Socrates, (469-399 BC)

  1. There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.
  2. To find yourself, think for yourself.
  3. I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.
  4. I was afraid that by observing objects with my eyes and trying to comprehend them with each of my other senses I might blind my soul altogether.
  5. How many are the things I can do without!
  6. The unexamined life is not worth living.
  7. Enjoy yourself — it’s later than you think.
  8. An education obtained with money is worse than no education at all
  9. Whom do I call educated? First, those who manage well the circumstances they encounter day by day. Next, those who are decent and honorable in their intercourse with all men, bearing easily and good naturedly what is offensive in others and being as agreeable and reasonable to their associates as is humanly possible to be… those who hold their pleasures always under control and are not ultimately overcome by their misfortunes… those who are not spoiled by their successes, who do not desert their true selves but hold their ground steadfastly as wise and sober minded men.
  10. True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing.
  11. I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.
  12. Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have laboured hard for.
  13. How much there is in the world I do not want.
  14. Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.
  15. The beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms.
  16. Wisdom begins in wonder