Apollonius of Tyana

I feel friendship towards philosophers, but towards sophists, teachers of literature, or any other such kind of godforsaken people, I neither feel friendship now, nor may I ever do so in the future.

Greek Philosopher

Daniel S. Loeb

I fantasize that our politicians have been moved by the dialogues of Plato, and thus contemplate the ancient conflict of the sophists versus the lovers of truth.

American Businessman

Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

Whoever does not philosophize for the sake of philosophy, but rather uses philosophy as a means, is a sophist.

German Poet

Sophocles

A soul that is kind and intends justice discovers more than any sophist.

Greek Poet

The term 'sophist' suggests dishonesty and is used to criticize someone's argument.

Negative Connotation

'Sophist' can describe someone who is persuasive but misleading in their reasoning.

Deceptive Arguments

A sophist may seem convincing, but uses arguments that lack sincerity or truth.

Insincere Tactics

In history, sophists were respected teachers, not the manipulators we think of today.

Historical Teachers

Sophists in ancient Greece excelled in teaching persuasive speaking and writing skills.

Rhetoric Experts

Ancient sophists influenced philosophical thought and often challenged traditional views.