I know that I know nothing (Video)
Here is a video for I know that I know nothing phrase. This is a one minute and eleven seconds short video that can give you the quickest facts, figures & information about the phrase.
Socrates Quotes about Knowing Oneself
There are so many quotes of Socrates. His quotes on knowing oneself are famous since they are motivational and they open eye on self-awareness, self-examination/review, etc.
Socrates did not write any book about philosophy or teaching, but his students wrote from his teachings. Commonly Plato and Xenophon are considered as writers of Socrates’ teachings.
Socrates wanted to make people to think, particularly oneself. Therefore, he taught about “knowing oneself”. Still his teaching to possess knowledge influences people, and make them think and knowing themselves first and then other knowledge. So, know first yourself then then know others. Therefore, the quotes about knowing are listed in this article.
There are fourteen quotes of Socrates to know yourself as follows (in alphabetical order):
Socrates did not write any book about philosophy or teaching, but his students wrote from his teachings. Commonly Plato and Xenophon are considered as writers of Socrates’ teachings.
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| Socrates Quotes about Knowing Oneself |
Socrates wanted to make people to think, particularly oneself. Therefore, he taught about “knowing oneself”. Still his teaching to possess knowledge influences people, and make them think and knowing themselves first and then other knowledge. So, know first yourself then then know others. Therefore, the quotes about knowing are listed in this article.
There are fourteen quotes of Socrates to know yourself as follows (in alphabetical order):
- Be of good cheer about death, and know this of a truth, that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death.
- By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.
- Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.
- He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.
- It is better to change an opinion than to persist in a wrong one.
- My friend…care for your psyche…know thyself, for once we know ourselves, we may learn how to care for ourselves.
- Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.
- The easiest and noblest way is not to be crushing others, but to be improving yourselves.
- The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- The unexamined life is not worth living.
- There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.
- Think not those faithful who praise all thy words and actions; but those who kindly reprove thy faults.
- True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.
- When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.
Trend followers know one thing is nothing
Most of people simply live their life as "daily routine". They do not care what NASA does in space, what scientists do for climate change or what were philosophies of Socrates? Most people live by their live on own principles. They have logic that only interprets for them as right or wrong. Most people try to live as happy and target money for happiness. That’s all. They might follow mass. If the believe on God, they too do the same. It could be blindly acceptance or arbitrary influence. It could be from outside influence such as culture or own inadequacy.
Why they do? They know nothing! They have no idea of knowing the knowledge. They mainly follow mass. If it is a "trend" that has short haircut and coloring like a circle shape on center portion of hair with red color, they will follow and name it "fashion" or "style". We could call them "trend followers".
From the Greek philosophical era to the current modern world, majority of people are average or below average in terms of knowledge. Socrates was struggling to enlighten people including the king. This average type of people never contributed to the knowledge including science and philosophy. Also, we cannot blame them. It is their limitation or knowledge condition. You can never and ever make a butterfly as eagle. And, eagle’s strength and wings automatically take her to soaring. Butterfly is beautiful. But, it is very hard to bear when it live as caterpillar. Most people are like caterpillar and many people are like pupa. First one can destroy your garden; second one can make you feel like useless or nothing.
Unfortunately, you have to live with all type of people. Sometimes, they may look at you and say “Look, this fella is kinda oldie”. You may smile and reply “Yes, I know that I know nothing”. You don’t need to explain to everyone, especially when people act like "I know everything". If know who you are and what are you limitations, that is great.
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| Trend follower |
Why they do? They know nothing! They have no idea of knowing the knowledge. They mainly follow mass. If it is a "trend" that has short haircut and coloring like a circle shape on center portion of hair with red color, they will follow and name it "fashion" or "style". We could call them "trend followers".
From the Greek philosophical era to the current modern world, majority of people are average or below average in terms of knowledge. Socrates was struggling to enlighten people including the king. This average type of people never contributed to the knowledge including science and philosophy. Also, we cannot blame them. It is their limitation or knowledge condition. You can never and ever make a butterfly as eagle. And, eagle’s strength and wings automatically take her to soaring. Butterfly is beautiful. But, it is very hard to bear when it live as caterpillar. Most people are like caterpillar and many people are like pupa. First one can destroy your garden; second one can make you feel like useless or nothing.
Unfortunately, you have to live with all type of people. Sometimes, they may look at you and say “Look, this fella is kinda oldie”. You may smile and reply “Yes, I know that I know nothing”. You don’t need to explain to everyone, especially when people act like "I know everything". If know who you are and what are you limitations, that is great.
Facebook Covers | I know that I know nothing
Facebook is one of the powerful social medias in the virtual world / internet world. Therefore, I have created some Facebook Covers based on the quote I know that I know nothing. You may download it and use.
Existence | Hindu philosophy
Hindu philosophy teaches that the soul is a lasting remaining of me after removed or left all from me. The body cannot become "I". Because, we used to say "my body", "my eye", etc. Here, body or eye is part of me, and it never becomes "I". The term "my body" indirectly says that body is part of me, and I am not part of body. Also, it is applicable for all of our senses as well as mind. When I sleep, I exist. Even though, I cannot feel "I" during my sleep. However, I exist, and my mind or senses are unable to find it. Therefore, we could conclude that mind is not "I". If so, who is "I"? Hindu philosophy tells that whether you sleep or not, but living part in you is soul, and the soul is "I".
It (soul) sees without sight; hear without hearing; think without thinking; know without knowing. There is no one to see; no one to hear; no one to think; and no one to know, except the soul. It is your soul which is the inner man, the immortal, and others are badness. The soul is to be seen (by inner eye); to be heard (by inner ear); to be minded (by internally); to be meditated (by unity of heart). It reveals by all acts of senses. It never adopts anything, but bears everything. It has not attitude, but experience.
Hindu philosophy gives priority to soul as supernatural stuff. Your existing is based on soul, not like existing concept of Socrates. He used "thinking" to prove our existence while Hinduism sees it as part of us, and our existence can be prove by the soul.
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| Existence concept through Socrates and Hindu philosophy |
It (soul) sees without sight; hear without hearing; think without thinking; know without knowing. There is no one to see; no one to hear; no one to think; and no one to know, except the soul. It is your soul which is the inner man, the immortal, and others are badness. The soul is to be seen (by inner eye); to be heard (by inner ear); to be minded (by internally); to be meditated (by unity of heart). It reveals by all acts of senses. It never adopts anything, but bears everything. It has not attitude, but experience.
Hindu philosophy gives priority to soul as supernatural stuff. Your existing is based on soul, not like existing concept of Socrates. He used "thinking" to prove our existence while Hinduism sees it as part of us, and our existence can be prove by the soul.
Cogito ergo sum | I think therefore I am – René Descartes
Cogito ergo sum is a Latin phrase (Old Latin as ˈkoːɡitoː ˈɛrɡoː ˈsʊm). This philosophical statement was written by René Descartes in his work, Principles of Philosophy (1644). The Latin phrase can translate as “I think, therefore I am”, and some of others translate as “I think, therefore I exist”. However, it was originally appeared in French as je pense, donc je suis in Descartes’ work “Discourse on the Method” (1637). Due to its important, it took a place in Western philosophy, and it is known as “the cogito ergo sum argument" and simply as the cogito.
This proposition opens paths to analysis of existence and doubt. Therefore, it became one of fundamental elements in philosophical world. Philosophy doubts subjects and asks questions, and then comes to conclusion(s) or gives choices. Existence is one of major subjects; especially it dealt with existence of god. Still it is not concluded. Majority doubts the existence of god. Likewise, our existence is doubtful too. Philosophy questions our existence in the lights of perception and other concepts. But Descartes concluded our existence by the cogito. His idea can interpret as follows:
Therefore, our existence is real and it is not doubtful concept. However, it received negative criticisms from scholars. Some of them argued that it is a psychological appeal and self-rationalization, not logical argument. We are unable to deny our existence and impossible to think "I do not exist". Apart from mixed criticisms, the cogito has a better existence in philosophy.
When we compare the cogito and Socrates’ phrase I know that I know nothing, I would thumb up for Socrates. He was neither self- rationalizer nor self-logical arguer.
Here is a simple summary of comparison of two phrases.
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| Cogito ergo sum | I think therefore I am |
I think – There is a subject, “I” and a verb, “think”.
The subject “I” is able to think. – The subject can produce an action (verb).
An action (think) cannot function without subject (I).
There is a need for existence of subject to perform an action.
Therefore, subject “I” is existing.Therefore, our existence is real and it is not doubtful concept. However, it received negative criticisms from scholars. Some of them argued that it is a psychological appeal and self-rationalization, not logical argument. We are unable to deny our existence and impossible to think "I do not exist". Apart from mixed criticisms, the cogito has a better existence in philosophy.
When we compare the cogito and Socrates’ phrase I know that I know nothing, I would thumb up for Socrates. He was neither self- rationalizer nor self-logical arguer.
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| I know Vs the cogito |
Here is a simple summary of comparison of two phrases.
| Phrase | I think, therefore I am | I know that I know nothing |
| Philosopher | René Descartes (1596 – 1650) | Socrates (470 – 399 BC) |
| Origin of language | Latin | Greek |
| Region | Western | Western |
| Type | Epistemology, metaphysics | Epistemology |
| Category | Thought (self-existence & doubt) | Self-referential paradoxes |
| Logic | Supports proposition only | No |
| Psychology | Rationalization | Ignorance |
| Philosophical arguments | Yes | No |
Beauty : What do you know about it?
The world is crazy about beauty. I don’t say what beauty is. The term is still arguable in the philosophical world, and it is one of philosophical problems. Apart from fundamental needs, it plays a vital role in human life. Sometimes, it gets the better of essence.
I remember a joke. It says an event of death of mother of an actress. At the funeral, daughter was weeping and mourning. She was expressing grievance by word, but never say a word “mummy”. The reason was that if she would have said the word mummy, her lips can touch each other and resulting rub off of lipstick. Moral of this joke is that being beauty is most important than grief.
Salon, cosmetic company, spa and beauty parlor are higher number or equal than some basic needs. I see them lot a pharmacy in a city. Cosmetic products are expensive than basic items. Cosmetic products have potential demand and many businesses run for the sake of beauty. People are more interest on knowing about beauty secrets than knowing themself.
But, Socrates word echoes “Beauty is a short-lived tyranny”.
I remember a joke. It says an event of death of mother of an actress. At the funeral, daughter was weeping and mourning. She was expressing grievance by word, but never say a word “mummy”. The reason was that if she would have said the word mummy, her lips can touch each other and resulting rub off of lipstick. Moral of this joke is that being beauty is most important than grief.
Salon, cosmetic company, spa and beauty parlor are higher number or equal than some basic needs. I see them lot a pharmacy in a city. Cosmetic products are expensive than basic items. Cosmetic products have potential demand and many businesses run for the sake of beauty. People are more interest on knowing about beauty secrets than knowing themself.
But, Socrates word echoes “Beauty is a short-lived tyranny”.
View of Christianity on I know nothing
Theology or researching about God was part of philosophy. Later, it separated from philosophy. Therefore, philosophical concepts could be seen in religions. By the way, the word theology is usually referred to Christianity.
If we question that does Christianity has the view of I know that I know nothing, we would say nothing. But, if we do analysis, we could find some interesting facts as follows:
Read Job 8:9. It says "For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow". Job was wise man and his words were sagacious thoughts. He referred human as yesterday and indicated luck of knowing of human as nothing. I feel it is pretty wise words.
Another verse in Bible says the living knows that they will die, but the dead know nothing (Ecclesiastes 9:5). The verse seems logical statement. All human being and living must die and became dead. Therefore, no one knows anything which means we know nothing. The statement could interpret as following logical statement.
Human are dead.
Dead knows nothing.
Therefore, human knows nothing.
St. Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 4:4, "I know nothing by myself", which that means "I know nothing against myself". Paul was well educated (theology, philosophy) person and greatest Christian missionary and first theologian of Christianity. He declared that he knows nothing against himself. Many would say he was humble person before God and suppressed himself. Yes, it could be true. Anyway, he could have been stated from his philosophical knowledge, and mixed philosophy + theology.
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| I know nothing by myself. |
If we question that does Christianity has the view of I know that I know nothing, we would say nothing. But, if we do analysis, we could find some interesting facts as follows:
Read Job 8:9. It says "For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow". Job was wise man and his words were sagacious thoughts. He referred human as yesterday and indicated luck of knowing of human as nothing. I feel it is pretty wise words.
Another verse in Bible says the living knows that they will die, but the dead know nothing (Ecclesiastes 9:5). The verse seems logical statement. All human being and living must die and became dead. Therefore, no one knows anything which means we know nothing. The statement could interpret as following logical statement.
Human are dead.
Dead knows nothing.
Therefore, human knows nothing.
St. Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 4:4, "I know nothing by myself", which that means "I know nothing against myself". Paul was well educated (theology, philosophy) person and greatest Christian missionary and first theologian of Christianity. He declared that he knows nothing against himself. Many would say he was humble person before God and suppressed himself. Yes, it could be true. Anyway, he could have been stated from his philosophical knowledge, and mixed philosophy + theology.
HD wallpapers for PC
Here are five HD wallpapers for PC monitors with the quote. These normal wallpapers have resolution of 1024x768 and screen ratio of 4:3. It is believed that about 70% of users use such screen resolution. Anyway, others to use by using resolution settings.
You may click Download below in each image's caption, and it will open in full HD, and then you could save/download in appropriate place.
You may click Download below in each image's caption, and it will open in full HD, and then you could save/download in appropriate place.
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| Download Blue Spiral |
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| Download Blue Waves |
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| Download Full Magenta |
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| Download Yellow Wave |
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| Download Lines in Gray |
I know that I know nothing lyrics
I was able to figure out some interesting songs, which sound to the quote of Socrates - I know that I know nothing. It doesn't relevant to philosophy. However, the lyrics give certain philosophical view. Enjoy the lyrics below:
Lyrics [1]
Come with me to find
What everybody wants in life
Do you know where it hides?
I don't
Here I am one more time
With the same damn lives
Is this really love?
Who knows
I tried to understand
But who knows all there is to know?
Who knows how love is supposed to go?
Have somebody found it all?
Tell me please
Here I am, down on the floor
Am I doing this so wrong?
Tell me something if you know
'Cause I know nothing
Everything feels so right
Yet everything feels so wrong
Will this always be my song?
Say no
We fight and then we don't
We laugh just to cope
Is this some sick joke?
Who knows
I tried to understand, yeah
But who knows all there is to know?
Who knows how love is supposed to go?
Have somebody found it all?
Tell me please
'Cause here I am down on the floor
Am I doing this so wrong?
Tell me something if you know
'Cause I know nothing, oh
There's gotta be a voice out there
Who answer prayers, oh, oh
Answer me if you can
'Cause you know all there is know
You know how love's supposed to go
And I know you found it all
So tell me now please
Here I am, down on the floor
I know I'm doing this so wrong
Tell me something 'cause you know
God, I know nothing.
Lyrics [1]
Come with me to find
What everybody wants in life
Do you know where it hides?
I don't
Here I am one more time
With the same damn lives
Is this really love?
Who knows
I tried to understand
But who knows all there is to know?
Who knows how love is supposed to go?
Have somebody found it all?
Tell me please
Here I am, down on the floor
Am I doing this so wrong?
Tell me something if you know
'Cause I know nothing
Everything feels so right
Yet everything feels so wrong
Will this always be my song?
Say no
We fight and then we don't
We laugh just to cope
Is this some sick joke?
Who knows
I tried to understand, yeah
But who knows all there is to know?
Who knows how love is supposed to go?
Have somebody found it all?
Tell me please
'Cause here I am down on the floor
Am I doing this so wrong?
Tell me something if you know
'Cause I know nothing, oh
There's gotta be a voice out there
Who answer prayers, oh, oh
Answer me if you can
'Cause you know all there is know
You know how love's supposed to go
And I know you found it all
So tell me now please
Here I am, down on the floor
I know I'm doing this so wrong
Tell me something 'cause you know
God, I know nothing.
Lyrics [2]
Everything that you know is as wrong as the next
So you hold on to something and hope for the best
And you know that it's right 'til you find that it's left
And I'm doing the same and I have to confess
That I know nothing
I never knew that there'd be nothing and no one to show you the way
I know nothing
When all I do is make it through to the end of the day
All my senses are pushing the whole other way
I can't see where to look now what's that that you say?
It's a beautiful world it's a beautiful day
And I wish I could say if I was feeling the same
When I know nothing
I never knew that there'd be nothing and no one to show you the way
I know nothing
I need an Obi-wan to tell me if I've gone astray
And I wish it was clearer to see
If you are what you're made out to be
But there's no guarantee if you're you and I'm me
And there never will be, 'til I can see what you see
When I know nothing
I never knew that there'd be nothing and no one to show you the way
I know nothing
When all I do is make it through to the end of the day
I know nothing
I never knew that there'd be nothing and no one to show you the way
I know nothing
When all I do is make it through to the end of the day
When I know nothing
I never knew that there'd be
Know nothing
I never knew that there'd be.
Know Yourself
Know yourself or Know thyself is a simple and deepest meaning quote, proverb, sentence, phrase or etc. The philosophical thought was born in ancient Egypt and uses or develops by various philosophers from the days of Greek philosophical schools to modern world. The proverb is well known to people and one of the favorite quotes. The quote is interpreted by many persons including philosophers, teachers, students, leaders, etc. Nowadays, websites and blogs post articles such as 10 ways to know yourself or 5 tips to know thyself. In many cases, this quote influence many religious, theological, philosophical & psychological aspects in different time, many cultures and various locations. However, inscription at Greek temple Delphi paved way for strong influence to the quote -know yourself, which was crowned Socrates as one of his famous quote. Even though, Socrates was not the only one, who invented the proverb.
My limitation could influence me to know myself. Mostly, my blind spot could be a barrier. If I have lack of self-knowledge, I could get distraction. If you know Johari window, you could analysis your known area and try to know there is blind spot in every one of us. Improve the knowledge of know yourself. I know that I know nothing is another quote of Socrates. If you have positive approach on this quote, you could start your starting point (Know thyself) from “nothing”.
Reference:
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| Know Yourself |
Know yourself / Know thyself
Know yourself or Know thyself is a translation of Greek words γνῶθι σεαυτόν. It can be written as ΓΝΩΘΙ ΣΑΥΤΟΝ in capital letter. Its transliteration or Greek pronunciation is “gnōthi sauton” or “gnōthi seauton”. Gnōthi is a verb, which can be translated as “get to know”, “know” or “learn”. However, the phrase had the influence in ancient Egypt before Socrates. Also, during the Western philosophy era in Greece the maxim attributed to many philosophers, including Socrates. One of the Vedic of Hinduism called Samaveda (melody of knowledge), which is believed to written in Sanskrit by circa BC 1700, also center the knowledge of know yourself. Likewise, the aphorism was born in various places. However, Greek language and Socrates became the icon of this aphorism.Meaning of know yourself
There is a local lyric. It goes “if you know they self, you can fight in the world. Whether you rise or fall, you can live without bow down”. Yes, knowing ourselves is most important than knowing others or other stuff. It would teach us who we are. What are our weaknesses and strengths? If we know ourselves thoroughly, we can have a successful journey in the world. If we fail know, we would struck in the middle of the journey. Knowing ourselves is like prepare a car for long journey. Image, how would you prepare. If we plan and prepare well for a limited journey in order to avoid break down, delay, etc, how seriously we must prepare live journey. Therefore, the first step is “know yourself”.My limitation could influence me to know myself. Mostly, my blind spot could be a barrier. If I have lack of self-knowledge, I could get distraction. If you know Johari window, you could analysis your known area and try to know there is blind spot in every one of us. Improve the knowledge of know yourself. I know that I know nothing is another quote of Socrates. If you have positive approach on this quote, you could start your starting point (Know thyself) from “nothing”.
Reference:
- Hymns of the Samaveda
- Plato in Twelve Volumes - Volume 9; translated by Harold N. Fowler
- Psychcentral.com
- Sciencedaily.com
- Wikipedia.com
Quotes of Socrates
Quotes of Socrates are wonderful from Greek philosopher Socrates, who was one of the co-founders of the Western Philosophy. His teaching was influenced many of Greeks and still influences many. I do not think that we cannot study philosophy by ignoring his teaching. Socrates was influenced many philosophers, and still his teaching does the same.
Socrates quotes have huge welcome among people. Socrates quotes give guide and thoughts to people. Plenty of his quotes can be found at websites. However, I have selected most interesting quotes. If you like to drop a note on comment box that which is your most favorite quotes of Socrates, it would be helpful us know readers option, and sometimes we can discuss more about the high rated quotes.
All men's souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine.
An honest man is always a child.
Be as you wish to seem.
Be nicer than necessary to everyone you meet. Everyone is fighting some kind of battle.
Be of good cheer about death, and know this of a truth, that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death.
Be slow to fall into friendship, but when you are in, continue firm and constant.
Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.
Beware the barrenness of a busy life.
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.
Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.
Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.
Do not do to others what angers you if done to you by others.
Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.
Envy is the ulcer of the soul.
Every action has its pleasures and its price.
False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil. "
Get not your friends by bare compliments, but by giving them sensible tokens of your love.
I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.
I know that I know nothing.
If a man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it.
If a man would move the world, he must first move himself.
In all of us, even in good men, there is a lawless wild-beast nature, which peers out in sleep.
Know thyself.
No man undertakes a trade he has not learned, even the meanest; yet everyone thinks himself sufficiently qualified for the hardest of all trades - that of government.
Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual.
Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.
Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.
The greatest blessing granted to mankind come by way of madness, which is a divine gift.
The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.
The hottest love has the coldest end.
The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance.
The really important thing is not to live, but to live well. And to live well meant, along with more enjoyable things in life, to live according to your principles.
The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.
The unexamined life is not worth living.
Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat.
To find yourself, think for yourself.
Understanding a question is half an answer.
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.
We cannot live better than in seeking to become better.
What you cannot enforce, do not command.
Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.
Note: Socrates quotes are available as screensaver. Click Socrates Quotes to read about the screensaver.
Quotes of Socrates
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| Quotes of Socrates |
Socrates quotes have huge welcome among people. Socrates quotes give guide and thoughts to people. Plenty of his quotes can be found at websites. However, I have selected most interesting quotes. If you like to drop a note on comment box that which is your most favorite quotes of Socrates, it would be helpful us know readers option, and sometimes we can discuss more about the high rated quotes.
All men's souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine.
An honest man is always a child.
Be as you wish to seem.
Be nicer than necessary to everyone you meet. Everyone is fighting some kind of battle.
Be of good cheer about death, and know this of a truth, that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death.
Be slow to fall into friendship, but when you are in, continue firm and constant.
Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.
Beware the barrenness of a busy life.
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.
Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.
Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.
Do not do to others what angers you if done to you by others.
Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.
Envy is the ulcer of the soul.
Every action has its pleasures and its price.
False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil. "
Get not your friends by bare compliments, but by giving them sensible tokens of your love.
I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.
I know that I know nothing.
If a man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it.
If a man would move the world, he must first move himself.
In all of us, even in good men, there is a lawless wild-beast nature, which peers out in sleep.
Know thyself.
No man undertakes a trade he has not learned, even the meanest; yet everyone thinks himself sufficiently qualified for the hardest of all trades - that of government.
Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual.
Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.
Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.
The greatest blessing granted to mankind come by way of madness, which is a divine gift.
The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.
The hottest love has the coldest end.
The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance.
The really important thing is not to live, but to live well. And to live well meant, along with more enjoyable things in life, to live according to your principles.
The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.
The unexamined life is not worth living.
Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat.
To find yourself, think for yourself.
Understanding a question is half an answer.
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.
We cannot live better than in seeking to become better.
What you cannot enforce, do not command.
Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.
Note: Socrates quotes are available as screensaver. Click Socrates Quotes to read about the screensaver.
Socrates
Socrates, the Greek philosopher (469 BC - 399 BC), influenced the Western philosophy and became one of the founders of the Western philosophy. He did not write any of his teaching. However, there were recorded by his students. Socrates reformed the Western Philosophy; especially he influenced his time philosophers and people. It passed to other generation. There were some criticisms on his thoughts. Even though, his contributions are valuable. His thoughts on ethics and Socrates Method enlightened people to think from blind side. He became legend by his death. He was sentenced to death and he had chances to avid death. He accepted death instead of rejecting his own philosophical thoughts. It made him as a living example of values of philosophy even after death. More than 2400 years passed, but Socrates lives in philosophical world and hearts of people.
He was an amazing thinker and he was excellent in making people to think. Socrates’ famous quote “I know that I know nothing” is a wonderful example to reshape your thoughts if you think deeply. It is a simple, short and ordinary phrase, but it has hidden powerful thought.
He was an amazing thinker and he was excellent in making people to think. Socrates’ famous quote “I know that I know nothing” is a wonderful example to reshape your thoughts if you think deeply. It is a simple, short and ordinary phrase, but it has hidden powerful thought.
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Socrates
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Socrates : facts in nutshell
Greek name
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Σωκράτης
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Gender
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Male
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Born
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469 / 470 BC
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Died
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399 BC
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Birth place
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Alopece, Athens, Greece
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Residence place
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Athens, Greece
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Age of death
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71
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Nature of death
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Sentence to death (Poisoned)
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Nationality
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Athenian
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Father
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Sophroniscus (sculptor)
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Mother
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Phaenarete (midwife)
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Spouse
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Xanthippe
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No. of children
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Three (male)
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Name of the children
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Lamprocles, Sophroniscus and Menexenus
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Occupation
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Philosopher (teacher)
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Other profession
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Sculptor & Solider
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Era
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Ancient Philosophy
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Region
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Western philosophy
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School
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Classic Greek
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Teacher of Socrates
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Anaxagoras
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Previous subject
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Cosmology
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Religion
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Atheism
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Main interests
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Epistemology, Ethics
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Famous Quote
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I know that I know nothing
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Subsequent influenced
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Western philosophy
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Notable ideas
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Socratic Method, Socratic irony
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Other ideas
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Socratic dialogue, Socratic questioning, Socratic
paradox & Socratic problem
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Specifically influenced
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Plato, Aristotle, Aristippus, Antisthenes
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Disciples
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Plato, Xenophon, Antisthenes & Aristippus
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Written book
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None
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Socrates famous quote in various versions
I was interested see the Socrates famous quote in various versions or various languages. We know the quote is “I know one thing, that I know nothing”. It is simplified as “I know that I know nothing”. However, there are various translations of the original ancient Greek word - ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα hèn oîda hóti oudèn oîda. I browsed the internet I found the various translations.
- “As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.”
- “I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.”
- “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
- “I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.”
- “To know, is to know that you know nothing.”
- “I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.”
- “One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing.”
- “True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing.”
Socrates famous quote in various versions
Ancient Greek
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ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα hèn oîda hóti oudèn oîda
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Arabic
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وأنا أعلم أنني لا يعرفون شيئا
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Bengali
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আমি জানি আমি তেমন কিছু জানেন না
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Bulgarian
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Аз знам, че нищо не знам
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Bavarian
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I woass, dass i nix woass
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Chinese
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我知道，我什么都不知道
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Dutch
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Ik weet dat ik niets weet
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Finnish
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Tiedän, etten tiedä mitään
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French
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Je sais que je ne sais rien
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Georgian
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არცოდნის ცოდნა
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German
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Ich weiß, dass ich nichts weiß
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Hebrew
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אני יודע שאני לא יודע דבר
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Hindi
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मुझे पता है कि मैं कुछ भी नहीं पता
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Italian
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So che non so nulla
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Japanese
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私は何も知らないことを知っている
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Korean
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내가 아는 게 없다는 것을 알고
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Latin
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scio me nihil scire or scio me nescire
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Persian
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دانم که ندانم
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Polish
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Wiem, że nic nie wiem
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Portuguese
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Eu sei que nada sei
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Russian
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Я знаю, что ничего не знаю
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Serbian
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Знам да ништа не знам
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Spain
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Solo sé que no sé nada
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Tamil
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எனக்கு எதுவுமே தெரியாது என்பதுதான் எனக்குத் தெரியும்
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Telugu
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నాకు తెలుసు నాకు ఏమి తెలియదు
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I know that I know nothing
I know that I know nothing. The quote of Socrates is an opened door to think and analyze. There are so many interpretations & discussio...
