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Quotes by Greek Authors

"In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than she feels."

"He who has overcome his fears will truly be free."

"For the best possible state of your soul, as I say to you: Wealth does not bring about excellence, but excellence makes wealth and everything else good for men, both individually and collectively."


"To speak much is one thing, to speak to the point another!"

"For this feeling of wonder shows that you are a philosopher, since wonder is the only beginning of philosophy."

"Wars and revolutions and battles, you see, are due simply and solely to the body and its desires. All wars are undertaken for the acquisition of wealth; and the reason why we have to acquire wealth is the body, because we are slaves in its service."

"The Muse herself makes some men inspired, from whom a chain of other men is strung out who catch their own inspiration from theirs."

"Socrates: This man, on one hand, believes that he knows something, while not knowing [anything]. On the other hand, I " equally ignorant " do not believe [that I know anything]."

"Many are the noble words in which poets speak concerning the actions of men; but like yourself when speaking about Homer, they do not speak of them by any rules of art: they are simply inspired to utter that to which the Muse impels them, and that only; and when inspired, one of them will make dithyrambs, another hymns of praise, another choral strains, another epic or iambic verses- and he who is good at one is not good any other kind of verse: for not by art does the poet sing, but by power divine."

"We should behave to our friends as we would wish our friends to behave to us."

"What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies."

"Therefore, the good of man must be the end of the science of politics."

"You know yourself what you are worth in your own eyes; and at what price you will sell yourself. For men sell themselves at various prices. This is why, when Florus was deliberating whether he should appear at Nero's shows, taking part in the performance himself, Agrippinus replied, 'Appear by all means.' And when Florus inquired, 'But why do not you appear?' he answered, 'Because I do not even consider the question.' For the man who has once stooped to consider such questions, and to reckon up the value of external things, is not far from forgetting what manner of man he is."

"Remember, it is not enough to be hit or insulted to be harmed, you must believe that you are being harmed. If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation. Which is why it is essential that we not respond impulsively to impressions; take a moment before reacting, and you will find it easier to maintain control."


"Do not trouble about those who practice philosophy, whether they are good or bad; but examine the thing itself well and carefully. And if philosophy appears a bad thing to you, turn every man from it, not only your sons; but if it appears to you such as I think it to be, take courage, pursue it, and practice it, as the saying is, 'both you and your house."


"The misuse of language induces evil in the soul."
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