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.

ἐὰν μή, ἦν δ᾽ ἐγώ, ἢ οἱ φιλόσοφοι βασιλεύσωσιν ἐν

Socrates

Quoted in Republic, by Plato

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More information about this quote

Topic

Political theory Philosophers Government Political philosophy Politics

Speaker

Socrates

Author

Plato

Source

Republic

Medium

Philosophical dialogue Dialogue

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

375 BC 370s BC 4th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Occupation

Philosopher

From

Greece Europe Ancient Greece

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Plato. Republic. 380 BC, bk. 5, sect. 473c.

Current Citation

Plato. The Republic. Translated by Desmond Lee. Penguin, 2007, bk. 5, l. 473c.

Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by Plato

What I say is that "just" or "right" means nothing but what is to the interest of the stronger party.

Thrasymachus

Quoted in Republic, by Plato

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More information about this quote
Topic
Might makes right Justice Political theory Moral theory Morality
Speaker
Thrasymachus

Author

Plato
Source
Republic
Medium
Philosophical dialogue Dialogue
Genre
Philosophical literature
Language
Greek
Time
375 BC 370s BC 4th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Thrasymachus. Quoted in Republic by Plato. Book 1, sect. 338c.

Current Citation

Plato. Republic. Translated by G. M. A. Grube, Revised by C. D. C. Reeve. Hackett Publishing, 1992, book 1, line 338c.

Another quote about Politics

It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

James Madison

Federalist 51

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More information about this quote
Topic
Political theory Politics Government Human nature

Author

James Madison
Source
Federalist 51 The Federalist Papers
Medium
Essay
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1788 1780s 18th century
Era
American Revolutionary Period
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 51, The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments." New York Packet, 8 Feb. 1788.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "'Publius,' The Federalist No. 51 [James Madison], February 6, 1788: On the Safety of Multiple Interests: Ambition Will Counteract Ambition." The Debate on the Constitution: Part Two, edited by Bernard Bailyn. Library of America, 2015.

Another quote from Classical antiquity

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

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More information about this quote
Topic
Timing Life
Source
Ecclesiastes The Bible
Medium
Scripture
Genre
Religious literature
Language
Hebrew
Time
-931 -930s 10th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

Another quote originally in Greek

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Jesus

John 3:3

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More information about this quote
Topic
Being born again Repentance Salvation Kingdom of God
Speaker
Jesus
Source
Gospel of John The Bible
Medium
Scripture
Genre
Religious literature
Language
Greek
Time
90 90s 1st century
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (John 3:3).