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About this quote

What does it mean?
Socrates warns that strong desires can turn into deadly hatred.
In plain terms
Deep cravings may become dangerous hatred.
What can you take from it?
Watch intense desires that they don't become harmful.

Where it applies

  • personal relationships
  • political movements
  • conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • moderate passions
  • cultivate empathy

Questions to consider

  • When do desires become destructive?
  • How can we transform strong feelings positively?

Another view

Not all desires lead to hate; context matters.

More from Socrates

  1. Four things belong to a judge: to hear courteously, to answer wisely, to consider soberly, and to decide impartially.

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  2. Get not your friends by bare compliments, but by giving them sensible tokens of your love.

    Permalink to quote #49
  3. For who is there but you? Who not only claim to be a good man and a gentleman, for many are this, and yet have not the power of making others good. Whereas you…

    Permalink to quote #46

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