Plutarch quotes

Plutarch was an ancient Greek biographer, essayist, and philosopher, renowned for his work "Parallel Lives." His writings have significantly influenced Western literature, ethics, and historical understanding. He is especially remembered for comparing the lives and characters of prominent Greeks and Romans. Here are 308 of his quotes:

Those are greedy of praise prove that they are poor in merit. (Plutarch)

I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.

Plutarch

It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.

Plutarch

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.

Plutarch

It is indeed a desirable thing to be well-descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.

Plutarch

Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.

Plutarch

No beast is more savage than man when possessed with power answerable to his rage.

Plutarch

When the candles are out all women are fair.

Plutarch

The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.

Plutarch

Compassion is sorrow for someone else's misfortune; envy is sorrow for someone else's happiness.

Plutarch

A few vices are sufficient to darken many virtues. (Plutarch)

For to err in opinion, though it be not the part of wise men, is at least human.

Plutarch

The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education.

Plutarch

Moral habits, induced by public practices, are far quicker in making their way into men's private lives, than the failings and faults of individuals are in infecting the city at large.

Plutarch

Medicine to produce health must examine disease; and music, to create harmony must investigate discord.

Plutarch

What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.

Plutarch

To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.

Plutarch

Do not speak of your happiness to one less fortunate than yourself.

Plutarch

No man ever wetted clay and then left it, as if there would be bricks by chance and fortune.

Plutarch

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.

Plutarch

Where the lions skin will not reach, you must patch it out with the foxs. (Plutarch)

Said Scopas of Thessaly, 'We rich men count our felicity and happiness to lie in these superfluities, and not in those necessary things.'

Plutarch

We are more sensible of what is done against custom than against nature.

Plutarch

Water continually dropping will wear hard rocks hollow.

Plutarch

So very difficult a matter is it to trace and find out the truth of anything by history.

Plutarch

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Plutarch

Plutarch - Image

Photo: Odysses, CC BY-SA 3.0

Occupation: Greek Philosopher
Quotes count: 308
Wikipedia: Plutarch

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