Socrates believed that the way to find answers and attain knowledge was though the practice of conversation.
In reading from Socrates philosophical quotes, we noticed a lot of them echo why we love using Awkward Silence – exploring ideas, provoking deeper thinking, learning new things.
With that in mind, we wanted to share some of Socrates’ best quotes that encourage us to engage in conversation.
“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
“I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.”
“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” (We believe the latter refers to gossip.)
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.”
“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 mentions others’ writings, but you get the same benefit in talking to someone about their experience.)
“Intelligent individuals learn from every thing and every one; average people, from their experiences. The stupid already have all the answers.”
“Understanding a question is half an answer.”
“The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others.”
“Everything is plainer when spoken than when unspoken.”
Let’s Talk.
Introduce friends in a way that sparks instance conversation and memorable interactions.