The Three Socratic Principles

The three principles described below are the basis of all of Socrates teachings. Socrates advocated selfunderstanding and felt so strongly about it that he deemed it more important than any other pursuit in life. These 2 principles are what Socrates thought were the most important goals of philosophy.

1. The unexamined life is not worth living

It is extremely important to know who you are and what you are trying to become. It is necessary to lead a responsible and fully awake life. If you don't try to figure out who you are and what you believe then you are content to just exist and what's the point in that? What is the worth in your existence? "Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for." ~ Socrates

2. Care for your soul

The most important task in life is caring for your soul. Your soul is the real person, who you really are. It is the center of your character and what makes you who you are. It is the basis of your thoughts, feelings, values, and decisions. The most important task you face is realizing your potential as a person, who you are. The state of your soul makes you either foolish or wise. Just like the body, the soul should be kept healthy. An unhealthy soul is ignorant of the true priorities in life. You can keep your soul healthy by introspection and ridding yourself of ignorance. "He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature." ~ Socrates

3. A good person cannot be harmed by other people

If your soul is good, then outside forces cannot harm you. If the most important part of you is your soul and the soul is not physical but inward then it cannot be harmed. The body may be harmed by another person, but the soul cannot unless you allow yourself to become susceptible to others. Search constantly for wisdom by way of practicing self-evaluation if you wish your soul to be liberated from outside harm. "Envy is the ulcer of the soul." ~ Socrates The unexamined life is not worth living. Know thyself. To find yourself, think for yourself. Be as you wish to seem. We cannot live better than in seeking to become better. I know you won't believe me, but the highest form of Human Excellence is to question oneself and others. The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear. Think not those faithful who praise all thy words and actions; but those who kindly reprove thy faults. By all means marry; if you get a good wife, youll become happy; if you get a bad one, youll become a philosopher. Beware the barrenness of a busy life. The secret of happiness is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less. He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have. Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty. You should eat to live; not live to eat. An honest man is always a child.