Socrates
In the Essays of Michel de Montaigne
There are 118 instances of Socrates in 35 chapters.
Normalized frequency of Socrates in the Essays
- Book 1 · Chapter 3 · ¶ 16.
Our Attachments Outlive Us for the living more than relief for the dead.❦ And still, from Socrates who, upon his final hour when Crito asked how he wished to …
- Book 1 · Chapter 6 · ¶ 5.
The Dangerous Hour of Parley as a distinguished leader and a philosopher among the first disciples of Socrates. And I do not approve of his wholehearted acceptance of it in …
- Book 1 · Chapter 11 · ¶ 14.
On Prognostications Perhaps Socrates’s daemon was some kind of impulse of the will presenting itself to …
- Book 1 · Chapter 11 · ¶ 14.
On Prognostications as they were compelling — or dissuasive, which was more common with Socrates — but proved so useful and fortunate when I gave in to …
- Book 1 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 4.
On Constancy In Plato, Socrates mocks Laches who defined fortitude as facing and holding the line against …
- Book 1 · Chapter 19 · ¶ 56.
To Philosophize Is to Learn to Die is inevitable? “The Thirty Tyrants have sentenced you to die” they told Socrates. “And Nature them,” he answered.❦ …
- Book 1 · Chapter 20 · ¶ 28.
On the Power of Imagination author of the sole immortal deed of mortals, a divine deed to Socrates — as Love is a desire for immortality and an immortal daemon …
- Book 1 · Chapter 22 · ¶ 24.
On Custom and Not Easily Changing an Accepted Law service and to the common opinion, as did that good and great Socrates who refused to preserve his life by a disobedience to the magistrate, …
- Book 1 · Chapter 24 · ¶ 46.
On Pedantry It is very pleasant to see Socrates, after his manner, rallying Hippias, who recounts to him what a world …
- Book 1 · Chapter 24 · ¶ 46.
On Pedantry never a penny at Sparta: “What a sottish and stupid people,” said Socrates, “are they, without sense or understanding, that make no account either of …
- Book 1 · Chapter 25 · ¶ 18.
On the Education of Children speak, but that he should also hear his pupil speak in turn. Socrates, and since him Arcesilaus, made first their scholars speak, and then they …
- Book 1 · Chapter 25 · ¶ 35.
On the Education of Children illustrious souls to assume privilege above the authority of custom; si quid Socrates aut Aristippus contra morem et consuetudinem fecerunt, idem sibi ne arbitretur licere: …
- Book 1 · Chapter 25 · ¶ 46.
On the Education of Children our sight limited to the length of our own noses. One asking Socrates of what country he was, he did not make answer, of Athens, …
- Book 1 · Chapter 25 · ¶ 55.
On the Education of Children unnecessary cavities and dilatations which we had better let alone, and following Socrates’ direction, limit the course of our studies to those things only where …
- Book 1 · Chapter 25 · ¶ 66.
On the Education of Children by order, and not by force, that it is to be acquired. Socrates, her first minion, is so averse to all manner of violence, as …
- Book 1 · Chapter 25 · ¶ 95.
On the Education of Children are but licking their formless embryo. For my part, I hold, and Socrates commands it, that whoever has in his mind a sprightly and clear imagination, …
- Book 1 · Chapter 38 · ¶ 17.
On Solitude One telling Socrates, that such a one was nothing improved by his travels: “I very …
- Book 1 · Chapter 38 · ¶ 36.
On Solitude Socrates says, that boys are to cause themselves to be instructed, men to …
- Book 1 · Chapter 40 · ¶ 8.
The Taste of Good and Bad Things Depends Mostly on the Opinion We Have of Them they even crack a joke and drink to their companions, just like Socrates. One said, being led to the gallows, that they should not use …
- Book 1 · Chapter 46 · ¶ 7.
On Names And Socrates thinks it worthy a father’s care to give fine names to his …
- Book 1 · Chapter 46 · ¶ 19.
On Names ages, and countries? History tells us of three of the name of Socrates, of five Platos, of eight Aristotles, of seven Xenophons, of twenty Demetrii, …
- Book 1 · Chapter 50 · ¶ 2.
On Democritus and Heraclitus she pleases. Death is terrible to Cicero, coveted by Cato, indifferent to Socrates. Health, conscience, authority, knowledge, riches, beauty, and their contraries, all strip themselves …
- Book 1 · Chapter 51 · ¶ 2.
On the Vanity of Words Aristo wisely defined rhetoric to be “a science to persuade the people;” Socrates and Plato “an art to flatter and deceive.” And those who deny it …
- Book 1 · Chapter 55 · ¶ 10.
On Smells have been several sorts in our cities and armies. We read of Socrates, that though he never departed from Athens during the frequent plagues that …
- Book 1 · Chapter 56 · ¶ 16.
On Prayers be profaned by the ignorant rabble; considering that the Gentiles expressly forbad Socrates, Plato, and the other sages to inquire into or so much as …
- Book 2 · Chapter 2 · ¶ 7.
On Drunkenness As Socrates said that the principal office of wisdom was to distinguish good from …
- Book 2 · Chapter 2 · ¶ 20.
On Drunkenness quoque virtutum quondam certamine, magnum Socratem palmam promeruisse ferunt. And the great Socrates is said, in these drinking bouts, to have carried off the palm.❦ …
- Book 2 · Chapter 2 · ¶ 34.
On Drunkenness philter. Is it to be imagined that an apoplexy will not stun Socrates as well as a porter? Some men have forgotten their own names …
- Book 2 · Chapter 6 · ¶ 40.
On Practice don’t hesitate to put themselves on the public highway. Of what does Socrates treat more largely than of himself? To what does he more direct …
- Book 2 · Chapter 6 · ¶ 43.
On Practice Because Socrates had alone digested to purpose the precept of his god, “to know …
- Book 2 · Chapter 11 · ¶ 2.
On Cruelty contend with poverty, in which extreme he maintained himself to the last. Socrates put himself, methinks, upon a ruder trial, keeping for his exercise a …
- Book 2 · Chapter 11 · ¶ 3.
On Cruelty ease; but here it comes into my head that the soul of Socrates, the most perfect that ever came to my knowledge, should by this …
- Book 2 · Chapter 11 · ¶ 8.
On Cruelty so little tinctured with the true philosophy, can be content to imagine Socrates only free from fear and passion in the accident of his prison, …
- Book 2 · Chapter 11 · ¶ 28.
On Cruelty Socrates confessed to some who had discovered a certain inclination to vice in …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 37.
Apology for Raymond Sebond which gives fashion and value to it. As the virtuous actions of Socrates and Cato remain vain and fruitless, for not having had the love …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 200.
Apology for Raymond Sebond we are eternally subject. Unless we shall also think fit, as even Socrates does, to add to the counterpoise that notable prerogative above beasts, That …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 263.
Apology for Raymond Sebond Ah, presumption, how much dost thou hinder us? After that Socrates was told that the god of wisdom had assigned to him the …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 296.
Apology for Raymond Sebond Timaeus, being to instruct Socrates in what he knew of the gods, the world, and men, proposes …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 298.
Apology for Raymond Sebond of disputing against every thing, and of absolutely concluding nothing, begun by Socrates, repeated by Arcesilaus, and confirmed by Cameades, has continued in use even …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 302.
Apology for Raymond Sebond grammar, poetry, mathematics, and, natural philosophy excepted, of all the sciences; and Socrates of them all, excepting that which treats of manners and of life. …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 305.
Apology for Raymond Sebond Socrates, the conductor of his dialogues, is eternally upon questions and stirring up …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 305.
Apology for Raymond Sebond opinion, never did any instruction halt and stumble, if his does not. Socrates said that midwives, in taking upon them the trade of helping others …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 330.
Apology for Raymond Sebond by ancient institution in every republic. Xenophon reports a like perplexity in Socrates’s doctrine; one while that men are not to inquire into the form …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 432.
Apology for Raymond Sebond necessity of geometrical demonstrations? Yet not so inevitable and useful but that Socrates thought it was enough to know so much of geometry only as …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 433.
Apology for Raymond Sebond Socrates in Xenophon, concerning this affair, says of Anaxagoras, reputed by antiquity learned …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 433.
Apology for Raymond Sebond look fixedly upon fire; and that fire kills herbs and plants. ’Tis Socrates’s opinion, and mine too, that the best judging of heaven is not …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 448.
Apology for Raymond Sebond and as much above the clouds, as that of the stars. As Socrates says, in Plato, “That whoever meddles with philosophy may be reproached as …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 477.
Apology for Raymond Sebond who defines man as if he were a cock, says elsewhere, after Socrates, “That he does not, in truth, know what man is, and that …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 505.
Apology for Raymond Sebond accidents; the slaver of a contemptible cur shed upon the hand of Socrates, to shake all his wisdom and all his great and regulated imaginations, …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 534.
Apology for Raymond Sebond him to his treatise Of the Moon, and Of the Daemon of Socrates, where he may, as evidently as in any other place whatever, satisfy …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 535.
Apology for Raymond Sebond finds itself puzzled and perplexed. Archelaus, the physician, whose disciple and favorite Socrates was, according to Aristoxenus, said that both men and beasts were made …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 598.
Apology for Raymond Sebond And therefore it was that Socrates only begged of the gods that they would give him what they …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 615.
Apology for Raymond Sebond to obey the laws of his country, as was the advice of Socrates, inspired, as he says, by a divine counsel; and by that, what …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 629.
Apology for Raymond Sebond more justly shed them,” said he, “because they are powerless and unprofitable.” Socrates’s wife exasperated her grief by this circumstance: “Oh, how unjustly do these …
- Book 2 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 713.
Apology for Raymond Sebond of itself no commerce with foreign subjects? As they who never knew Socrates cannot, when they see his picture, say it is like him. Now, …
- Book 2 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 25.
On Judging of the Death of Another There is nothing, in my opinion, more illustrious in the life of Socrates, than that he had thirty whole days wherein to ruminate upon the …
- Book 2 · Chapter 17 · ¶ 98.
On Presumption reason is a two-edged and dangerous sword: observe in the hands of Socrates, her most intimate and familiar friend, how many several points it has. …
- Book 2 · Chapter 20 · ¶ 9.
We Taste Nothing Pure Socrates says, that some god tried to mix in one mass and to …
- Book 2 · Chapter 36 · ¶ 26.
On the Most Excellent Men together, he comes not short of any philosopher whatever, not even of Socrates himself. …
- Book 3 · Chapter 1 · ¶ 23.
On the Useful and the Honorable image of it;❦ insomuch that the sage Dandamis, hearing the lives of Socrates, Pythagoras, and Diogenes read, judged them to be great men every way, …
- Book 3 · Chapter 2 · ¶ 14.
On Repentance me of much less vigor in his great theater, than that of Socrates in his mean and obscure employment. I can easily conceive Socrates in …
- Book 3 · Chapter 2 · ¶ 14.
On Repentance of Socrates in his mean and obscure employment. I can easily conceive Socrates in the place of Alexander, but Alexander in that of Socrates, I …
- Book 3 · Chapter 2 · ¶ 14.
On Repentance conceive Socrates in the place of Alexander, but Alexander in that of Socrates, I cannot. Who shall ask the one what he can do, he …
- Book 3 · Chapter 2 · ¶ 36.
On Repentance In observing the wisdom of Socrates, and many circumstances of his condemnation, I should dare to believe that …
- Book 3 · Chapter 3 · ¶ 6.
On Three Kinds of Relations to what a man can,” was the favorite sentence and motto of Socrates. A motto of great solidity. We must moderate and adapt our desires …
- Book 3 · Chapter 4 · ¶ 11.
On Diversion the thing, to consider and judge it; it appertains to one sole Socrates to meet death with an ordinary countenance, to grow acquainted with it, …
- Book 3 · Chapter 5 · ¶ 28.
On Some Verses of Virgil are great indications of the good or ill disposition of the mind. Socrates had a constant countenance, but serene and smiling, not sourly austere, like …
- Book 3 · Chapter 5 · ¶ 38.
On Some Verses of Virgil water upon me, but upon him whom he took me to be.” Socrates being told that people spoke ill of him, “Not at all,” said …
- Book 3 · Chapter 5 · ¶ 63.
On Some Verses of Virgil without despair to get in, and those within despair of getting out. Socrates being asked, whether it was more commodious to take a wife or …
- Book 3 · Chapter 5 · ¶ 71.
On Some Verses of Virgil We love at once, without any tie, two things contrary in themselves. Socrates was wont to say, that the city of Athens pleased, as ladies …
- Book 3 · Chapter 5 · ¶ 87.
On Some Verses of Virgil wise Rome made for the service of love, and the precepts of Socrates for the instruction of courtesans: …
- Book 3 · Chapter 5 · ¶ 182.
On Some Verses of Virgil only, by God! of all oaths the most direct. They say that Socrates swore by the dog; Zeno had for his oath the same interjection …
- Book 3 · Chapter 5 · ¶ 185.
On Some Verses of Virgil other parts, that either by immoderation or indiscretion become vicious. According to Socrates, love is the appetite of generation by the mediation of beauty. And …
- Book 3 · Chapter 5 · ¶ 211.
On Some Verses of Virgil salutation, particular to our nation, has, by its facilities, made kisses, which Socrates says are so powerful and dangerous for the stealing of hearts, of …
- Book 3 · Chapter 5 · ¶ 267.
On Some Verses of Virgil what youth, vigor, and gaiety it inspired the good Anacreon withal: and Socrates, who was then older than I, speaking of an amorous object: “Leaning,” …
- Book 3 · Chapter 5 · ¶ 267.
On Some Verses of Virgil age, and the strictest liver of all mankind. And, pray, why not? Socrates was a man, and would neither be, nor seem, any other thing. …
- Book 3 · Chapter 6 · ¶ 5.
On Coaches lofty. Let us make a relation of that which Alcibiades reports of Socrates, his fellow in arms: “I found him,” says he, “after the rout …
- Book 3 · Chapter 8 · ¶ 13.
On the Art of Discussion takes it for an affront if it be not immediately followed. That Socrates always received smilingly the contradictions offered to his arguments, a man may …
- Book 3 · Chapter 8 · ¶ 20.
On the Art of Discussion you who win. I am of opinion that, in Plato and Xenophon, Socrates disputes more in favor of the disputants than in favor of the …
- Book 3 · Chapter 8 · ¶ 28.
On the Art of Discussion would stink worse to us, forasmuch as it is our own: and Socrates is of opinion that whoever should find himself, his son, and a …
- Book 3 · Chapter 8 · ¶ 32.
On the Art of Discussion and such natures are very rare — and the weak ones, says Socrates, corrupt the dignity of philosophy in the handling, it appears useless and …
- Book 3 · Chapter 9 · ¶ 121.
On Vanity Not because Socrates has said so, but because it is in truth my own humor, …
- Book 3 · Chapter 9 · ¶ 122.
On Vanity What Socrates did toward his end, to look upon a sentence of banishment as …
- Book 3 · Chapter 9 · ¶ 161.
On Vanity a harquebus shot; I should rather have chosen to poison myself with Socrates, than stab myself with Cato. And, though it, be all one, yet …
- Book 3 · Chapter 9 · ¶ 203.
On Vanity than mean souls are for high ones. Could it be imagined that Socrates should have administered occasion of laughter, at the expense of his own …
- Book 3 · Chapter 9 · ¶ 211.
On Vanity half stifled in foreign matter. Observe his footsteps in the Daemon of Socrates. O God! how beautiful are these frolicsome sallies, those variations and digressions, …
- Book 3 · Chapter 10 · ¶ 24.
On Conserving One’s Will Socrates, seeing a great quantity of riches, jewels, and furniture carried in pomp …
- Book 3 · Chapter 10 · ¶ 42.
On Conserving One’s Will he, “that physicians especially order repose, and forbid emotion in all tumors.” Socrates does not say: “Do not surrender to the charms of beauty; stand …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 1.
On Physiognomy worse than by ourselves in so weak an age. That image of Socrates’s discourses, which his friends have transmitted to us, we approve upon no …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 1.
On Physiognomy as we take it, cousin-german to folly, and a quality of reproach? Socrates makes his soul move a natural and common motion: a peasant said …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 8.
On Physiognomy the mind. We need little doctrine to live at our ease; and Socrates teaches us, that this is in us, and the way how to …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 57.
On Physiognomy We have no want of good masters, interpreters of natural simplicity. Socrates shall be one; for, as I remember, he speaks something to this …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 58.
On Physiognomy criminal. Had a suppliant voice been heard out of the mouth of Socrates, that lofty virtue had struck sail in the height of its glory; …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 60.
On Physiognomy examples that I had to choose out of in the sayings of Socrates for my present purpose, I have made an ill choice of this, …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 64.
On Physiognomy But besides, is not the way of arguing which Socrates here makes use of, equally admirable both in simplicity and vehemence? Truly, …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 64.
On Physiognomy Aristotle, and to live like Caesar, than to speak and live as Socrates did; there lies the extreme degree of perfection and difficulty; art cannot …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 66.
On Physiognomy us, and not to direct us: a ridiculous fruit of learning that Socrates so pleasantly discusses against Euthydemus. I have seen books made of things …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 68.
On Physiognomy Socrates was a perfect exemplar in all great qualities, and I am vexed …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 69.
On Physiognomy As Socrates said of his, it betrayed equal ugliness in his soul, had he …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 73.
On Physiognomy sovereign precept is to “conform ourselves to her.” I have not, as Socrates did, corrected my natural composition by the force of reason, and have …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 74.
On Physiognomy universal reason, imprinted in every man by nature. That reason which straightens Socrates from his vicious bend, renders him obedient to the gods and men …
- Book 3 · Chapter 12 · ¶ 78.
On Physiognomy And that makes a quite contrary show to that of Socrates. It has often befallen me, that upon the mere credit of my …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 16.
On Experience they pop me in the ear with three; ’tis the Hydra’s head. Socrates asked Menon, “What virtue was.” “There is,” says Menon, “the virtue of …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 16.
On Experience person, of an old man and of a child.” “Very fine,” cried Socrates, “we were in quest of one virtue, and thou hast brought us …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 33.
On Experience prudence is no other thing than the execution of this ordinance; and Socrates minutely verifies it in Xenophon. The difficulties and obscurity are not discerned …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 33.
On Experience sufficiently intelligent, signifies that every one knows nothing about the matter; as Socrates gives Euthydemus to understand. I, who profess nothing else, therein find so …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 35.
On Experience an example as mine, or their own, let them believe it from Socrates, the master of masters; for the philosopher Antisthenes, said to his disciples, …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 35.
On Experience the philosopher Antisthenes, said to his disciples, “Let us go and hear Socrates: I will be a pupil with you;” and, maintaining this doctrine of …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 35.
On Experience no need of any other thing whatever:” except of the force of Socrates, added he. …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 47.
On Experience to order himself without physic; and he might have learned it of Socrates who, advising his disciples to be solicitous of their health as a …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 56.
On Experience even to the use of noise, for the service of his studies. Socrates answered Alcibiades, who was astonished how he could endure the perpetual scolding …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 95.
On Experience us pain for the honor and service of pleasure and indolence. When Socrates, after his fetters were knocked off, felt the pleasure of that itching …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 115.
On Experience don’t know about this, but there are wonderful instances of it that Socrates, Xenophon, and Aristotle, men of irreproachable authority, relate. Historians say that the …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 143.
On Experience them faultily. Pythagoras, they say, followed a philosophy that was all contemplation; Socrates one that was all conduct and action; Plato found a mean betwixt …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 143.
On Experience this for the sake of talking. The true point is found in Socrates; and Plato is much more Socratic than Pythagoric, and it becomes him …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 149.
On Experience of his enemies at Rome. Nor is there anything more remarkable in Socrates than that, old as he was, he found time to make himself …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 158.
On Experience getting their wives’ maidenheads, than in its lesson. This is not what Socrates says, who is its master and ours: he values, as he ought, …
- Book 3 · Chapter 13 · ¶ 161.
On Experience and nothing is hard for me to digest in the life of Socrates but his ecstasies and communication with daemons; nothing so human in Plato …