--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the greatest good for an individual…" description: "\"It is the greatest good for an individual to discuss virtue (aka areté) every day...for the unexamined life is not worth living.\" — Socrates" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/socrates-405_aka_it-is-the-greatest-good-for-an-individua_186072.jpg" --- # It is the greatest good for an individual to discuss… ![“It is the greatest good for an individual to discuss virtue (aka areté) every day...for the unexamined life is not worth living.” quote by Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/socrates-405_aka_it-is-the-greatest-good-for-an-individua_186072.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/socrates-405_aka_it-is-the-greatest-good-for-an-individua_186072.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/socrates-405_aka_it-is-the-greatest-good-for-an-individua_186072.jpg) > “It is the greatest good for an individual to discuss virtue (aka areté) every day...for the unexamined life is not worth living.” [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Regularly examining one’s character and values leads to a meaningful life, whereas neglecting self‑reflection results in emptiness. **In simple terms:** Self‑reflection makes life worthwhile. Key Takeaway Reflect daily on your virtues. Themes philosophy self‑improvement ethics Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - education - leadership - spiritual practice Key Concepts Virtue ethics Socratic method Questions to Reflect On - What virtues do you neglect? - How does daily reflection change your choices? A Different Perspective Self‑examination can be uncomfortable and may reveal unsettling truths. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aka/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Individuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individuality/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Live life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-life/) [Unexamined life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unexamined-life/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Worth living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth-living/) ## Related quotes > [The unexamined life is not worth living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/the-unexamined-life-is-not-worth-living/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued." "It is not living that matters, but living rightly. The unexamined life is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/not-life-but-good-life-is-to-be-chiefly-valued-it-is-not-living-that/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [“The unexamined life is not worth living,’ observed Plato. But the number of people who come out of our leadership development programs saying ‘I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-unexamined-life-is-not-worth-living-observed-plato-but-the-number/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Early on in this book, I quoted Socrates's famous dictum that, 'The unexamined life is not worth living.' Let me now turn the phrase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-coudert/early-on-in-this-book-i-quoted-socrates-s-famous-dictum-that-the/) [Jo Coudert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-coudert/) > [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/) > [Perhaps the single most important therapeutic credo that I have is that the unexamined life is not worth living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvin-d-yalom/perhaps-the-single-most-important-therapeutic-credo-that-i-have-is/) [Irvin D. Yalom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvin-d-yalom/) > [Look - I understand that an unexamined life is not worth living, but do you think I could someday have an unexamined lunch?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/look-i-understand-that-an-unexamined-life-is-not-worth-living-but-do/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [The unexamined life is not worth living. But if all you're doing is examining, then you're not living!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-leipzig/the-unexamined-life-is-not-worth-living-but-if-all-you-re-doing-is/) [Adam Leipzig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-leipzig/) > [“if they did not interrogate their most fundamental beliefs, they would live superficial, expedient lives, because “the unexamined life is not worth living.”7”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/if-they-did-not-interrogate-their-most-fundamental-beliefs-they-would/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) > [As Socrates I believe said the unexamined life is not worth living. I believe that's true. I do believe that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-behar/as-socrates-i-believe-said-the-unexamined-life-is-not-worth-living-i/) [Joy Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-behar/) > [In a speech, the columnist Charles Krauthammer… offered a new version of Socrates' famous saying, "The unexamined life is not worth living." In our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leo/in-a-speech-the-columnist-charles-krauthammer-offered-a-new-version/) [John Leo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leo/) > [“(...)while it's true that the unexamined life is not worth living, it's also true that the unlived life isn't worth examining.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mckee/while-it-s-true-that-the-unexamined-life-is-not-worth-living-it-s/) [Robert McKee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mckee/) > [The ancient Greeks were the first ones to say an unexamined life is not worth living. They don't tell you of course what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-quinn/the-ancient-greeks-were-the-first-ones-to-say-an-unexamined-life-is/) [Colin Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-quinn/) > [“We've all heard that the unexamined life is not worth living, but consider too that the unlived life is not worth examining.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-cameron/we-ve-all-heard-that-the-unexamined-life-is-not-worth-living-but/) [Julia Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-cameron/) > [The unexamined life is not worth living for a human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/the-unexamined-life-is-not-worth-living-for-a-human-being/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## More by Socrates > [By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/by-all-means-marry-if-you-get-a-good-wife-you-ll-be-happy-if-you-get/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [Falling down is not a failure. Failure comes when you stay where you have fallen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/falling-down-is-not-a-failure-failure-comes-when-you-stay-where-you/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [Do not go through life like leaf blown from here to there believing whatever you are told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/do-not-go-through-life-like-leaf-blown-from-here-to-there-believing/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [If the whole world depends on today's youth, I can't see the world lasting another 100 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/if-the-whole-world-depends-on-today-s-youth-i-can-t-see-the-world/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [“I only know, I know nothing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/i-only-know-i-know-nothing/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/i-cannot-teach-anybody-anything-i-can-only-make-them-think/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [If measure and symmetry are absent from any composition in any degree, ruin awaits both the ingredients and the composition... Measure and symmetry are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/if-measure-and-symmetry-are-absent-from-any-composition-in-any-degree/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [Marry a good woman, and be happy the rest of your life. Or, marry a bad, and become a good philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/marry-a-good-woman-and-be-happy-the-rest-of-your-life-or-marry-a-bad/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [“For the fear of death is indeed the pretense of wisdom, and not real wisdom, being a pretense of knowing the unknown; and no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/for-the-fear-of-death-is-indeed-the-pretense-of-wisdom-and-not-real/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [There is no difference between knowledge and temperance; for he who knows what is good and embraces it, who knows what is bad and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/there-is-no-difference-between-knowledge-and-temperance-for-he-who/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [Besides, it is a shame to let yourself grow old through neglect before seeing how you can develop the maximum beauty and strength of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/besides-it-is-a-shame-to-let-yourself-grow-old-through-neglect-before/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [The greatest blessing granted to mankind come by way of madness, which is a divine gift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/the-greatest-blessing-granted-to-mankind-come-by-way-of-madness-which/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [I desire only to know the truth, and to live as well as I can...And, to the utmost of my power, I exhort all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/i-desire-only-to-know-the-truth-and-to-live-as-well-as-i-can-and-to/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [So you would rather suffer an injustice than do an injustice?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/so-you-would-rather-suffer-an-injustice-than-do-an-injustice/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [The end of life is to be like unto God; and the soul following God, will be like unto Him; He being the beginning,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/the-end-of-life-is-to-be-like-unto-god-and-the-soul-following-god/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) [Explore all 579 Socrates quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) ## More Aka quotes > [Black music has always known, and not been afraid to acknowledge just how high the stakes of Black thought are. To summarize the final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-b-wilderson-iii/black-music-has-always-known-and-not-been-afraid-to-acknowledge-just/) Frank B. Wilderson III > [I don't know how to fix a car. If the car breaks down, and the gas tank does not say "E", I'm screwed. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-know-how-to-fix-a-car-if-the-car-breaks-down-and-the-gas-tank/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [My younger son, Cordell, aka Lil Snoop, loves me like a fan loves Snoop Dogg. He's inspired by making me happy. My older son,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/my-younger-son-cordell-aka-lil-snoop-loves-me-like-a-fan-loves-snoop/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [ I've wanted to work with \[Kairo aka Pulse director\] Kiyoshi Kurosawa, but he has not been making horror movies recently. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-lee/i-ve-wanted-to-work-with-kairo-aka-pulse-director-kiyoshi-kurosawa/) Roy Lee > [ I've done collaborations with Scott \[Morgan, aka Loscil\] in the past, but it is something that kind of appeals to me these days. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-khan/i-ve-done-collaborations-with-scott-morgan-aka-loscil-in-the-past-but/) [King Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/king-khan/) > [You are exactly who the Greatest You (aka God) most wanted to be, not a frail offshoot who must bow, curtsey, and yield to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-dooley/you-are-exactly-who-the-greatest-you-aka-god-most-wanted-to-be-not-a/) [Mike Dooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-dooley/) > [I remember," she said. "Lawrence Malley. He was an expert in security systems." "Aka Lightfinger Larry." Dan grinned. "He was also wanted in five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-remember-she-said-lawrence-malley-he-was-an-expert-in-security/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dress for the job you want aka always dress like the Ultimate Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-murphy/dress-for-the-job-you-want-aka-always-dress-like-the-ultimate-warrior/) Brian Murphy > [Google the phrase "the most hated man in America." And this guy is one of the first people to pop up. Martin Shkreli, aka…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/google-the-phrase-the-most-hated-man-in-america-and-this-guy-is-one/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [Wealth does not bring about excellence (aka areté), but excellence (aka areté) brings about wealth and all other public and private blessings for men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/wealth-does-not-bring-about-excellence-aka-aret-but-excellence-aka/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [i hate how my past actions keep messing up my future choices" Seth Sorson aka " fablehaven " (my son's quote)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-mull/i-hate-how-my-past-actions-keep-messing-up-my-future-choices-seth/) [Brandon Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-mull/) > [The End of a long week with Viking Leader AKA DJ Virgo AKA Avicii! So many great songs! #icantwait #revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/the-end-of-a-long-week-with-viking-leader-aka-dj-virgo-aka-avicii-so/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [Mark Ruffalo, aka the Incredible Hulk, is the natural gas industry's worst nightmare: a serious, committed activist who is determined to use his star…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-goodell/mark-ruffalo-aka-the-incredible-hulk-is-the-natural-gas-industry-s/) [Jeff Goodell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-goodell/) > [Silicon Bayou - aka Lafayette, LA - is the best kept secret reservoir of innovation mojo in America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-park/silicon-bayou-aka-lafayette-la-is-the-best-kept-secret-reservoir-of/) Todd Park > [Past persons of Scottishness in contact with mastermind of supernatural persuasion in London, aka Agent Doom.’ Floote moved on to the third bit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/past-persons-of-scottishness-in-contact-with-mastermind-of/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) [Browse all 24 Aka quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aka/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is the greatest good for an individual to discuss virtue (aka areté) every day...for the unexamined life is not worth living.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Socrates" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/it-is-the-greatest-good-for-an-individual-to-discuss-virtue-aka-aret/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aka" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/it-is-the-greatest-good-for-an-individual-to-discuss-virtue-aka-aret/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/socrates-405_aka_it-is-the-greatest-good-for-an-individua_186072.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/socrates-405_aka_it-is-the-greatest-good-for-an-individua_186072.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/socrates-405_aka_it-is-the-greatest-good-for-an-individua_186072.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is the greatest good for an individual to discuss virtue (aka areté) every day...for the unexamined life…” — Socrates", "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": "Socrates", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is the greatest good for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/it-is-the-greatest-good-for-an-individual-to-discuss-virtue-aka-aret/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/it-is-the-greatest-good-for-an-individual-to-discuss-virtue-aka-aret/#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 } } ] } ```