“Worthless people live only to eat and drink; people of worth eat and drink only to live.”
- 470 BC – 399 BC
- Born in Athens, ancient Greece
- Philosopher
- Teacher of Plato, who contributed to the development of ethics and dialectics
Quote
“Worthless people live only to eat and drink; people of worth eat and drink only to live.”
Explanation
In this quote, Socrates contrasts two different approaches to life. The worthless person, according to Socrates, is someone whose entire existence is consumed by pleasure-seeking and self-indulgence, specifically focused on satisfying their physical desires for food and drink. This type of person is motivated by immediate gratification, without higher purpose or reflection. In contrast, a person of worth understands that eating and drinking are not ends in themselves, but means to sustain life and fuel their pursuit of more meaningful goals, such as virtue, wisdom, and personal growth. For Socrates, true worth comes from living a life of purpose and moral integrity, where even basic needs like food and drink serve as tools for living a virtuous life, not distractions from it.
Historically, Socrates often critiqued a life of excessive pleasure-seeking and emphasized the importance of self-discipline and moderation. His philosophy focused on living a life guided by reason and virtue, rather than being enslaved to physical desires. For Socrates, the mind and soul should be cultivated through intellectual pursuits and ethical living, and bodily needs should be seen as temporary and secondary to higher spiritual and moral aims. In this sense, Socrates viewed living with purpose and integrity as the true path to fulfillment, rather than indulging in temporary pleasures.
In the modern world, this quote serves as a reminder of the importance of balance in our lives. In a society where indulgence and materialism often take center stage, Socrates challenges us to reflect on our motivations. Are we living primarily to satisfy our immediate desires, or are we using our resources, including food and drink, to support our larger goals of personal growth, meaningful relationships, and contributing to society? By understanding that our physical needs are a means to an end, not the end itself, we can live a more purposeful and fulfilling life, grounded in higher values rather than momentary pleasures.
