Plutarch

Plutarch – Life, Writings, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life, philosophy, and enduring influence of Plutarch (c. 46–120 CE), the Greek historian, essayist, and moral philosopher best known for Parallel Lives and Moralia. Explore his biography, ideas, and timeless sayings.

Introduction

Plutarch (c. 46 – c. 120 CE) was a Greek biographer, philosopher, and essayist whose works became cornerstones of Western literature and moral philosophy. His most celebrated writings, the Parallel Lives and Moralia, profoundly shaped historical writing, ethics, and political thought for centuries. Admired by Renaissance thinkers, Enlightenment philosophers, and American Founding Fathers, Plutarch stands as one of antiquity’s most influential voices.

Early Life and Family

Plutarch was born around 46 CE in Chaeronea, a small town in Boeotia, Greece, during the Roman Empire. He came from a distinguished local family and received an elite education. His grandfather Lamprias, remembered for wisdom and eloquence, likely influenced his intellectual upbringing.

Though Greek, Plutarch lived during Roman rule, which shaped his outlook—he admired Greek culture but accepted Rome’s dominance as inevitable. He would later spend time in Rome, gaining friends among senators and emperors, but he always returned to Chaeronea, balancing cosmopolitan influence with local roots.

Youth and Education

Plutarch studied philosophy, rhetoric, mathematics, and literature at the Academy in Athens, a leading center of Platonic philosophy. He was particularly drawn to Platonism, which informed much of his ethical and metaphysical thought.

He traveled widely in his youth—to Egypt, Rome, and across the Mediterranean—meeting intellectuals, statesmen, and religious leaders. These experiences deepened his perspective on the interplay between Greek traditions and Roman imperial power.

Career and Achievements

Public Service and Priesthood

Plutarch held various public offices in Chaeronea, including magistracies, and was appointed a priest of Apollo at Delphi, one of the most prestigious religious positions in the Greek world. His writings show deep interest in religion, ritual, and the moral responsibilities of public officials.

Parallel Lives

His most famous work, the Parallel Lives, is a series of biographies of great Greek and Roman figures, arranged in pairs (one Greek, one Roman) for comparison.

• Famous pairs include Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, Theseus and Romulus, Lycurgus and Numa, and Demosthenes and Cicero.

• Rather than providing exhaustive history, Plutarch emphasized character and moral lessons. He sought to show how virtues and vices shaped both individuals and nations.

• The Lives profoundly influenced later biographical and historical traditions—Montaigne, Shakespeare, and Emerson all drew upon them. Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, and Coriolanus were directly inspired by Plutarch’s Lives.

Moralia

The Moralia is a vast collection of essays, dialogues, and treatises on ethics, philosophy, politics, religion, and everyday life. Topics range from “On the Education of Children” to “On the Control of Anger,” blending moral guidance with literary elegance.

This body of work highlights Plutarch’s belief that philosophy should guide practical life.

Historical Context

Plutarch lived during the height of the Roman Empire, under emperors such as Nero, Vespasian, Domitian, Trajan, and Hadrian.

• Greek intellectuals of the period often wrestled with questions of identity under Roman rule.

• Plutarch embraced cultural exchange, seeing value in Rome’s power while celebrating Greece’s intellectual and moral traditions.

• His writings reflect the cosmopolitan blend of Greek philosophy and Roman pragmatism.

Legacy and Influence

Plutarch’s influence is vast and enduring:

• In the Renaissance: Humanists rediscovered his Lives, seeing them as guides for moral and civic virtue.

• In Politics: His emphasis on character shaped leaders from Machiavelli to America’s Founding Fathers, who read him avidly. George Washington modeled himself on Cato as described by Plutarch.

• In Literature: Shakespeare drew heavily from Plutarch’s Lives for his Roman plays.

• In Philosophy: His essays on ethics, education, and friendship inspired thinkers such as Montaigne and Emerson.

• In History: Plutarch’s biographical method influenced later historians and biographers who valued moral lessons as much as factual detail.

Personality and Style

Plutarch’s writings suggest a man of:

• Moral seriousness – emphasizing virtue, moderation, and justice.

• Human warmth – his essays often reveal compassion, humor, and a sense of friendship.

• Balanced perspective – he sought harmony between Greek ideals and Roman reality.

• Storytelling ability – he brought historical figures to life through vivid anecdotes and moral reflections.

Unlike the cynicism of some ancient writers, Plutarch radiated an optimistic belief in the value of virtue and human improvement.

Famous Quotes of Plutarch

“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.”

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.”

“Character is simply habit long continued.”

“To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.”

“Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.”

“The whole life of a man is but a point of time; let us enjoy it.”

“Prosperity is no just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.”

These sayings embody his moral focus, practical wisdom, and ability to distill philosophy into everyday lessons.

Lessons from Plutarch

1. Character shapes destiny – Great leaders rise or fall by their virtues and vices.

2. Education should ignite curiosity, not impose memorization – A timeless insight into true learning.

3. Virtue is practical – Ethics are not abstract but guide action in politics, friendship, and personal growth.

4. Cultural dialogue strengthens civilizations – He modeled respect for both Greek tradition and Roman power.

5. Adversity reveals truth – Challenges test integrity more than comfort does.

Conclusion

Plutarch remains one of antiquity’s most beloved moralists and storytellers. His Parallel Lives and Moralia offer not just history, but a mirror for self-reflection, urging readers to cultivate character, moderation, and wisdom. His voice, warm yet probing, continues to inspire leaders, thinkers, and ordinary readers seeking guidance in how to live well.