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Every quote here is Verified against a primary source or Attributed to a cited secondary source. We add them slowly, a few people at a time, so you can trust what you read. How we verify

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And now, I said, let me show in a figure how far our nature is enlightened or unenlightened:—Behold! human beings living in a underground den, which has a mouth open towards the light and reaching all along the den; here they have been from their childhood, and have their legs and necks chained so that they cannot move, and can only see before them, being prevented by the chains from turning round their heads.
AttributedPlato
Source
The Republic, Republic, Book VII
Read at
Plato, translated by Benjamin Jowett, The Dialogues of Plato (Project Gutenberg text, eBook #1497)
The excess of liberty, whether in States or individuals, seems only to pass into excess of slavery.
AttributedPlato
Source
The Republic, Republic, Book VIII
Read at
Plato, translated by Benjamin Jowett, The Dialogues of Plato (Project Gutenberg text, eBook #1497)
Further, we affirmed that justice was doing one’s own business, and not being a busybody; we said so again and again, and many others have said the same to us.
AttributedPlato
Source
The Republic, Republic, Book IV
Read at
Plato, translated by Benjamin Jowett, The Dialogues of Plato (Project Gutenberg text, eBook #1497)
Then, I said, let us begin and create in idea a State; and yet the true creator is necessity, who is the mother of our invention.
AttributedPlato
Source
The Republic, Republic, Book II
Read at
Plato, translated by Benjamin Jowett, The Dialogues of Plato (Project Gutenberg text, eBook #1497)
You know also that the beginning is the most important part of any work, especially in the case of a young and tender thing; for that is the time at which the character is being formed and the desired impression is more readily taken.
AttributedPlato
Source
The Republic, Republic, Book II
Read at
Plato, translated by Benjamin Jowett, The Dialogues of Plato (Project Gutenberg text, eBook #1497)
Now the worst part of the punishment is that he who refuses to rule is liable to be ruled by one who is worse than himself.
AttributedPlato
Source
The Republic, Republic, Book I
Read at
Plato, translated by Benjamin Jowett, The Dialogues of Plato (Project Gutenberg text, eBook #1497)