The very best thing for a person is health,
Second good looks and third honest wealth,
the fourth is to be in the prime of your life
With people around you who cause you no strife.

ὑγιαίνειν μὲν ἄριστον ἀνδρὶ θνατῷ, δεύτερον δὲ φυὰν καλὸν γενέσθαι, τὸ τρίτον δὲ πλουτεῖν ἀδόλως, καὶ τὸ τέταρτον ἡβᾶν μετὰ τῶν φίλων.

Socrates

Quoted in Gorgias, by Plato

An ancient Greek drinking song.

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More information about this quote

Topic

The good life

Speaker

Socrates

Author

Plato

Source

Gorgias

Medium

Philosophical dialogue

Genre

Philosophical literature

Statement Type

Proverbs, aphorisms and adages

Language

Greek

Time

4th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Occupation

Philosopher

From

Greece Europe Ancient Greece

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Anonymous. Quoted in Gorgias, written by Plato. Oxford University Press, 2008. Originally a drinking song by an anonymous source.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Socrates about the good life: “The very best thing for a person is health, Second good looks and third…”
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A quote by Socrates about the good life: “The very best thing for a person is health, Second good looks and third…”
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A quote by Socrates about the good life: “The very best thing for a person is health, Second good looks and third…”
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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

The object of education is to teach us to love what is beautiful.

Socrates

Quoted in Republic, by Plato

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Read the Republic at MIT's classics department website
More information about this quote
Topic
Purpose of education Education
Speaker
Socrates

Author

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

Socrates. Quoted in Πολιτεία [Republic], written by Plato. c. 375 BCE.

Current Citation

Socrates. Quoted in Republic, written by Plato, translated by Desmond Lee. Penguin Classics, 2007.

Another quote from Classical antiquity

Carthage must be destroyed.

Cato the Elder

Quoted in Plutarch's Lives, by Plutarch

More information about this quote
Topic
War
Speaker
Cato the Elder

Author

Plutarch
Source
Plutarch's Lives
Medium
Speech
Genre
Political speech
Statement Type
Declaration
Language
Latin
Time
149 BC 140s BC 2nd century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Citation

Cato the Elder. Speech within the Roman Senate prior to the Third Punic War. c. 149 BC, Rome, Italy.

Another quote originally in Greek

Some say cavalry and others claim infantry or a fleet of long oars is the supreme sight on the black earth. I say it is the one you love.

Sappho

More information about this quote
Topic
Loved ones

Author

Sappho
Medium
Poem
Language
Greek
Time
570 BC 570s BC 6th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Sappho. Supreme Sight on the Black Earth. c. 570 BCE.

Current Citation

Sappho. The Complete Poems of Sappho, edited by Willis Barnstone. Shambhala Publications, 2009.

Another quote of the following type Proverbs, aphorisms and adages

He that lieth down with Dogs, shall rise up with Fleas.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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Read this proverb at the National Archives website
More information about this quote
Topic
Negative influences The company one keeps Influences Reputation Character

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)
Source
Poor Richard's Almanack
Medium
Almanac
Statement Type
Proverbs, aphorisms and adages Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
English
Time
1733 1730s 18th century
Era
Colonial America
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard's Almanack. Philadelphia, 1733.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1733." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.