Quotes from The Republic

Quotations follow the G.M.A. Grube, revised by C.D.C. Reeve translation (Hackett Publishing, 1992) — our recommended edition.

1. 2

   Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy... cities will never have rest from their evils.

2. 3

   I proclaim that justice is nothing else than the interest of the stronger.

3. 4

   And now, I said, let me show in a figure how far our nature is enlightened or unenlightened:—Behold! human beings living in a underground den, which has a mouth open towards the light and reaching all along the den; here they have been from their childhood, and have their legs and necks chained so that they cannot move, and can only see before them, being prevented by the chains from turning round their heads.

4. 5

   Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and political greatness and wisdom meet in one, and those commoner natures who pursue either to the exclusion of the other are compelled to stand aside, cities will never have rest from their evils,—nor the human race, as I believe,—and then only will this our State have a possibility of life and behold the light of day.

5. 6

   Then, I said, let us begin and create in idea a State; and yet the true creator is necessity, who is the mother of our invention.

6. 7

   How then may we devise one of those needful falsehoods of which we lately spoke—just one royal lie which may deceive the rulers, if that be possible, and at any rate the rest of the city?

7. 8

   The sailors are quarrelling with one another about the steering—every one is of opinion that he has a right to steer, though he has never learned the art of navigation.

8. 9

   The excess of liberty, whether in States or individuals, seems only to pass into excess of slavery.

9. 10

   Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

10. 11

    The measure of a man is what he does with power.

11. 12

    The idea of good appears last of all, and is seen only with an effort.

12. 13

    Now the worst part of the punishment is that he who refuses to rule is liable to be ruled by one who is worse than himself.

13. 14

    Most gladly have I escaped the thing of which you speak; I feel as if I had escaped from a mad and furious master.

14. 15

    It would seem, Adeimantus, that the direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life.

15. 16

    These and other kindred characteristics are proper to democracy, which is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder, and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike.

16. 17

    Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul, on which they mightily fasten, imparting grace, and making the soul of him who is rightly educated graceful.

17. 18

    A State, I said, arises, as I conceive, out of the needs of mankind; no one is self-sufficing, but all of us have many wants.

18. 19

    Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.

19. 20

    Temperance is the ordering or controlling of certain pleasures and desires.