Name: Plato
Lived: c. 427–347 BC, Athens, Greece
Known for: Philosopher and student of Socrates; teacher of Aristotle
Famous for: Founder of the Academy; author of philosophical dialogues exploring justice, politics, and the nature of reality
Note: The quote “The beginning is the most important part of the work” is a modernized version of a passage from Plato’s The Republic (c. 375 BC). He stresses that every lasting achievement depends on a strong foundation — without it, the outcome may falter.