--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Socrates told us, \"the unexamined life is…" description: "\"Socrates told us, \"the unexamined life is not worth living.\" I think he's calling for curiosity, more than knowledge. In every human society at all tim..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbd/roger-ebert-655_all-time_socrates-told-us-the-unexamined-life-is_2933701.jpg" --- # Socrates told us, "the unexamined life is not worth… ![“Socrates told us, "the unexamined life is not worth living." I think he's calling for curiosity, more than knowledge. In every human society at all times and at all levels, the curious are at the leading edge.” quote by Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbd/roger-ebert-655_all-time_socrates-told-us-the-unexamined-life-is_2933701.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbd/roger-ebert-655_all-time_socrates-told-us-the-unexamined-life-is_2933701.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbd/roger-ebert-655_all-time_socrates-told-us-the-unexamined-life-is_2933701.jpg) > “Socrates told us, "the unexamined life is not worth living." I think he's calling for curiosity, more than knowledge. In every human society at all times and at all levels, the curious are at the leading edge.” [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Socrates’ claim urges continual self‑examination, driving curiosity and progress. **In simple terms:** Unexamined life lacks value; curiosity drives advancement. Key Takeaway Regularly question your beliefs and actions. Themes self‑examination curiosity philosophy Mood inquisitive thought‑provoking Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal journaling - academic study - innovation workshops - leadership training Key Concepts ethics critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - What belief have you never questioned? - How does curiosity shape your daily decisions? A Different Perspective Self‑examination can be uncomfortable and destabilizing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [All time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/all-time/) [Calling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calling/) [Curiosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curiosity/) [Curiosity Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curiosity-knowledge-337375/) [Curious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curious/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Levels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/levels/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/) [Life is not worth living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is-not-worth-living/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/socrates/) [Socrates Told](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/socrates-told-4337535/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Unexamined life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unexamined-life/) [Worth living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth-living/) ## Related quotes > [“Socrates once said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." I would expand on his thought by suggesting, "The unexamined society is not worth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-workman/socrates-once-said-the-unexamined-life-is-not-worth-living-i-would/) [Eileen Workman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-workman/) > [“What do you think Socrates meant when he said, “The unexamined life is not worth living”? Third,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/what-do-you-think-socrates-meant-when-he-said-the-unexamined-life-is/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) > [Socrates said the unexamined life is not worth living. But the over-examined life makes you wish you were dead. Given the alternative, I'd rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-bellow/socrates-said-the-unexamined-life-is-not-worth-living-but-the-over/) [Saul Bellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-bellow/) > [As Socrates I believe said the unexamined life is not worth living. I believe that's true. 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