Shining, Sun, Persons. The world is weary of statesmen whom democracy has degraded into politicians. Democracy for an insignificant minority, democracy for the rich — that is the democracy of capitalist society. Socrates, says Alain de Botton in the School of Life video below, “was portrayed in the dialogues of Plato as hugely pessimistic about the whole business of democracy.” In the ideal society Socrates constructs in the Republic, he famously argues for restricted freedom of movement, strict censorship according to moralistic civic virtues, and a guardian […] Socrates Quotes on Democracy. Socrates. Few things are as democratic as a snowstorm. 1. Democracy – government by the people for the people. – Bern Williams. 127 Copy quote. Democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice it is a fallacy. Socrates - Socrates - The perceived fragility of Athenian democracy: The year in which Socrates was prosecuted, 399, was one in which several other prominent figures were brought to trial in Athens on the charge of impiety. Be sure to read that too. The founding father of Greek philosophy, Socrates, is portrayed in Plato’s dialogues as extremely pessimistic about the whole issue of democracy. 10) "Our object in the construction of the state is the greatest happiness of the whole, and not that of any one class." He inspired many students, including the philosopher Plato. Music is a moral law. Explore 1000 Democracy Quotes by authors including H. L. Mencken, Isaac Asimov, and Thurgood Marshall at BrainyQuote. Which are your favorite Socrates quotes. — Vladimir Lenin, 1870-1924, Soviet revolutionary & leader Two cheers for Democracy: one because it admits variety and two because it permits criticism. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle (1967). Soon, democracy would cease to exist as a major factor in Greece, and Athens would be swept away forever as a major state by Macedon. – Benito Mussolini. Socrates is regarded as one of the most influential Greek philosophers of ancient times. 11) "Knowledge becomes evil if the aim be not virtuous." Best Democracy Quotes. “Socrates: 100 Quotes on Life, Free Will, and Virtue”, Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 536 Copy quote. Following the same, with several Ancient Greece’s great achievements, democracy was highly suspicious to Socrates. In the book Six of the Republic, Plato described Socrates having a character in a conversation called Adeimantos and trying to make him see the deficiencies of democracy, compared a company with a ship. We also have a selection of Socrates quotes as well as inspirational Marcus Aurelius quotes to inspire you to live your best life. Since the time of Socrates democracies have shown themselves to be capable of all sorts of crimes. Just let them shine. He emphasized that great leaders should have knowledge, virtue and a complete understanding of themselves. But why do we need an elected body to work for our wellbeing, why can’t we do things for our own. -- Plato. – Benjamin Disraeli. In every person there is a sun. Plato Quotes on Democracy, The Republic and Life. “Wit and Wisdom of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle: Being a Treasury of Thousands of Glorious, Inspiring and Imperishable Thoughts, Views and Observations of the Three Great Greek Philosophers, Classified Under about Four Hundred Subjects for Comparative Study”