The Republic Education Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Stephanus pagination (the standardized way in which every text of Plato is divided). Every edition and translation will have this pagination in the margins.

Quote #4

"However, it is fit to be sure about what we were saying a while ago, that [the guardians] must get the right education, whatever it is, if they're going to have what's most important for being tame with each other and those who are guarded by them." (416b-c)

Notice a pattern here? Socrates is making it very clear that the education of the guardians is extremely important. Here, he specifically links this to the issues of community and behavior, suggesting that solid schooling makes people play nicer with others.

Quote #5

"If by being well educated they become sensible men, they'll easily see to all this and everything else we are not leaving out..." (423e)

For Socrates, this is the best part about education: if it's done right, it takes care of so many other things, too. What do you think? Is that how education works?

Quote #6

"At least it's likely, Adeimantus... that the starting point of a man's education sets the course of what follows too." (425b)

For a philosopher, it's kind of impressive that Socrates isn't only interested in the big, abstract aspects of education—he's interested in early childhood, too. That's something that even modern educators today spend a lot of time thinking about. It just goes to show you that for Socrates, education is totally serious business. It has to start even when children are very young.