Abiding Quote by Socrates
“Those then who know not wisdom and virtue, and are always busy with gluttony and sensuality, go down and up again as far as the mean; and in this region they move at random throughout life, but they never pass into the true upper world; thither they neither look, nor do they ever find their way, neither are they truly filled with true being, nor do they ever taste of pure and abiding pleasure.”
About This Quote
Source Dialogue: Plato’s “Gorgias” (c. 380 BC)
Those lacking wisdom chase pleasure randomly, never reaching true fulfillment or higher reality.
In simple terms: Without wisdom, pleasure‑seeking is aimless.
Key Takeaway
Seek wisdom before indulgence.
Themes
wisdom
pleasure
virtue
ignorance
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
philosophical
didactic
When to use this quote
- addiction
- consumerism
- mindless habits
- spiritual quest
Key Concepts
ethics
philosophy
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- Can pleasure coexist with wisdom?
- What defines “true upper world”?
A Different Perspective
Pleasure can be a stepping stone, not a trap.
