A
sage (,
sophos), in
classical philosophy, is someone who has attained the wisdom which a
philosopher seeks. The first to make this distinction is
Plato, through the character of
Socrates, within the
Symposium. While analyzing the concept of
love, Socrates concludes Love is that which lacks the object it seeks. Therefore, the
philosopher (, meaning
lover of wisdom) does not have the wisdom sought, while the sage, on the other hand, does not love or seek wisdom, for it is already possessed. Socrates then examines the two categories of persons who do not partake in philosophy:
- Gods and sages, because they are wise;
- Senseless people, because they think they are wise.