Summary

The web content discusses the enduring relevance of ancient Greek wisdom, highlighting timeless quotes from philosophers like Socrates, Plutarch, and Aristotle, which remain applicable to modern life.

Abstract

The article titled "In With The Old: Timeless Quotes From Ancient Greece" delves into the profound impact of ancient Greek philosophy on contemporary thought. It emphasizes that despite the rapid production of information in today's world, the insights of Greek thinkers from the 5th and 4th centuries B.C. continue to offer valuable lessons. The author reflects on the humility of knowledge, as exemplified by Socrates' acknowledgment of his own ignorance, and the importance of questioning and inquiry in education. The piece also touches on Plutarch's view of the mind as a fire to be kindled rather than a vessel to be filled, aligning with modern educational philosophies. Aristotle's ideas on critical thinking and the nature of friendship in the age of social media are explored, as well as Plato's caution against meaningless speech. The article concludes by urging readers to consider the wisdom of the past as a guide for living purposefully in the present.

Opinions

The author believes that Socrates' approach to learning, emphasizing the recognition of one's own ignorance, is particularly relevant in the current information age.
The article suggests that the education system is shifting towards fostering inquiry and curiosity, a change that would be welcomed by ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates.
Plutarch's belief in igniting the mind's potential is seen as a timeless educational principle that resonates with 21st-century teaching methods.
Aristotle's advice on entertaining thoughts without accepting them is presented as a crucial skill in an era rife with misinformation and "fake news."
The author critiques the superficiality of social media connections, echoing Aristotle's sentiment that having many friends may not equate to having true friendships.
Plato's distinction between speaking with purpose and speaking merely to fill silence is used to critique contemporary communication, particularly in politics and social media.
The author warns of the dangers of a busy but unfulfilling life, drawing on Socrates' wisdom about the perils of constant activity without reflection or enjoyment.
The pursuit of meaningful work and the importance of finding joy in one's job are discussed, with Aristotle's perspective on work perfection being linked to personal satisfaction.
The author agrees with Plato's assertion that humanity's search for meaning is an ongoing quest, one that remains central to our existence today.
The article encourages the use of historical wisdom, such as the quotes from ancient Greece, as a tool for navigating modern challenges and enriching our understanding of life.

In With The Old: Timeless Quotes From Ancient Greece

Ideas that are as relevant today as they were 2,500 years ago!

Lately, I find myself reading prodigiously about the past. In a contemporary age where humanity manufactures and reproduces information at an unprecedented rate, I continue to choose to gravitate back to an earlier time for insight. In my quest to visit virtue, I have spent many hours engrossed in research about ancient philosophy and history. Among other things, I have learned from the breadth of information gathered and consumed over the past weeks that the Golden Age of Ancient Greece produced relevant and thought-provoking wisdom that has withstood 2,500 years of time and shall live on immortally.

The Golden Age I refer to is that of ancient Greece in the 5th and 4th centuries B.C. when that culture laid an indelible mark upon the history and foundation of Western philosophy, politics, science, and art — when prominent thinkers walked the streets of Athens leaving behind an immaculate collection of quotable words. Enormous human intellect crossed each other's paths then, and we still relate to much of what came about from the percolating minds of that era. I have collected a small sample of quotes that sprung from ancient Greece during this time-frame that I find still resonate and echo ideas that are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.

“True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.” — Socrates

“One thing I know, is that I know nothing. This is the source of my wisdom.” — Socrates

Socrates(470BC-399BC) believed firmly in the ignorance of man, which paradoxically referred to man’s wisdom. His method of thinking and learning brought the world the idea of questioning to distill understanding. He firmly believed that man knew little, in contrast to all potential knowledge surrounding him. Contemplate the world of 2,500 years ago before paper or books and the advent of our nifty little tool called the internet. In an age where a slower collection and creation of information was present and available, Socrates had the intuition to think that his world had too much information to gather and store in the mind of one person. No measure of me can fathom what he would conclude at today’s state of the exponential growth of new information.

In our present human cluster, we inhabit a world where information is nearly ubiquitous, almost infinite, and in a state of perpetual inflation and acceleration. It is impossible to know and learn everything. Even a simple fraction of a topic is challenging to master. We should be able to relate even more with the humble idea that we know nothing. There is too much out there. Once you understand that you know little, you ask questions! The education systems today have shifted from models that aim to develop strong knowledge bases, to ones that are driven to create and embed inquiry and curiosity. Somewhere, Socrates is dancing in his grave!

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

Plutarch came slightly later than the period of the Golden Age of Athens but his message is timeless and incredibly relevant today. He was a biographer and historian and wrote essays detailing the lives of important statesmen and generals of Ancient Rome and Greece. The quote breathes the same air of distinction as Socrates and is well aligned with a growing principle in the 21st-century educational system, that inquiry and curiosity far outweigh the traditional learning practice of knowledge accumulation.

“It is the mark of an educated man to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” — Aristotle

Aristotle(384–322BCE) was a student of Plato and joined the Academy in Athens for twenty-some years. He believed in the importance of justifying knowledge with some form of truth.

Aristotle could easily be referring to a time and place where fake news was ubiquitous. He certainly would be losing his marbles in this age of twittering trolls and TikTok-ing teens. The message seems important today, more so than ever. The age of information proliferation is ominous and the uneducated masses are being led astray by droves of malignant facts and theories. While some seem able to filter out the abject falsehoods from the truth, others merely accept any form of information that is linked to some facet of social spread or acceptance. More than ever, the ability to filter through information is necessary.

“He who hath many friends hath none.” — Aristotle

Another big hit from Aristotle. The quote fits perfectly into my negatively biased opinion of social media and the chase to increase the number of friends, followers on those platforms. I continue to stand firmly in my footing against Facebook friends. I don’t believe in large numbers of social connections, even if it might be an unpopular or refutable belief and opinion. I can’t say for certain whether someone with 1000 Facebook or Instagram friends has more real friends than someone who has 50, but I would place money on the two being very similar. When it comes to friends, better to be close and connected than too thinly stretched.

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” — Plato

Plato(c.428–347 B.C.) is best known for his work on The Republic as well as the founding of the Academy in Athens. He was a student of Socrates and knew a thing or two about speech. He wrote famously in dialogues throughout his life and recounted conversations he had with Socrates in his writing. He is considered one of the founders of western philosophy and society.

I tend to stay as far away from the political needle as possible, but this has Donald Trump written all over it. The more we engage in social connections online, the more platforms become available for us to spread any message to the world. It is all the more important that we be thoughtful in our engagements and interactions with people, whether by proper name or as an anonymous figure. Clear and purposeful dialogue can go a long way.

“Beware of the barrenness of a busy life.” — Socrates

How often have you driven yourself to near extinction by a self-imposed regimen of never-ending productivity and improvement? How likely are you to burn the candle at both ends? Socrates is instrumentally perceptive with this short quip, an idea that dates back to a time well beyond the imaginable scope of self-help books, the internet, and the infinite tap of resources ready to help us up-skill our daily lives and habits. It is imperceptible now. We have come to consider business as a driving motive to productivity and life, yet in that busy construct lies a very bleak and insidious reality awaiting us. The first step to solving any problem is knowing that it exists.

“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” — Aristotle

The quote feels as relevant as ever. We live in the age of job creation. Opportunities are bountiful and nearly endless and most primary learners are embedded with a notion that they will create the jobs and markets of the future. We are driven, and sometimes obsessed with finding pleasure in the workforce, yet the paradox seems to be that with endless possibilities, more dissatisfaction is encountered. While we aim to change career trajectories to search for purposeful jobs, we remind ourselves of the infinite potential of the workforce.

“Man is a being in search of meaning.” — Plato

As a human species, we remain very much aligned with this ambition. Now more than ever. Our careers, daily activities and routines, hobbies, and life practices revolve around the search for meaning and place. 2,400 years later, humanity continues its enduring wandering to find meaning.

What have I learned from all this nonsense? Simply put, it is often useful to glance back at the past for insight. We often find answers in the line of texts that have stood the test of time. Quotes from Ancient Greece have been around for more than 2,000 years, a healthy and powerful filtering tool. When ideas that existed so long ago still have meaning, still resonate to contemporary eyes and ears, it might be wise to give them precedence. We live in a fortunate period where information is available at the tap of a button. Let’s use what we can to make every moment as purposeful as possible. Sometimes, nothing more than a simple quote can lift one out of obscurity or depression.

Did I miss out on any timeless quotes from this era? Let me know in the comments!