Theognis Quotes

Boy, you're like a horse. Just now sated with seed, You've come back to my stable, Yearning for a good rider, fine meadow, An icy spring, shady groves.

Fairly examined, truly understood, No man is wholly bad, nor wholly good.

Not to be born at all would be the best thing for man.

He who mistrusts most should be trusted least.

Restrain thy mind, and let mildness ever attend thy tongue.

The greatest treasure you can leave your children is a sense of modesty and the advice to follow virtuous persons.

Even to a wicked man a divinity gives wealth, Cyrnus, but to few men comes the gift of excellence.

Ploutos , no wonder mortals worship you: You are so tolerant of their sins !

One finds many companions for food and drink, but in a serious business a man's companions are very few.

Bright youth passes swiftly as a thought.

Surfeit begets insolence, when prosperity comes to a bad man.

Adopt the character of the twisting octopus, which takes on the appearance of the nearby rock . Now follow in this direction, now turn a different hue.

Too many tongues have gates which fly apart Too easily, and care for many things That don't concern them.

When we are dead; rugs are no richer than a quick-thorn bed.

Unless the gods deceive my mind , That man is forging fetters for himself.

To many men well-fitting doors are not set on their tongues.

Whatever fate ordains, danger or hurt, or death predetermined, nothing can avert.

I will blame no enemy that is a good man, nor yet praise a friend that is bad