10 Essential Plato Quotes from The Republic (With Philosophy Lessons for 2026)

Plato’s The Republic (c. 375 BCE) is the cornerstone of Western philosophy. Here are the ten quotes that still challenge us in 2026 – all from Benjamin Jowett’s public-domain translation, with direct links.

1. “The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”

Book 6 – Project Gutenberg – The Republic Book 6
2026 lesson: Civic duty in a polarised world.

2. “The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.”

Book 1 – Project Gutenberg – The Republic Book 1
2026 lesson: Responsibility cannot be avoided.

3. “We are twice armed if we fight with faith.”

Book 5 – Project Gutenberg – The Republic Book 5
2026 lesson: Conviction multiplies strength.

4. “The beginning is the most important part of the work.”

Book 2 – Project Gutenberg – The Republic Book 2
2026 lesson: Foundations matter – in habits, teams, and societies.

5. “Courage is knowing what not to fear.”

Book 4 – Project Gutenberg – The Republic Book 4
2026 lesson: True bravery is discernment, not recklessness.

6. “The soul takes nothing with her to the next world but her education and her culture.”

Book 6 – Project Gutenberg – The Republic Book 6
2026 lesson: What you learn is what you keep.

7. “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”

Book 1 – Project Gutenberg – The Republic Book 1
2026 lesson: Democracy requires engagement.

8. “Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.”

Book 4 – Project Gutenberg – The Republic Book 4
2026 lesson: Quality over noise – the original social media wisdom.

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

Book 1 – Project Gutenberg – The Republic Book 1
2026 lesson: Character revealed under pressure.

10. “Ignorance, the root and stem of all evil.”

Book 4 – Project Gutenberg – The Republic Book 4
2026 lesson: Education as the cure for division.

Why a Plato Bust Is the Perfect Daily Philosophy Reminder

These words hit harder when the philosopher who wrote them is watching you work. Our 22–27 cm Plato bust is inspired by the Glyptothek Munich portrait, available in Antique Bronze or Stone White.

Source

All quotes from Benjamin Jowett’s public-domain translation: Project Gutenberg – The Republic