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Plotinus

Plotinus Quotes

Philosopher

Plotinus (204-270 AD), a renowned Greek philosopher, is considered the founder of Neoplatonism. His philosophical ideas have had a profound impact on the development of Christian philosophy and Western philosophy in general.

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Famous Plotinus Quotes

“If someone with the right conduct tries to attain to something that lies outside of it, is his goal not the right conduct.”

Ifs Trying Lying Goal Right Conduct

Author:Plotinus

“When we look outside of that on which we depend we ignore our unity; looking outward we see many faces; look inward and all is one head. If a man could but be turned about, he would see at once God and himself and the All.”

Ifs Men Looks Faces Depends Unity Inward Many Faces

Book:Delphi Complete Works of Plotinus - Complete Enneads (Illustrated)

Source: Delphi Complete Works of Plotinus - Complete Enneads (Illustrated)

“Knowledge, if it does not determine action, is dead to us.”

Ifs Doe Action Determine

Book:Delphi Complete Works of Plotinus - Complete Enneads (Illustrated)

Source: Delphi Complete Works of Plotinus - Complete Enneads (Illustrated)

“Before we had our becoming here, we existed There, men other than now; we were pure souls. Intelligence inbound with the entire of reality, not fenced off, integral to that All. [...] Then it was as if One voice sounded. One word was uttered and from every side an ear attended and received and there was an effective hearing; now we are become a dual thing, no longer that which we were at first, dormant, and in a sense no longer present.”

Ifs Men Firsts Soul Reality Sides Voice Becoming Pure Ears Hearing One Word Dormant Pure Soul

Author:Plotinus

“Withdraw into yourself and look. And if you do not find yourself beautiful as yet, do as the creator of a statue that is to be made beautiful; the sculptor cuts away here, smoothes there, makes this line lighter, this other purer, until he or she has shown a beautiful face upon the statue.”

Ifs Looks Made Beautiful Faces Lines Cutting Creator Finding Yourself Introspection Statues Lighters Sculptors Beautiful Face

Author:Plotinus