Socrates Biography

Socrates, Philosopher
Occup.Philosopher
FromGreece
Born469 BC
Deme Alopece, Athens, Greece
Died399 BC
Athens, Greece
CauseExecution by Forced suicide by poisoning
Early Life and Family Members
Socrates was born around 469 BCE in Athens, Greece. He came from a relatively moderate household, with his father, Sophroniscus, being a stonemason and also his mom, Phaenarete, a midwife. Although little is found out about his very early life, it can be presumed that Socrates got a fundamental Athenian education and learning and also might have been educated as a stonemason like his father.

He wed a female called Xanthippe, that was understood for her temperamental and argumentative nature. Together, they had three kids: Lamprocles, Sophroniscus, and also Menexenus. Considering that his sons were born when he was in his 50s or 60s, it is assumed Socrates married late in life.

Thoughtful Beginnings
Socrates did not initially pursue a profession as a philosopher. Rather, he served as a hoplite (foot soldier) during the Peloponnesian War, distinguishing himself in various armed forces projects, consisting of the Battle of Potidaea, the Battle of Delium, as well as the Battle of Amphipolis. Yet when Socrates was around the age of 40, his life took a turn towards approach.

His understanding into humanity as well as doubting the traditional wisdom of the time were deeply affected by theorists such as Anaxagoras and Heraclitus. Socrates was especially influenced by Anaxagoras's focus on important thinking as well as rationality. Socrates later created his very own approach to ideology, focusing on an approach of doubting and discussion called the Socratic Method.

The Socratic Method and also Philosophy
The Socratic Method, also known as dialectic or elenchus, involves asking a series of concerns to stimulate important reasoning and develop a much better understanding of a topic. As opposed to promoting certain teachings or concepts, Socrates welcomed others to take part in dialogue, believing that real understanding might just be attained with self-reflection and also discourse.

Socrates did not compose any type of publications or essays; his method and ideas were given via his students' writings. Most notably, his trainee Plato wrote Socratic discussions, which stated discussions in between Socrates and others, going over different philosophical subjects, including ethics, principles, and the nature of understanding as well as wisdom.

Associates as well as Students
Socrates had a considerable influence on numerous theorists and also prominent Athenians of his time. His pupils consisted of the popular thinkers Plato and Xenophon, both of whom blogged about their experiences with Socrates. His associations additionally consisted of Alcibiades, a famous Athenian basic as well as politician, as well as Critias, that later on became an essential figure in the high-handed government of the Thirty Tyrants.

Charges, Trial, and Execution
Socrates' unconventional ideas and also constant questioning of the well established standards agitated several Athenians. In 399 BCE, he was charged of impiety (not presenting holiness towards the gods) and damaging the youth of the city. Socrates was put on trial before a court of 500 Athenian citizens.

During the trial, Socrates safeguarded his beliefs and his practice of the Socratic Method by mentioning that he was a divine objective to aid others seek wisdom and also self-improvement. Nevertheless, he was found guilty as well as sentenced to fatality by consuming a dangerous mixture made from the hemlock plant.

Socrates' death penalty was performed in 399 BCE. His implementation was a turning factor in the background of ideology, as it indicated the rise of Plato and also the subsequent excellent philosophical period, known as the Athenian golden era. Socrates' life as well as trainings continue to be admired and inspire theorists, trainees, and thinkers worldwide.

Our collection contains 43 quotes who is written / told by Socrates, under the main topics: Nature - Wisdom - Wedding.

Related authors: George Matthew Adams (Philosopher), Plato (Philosopher), Philo (Philosopher), Diogenes (Philosopher), Xenophon (Soldier), Alain de Botton (Writer), Roberto Rossellini (Director), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete), Anaxagoras (Philosopher), Aristotle Onassis (Businessman)

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43 Famous quotes by Socrates

Small: All mens souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine
"All men's souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine"
Small: He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature
"He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature"
Small: I was really too honest a man to be a politician and live
"I was really too honest a man to be a politician and live"
Small: I only wish that ordinary people had an unlimited capacity for doing harm then they might have an unlim
"I only wish that ordinary people had an unlimited capacity for doing harm; then they might have an unlimited power for doing good"
Small: As to marriage or celibacy, let a man take which course he will, he will be sure to repent
"As to marriage or celibacy, let a man take which course he will, he will be sure to repent"
Small: From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate
"From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate"
Small: To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge
"To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge"
Small: Wisdom begins in wonder
"Wisdom begins in wonder"
Small: Where there is reverence there is fear, but there is not reverence everywhere that there is fear, becau
"Where there is reverence there is fear, but there is not reverence everywhere that there is fear, because fear presumably has a wider extension than reverence"
Small: An honest man is always a child
"An honest man is always a child"
Small: A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulga
"A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true"
Small: True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the
"True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us"
Small: True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing
"True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing"
Small: Once made equal to man, woman becomes his superior
"Once made equal to man, woman becomes his superior"
Small: Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued
"Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued"
Small: My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife youll be happy if not, youll become a philosop
"My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you'll be happy; if not, you'll become a philosopher"
Small: Let him that would move the world first move himself
"Let him that would move the world first move himself"
Small: It is not living that matters, but living rightly
"It is not living that matters, but living rightly"
Small: If all misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people
"If all misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart"
Small: If a man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it
"If a man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it"
Small: The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing"
Small: One who is injured ought not to return the injury, for on no account can it be right to do an injustice
"One who is injured ought not to return the injury, for on no account can it be right to do an injustice; and it is not right to return an injury, or to do evil to any man, however much we have suffered from him"
Small: Worthless people live only to eat and drink people of worth eat and drink only to live
"Worthless people live only to eat and drink; people of worth eat and drink only to live"
Small: The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear
"The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear"
Small: The end of life is to be like God, and the soul following God will be like Him
"The end of life is to be like God, and the soul following God will be like Him"
Small: Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us
"Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us"
Small: The unexamined life is not worth living
"The unexamined life is not worth living"
Small: Ordinary people seem not to realize that those who really apply themselves in the right way to philosop
"Ordinary people seem not to realize that those who really apply themselves in the right way to philosophy are directly and of their own accord preparing themselves for dying and death"
Small: False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil
"False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil"
Small: Employ your time in improving yourself by other mens writings, so that you shall gain easily what other
"Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for"
Small: Death may be the greatest of all human blessings
"Death may be the greatest of all human blessings"
Small: By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, youll become happy if you get a bad one, youll become a ph
"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"
Small: Beware the barrenness of a busy life
"Beware the barrenness of a busy life"
Small: Beauty is the bait which with delight allures man to enlarge his kind
"Beauty is the bait which with delight allures man to enlarge his kind"
Small: Beauty is a short-lived tyranny
"Beauty is a short-lived tyranny"
Small: Be slow to fall into friendship but when thou art in, continue firm and constant
"Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant"
Small: Be as you wish to seem
"Be as you wish to seem"
Small: As for me, all I know is that I know nothing
"As for me, all I know is that I know nothing"
Small: He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy
"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy"
Small: I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing
"I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing"
Small: I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance
"I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance"
Small: I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled poets to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or in
"I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled poets to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean"
Small: I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing
"I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing"