Quotes by Greek Authors | Beyond Motive 19/40

top of page

Quotes by Greek Authors

"What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth and justice."

"What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth and justice."

Demosthenes, Greek Statesman

Love, God, Truth, Justice

34

"Eyes and ears are poor witnesses to people if they have uncultured souls."

"Eyes and ears are poor witnesses to people if they have uncultured souls."

Heraclitus, Greek Philosopher

People, Eyes, Poor

34

"There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly."

"There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly."

Pythagoras, Greek Mathematician

34

"Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as we may, from day to day."

"Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as we may, from day to day."

Sophocles, Greek Poet

Philosophy, Fear, Chance, Future, Uncertainty

34

"If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires."

"If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires."

Epicurus, Greek Philosopher

34

"The void is 'not-being,' and no part of 'what is' is a 'not-being,'; for what 'is' in the strict sense of the term is an absolute plenum. This plenum, however, is not 'one': on the contrary, it is a 'many' infinite in number and invisible owing to the minuteness of their bulk."

"The void is 'not-being,' and no part of 'what is' is a 'not-being,'; for what 'is' in the strict sense of the term is an absolute plenum. This plenum, however, is not 'one': on the contrary, it is a 'many' infinite in number and invisible owing to the minuteness of their bulk."

Aristotle, Greek Philosopher

Being, Existence, Philosophy, Reality

34

"A man, though wise, should never be ashamed of learning more, and must unbend his mind."

"A man, though wise, should never be ashamed of learning more, and must unbend his mind."

Sophocles, Greek Poet

Wisdom, Learning, Knowledge, Observation

34

"When a match has equal partners then I fear not."

"When a match has equal partners then I fear not."

Aeschylus, Greek Poet

34

"For the introduction of a new kind of music must be shunned as imperiling the whole state; since styles of music are never disturbed without affecting the most important political institutions."

"For the introduction of a new kind of music must be shunned as imperiling the whole state; since styles of music are never disturbed without affecting the most important political institutions."

Plato, Greek Philosopher

Politics, Music, State

34

"Because a freeman ought not to be a slave in the acquisition of knowledge of any kind. Bodily exercise, when compulsory, does no harm to the body; but knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind."

"Because a freeman ought not to be a slave in the acquisition of knowledge of any kind. Bodily exercise, when compulsory, does no harm to the body; but knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind."

Plato, Greek Philosopher

Education, Freedom, Knowledge, Learning, Mind

34

"A city which belongs to just one man is no true city."

"A city which belongs to just one man is no true city."

Sophocles, Greek Poet

Society, City, Ownership, Community, Justice

34

"For once touched by love, everyone becomes a poet."

"For once touched by love, everyone becomes a poet."

Plato, Greek Philosopher

Romance, Love, Poetry, Transformation, Inspirational

34

"Ignorance of all things is an evil neither terrible nor excessive, nor yet the greatest of all; but great cleverness and much learning, if they be accompanied by a bad training, are a much greater misfortune."

"Ignorance of all things is an evil neither terrible nor excessive, nor yet the greatest of all; but great cleverness and much learning, if they be accompanied by a bad training, are a much greater misfortune."

Plato, Greek Philosopher

Wisdom, Cleverness, Evil, Ignorance, Learning

34

"I never desired to please the rabble. What pleased them, I did not learn; and what I knew was far removed from their understanding."

"I never desired to please the rabble. What pleased them, I did not learn; and what I knew was far removed from their understanding."

Epicurus, Greek Philosopher

Achievement, Understanding

34

"A man's character is his fate."

"A man's character is his fate."

Heraclitus, Greek Philosopher

Character, Fate, Man

33

"Young people are in a condition like permanent intoxication, because life is sweet and they are growing."

"Young people are in a condition like permanent intoxication, because life is sweet and they are growing."

Aristotle, Greek Philosopher

Youth, Life, Growth, Energy

33

"The omission of good is no less reprehensible than the commission of evil."

"The omission of good is no less reprehensible than the commission of evil."

Plutarch, Greek Philosopher

33

"Often an entire city has suffered because of an evil man."

"Often an entire city has suffered because of an evil man."

Hesiod, Greek Poet

33

"I do believe that if you haven't learnt about sadness, you cannot appreciate happiness."

"I do believe that if you haven't learnt about sadness, you cannot appreciate happiness."

Nana Mouskouri, Greek Musician

Happiness, Sadness

33

"A man calumniated is doubly injured - first by him who utters the calumny, and then by him who believes it."

"A man calumniated is doubly injured - first by him who utters the calumny, and then by him who believes it."

Herodotus, Greek Historian

Society, Calumny, First, Man

33

"He who eats with most pleasure is he who least requires sauce."

"He who eats with most pleasure is he who least requires sauce."

Xenophon, Greek Soldier

33

"Nothing endures but change."

"Nothing endures but change."

Heraclitus, Greek Philosopher

Change, Nothing

33

"It is absurd to hold that a man should be ashamed of an inability to defend himself with his limbs, but not ashamed of an inability to defend himself with speech and reason; for the use of rational speech is more distinctive of a human being than the use of his limbs."

"It is absurd to hold that a man should be ashamed of an inability to defend himself with his limbs, but not ashamed of an inability to defend himself with speech and reason; for the use of rational speech is more distinctive of a human being than the use of his limbs."

Aristotle, Greek Philosopher

Rhetoric, Shame, Defense, Speech, Reason

33

"We know how to speak many falsehoods that resemble real things, but we know, when we will, how to speak true things."

"We know how to speak many falsehoods that resemble real things, but we know, when we will, how to speak true things."

Hesiod, Greek Poet

33

"This also is a part of the teaching of the Church, that there are certain angels of God, and certain good influences, which are His servants in accomplishing the salvation of men."

"This also is a part of the teaching of the Church, that there are certain angels of God, and certain good influences, which are His servants in accomplishing the salvation of men."

Origen, Greek Theologian

Men, God, Church, Angels

33

"To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete."

"To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete."

Epictetus, Greek Philosopher

Education, Want

33

"In fact men will fight for a superstition quite as quickly as for a living truth - often more so, since a superstition is so intangible you cannot get at it to refute it, but truth is a point of view, and so is changeable."

"In fact men will fight for a superstition quite as quickly as for a living truth - often more so, since a superstition is so intangible you cannot get at it to refute it, but truth is a point of view, and so is changeable."

Hypatia, Greek Philosopher

Man, Men, Truth, Fact, Fight

33

"Reason is immortal, all else mortal."

"Reason is immortal, all else mortal."

Pythagoras, Greek Mathematician

33

"For if the mystery concealed of old is made manifest to the Apostles through the prophetic writings, and if the prophets, being wise men, understood what proceeded from their own mouths, then the prophets knew what was made manifest to the Apostles."

"For if the mystery concealed of old is made manifest to the Apostles through the prophetic writings, and if the prophets, being wise men, understood what proceeded from their own mouths, then the prophets knew what was made manifest to the Apostles."

Origen, Greek Theologian

Men, Being, Mystery, Old

33

"What exists outside is a man's concern; let no woman give advice; and do no mischief within doors."

"What exists outside is a man's concern; let no woman give advice; and do no mischief within doors."

Aeschylus, Greek Poet

Advice, Concern, Man, Woman

33

"There is small risk a general will be regarded with contempt by those he leads, if, whatever he may have to preach, he shows himself best able to perform."

"There is small risk a general will be regarded with contempt by those he leads, if, whatever he may have to preach, he shows himself best able to perform."

Xenophon, Greek Soldier

Leadership, Contempt, May, Risk, Will

33

"Let us hold our discussion together in our own persons, making trial of the truth and of ourselves."

"Let us hold our discussion together in our own persons, making trial of the truth and of ourselves."

Protagoras, Greek Philosopher

33

"Kindness is ever the begetter of kindness."

"Kindness is ever the begetter of kindness."

Sophocles, Greek Poet

Perception, Kindness

33

"When a man's willing and eager the god's join in."

"When a man's willing and eager the god's join in."

Aeschylus, Greek Poet

33

"It is best for the wise man not to seem wise."

"It is best for the wise man not to seem wise."

Aeschylus, Greek Poet

33

"As soon as laws are necessary for men, they are no longer fit for freedom."

"As soon as laws are necessary for men, they are no longer fit for freedom."

Pythagoras, Greek Mathematician

Men, Freedom, Laws

33

"What is honored in a culture gets cultivated there."

"What is honored in a culture gets cultivated there."

Plato, Greek Philosopher

Culture, Honor, Values, Importance

33

"Your edict, King, was strong,But all your strength is weakness itself againstThe immortal unrecorded laws of God.They are not merely now: they were, and shall be,Operative for ever, beyond man utterly.I knew I must die, even without your decree:I am only mortal. And if I must dieNow, before it is my time to die,Surely this is no hardship: can anyoneLiving, as I live, with evil all about me,Think Death less than a friend?"

"Your edict, King, was strong,But all your strength is weakness itself againstThe immortal unrecorded laws of God.They are not merely now: they were, and shall be,Operative for ever, beyond man utterly.I knew I must die, even without your decree:I am only mortal. And if I must dieNow, before it is my time to die,Surely this is no hardship: can anyoneLiving, as I live, with evil all about me,Think Death less than a friend?"

Sophocles, Greek Poet

Philosophy, Mortality, Divinity, Law, Ethics

33

"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."

"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."

Plato, Greek Philosopher

Music, Life, Imagination, Soul

33

"Alas for the affairs of men! When they are fortunate you might compare them to a shadow; and if they are unfortunate, a wet sponge with one dash wipes the picture away."

"Alas for the affairs of men! When they are fortunate you might compare them to a shadow; and if they are unfortunate, a wet sponge with one dash wipes the picture away."

Aeschylus, Greek Poet

33

"To love rightly is to love what is orderly and beautiful in an educated and disciplined way."

"To love rightly is to love what is orderly and beautiful in an educated and disciplined way."

Plato, Greek Philosopher

33

"I am a citizen of the world."

"I am a citizen of the world."

Demosthenes, Greek Statesman

33

"We've heard many people say and have often said ourselves that justice is doing one's own work and not meddling with what isn't one's own ... Then, it turns out that this doing one's own work-provided that it comes to be in a certain way-is justice."

"We've heard many people say and have often said ourselves that justice is doing one's own work and not meddling with what isn't one's own ... Then, it turns out that this doing one's own work-provided that it comes to be in a certain way-is justice."

Plato, Greek Philosopher

Justice, Work, Duty, Life

33

"It was a favorite expression of Theophrastus that time was the most valuable thing that a man could spend."

"It was a favorite expression of Theophrastus that time was the most valuable thing that a man could spend."

Diogenes, Greek Philosopher

Time, Expression, Favorite, Man

33

"What good is it to live a life that brings pains?"

"What good is it to live a life that brings pains?"

Aeschylus, Greek Poet

32

"Is it not true that the clever rogue is like the runner who runs well for the first half of the course, but flags before reaching the goal: he is quick off the mark, but ends in disgrace and slinks away crestfallen and uncrowned. The crown is the prize of the really good runner who perseveres to the end."

"Is it not true that the clever rogue is like the runner who runs well for the first half of the course, but flags before reaching the goal: he is quick off the mark, but ends in disgrace and slinks away crestfallen and uncrowned. The crown is the prize of the really good runner who perseveres to the end."

Plato, Greek Philosopher

Perseverance, Goal, Success, Effort

32

"Do not measure your loss by itself; if you do, it will seem intolerable; but if you will take all human affairs into account you will find that some comfort is to be derived from them."

"Do not measure your loss by itself; if you do, it will seem intolerable; but if you will take all human affairs into account you will find that some comfort is to be derived from them."

Saint Basil, Greek Saint

Comfort, Loss, Measure, Will

32

"For drink, there was beer which was very strong when not mingled with water, but was agreeable to those who were used to it. They drank this with a reed, out of the vessel that held the beer, upon which they saw the barley swim."

"For drink, there was beer which was very strong when not mingled with water, but was agreeable to those who were used to it. They drank this with a reed, out of the vessel that held the beer, upon which they saw the barley swim."

Xenophon, Greek Soldier

Cultural, Beer, Water

32

"Our love of what is beautiful does not lead to extravagance; our love of the things of the mind does not make us soft."

"Our love of what is beautiful does not lead to extravagance; our love of the things of the mind does not make us soft."

Pericles, Greek Statesman

Love, Extravagance, Mind

32

"It's impossible for someone who is human to have all good things together, just as there is no single country able to provide all good things for itself."

"It's impossible for someone who is human to have all good things together, just as there is no single country able to provide all good things for itself."

Herodotus, Greek Historian

Nation, Country

32

bottom of page