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

Democracy, which is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder, and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike.

Socrates

Quoted in Republic, by Plato

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More information about this quote
Topic
Democracy Politics
Speaker
Socrates

Author

Plato
Source
Republic
Medium
Philosophical dialogue 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

A people was a multitude defined by the common objects of their love.

St. Augustine

City of God

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More information about this quote
Topic
Nation Community

Author

St. Augustine
Source
City of God
Genre
Philosophical literature Religious literature
Language
Latin
Time
426 420s 5th century
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 0
Original Citation

Augustine of Hippo. De civitate Dei contra paganos [On the City of God Against the Pagans]. c. 426, bk. 19, sect. 24.

Current Citation

Augustine of Hippo. City of God, translated by Henry Bettenson. Penguin Classics, 2004, bk. 19, sect. 24.

Another quote originally in Greek

The best political community is formed by citizens of the middle class.

Phocylides

Quoted in Politics, by Aristotle

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More information about this quote
Topic
Middle class Political community Political theory
Speaker
Phocylides

Author

Aristotle
Source
Politics
Genre
Political literature Philosophical literature
Language
Greek
Time
350 BC 350s BC 4th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Phocylides. Quoted in Politics, written by Aristotle. 4th century BC, bk. 4.

Current Citation

Phocylides. Quoted in Politics, written by Aristotle, translated by R. F. Stalley and Sir Ernest Barker. Oxford University Press, 2009, bk. 4.

Another quote of the following type Proverbs, aphorisms and adages

His bark is worse than his bite.

George Herbert

Jacula Prudentum

More information about this quote
Topic
Aggression

Author

George Herbert
Source
Jacula Prudentum
Statement Type
Proverbs, aphorisms and adages
Language
English
Time
1633 1630s 17th century
Authentication Score 1
Citation

Herbert, George. Jacula Prudentum, or, Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. Microform. London: T. Garthwait, 1651.