Socrates, Manners and Teens

 One of the founders of Western philosophy, Socrates (c.470-399BC), was a classical Athenian philosopher and is considered the first moral philosopher of the Western ethical tradition of thought. His words on the manners lacking in youth, continue to resonate today. Also, Bill and Ted thought he was one excellent dude! (Photo source, Pinterest)

Socrates Said It

Has youth really changed very much through the years? Long before there was any such thing as an automobile, a TV set or a surf board, a sage named Socrates made this indictment of youth: “Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority. They show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up their food, and tyrannize their teachers.”

The ill-mannered, disrespectful ways of modern youth certainly should not be condoned, but we need not be so fearful about their future if we can tighten the parental reins. The exertion of parental authority certainly is needed as much today as it was in Socrates’ day. A child who respects and obeys his parents is not likely to drift into ways of delinquency. – LaHabra Star News, 1964

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia