Pittacus of Mytilene

Pittacus of Mytilene (c. 640-568 BC), Greek statesman and philosopher, one of the Seven Sages of Greece.

Sourced

• Do not to your neighbor what you would take ill from him.
  • Fragm. 10.3

• Whatever you do, do it well.
  • As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 77.

• Even the Gods cannot strive against necessity.
  • As quoted by Plato, Protagoras, 345d, and by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 77.

• Power shows the man.
  • As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 77.

• Do not say before hand what you are going to do; for if you fail, you will be laughed at.
  • As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 78.

• Do not reproach a man with his misfortunes, fearing lest Nemesis may overtake you.
  • As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 78.

• Speak no ill of a friend, nor even of an enemy.
  • As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 78.

• Cultivate truth, good faith, experience, cleverness, sociability, and industry.
  • As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 78.

• Know thy opportunity.
  • As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 79.