That's what education should be," I said, "the art of orientation. Educators should devise the simplest and most effective methods of turning minds around. It shouldn't be the art of implanting sight in the organ, but should proceed on the understanding that the organ already has the capacity, but is improperly aligned and isn't facing the right way.

There is far greater peril in buying knowledge than in buying meat and drink.

But this is not difficult, O Athenians! to escape death; but it is much more difficult to avoid depravity, for it runs swifter than death. And now I, being slow and aged, am overtaken by the slower of the two; but my accusers, being strong and active, have been overtaken by the swifter, wickedness. And now I depart, condemned by you to death; but they condemned by truth, as guilty of iniquity and injustice: and I abide my sentence, and so do they. These things, perhaps, ought so to be, and I think that they are for the best.

Athenian men, I respect and love you, but I shall obey the god rather than you.

All well bred men should have mastered the art of singing and dancing.

There are three arts which are concerned with all things: one which uses, another which makes, and a third which imitates them.

Better a little which is well done, than a great deal imperfectly.