6 Best Plato Quotes

“For of all creatures, man is the only one that has to be educated.”

Phaedrus's speech, discussing the transformative power of love and education.

“For neither is there any love of wisdom where there is no wisdom, nor any love of beauty where there is no beauty.”

Socrates recounting Diotima's teaching, explaining that love is a desire for what one lacks.

“Love is not a god at all, but a mighty daemon.”

Socrates recounting Diotima's teaching, defining Love as an intermediary spirit.

“And the true order of going, or being led by another, to the things of love, is to begin from the beauties of earth and mount upwards.”

Socrates recounting Diotima's teaching, describing the 'ladder of love'.

“He is always poor, and far from being tender and beautiful, as the many imagine, he is rough and squalid, and has no shoes, nor a house to dwell in.”

Socrates recounting Diotima's description of Love's true nature, as the child of Poverty.

“The one thing that is true, is that I am a lover of men.”

Socrates, in response to Alcibiades's praise, acknowledging his philosophical pursuit of human virtue.