Thursday, January 14, 2010

Whom, then, do I call educated?

First, those who manage well the circumstances which they encounter day by day; and

those who can judge situations appropriately as they arise and rarely miss the suitable

course of action.

Next, those who are honorable in their dealings with all men, bearing easily what is

unpleasant or offensive in others, and being as reasonable with their associates as is

humanly possible.

Furthermore, those who hold their pleasures always under control and are not unduly

overcome by their misfortunes, bearing up under them bravely and in a manner worthy of

our common nature.

Most important of all, those who are not spoiled by their successes, who do not desert

their true selves, but hold their ground steadfastly as wise and sober-minded men,

rejoicing no more in the good things that have come to them through chance than in

those which through their own nature and intelligence are theirs since birth.

Those who have a character which is in accord, not with one of these things, but with all

of them these are educated--possessed of all the virtues.

--Socrates (47~399 B.C.)