7 Pieces of Wisdom from Socrates

Socrates is considered one of the chief founders of Western philosophy. We know Socrates primarily from the accounts of other writers: from his student, Plato, from Xenophon, the historian, as well as from the plays of Aristophanes.

Through Plato’s writing (primarily) we’ve come to comprehend the depth of Socrates’ wisdom. Today I want to discuss seven life lessons based on the teachings of Socrates. Socrates said, “I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think.” This article was written to make you think. He said, “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” Let his words, kindle your flame.

Having a beautiful home and a gorgeous car will not make you content. Contentedness is birth from the inside, it’s a decision, it’s your choice. Things will never make you happy, happiness is a choice.

• Faithful are the wounds of a friend
  

  “Think not those faithful who praise all thy words and actions; but those who kindly reprove thy faults.” 

The Scripture says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” A true friend will reprove your faults; they will tell you when you are “out of line.” Be wary of friends, who only say kind words. A true friend will tell you the truth, and often the truth hurts. Socrates said, “Do not be angry with me if I tell you the truth.”

• Study

“Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for.”

Do you realize that you can read a book in a few hours and learn what it took someone twenty years to learn. You can literally pick someone’s brain for $19.95. Learn to cultivate the joy of reading, and you will gain with ease what others have sweated for.

• Be by Doing 

“To do is to be.”

As the quote goes, “Be the change, you want to see.” Don’t just talk about it, be the example, be the leader. Socrates said, “Let him that would move the world, first move himself.” If you can move yourself, than you will easily move others.

• Gaining a Good Reputation 

“The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.”

Solomon said, “A good name is better than rubies.” And the way to gain a good name is to be how you want to be perceived. Be, in the dark, the way you want to be perceived in the light. If you can master that, you will never need to worry about your reputation. Socrates said, “It is not living that matters, but living rightly.”

• Avoid False Words 

“False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.”

Labor for accuracy in your speech! Don’t stretch the truth, don’t bend the truth, only speak the truth. Exaggerations infect the soul! You can be just as truthful and accurate in your speech as the most honest men who have ever walked the earth.

• Beware of a Busy Life 

“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.”

If you don’t take anything else away from this article, please remember this question, you should ask yourself this question everyday. The question is, “What am I accomplishing?”

Never get lost in the “busy-ness” of life, avoid all of the distractions and attractions.

Examine your life. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” So ask yourself daily, … not: “What am I doing,” but, “What am I accomplishing?” If you do this, you will begin to awaken to your true potential, you will begin to become who you are.

Thank you for reading, and be sure to pass this article along.

Written on 6/17/2010 by Mr. Self Development who is a motivational author that offers a practical guide to success and wealth; support him by visiting his blog at mrselfdevelopment.com or by subscribing to his feed.

Photo Credit: tiseb