What you wrote is not an exact quote from Socrates, which is why it’s hard to find a specific book and page. It’s actually a modern paraphrase or summary of ideas found in the works of Plato, especially in The Republic.
Where the idea actually comes from
The criticism of democracy that sounds like what you paraphrased mainly appears in:
• The Republic — Book VI and Book VIII
In these sections Socrates argues that:
• Democracy allows everyone to rule regardless of knowledge or expertise.
• The public is easily persuaded by rhetoric and spectacle instead of reason.
• Skilled leadership is like a ship needing a trained navigator, not passengers voting on how to sail.
This is often called the “Ship of State” analogy.
Example passage (closest real idea)
In Book VI (~488a–489d) of The Republic, Socrates says that running a state is like running a ship:
If the sailors argue over who should steer the ship, even though none of them know navigation, they will ignore the true navigator and fight for power.
The point: the knowledgeable should guide decisions, not the loudest or most popular voices.
Why your quote looks familiar
Modern articles and videos often summarize Socrates’ criticism like this:
Democracy puts the educated and the uneducated on the same level, so persuasion and spectacle can defeat reason.
But that wording does not exist verbatim in the ancient text.
If you want the exact place to look
Check:
• **The Republic
◦ Book VI – “Ship of State” analogy (around 488a–489d)
◦ Book VIII – critique of democracy turning into tyranny
✅ Short answer:
• The idea comes from Plato’s Republic.
• Look in Book VI (Ship of State) and Book VIII (critique of democracy).
• The wording you gave is a modern paraphrase, not an original line.
Where the idea actually comes from
The criticism of democracy that sounds like what you paraphrased mainly appears in:
• The Republic — Book VI and Book VIII
In these sections Socrates argues that:
• Democracy allows everyone to rule regardless of knowledge or expertise.
• The public is easily persuaded by rhetoric and spectacle instead of reason.
• Skilled leadership is like a ship needing a trained navigator, not passengers voting on how to sail.
This is often called the “Ship of State” analogy.
Example passage (closest real idea)
In Book VI (~488a–489d) of The Republic, Socrates says that running a state is like running a ship:
If the sailors argue over who should steer the ship, even though none of them know navigation, they will ignore the true navigator and fight for power.
The point: the knowledgeable should guide decisions, not the loudest or most popular voices.
Why your quote looks familiar
Modern articles and videos often summarize Socrates’ criticism like this:
Democracy puts the educated and the uneducated on the same level, so persuasion and spectacle can defeat reason.
But that wording does not exist verbatim in the ancient text.
If you want the exact place to look
Check:
• **The Republic
◦ Book VI – “Ship of State” analogy (around 488a–489d)
◦ Book VIII – critique of democracy turning into tyranny
✅ Short answer:
• The idea comes from Plato’s Republic.
• Look in Book VI (Ship of State) and Book VIII (critique of democracy).
• The wording you gave is a modern paraphrase, not an original line.
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