Lover of wisdom, honor or gain?

There are three classes of men; lovers of wisdom, lovers of honor, and lovers of gain. --Plato

This is today's Quote of the Day. I especially like the way Plato's clarity cuts right through the bull and nails a basic truth about people. Naturally, I'm taking "men" as the generic term for an individual member of mankind as I hope you will. Who do you admire the most among the three? A lover of wisdom, honor, or gain? My answer at the bottom.

So how about President Bush? How will his quotes measure up to this one, or to my all time favorite wordsmith's, Winston Churchill. Here's a sample of what I found on Brainy Quote for the Pres.

For more, go to Brainy Quote's collection:

After the chaos and carnage of September 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers.
George W. Bush

America is a Nation with a mission - and that mission comes from our most basic beliefs. We have no desire to dominate, no ambitions of empire. Our aim is a democratic peace - a peace founded upon the dignity and rights of every man and woman.
George W. Bush

America is the land of the second chance - and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.
George W. Bush

America stands for liberty, for the pursuit of happiness and for the unalienable right for life. This right to life cannot be granted or denied by government because it does not come from government, it comes from the creator of life.
George W. Bush

Any government that supports, protects or harbours terrorists is complicit in the murder of the innocent and equally guilty of terrorist crimes.
George W. Bush

Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.
George W. Bush

Everywhere that freedom stirs, let tyrants fear.
George W. Bush

Free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction.
George W. Bush

Great tragedy has come to us, and we are meeting it with the best that is in our country, with courage and concern for others because this is America. This is who we are.
George W. Bush

I believe a marriage is between a man and a woman.
George W. Bush

I believe that God has planted in every heart the desire to live in freedom.
George W. Bush

I believe the most solemn duty of the American president is to protect the American people. If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This will not happen on my watch.
George W. Bush

I can hear you, the rest of the world can hear you and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.
George W. Bush

I don't see how you can lead this country to succeed in Iraq if you say wrong war, wrong time, wrong place. What message does that send our troops? What message does that send to our allies? What message does that send the Iraqis?
George W. Bush

I sent American troops to Iraq to make its people free, not to make them American. Iraqis will write their own history and find their own way.
George W. Bush

Iraq is no diversion. It is a place where civilization is taking a decisive stand against chaos and terror, we must not waver.
George W. Bush

John Kerry says we didn't have any allies in this war. What's he say to Tony Blair? What's he say to Alexander Kwasniewski of Poland? You can't expect to build an alliance when you denigrate the contributions of those who are serving.
George W. Bush

Leadership to me means duty, honor, country. It means character, and it means listening from time to time.
George W. Bush

Senator Kerry assures us that he's the one to win a war he calls a mistake, an error, and a diversion. But you can't win a war if you don't believe in fighting.
George W. Bush

Some folks look at me and see a certain swagger, which in Texas is called "walking."
George W. Bush

Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
George W. Bush

The once all-powerful ruler of Iraq was found in a hole, and now sits in a prison cell.
George W. Bush

The story of America is the story of expanding liberty: an ever-widening circle, constantly growing to reach further and include more. Our nation's founding commitment is still our deepest commitment: In our world, and here at home, we will extend the frontiers of freedom.
George W. Bush

The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got.
George W. Bush

This young century will be liberty's century.
George W. Bush

To those of you who received honours, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you, too, can be president of the United States.
George W. Bush

We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbour them.
George W. Bush

We will stand up for our friends in the world. And one of the most important friends is the State of Israel. My administration will be steadfast in support Israel against terrorism and violence, and in seeking the peace for which all Israelis pray.
George W. Bush

You can't put democracy and freedom back into a box.
George W. Bush

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My answer: Men who most love honor.


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Photo Credit: White House Photo by Paul Morse