The Enduring Wisdom of Socrates: 5 Quotes That Still Matter
From Self-Knowledge to Self-Mastery: The Socratic Path
1. “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Spoken during his trial as a defense of philosophy itself.
Meaning: Self-reflection and moral inquiry are essential to a meaningful life.
2. “I know that I know nothing.”
An acknowledgment of the limits of one’s own knowledge.
Meaning: True wisdom begins with intellectual humility.
3. “Let him that would move the world first move himself.”
A call to personal responsibility before changing others.
Meaning: Inner mastery is the starting point of real influence.
4. “Be as you wish to seem.”
A moral guideline on aligning appearance with inner virtue.
Meaning: Live with integrity — don’t fake goodness, embody it.
5. “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
A variation of his theme on self-awareness and humility.
Meaning: Recognizing ignorance is the gateway to real learning.
“If these ideas challenged your thinking, send this to someone who embraces discomfort.”