Source identified
Read & copy the quotation
“the beauty of the mind is more honourable than the beauty of the outward form.”
- Source
- Symposium
- Date
- c. 385–370 BCE
- Local voice
- Reported speaker · Diotima, recounted by Socrates
- English wording
- Benjamin Jowett — Translator · from Ancient Greek
Meaning of “the beauty of the mind is more honourable…”
The ascent described by Diotima shifts attention from outward appearance toward qualities of mind, making intellectual and moral beauty more important within this stage of the dialogue’s argument.
Where does it come from?
Symposium, Diotima’s ascent toward beauty as recounted by Socrates, Benjamin Jowett translation, Project Gutenberg #1600. This is one stage in an ancient philosophical account of beauty and love, not a modern psychological ranking of attractiveness.
Why the local voice matters
The ascent toward beauty is presented as Diotima’s teaching recounted by Socrates.
