WIST Quotations

Bion -- As quoted by Teles of Megara, frag. 2, “On Self-Sufficiency”

Dave — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:42:09 +0000

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”

Bion -- In Diogenes Laërtius, Bion, 4.50

Dave — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:29:49 +0000

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

Bion -- In Diogenes Laërtius, Bion, 4.50

Dave — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:01:47 +0000

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."

Bion -- In Diogenes Laërtius, Bion, iii

Dave — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 12:57:34 +0000

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).

Bion -- In Plutarch, Moralia, xii “Which Are the Most Crafty, Water or Land Animals?”

Dave — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 13:38:51 +0000

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?”

Bion -- In Stobaeus, Anthology, Book 3, 10.37 (c. 5th C)

Dave — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:36:36 +0000

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

Bion -- In Teles of Megara, frag. 2, “On Self-Sufficiency”

Dave — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:37:54 +0000

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”