Seven Sages of Greece

Mosaïc of the Seven Sages, Baalbeck, 3rd century A.D., National Museum of Beirut. Calliope at the center, and clockwise from top: Socrates, Chilon, Pittacus, Periander, Cleobulus (damaged section), Bias, Thales, and Solon.

The Seven Sages of Greece or Seven Wise Men (Greek: οἱ ἑπτὰ σοφοί hoi hepta sophoi) was the title given by classical Greek tradition to seven philosophers, statesmen, and law-givers of the 6th century BC who were renowned for their wisdom.

Quotes

• Know thyself.
  • Inscription at the Delphic Oracle. From Plutarch, Morals

• Hesiod might as well have kept his breath to cool his pottage.
  • Periander. From Plutarch, The Banquet of th Seven Wise Men, sec. 14

• Every one of you hath his paritcular plague, and my wife is mine; and he is very happy who hath this only.
  • Pittacus. From Plutarch, The Banquet of the Seven Wise Men, sec. 14

• Nothing too much.
  • From Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, bk. 1, sec. 63

• Do not speak ill of the dead.
  • From Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, 1, 70

• Know the right moment.
  • From Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, 1, 79

• Rule will show the man.
  • Bias. From Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, bk. 5, ch. 1