander the Great

Image

We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Image

I've always been a believer in research. It's great to have an instinctual human reaction to a character, too, of course, but it has…

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Image

I am an aware citizen, so I want my characters to be aware, too. They should be aware of what's happening in the society…

Pankaj Tripathi

Image

Browse all 13,227 Knowledge quotes