Be as you wish to seem.
"Be as you wish to seem." Thus taught Socrates, the sage of Athens, whose wisdom pierced the hearts of men and stripped away their pretenses. These words are a call to unity of soul, a demand that what is shown on the surface must spring from what is true within. For to merely seem virtuous without being so is deception, but to truly be what you wish others to see is the highest form of integrity.
The ancients despised the mask of hypocrisy. They knew that honor is not in the robe, nor in the crown, nor in the words of flattery, but in the heart’s substance. To appear brave while trembling inside is a fragile illusion; to truly be brave, even if none behold it, is the mark of greatness. Thus Socrates urges all who seek wisdom: cast aside the shadow of seeming, and embody the truth you claim.
History reveals this lesson in the life of George Washington. Many wished to seem noble in the birth of America, but Washington chose to be noble. When offered the crown of a king, he refused it, preferring to serve as a citizen among citizens. He did not merely seem humble; he truly was. And because of this, his example secured a republic where power bent to virtue, not ambition. His life was the embodiment of Socratic wisdom: reality greater than appearance.
Socrates himself bore this truth unto death. He could have fled the hemlock, could have pretended submission to escape the sentence of the city. But he chose instead to be faithful to his principles, rather than seem obedient while betraying truth. In his calm acceptance of death, he proved that the life of integrity is stronger than the fear of the grave.
So let it be taught for all ages: to wish to seem virtuous is vanity, but to truly be virtuous is immortality. Let your deeds match your words, and your soul shine brighter than your image. For the mask fades and the shadows pass, but the man who dares to be what he wishes to seem will stand forever, unshaken, as a beacon for generations yet unborn.
DHNguyen Dang Hoang
When I think about Socrates’ words, it brings up the question of how much we let external factors influence our sense of self. How much do we let others define how we should be, versus being confident in who we are? If we are constantly trying to be the person others expect, are we ever truly living for ourselves? And on the flip side, does 'being as you wish to seem' mean ignoring others' perceptions entirely?
KLPham khanh ly
This quote seems to imply that our actions should reflect our true selves rather than just what we think others expect. But can we really separate our authentic self from the roles we play in different contexts? In professional settings, for example, can we truly 'be as we wish to seem,' or do we have to adapt our behavior? Is it possible to reconcile personal authenticity with the demands of society?
PNha phuong nga
I wonder how achievable Socrates’ idea really is. In a world full of social media filters, where we constantly curate our lives for others, is it possible to truly be the way we wish to be seen? Should we focus on authenticity, or is some degree of performance necessary in our interactions with others? Do you think the quote challenges the notion of self-presentation in today's society, or does it just reinforce it?
TLTran Thao Ly
Socrates’ quote makes me think about authenticity and self-perception. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to appear a certain way to others, but does that align with who we truly are? How much of our behavior is shaped by societal expectations versus genuine self-expression? Can we ever fully be who we wish to seem, or are we always influenced by external perceptions and judgments? It’s a challenging balance to strike.