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Plutarch Quotes

58 Insightful Quotes By Plutarch, The Renowned Greek Biographer

Famous As: Greek Middle Platonist Philosopher, Historian, Biographer and Priest

Born On: 46 AD

Died On: 119 AD

Born In: Chaeronea, Greece

Died At Age: 73

Plutarch was an ancient Greek philosopher, essayist and biographer. It was under the guidance of philosopher Ammonius that he studied Mathematics and Philosophy. He studied a variety of subjects in philosophy, but his main focus revolved around ‘Ethics’. He maintained citizenship of Athens and lived as a priest in Delphi. Plutarch played an eminent role in writing references. His writings, thoughts, sayings and work are legendary and are quoted extensivel. His very first work titled, ‘Lives of the Roman emperors’, is considered to be his most popular work besides ‘Parallel Lives’, a series of biographies of famous Greek and Roman personalities. He wrote the ‘Life of Alexander’, ‘Life of Caesar’ and ‘Life of Pyrrhus’, documenting the history of their life and regime. He also authored a set of essays and documented speeches, which happen to be his surviving work called ‘Moralia’. ‘On the Malice of Herodotus’, is one of his works where he criticizes historian Herodotus. By his works, essays, thoughts, sayings, quotations and writings he not only earned himself a spot in history, but also bridged the gap of knowledge across eras. Following is a collection thoughts and quotes on education, friendship, life and philosophy by him.

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Philosophers

Intellectuals & Academics

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.
Plutarch

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.
Change Need I
Plutarch

What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.

What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.
Change Will
Plutarch

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.
Plutarch

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

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

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.
You Will
Plutarch

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.
War
Plutarch

Adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.

Adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.
Friends
Plutarch

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.
Future Power
Plutarch

The whole of life is but a moment of time. It is our duty, therefore to use it, not to misuse it.

The whole of life is but a moment of time. It is our duty, therefore to use it, not to misuse it.
Life Time
Plutarch

It is certainly desirable to be well descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.

It is certainly desirable to be well descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.
Plutarch

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.
Living Books
Plutarch

Neither blame or praise yourself.
Yourself
Plutarch

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
Plutarch

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.
Soul
Plutarch

When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer. (Technically a misquote, but I like the misquote better)

When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer. (Technically a misquote, but I like the misquote better)
Like I
Plutarch

Music, to create harmony, must investigate discord.

Music, to create harmony, must investigate discord.
Music
Plutarch

But for the sake of some little mouthful of flesh we deprive a soul of the sun and light, and of that proportion of life and time it had been born into the world to enjoy.

But for the sake of some little mouthful of flesh we deprive a soul of the sun and light, and of that proportion of life and time it had been born into the world to enjoy.
Life Time Soul
Plutarch

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

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

Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.

Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.
Plutarch

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.
Plutarch

Painting is silent poetry.
Plutarch

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.
Art
Plutarch

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.
Plutarch

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.

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.
Plutarch