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39 Greek Philosopher Plutarch Quotes (EDUCATION)

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Top 7 Most Famous Plutarch Quotes (GREEK AUTHOR)

I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.
I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.
The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
The Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy but where are they.
The Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy but where are they.
A few vices are sufficient to darken many virtues.
A few vices are sufficient to darken many virtues.
An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.
An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.
It is the admirer of himself, and not the admirer of virtue, that thinks himself superior to others.
It is the admirer of himself, and not the admirer of virtue, that thinks himself superior to others.
What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.
What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.

10 Inspirational Plutarch Quotes About Life and Knowledge (PURPOSE)

“The abuse of buying and selling votes crept in and money began to play an important part in determining elections. Later on, this process of corruption spread to the law courts. And then to the army, and finally the Republic was subjected to the rule of emperors.”

Plutarch
The whole life is but a point of time; let us enjoy it, therefore, while it lasts, and not spend it to no purpose.
The whole life is but a point of time; let us enjoy it, therefore, while it lasts, and not spend it to no purpose.
I would rather excel in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and possessions.
I would rather excel in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and possessions.
Prosperity is no just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.
Prosperity is no just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.
Nothing is harder to direct than a man in prosperity; nothing more easily managed that one is adversity.
Nothing is harder to direct than a man in prosperity; nothing more easily managed that one is adversity.
Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.
Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.
To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.
To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.
Of all the disorders in the soul, envy is the only one no one confesses to.
Of all the disorders in the soul, envy is the only one no one confesses to.
Do not speak of your happiness to one less fortunate than yourself.
Do not speak of your happiness to one less fortunate than yourself.
Neither blame or praise yourself.
Neither blame or praise yourself.

22 Plutarch Quotes on Philosophy and Success (WISDOM)

Character is simply habit long continued.
Character is simply habit long continued.
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.
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.
Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.
Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.
We ought not to treat living creatures like shoes or household belongings, which when worn with use we throw away.
We ought not to treat living creatures like shoes or household belongings, which when worn with use we throw away.
Medicine to produce health must examine disease; and music, to create harmony must investigate discord.
Medicine to produce health must examine disease; and music, to create harmony must investigate discord.
All men whilst they are awake are in one common world: but each of them, when he is asleep, is in a world of his own.
All men whilst they are awake are in one common world: but each of them, when he is asleep, is in a world of his own.
It is indeed a desirable thing to be well-descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.
It is indeed a desirable thing to be well-descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.
Evidence of trust begets trust, and love is reciprocated by love.
Evidence of trust begets trust, and love is reciprocated by love.
It were better to have no opinion of God at all than such a one as is unworthy of him; for the one is only belief – the other contempt.
It were better to have no opinion of God at all than such a one as is unworthy of him; for the one is only belief – the other contempt.
Courage stands halfway between cowardice and rashness, one of which is a lack, the other an excess of courage.
Courage stands halfway between cowardice and rashness, one of which is a lack, the other an excess of courage.
The poor go to war, to fight and die for the delights, riches, and superfluities of others.
The poor go to war, to fight and die for the delights, riches, and superfluities of others.
The measure of a man is the way he bears up under misfortune.
The measure of a man is the way he bears up under misfortune.
Those who aim at great deeds must also suffer greatly.
Those who aim at great deeds must also suffer greatly.
To be ignorant of the lives of the most celebrated men of antiquity is to continue in a state of childhood all our days.
To be ignorant of the lives of the most celebrated men of antiquity is to continue in a state of childhood all our days.
Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.
Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.
It does not follow, that because a particular work of art succeeds in charming us, its creator also deserves our admiration.
It does not follow, that because a particular work of art succeeds in charming us, its creator also deserves our admiration.
Books delight to the very marrow of one's bones. They speak to us, consult with us, and join with us in a living and intense intimacy.
Books delight to the very marrow of one’s bones. They speak to us, consult with us, and join with us in a living and intense intimacy.
The omission of good is no less reprehensible than the commission of evil.
The omission of good is no less reprehensible than the commission of evil.
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.
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.
It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.
It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.
For the wise man, every day is a festival.
For the wise man, every day is a festival.
Learn to be pleased with everything; with wealth, so far as it makes us beneficial to others; with poverty, for not having much to care for; and with obscurity, for being unenvied.
Learn to be pleased with everything; with wealth, so far as it makes us beneficial to others; with poverty, for not having much to care for; and with obscurity, for being unenvied.

Plutarch Short Biography

Born on 46 AD in Chaeronea, Boeotia, Plutarch was a philosopher, biographer, and essayist.

He studied mathematics and philosophy in Athens from 66-67 AD, and afterward traveled back and forth to Rome and would occasionally give lectures.

Plutarch served as a priest for the temple of Apollo at Delphi, he served for 30 years. He also served as a magistrate at Chaeronea.

Plutarch’s popularity is largely due to his work Parallel Lives, which contained 48 biographies of famous men. Parallel Lives was intended to develop and breed mutual respect amongst Greeks and Romans.

Parallel Lives is considered extremely important in history as it introduced a new form of biographies, and gave an insight into what life was like during this time. Plutarch’s work displays immense research and impressive learning.

Plutarch was also known for his collection of works on ethics, religion, political and literary topics, known as the Moralia. The Moralia contains 60 essays on these topics, and it was translated into English in 1603.

Plutarch’s contributions have influenced many other minds and philosophers who followed him and his works throughout the years.

Further Reading:

Here are the best Plutarch quotes so you can be truthful about events that happen and learn to speak from the heart. 

(MUST READ)

Plutarch's Lives Volume 1 (Modern Library Classics)
Plutarch’s Lives Volume 1 (Modern Library Classics)

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Greek Philosopher Plutarch Quotes (EDUCATION) - Gracious Quotes