10 Most Powerful Socrates Quotes (With Wisdom Lessons for 2026)

Socrates left no writings – everything we know comes from Plato, Xenophon, and Aristophanes. Here are the ten quotes that still cut deepest in 2026, with direct links to the original texts.

1. “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Plato, Apology 38a
Perseus – Apology 38a (Greek + English)
2026 lesson: Self-reflection in an age of distraction.

2. “I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.”

Plato, Apology 21d
Perseus – Apology 21d
2026 lesson: Intellectual humility in the era of “I did my own research”.

3. “To find yourself, think for yourself.”

Attributed (widely accepted)
Perseus – Plato’s Dialogues
2026 lesson: Independent thinking over groupthink.

4. “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.”

Attributed (common in Socratic tradition)
Perseus – Plato’s Dialogues
2026 lesson: Learning as curiosity, not memorisation.

5. “Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.”

Attributed (widely accepted)
Perseus – Plato’s Dialogues
2026 lesson: Rise above gossip – the original social media advice.

6. “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”

Plato, Theaetetus 155d
Perseus – Theaetetus 155d
2026 lesson: Curiosity is the root of all discovery.

7. “Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant.”

Attributed (common in Socratic tradition)
Perseus – Plato’s Dialogues
2026 lesson: Quality over quantity in relationships.

8. “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”

Attributed
Perseus – Plato’s Dialogues
2026 lesson: Gratitude beats consumerism.

9. “The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”

Attributed (widely accepted)
Perseus – Plato’s Dialogues
2026 lesson: Minimalism and contentment.

10. “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”

Plato, Apology 21d (paraphrase)
Perseus – Apology 21d
2026 lesson: The foundation of lifelong learning.

Why a Socrates Bust Is the Perfect Daily Wisdom Reminder

These words hit harder when the philosopher who spoke them is watching you work. Our 25.2 cm Socrates bust is inspired by the Louvre double herm, available in Antique Bronze or Stone White.

Source

All quotes from Plato’s dialogues (public domain): Perseus Digital Library – Plato Collection