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    Bion


Just as the good actor perform well whatever role the poet assigns, so too must the good man perform whatever Fortune assigns. For she, says Bion, just like a poet, sometimes assigns the leading role, sometimes that of the supporting role; sometimes that of a king, sometimes that of a beggar. Do not, therefore, being a supporting actor, desire the role of the lead.

Bion of Borysthenes (c. 325-c. 250 BC) Greek philosopher, cynic, wit
As quoted by Teles of Megara, frag. 2, “On Self-Sufficiency”
 
Added on 2-Aug-12 | Last updated 2-Aug-12
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Self-conceit is the enemy of progress.

Bion of Borysthenes (c. 325-c. 250 BC) Greek philosopher, cynic, wit
In Diogenes Laërtius, Bion, 4.50
 
Added on 16-Aug-12 | Last updated 16-Aug-12
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Referring to a wealthy miser he said, “He has not acquired a fortune; the fortune has acquired him.”

Bion of Borysthenes (c. 325-c. 250 BC) Greek philosopher, cynic, wit
In Diogenes Laërtius, Bion, 4.50

Alt trans.: "Of a rich man who was niggardly he said, “That man does not own his estate, but his estate owns him."
 
Added on 30-Aug-12 | Last updated 30-Aug-12
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Bion used to say that the way to the shades below was easy; he could go there with his eyes shut.

Bion of Borysthenes (c. 325-c. 250 BC) Greek philosopher, cynic, wit
In Diogenes Laërtius, Bion, iii

Alt. trans.: "The road to Hades is easy to travel; at any rate men pass away with their eyes shut." (cited as iv. 49).
 
Added on 6-Sep-12 | Last updated 6-Sep-12
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Though boys throw stones at frogs in sport, the frogs do not die in sport, but in earnest.

Bion of Borysthenes (c. 325-c. 250 BC) Greek philosopher, cynic, wit
In Plutarch, Moralia, xii “Which Are the Most Crafty, Water or Land Animals?”
 
Added on 14-Oct-05 | Last updated 29-May-12
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Love of money is the mother-city (metropolis) of all evils.

Bion of Borysthenes (c. 325-c. 250 BC) Greek philosopher, cynic, wit
In Stobaeus, Anthology, Book 3, 10.37 (c. 5th C)

See Bible, 1 Timothy 6:10
 
Added on 26-Jul-12 | Last updated 11-Jan-13
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Therefore we should not try to alter circumstances but to adapt ourselves to them as they really are, just as sailors do. They don’t try to change the winds or the sea but ensure that they are always ready to adapt themselves to conditions. In a flat calm they use the oars; with a following breeze they hoist full sail; in a head wind they shorten sail or heave to. Adapt yourself to circumstances in the same way.

Bion of Borysthenes (c. 325-c. 250 BC) Greek philosopher, cynic, wit
In Teles of Megara, frag. 2, “On Self-Sufficiency”
 
Added on 9-Aug-12 | Last updated 9-Aug-12
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