110+ Plutarch Quotes On Sparta, Education And Friendship

Plutarch was a Greek philosopher who lived in the first century CE. He is best known for his biographies of famous Greeks and Romans, which are known as the Parallel Lives. He also wrote a series of moral essays called the Moralia, which discussed topics such as love, marriage, and religion. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Plutarch on sparta, education, leadership.

Top 10 Plutarch Quotes

1. I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.
2. To find a fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.
3. The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.
4. An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.
5. Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.
6. Time is the wisest of all counselors.
7. When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of Oratory, he answered, "Action," and which was the second, he replied, "action," and which was the third, he still answered "Action.
8. The real destroyer of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and benefits.
9. Barba non facit philosophum
10. No man ever wetted clay and then left it, as if there would be bricks by chance and fortune.

Plutarch Image Quotes

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

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

Time is the wisest of all counselors. — Plutarch

Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks. — Plutarch

It is a true proverb, that if you live with a lame man, you will learn to limp. — Plutarch

Plutarch Short Quotes

• What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.
• No beast is more savage than man when possessed with power answerable to his rage.
• Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.
• It is a true proverb, that if you live with a lame man, you will learn to limp.
• Water continually dropping will wear hard rocks hollow.
• Do not speak of your happiness to one less fortunate than yourself.
• The omission of good is no less reprehensible than the commission of evil.
• God is the brave man's hope, and not the coward's excuse.
• Vultures are the most righteous of birds: they do not attack even the smallest living creature.
• For the wise man, every day is a festival.

Plutarch Quotes About Sparta

Come back with your shield - or on it — Plutarch

A traveller at Sparta, standing long upon one leg, said to a Lacedaemonian, "I do not believe you can do as much." "True," said he, "but every goose can." — Plutarch

Foreign lady once remarked to the wife of a Spartan commander that the women of Sparta were the only women in the world who could rule men. "We are the only women who raise men," the Spartan lady replied. — Plutarch

A Spartan woman, as she handed her son his shield, exhorted him saying, "As a warrior of Sparta come back with your shield or on it." — Plutarch

Plutarch Quotes About Education

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

To the Greeks, the supreme function of music was to "praise the gods and educate the youth". In Egypt... Initiatory music was heard only in Temple rites because it carried the vibratory rhythms of other worlds and of a life beyond the mortal. — Plutarch

Education and study, and the favors of the muses, confer no greater benefit on those that seek them than these humanizing and civilizing lessons, which teach our natural qualities to submit to the limitations prescribed by reason, and to avoid the wildness of extremes. — Plutarch

If Nature be not improved by instruction, it is blind; if instruction be not assisted by Nature, it is maimed; and if exercise fail of the assistance of both, it is imperfect. — Plutarch

Nature without learning is blind, learning apart from nature is fractional, and practice in the absence of both is aimless. — Plutarch

Plutarch Quotes About Friendship

...To the Dolphin alone, beyond all other, nature has granted what the best philosophers seek: friendship for no advantage — Plutarch

Anacharsis coming to Athens, knocked at Solon's door, and told him that he, being a stranger, was come to be his guest, and contract a friendship with him; and Solon replying, "It is better to make friends at home," Anacharsis replied, "Then you that are at home make friendship with me. — Plutarch

Friendship requires a steady, constant, and unchangeable character, a person that is uniform in his intimacy. — Plutarch

Friendship is the most pleasant of all things, and nothing more glads the heart of man. — Plutarch

Plutarch Quotes About Life

In human life there is constant change of fortune; and it is unreasonable to expect an exemption from the common fate. Life itself decays, and all things are daily changing. — Plutarch

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

The whole life is but a point of time; let us enjoy it, therefore, while it lasts, and not spend it to no purpose. — Plutarch

The measure of a man's life is the well spending of it, and not the length. — Plutarch

The state of life is most happy where superfluities are not required and necessities are not wanting. — Plutarch

When Anaxagoras was told of the death of his son, he only said, "I knew he was mortal." So we in all casualties of life should say "I knew my riches were uncertain, that my friend was but a man." Such considerations would soon pacify us, because all our troubles proceed from their being unexpected. — Plutarch

Not by lamentations and mournful chants ought we to celebrate the funeral of a good man, but by hymns, for in ceasing to be numbered with mortals he enters upon the heritage of a diviner life. — Plutarch

Nature and wisdom never are at strife. — Plutarch

Nothing can produce so great a serenity of life as a mind free from guilt and kept untainted, not only from actions, but purposes that are wicked. By this means the soul will be not only unpolluted but also undisturbed. The fountain will run clear and unsullied. — Plutarch

He (Cato) used to say that in all his life he never repented but of three things. The first was that he had trusted a woman with a secret; the second that he had gone by sea when he might have gone by land; and the third, that had passed one day without having a will by him. — Plutarch

Plutarch Quotes About Asked

I had rather men should ask why my statue is not set up, than why it is. — Plutarch

Lycurgus being asked why he, who in other respects appeared to be so zealous for the equal rights of men, did not make his government democratical rather than oligarchical, "Go you," replied the legislator, "and try a democracy in your own house. — Plutarch

When Demosthenes was asked what were the three most important aspects of oratory, he answered, Action, Action, Action. — Plutarch

Julius Caesar divorced his wife Pompeia, but declared at the trial that he knew nothing of what was alleged against her and Clodius. When asked why, in that case, he had divorced her, he replied: Because I would have the chastity of my wife clear even of suspicion. — Plutarch

Themistocles being asked whether he would rather be Achilles or Homer, said, "Which would you rather be, a conqueror in the Olympic games, or the crier that proclaims who are conquerors? — Plutarch

The Spartans do not ask how many the enemies are but where they are. — Plutarch

Dionysius the Elder, being asked whether he was at leisure, he replied, "God forbid that it should ever befall me!" — Plutarch

Solon being asked, namely, what city was best to live in. That city, he replied, in which those who are not wronged, no less than those who are wronged, exert themselves to punish the wrongdoers. — Plutarch

A Roman divorced from his wife, being highly blamed by his friends, who demanded, Was she not chaste? Was she not fair? Was she not fruitful? holding out his shoe, asked them whether it was not new and well made. Yet, added he, none of you can tell where it pinches me. — Plutarch

When Demaratus was asked whether he held his tongue because he was a fool or for want of words, he replied, "A fool cannot hold his tongue. — Plutarch

Plutarch Quotes About Friends

Pompey had fought brilliantly and in the end routed Caesar's whole force... but either he was unable to or else he feared to push on. Caesar [said] to his friends: 'Today the enemy would have won, if they had had a commander who was a winner.' — Plutarch

When the strong box contains no more both friends and flatterers shun the door. — Plutarch

Prosperity is no just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends. — Plutarch

If you hate your enemies, you will contract such a vicious habit of mind that it will break out upon those who are your friends, or those who are indifferent to you. — Plutarch

Among real friends there is no rivalry or jealousy of one another, but they are satisfied and contented alike whether they are equal or one of them is superior. — Plutarch

It is no flattery to give a friend a due character; for commendation is as much the duty of a friend as reprehension. — Plutarch

Agesilaus was very fond of his children; and it is reported that once toying with them he got astride upon a reed as upon a horse, and rode about the room; and being seen by one of his friends, he desired him not to speak of it till he had children of his own. — Plutarch

The flatterer's object is to please in everything he does; whereas the true friend always does what is right, and so often gives pleasure, often pain, not wishing the latter, but not shunning it either, if he deems it best. — Plutarch

Once when Phocion had delivered an opinion which pleased the people, he turned to his friend and said, "Have I not unawares spoken some mischievous thing or other?" — Plutarch

A friend should be like money, tried before being required, not found faulty in our need. — Plutarch

Plutarch Quotes About Adversity

Those who aim at great deeds must also suffer greatly. — Plutarch

Nothing is harder to direct than a man in prosperity; nothing more easily managed that one is adversity. — Plutarch

Nothing is harder to direct than a man in prosperity; nothing more easily managed than one in adversity. — Plutarch

Wise men are able to make a fitting use even of their enmities. — Plutarch

Plutarch Quotes About Deeds

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

It is not histories I am writing, but lives; and in the most glorious deeds there is not always an indication of virtue or vice, indeed a small thing like a phrase or a jest often makes a greater revelation of a character than battles where thousands die. — Plutarch

To do an evil act is base. To do a good one without incurring danger, is common enough. But it is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds though he risks everything in doing them. — Plutarch

Plutarch Famous Quotes And Sayings

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

The abuse of buying and selling votes crept in and money began to play an important part in determining elections. Later on, this process of corruption spread to the law courts. And then to the army, and finally the Republic was subjected to the rule of emperors — Plutarch

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

Time is the wisest of all counselors. — Plutarch

As geographers, Sosius, crowd into the edges of their maps parts of the world which they do not know about, adding notes in the margin to the effect that beyond this lies nothing but sandy deserts full of wild beasts, and unapproachable bogs. — 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. — Plutarch

It is a true proverb, that if you live with a lame man, you will learn to limp. — Plutarch

Demosthenes overcame and rendered more distinct his inarticulate and stammering pronunciation by speaking with pebbles in his mouth. — Plutarch

A good man will take care of his horses and dogs, not only while they are young, but when old and past service. — Plutarch

The talkative listen to no one, for they are ever speaking. And the first evil that attends those who know not to be silent is that they hear nothing. — Plutarch

It is no disgrace not to be able to do everything; but to undertake, or pretend to do, what you are not made for, is not only shameful, but extremely troublesome and vexatious. — Plutarch

Philosophy finds talkativeness a disease very difficult and hard to cure. For its remedy, conversation, requires hearers: but talkative people hear nobody, for they are ever prating. And the first evil this inability to keep silence produces is an inability to listen. — 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

There are two sentences inscribed upon the Ancient oracle... "Know thyself" and "Nothing too much"; and upon these all other precepts depend. — Plutarch

If we traverse the world, it is possible to find cities without walls, without letters, without kings, without wealth, without coin, without schools and theatres; but a city without a temple, or that practiseth not worship, prayer, and the like, no one ever saw. — Plutarch

The obligations of law and equity reach only to mankind; but kindness and beneficence should be extended to the creatures of every species, and these will flow from the breast of a true man, as streams that issue from the living fountain. — 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

For the mind does not require filling like a bottle, but rather, like wood, it only requires kindling to create in it an impulse to think independently and an ardent desire for the truth. — Plutarch

It is a high distinction for a homely woman to be loved for her character rather than for beauty. — Plutarch

Why does pouring Oil on the Sea make it Clear and Calm? Is it that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no force, nor cause any waves? — Plutarch

The measure of a man is the way he bears up under misfortune. — Plutarch

Character is simply habit long continued. — Plutarch

Vos vestros servate, meos mihi linquite moresYou keep to your own ways, and leave mine to me — Plutarch

Mothers ought to bring up and nurse their own children; for they bring them up with greater affection and with greater anxiety, as loving them from the heart, and so to speak, every inch of them. — Plutarch

Neither blame or praise yourself. — Plutarch

The wildest colts make the best horses. — Plutarch

The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart. — Plutarch

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

In words are seen the state of mind and character and disposition of the speaker. — Plutarch

The belly has no ears. — Plutarch

Alcibiades had a very handsome dog, that cost him seven thousand drachmas; and he cut off his tail, "that," said he, "the Athenians may have this story to tell of me, and may concern themselves no further with me. — Plutarch

Socrates said he was not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world. — Plutarch

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

We ought not to treat living creatures like shoes or household belongings, which when worn with use we throw away. — Plutarch

The Epicureans, according to whom animals had no creation, doe suppose that by mutation of one into another, they were first made; for they are the substantial part of the world; like as Anaxagoras and Euripides affirme in these tearmes: nothing dieth, but in changing as they doe one for another they show sundry formes. — 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. — Plutarch

Grief is like a physical pain which must be allowed to subside somewhat on its own before medical treatment is applied. — Plutarch

Fate leads him who follows it, and drags him who resist. — Plutarch

I, for my own part, had much rather people should say of me that there neither is nor ever was such a man as Plutarch, than that they should say, "Plutarch is an unsteady, fickle, froward, vindictive, and touchy fellow. — Plutarch

Prosperity has this property, it puffs up narrow Souls, makes them imagine themselves high and mighty, and look down upon the World with Contempt; but a truly noble and resolved Spirit appears greatest in Distress, and then becomes more bright and conspicuous. — Plutarch

Nothing is cheap which is superfluous, for what one does not need, is dear at a penny. — Plutarch

Knowledge of divine things for the most part, as Heraclitus says, is lost to us by incredulity. — Plutarch

Since, during storms, flames leap from the humid vapors and dark clouds emit deafening noises, is it surprising the lightning, when it strikes the ground, gives rise to truffles, which do not resemble plants? — Plutarch

Fate, however, is to all appearance more unavoidable than unexpected. — Plutarch

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. — Plutarch

Cato used to assert that wise men profited more by fools than fools by wise men; for that wise men avoided the faults of fools, but that fools would not imitate the good examples of wise men. — Plutarch

Rest is the sweet sauce of labor. — Plutarch

Courage stands halfway between cowardice and rashness, one of which is a lack, the other an excess of courage. — Plutarch

Knavery is the best defense against a knave. — Plutarch

It is wise to be silent when occasion requires, and better than to speak, though never so well. — Plutarch

Character is long-standing habit. — Plutarch

Poverty is dishonorable, not in itself, but when it is a proof of laziness, intemperance, luxury, and carelessness; whereas in a person that is temperate, industrious, just and valiant, and who uses all his virtues for the public good, it shows a great and lofty mind. — Plutarch

Let us carefully observe those good qualities wherein our enemies excel us; and endeavor to excel them, by avoiding what is faulty, and imitating what is excellent in them. — Plutarch

What All The World Knows Water is the principle, or the element, of things. All things are water. — Plutarch

The man who is completely wise and virtuous has no need of glory, except so far as it disposes and eases his way to action by the greater trust that it procures him. — Plutarch

A warrior carries his shield for the sake of the entire line. — Plutarch

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

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

He (Cato) never gave his opinion in the Senate upon any other point whatever, without adding these words, "And, in my opinion Carthage should be destroyed." ["Delenda est Carthago."] — Plutarch

The man who first brought ruin upon the Roman people was he who pampered them by largesses and amusements. — Plutarch

A lover's soul lives in the body of his mistress. — Plutarch

A Locanian having plucked all the feathers off from a nightingale and seeing what a little body it had, "surely," quoth he, "thou art all voice and nothing else. — Plutarch

Wickedness is a wonderfully diligent architect of misery, of shame, accompanied with terror, and commotion, and remorse, and endless perturbation. — Plutarch

What sort of tree is there which will not, if neglected, grow crooked and unfruitful; what but Will, if rightly ordered, prove productive and bring its fruit to maturity? What strength of body is there which will not lose its vigor and fall to decay by laziness, nice usage, and debauchery? — Plutarch

For the correct analogy for the mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting. — Plutarch

It were better to have no opinion of God at all than such a one as is unworthy of him; for the one is only belief - the other contempt. — Plutarch

Silence is an answer to a wise man. — Plutarch

Life Lessons by Plutarch

1. Plutarch taught that one should strive for virtue in life and to act with justice, temperance, and courage.
2. He believed that one should use reason to understand the world and to strive for excellence in all endeavors.
3. He also believed that one should take responsibility for their own actions and that it is important to be honest and generous with others.