Ancient Wisdom

Orpheus having his beloved wife snatched from him by sudden death, resolved upon descending to the infernal regions, to try if, by the power of his harp, he could re-obtain her. And in effect, he so appeased and soothed the infernal powers by the melody and sweetness of his harp and voice, that they indulged him the liberty of taking her back; on condition that she should follow him behind, and he not turn to look upon her till they came into open day. But he, through the impatience of his care and affection, and thinking himself almost past danger, at length looked him; whereby the condition was violated, and she again precipitated to Pluto's regions. From this time Orpheus grew pensive and sad, a hater of the sex, and went into solitude; where, by the same sweetness of his harp and voice, he first drew the wild beasts fo all sorts about him; so that, forgetting their natures, they were neither actuated by revenge, cruelty, lust, hunger, or the desire of prey; but stood gazing abo...

When asked how one could avoid becoming too fond of wine, he said, “By keeping before your eyes the disgraceful conduct of drunkards.” He used to say that he found it surprising that the Greek lawgivers penalise the violent, but reward athletes for striking one another. Upon learning the hull of a ship was four finger-breadths thick, he said that this was the distance that separated the passengers from death.

It was said to Socrates by a certain man, "I am deeply pained for thee because thou art so poor." And he replied, "If though could only attain unto the pleasure of poverty, whereof though art [now] deprived thou wouldst be sorry for thyself and not for me."

Plato said, " The fool is known by two things: by his much speaking about that which benefit him not, and by his giving answers about subjects concerning which men ask him not." Another philosopher was asked, "Which is the greatest fool of all?" He replied, "He who is tripped up twice."

  There are five kinds of speech. One is the kind politicians use in the assembly; this is called political speech. Another kind is that which the orators use in their written composition, whether for praise, censure, accusations, or defense. This is called rhetorical speech. The third kind is that which private citizen use for conversing with one another; this is called private speech. Another kind is that used by those who engage in an exchange of short questions and answers. This is called dialectical speech. The fifth kind is that which craftsmen use for discussing their own subjects; this is called technical speech. [Plato, Lives of Immintent Philosophers by Diogenes Laertius]