1001Philosophers

Juan Luis Vives Quotes

Juan Luis Vives was a Spanish Renaissance humanist, philosopher, and educational reformer of Jewish converso descent. After studies in Valencia and Paris and a long residence in Bruges, he became one of the central figures of the northern humanist circle around Erasmus and Thomas More, and for a time tutor and adviser at the English court. The quotes below are attributed to Juan Luis Vives, organized by topic.

Juan Luis Vives on Justice

  • Attributed to Juan Luis Vives:

    “The relief of the poor is the duty of the whole city, not of charity alone.”

Juan Luis Vives on Knowledge

  • Attributed to Juan Luis Vives:

    “Without the help of letters, people are dwarfs.”

  • Attributed to Juan Luis Vives:

    “Knowledge is the food of the soul.”

Juan Luis Vives on Mind

  • Attributed to Juan Luis Vives:

    “Words have a double power: they convey thought and shape it.”

Juan Luis Vives on Virtue

  • Attributed to Juan Luis Vives:

    “He who has begun his task has half done it.”