Plutarch Quotes – Wisdom and Inspiration from the Ancient Greek Biographer
The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
Character is simply habit long continued.
The mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting.
To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.
Courage stands halfway between cowardice and rashness, one of which is a lack, the other an excess of courage.
In words are seen the state of mind and character and disposition of the speaker.
Know how to listen and you will profit even from those who talk badly.
Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.
An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.
True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in the worth and choice.
The whole life of a man is but a point of time, let us enjoy it.
A few vices are sufficient to darken many virtues.
We must not offer ourselves to walk on thorns when there is a path of flowers before us.
I would rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and domination.
An orchestra full of stars can be a disaster.
What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.
It is not possible to live a pleasant life without living wisely and honorably and justly.
It is indeed a desirable thing to be well descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.
Perseverance is more prevailing than violence; and many things which cannot be overcome when they are together yield themselves up when taken little by little.
To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life.
Character, like a photograph, develops in darkness.
What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.
The measure of a man is what he does with power.
The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.
It is not living that matters, but living rightly.
Medicine to produce health must examine disease; and music, to create harmony, must investigate discord.
Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a warrior.
Prosperity is no just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.
Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.
Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.
The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.
To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.
Courage consists not in hazarding without fear; but being resolutely minded in a just cause.
Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.
Education is the best provision for old age.
If I am not ashamed of my grandparents, I will not be ashamed of my grandchildren.
The real destroyer of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and benefits.
When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
Great men are like eagles, and build their nest on some lofty solitude.
The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education.
When we are told that these deeds were harmful to the survivors of the deeds themselves, I think we should believe it.
A friend to all is a friend to none.
Character is simply habit long continued.
The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.
Cultivate above all things the habit of thinking for yourself.
To do nothing is also a good remedy.
Avoid public assemblies as much as you can without breaking the laws.
Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us.
The mind is a fire, to be lighted, not a vessel to be filled.