The Republic of Plato
by Allan Bloom
"The Republic of Plato," as translated and interpreted by Allan Bloom, explores the nature of justice and the ideal state through a dialogue led by Socrates. Bloom emphasizes the philosophical underpinnings of Plato’s vision, including the role of the philosopher-king and the allegory of the cave, ultimately advocating for a society guided by reason and enlightenment. The work challenges readers to consider the relationship between individual morality and the collective good in a just society.
10 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Republic of Plato, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.
Justice means minding your own business and not meddling with other men's concerns.
Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.
The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.
The unexamined life is not worth living.
Only the dead have seen the end of war.
No law or ordinance is mightier than understanding.
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.
The measure of a man is what he does with power.
You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.