Context

In Plato's Republic, Socrates chats with a bunch of other characters about a plethora of philosophical issues. The quote in question comes from the fifth book, in which Socrates is explaining what it's like to maintain a perfect soul.

So what does one's soul have to do with philosopher kings?

Well, not much.

In fact, the whole idea of creating a city—which the philosopher king thing is a part of—is a metaphor for the individual. So when you're trying to understand this quote and you find yourself drowning in the deep end of political philosophy, remember that it's just about the health of your soul. How new-agey.

But on to philosopher kings.

When Plato was writing, philosophers and kings were pretty much opposites. Kings were mighty, power hungry folk who felt the need for greed—er, power. Philosophers, on the other hand, were the intellectuals who loved to mope about the nebulous meaning of existence and forgot to take part in normal activities, like eating.

So, says Socrates (via Plato), the reason philosophers should be kings is, in part, that they would never want to be kings. People who are averse to power and control may just be the most responsible with it.

Then there's the knowledge that philosophers possess about "forms"—things like Beauty and Virtue and Good and other Stuff with Capital Letters. It's a lot different than the knowledge base of rulers who might be more concerned with economics and power and whatever the ancient Greek equivalent of golf was.

So what do you think? Should philosophers rule, or would it be bad news for the country's GDP? Either way, here's what Socrates would want you to remember: when you're governing your soul, it's all about getting that perfect mixture of political greatness and wisdom.

Where you've heard it

We might not have too many kings around these days, but there is certainly no lack of politicians—and we're pretty sure politicians haven't changed a whole lot over the years. Politicians will always share a few characteristics…like having features that look really funny in caricatures.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

You're quoting ancient Greek philosophy, people. 

Although, if you're a philosophy professor preparing a run for city council, you might be forgiven.