Leo Strauss
A German-American political philosopher who emphasized the importance of classical political thought and the esoteric meaning of philosophical texts.
Quotes by Leo Strauss
The greatest political question is the question of the best form of government.
The greatest danger to political philosophy is scientism.
The greatest political problem is the problem of leadership.
The modern project is characterized by the attempt to achieve universal happiness.
The greatest good is the life of contemplation.
The modern world is characterized by the attempt to create a new man.
The greatest political question is the question of the purpose of the state.
The greatest danger to philosophy is dogmatism.
The greatest political problem is the problem of law.
The modern project is characterized by the attempt to overcome tradition.
The greatest good is the knowledge of God.
The right which protects the persecuted from persecution is not the right to persecute others.
Liberal education is concerned with the perfection of the citizen as citizen.
All political action has... in itself a directedness toward knowledge.
The Socratic dictum that 'the unexamined life is not worth living' is the root of all philosophy.
Philosophy is the attempt to understand the world by means of thought.
Revelation is the highest form of wisdom, but philosophy seeks it through reason.
The philosopher must be willing to appear foolish to the many.
History is the narrative of the victors, but philosophy seeks the truth beyond it.
Machiavelli teaches that the ends justify the means, but at what cost to the soul?