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About this quote

What does it mean?
Lack of knowledge is the fundamental source of all wrongdoing.
In plain terms
Not knowing better is where all bad things start.
What can you take from it?
Education prevents evil by addressing ignorance.

Where it applies

  • learning
  • teaching
  • self-improvement

Putting it to work

  • study critically
  • seek truth
  • teach others

Questions to consider

  • What role does education play in ethics?
  • How can you reduce ignorance?

Another view

Some evils stem from malice rather than lack of knowledge.

More from Plato

  1. The good are not willing to rule either for the sake of money or of honor. They do not wish to collect pay openly for their service of rule and be styled hirel…

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  2. Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.

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  3. One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics, is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.

    Permalink to quote #63

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