Ancient Greek civilization is one of the foundations of Western culture, and its influence still echoes in our daily life. These thinkers gave us the modern concepts of pedagogy, mathematics, democracy, and, of course, philosophy.
The early philosopher Pythagoras is credited with inventing the word “philosophy” in the 5th century BC, referring to a love and respect for wisdom. Over time, the term began to designate a special kind of wisdom, born from the methodical use of reason.
Greek philosophers like Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato were among the first on record to deeply examine human existence and grapple with weighty ideas like morality, happiness, and the purpose of life. They theorized that there are universal truths, and used those truths to teach a system of justice and law based on human nature and virtue. In so doing, the ancient Greek philosophers left us a treasure trove of hard-earned wisdom that thankfully has survived through the ages. And remarkably, many of their lessons still resonate today.
On Love
For once touched by love, everyone becomes a poet.
– Plato
On Brevity
A multitude of words is no proof of a prudent mind.
– Thales of Miletus
On Happiness
For some identify happiness with virtue, some with practical wisdom, others with a kind of philosophic wisdom, others with these, or one of these, accompanied by pleasure or not without pleasure; while others include also external prosperity. Now … it is not probable that these should be entirely mistaken, but rather that they should be right in at least some one respect or even in most respects.
– Aristotle
On Taking Risks
Do not let habit, born from experience, force you along this road, directing aimless eye and echoing ear and tongue; but judge by reason the much contested proof which I have spoken.
– Parmenides
On Change
All is flux, nothing is stationary.
– Heraclitus
On Living Simply
He who is not satisfied with a little, is satisfied with nothing.
– Epicurus
On Wisdom
Fame and wealth without wisdom are unsafe possessions.
– Democritus
On Education
Only the educated are free.
– Epictetus
On Wonder
Wonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.
– Socrates
On Questioning Religion
All formal dogmatic religions are fallacious and must never be accepted by self-respecting persons as final.
– Hypatia of Alexandria
On Moderation
Everything in excess is opposed to nature.
– Hippocrates
On Self-Determination
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
– Epictetus
On Questioning Things
The unexamined life is not worth living.
– Socrates
On Virtue
The greatest reward of righteousness is peace of mind.
– Epicurus
On Patience
Force has no place where there is need of skill.
– Herodotus
On Natural Life
We should venture on the study of every kind of animal without distaste; for each and all will reveal to us something natural and something beautiful.
– Aristotle
On the Permanence of Change
Everything flows, and nothing abides, everything gives way, and nothing stays fixed.
– Heraclitus
On Friendship
Of all the means which wisdom acquires to ensure happiness throughout the whole of life, by far the most important is friendship.
– Epicurus
On Being Humble
I myself know nothing, except just a little, enough to extract an argument from another man who is wise and to receive it fairly.
– Socrates
On Living With Love
Neither family, nor privilege, nor wealth, nor anything but Love can light that beacon which a man must steer by when he sets out to live the better life.
– Plato
On Strength of Character
It is difficulties that show what men are.
– Epictetus
On Patience
No thing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.
– Epictetus
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