Ancient Greek Philosophers on Money, Wisdom and the Power of Change

23 must-read quotes from Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and other masters of knowledge.

3 min readAug 26, 2019

Ancient Greek philosophers wanted to explain not only how the world works, but how the human mind and feelings are intertwined.

It was a pursuit of wisdom (Philosophy means “Love of Wisdom”) that influenced much of Western culture till this day.

Use their teachings to inject ancient wisdom into your daily life and feel the power to transform yourself into a wise person.

“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” — Socrates

“The greatest wealth is to live content with little.” — Plato

“He is richest who is content with the least, for contentment is the wealth of nature.” — Socrates

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” — Epictetus

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” — Socrates

“Necessity is the mother of invention.” — Plato

“Courage is knowing what not to fear.” — Plato

“Ignorance is the root and stem of all evil.” — Plato

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” — Aristotle

“Know how to listen and you will profit even from those who talk badly.” — Plutarch

“It is the mark of an educated man to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” — Aristotle

“Neither blame nor praise yourself.” — Plutarch

“I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over the self.” — Aristotle

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” — Epictetus

“The whole life of a man is but a point in time; let us enjoy it.” — Plutarch

“Day by day, what you choose, what you think and what you do is who you become.” — Heraclitus

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” — Pericles

“Make the best use of what’s in your power and take the rest as it happens.” — Epictetus

“Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.” — Plutarch

“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.” — Pericles

“Time is the wisest counselor of all.” — Pericles

“Everything flows and nothing abides, everything gives way and nothing stays fixed.” — Heraclitus

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” — Heraclitus