Plutarch Quotes

What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.

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.

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

Courage consists not in hazarding without fear; but being resolutely minded in a just cause.

The superstitious man wishes he did not believe in gods, as the atheist does not, but fears to disbelieve in them.

It is a thing of no great difficulty to raise objections against another man's oration, it is a very easy matter; but to produce a better in it's place is a work extremely troublesome.

While Leonidas was preparing to make his stand, a Persian envoy arrived. The envoy explained to Leonidas the futility of trying to resist the advance of the Great King's army and demanded that the Greeks lay down their arms and submit to the might of Persia. Leonidas laconically told Xerxes, "Come and get them.

For it is not Histories that I am writing, but Lives; and in the most illustrious deeds there is not always a manifestation of virtue or vice, nay, a slight thing like a phrase or a jest often makes a greater revelation of character than battles where thousands fall, or the greatest armaments, or sieges of cities.

Music, to create harmony, must investigate discord.

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

L'amicizia è animale da compagnia, non da gregge.

A mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be lighted.