AUDITOR: By Hercules, I prefer to be wrong with Plato […] than to be right with those idiots.

[Errare mehercule malo cum Platone […] quam cum istis vera sentire.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Tusculan Disputations [Tusculanae Disputationes], Book 1, ch. 17 (1.17) / sec. 39 (1.39) (45 BC) [tr. @sententiq (2012)]
    (Source)

(Source (Latin)). Alternate translations:

Had rather, I assure you, be mistaken with Plato [...] than to be of their opinion in the right.
[tr. Wase (1643)]

I had rather, so help me Hercules, be mistaken with Plato [...] than be in the right with them.
[tr. Main (1824)]

I would rather err, by Hercules, with Plato [...] than to embrace the truth with those others.
[tr. Otis (1839)]

I had rather, so help me Hercules! be mistaken with Plato [...] than be in the right with those others.
[tr. Yonge (1853)]

I would rather, by Hercules, err with Plato [...] than hold the truth with those other philosophers.
[tr. Peabody (1886)]

I would rather, so help me Hercules! be wrong with Plato [...] than be right with all the rest of them.
[tr. Black (1889)]

In very truth I would rather be wrong with Plato than right with such men as these.
[ed. Harbottle (1897)]

By Hercules, I prefer to err with Plato [...] than to be right in the company of such men.
[ed. Taylor/Hunt (1916)]

I assure you that I would rather go wrong with Plato [...] than share correct views with those who disagree with him.
[tr. Douglas (1985)]

Good lord! I'd rather go wrong with Plato than be right with the others.
[tr. Habinek (1996)]

Believe me, I'd rather go wrong in the company of Plato [...] than hold the right views with his opponents.
[tr. Davie (2017)]


 
Added on 21-Jun-21 | Last updated 23-Apr-26
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