Wise Words From 6 Top Ancient Greek Philosophers

Ancient Greek Philosophers - The great thinkers of Ancient Greece

Ancient Greek Philosophers – The wise thinkers of Ancient Greece

Each time we turn on our computers we’re bombarded with quotes, images and “inspirational cards”.

We have “Life coaches” telling us to be” Mindful” and to have a “Mindset”.

“Mindfulness” seems to be the “New religion”

Authors are at it, gurus are at it, it seems like everybody is at it!

Sorry to tell you this folks but the Greeks said it First, they did everything first!

It’s all been said and done before, thousands of years ago, by the Greeks, specifically, the ancient Greek philosophers, the lovers of wisdom.

So leave the “New Age” motivational cults behind and just take note of the wise words of the great Greek thinkers, they knew what was what!

1. Thales of Miletus

The First Western Philosopher

Thales of Miletus – The First Philosopher

Thales of Miletus was an Ancient Greek philosopher from Miletus in Ionia, Asia Minor (today Milet in Turkey) and one of the Seven Sages, or Seven Wise Men, a title given to seven philosophers, statesmen, and law-givers of the 7th and 6th centuries BCE who were renowned for their wisdom.

Although his occupation was that of an engineer, Thales was the first well-known western philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer, famous for stating that that “all is water”.

Thales claimed that all of nature is based on the existence of a single substance; water, he even believed the Earth was a flat mass floating on water.

“Hope is the only good that is common to all men; those who have nothing else possess hope still” – Thales

“Hope is the only good that is common to all men; those who have nothing else possess hope still”

Thales

As we say “Hope dies last“

In Mathematics, Thales is well known for the Thales theorem, which is still taught in schools today.

Thales theorem states that if A, B, and C, are distinct points on a circle where the line AC is a diameter, then ABC is a right angle.

The Thales theorem – If A, B, and C, are distinct points on a circle where the line AC is a diameter, then ABC is a right angle.

His other achievements were calculating the height of pyramids and the distance between a ship and the shore, with the help of geometry and successfully predicting the solar eclipse of May 28, 585 BC.

The discovery of the position of the constellation Ursa Major is also attributed to Thales.

“Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing” – Thales

“Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing”

Thales

As we’d say today “Don’t be a hypocrite“

Thales is said to have died at the age of 78, during the 58th Olympiad (548–545 BC), from heat stroke and thirst while watching the games.

2. Socrates

Socrates, the statue which decorates the Academy of Athens, by Leonidas Drosis 1885

Socrates c. 470–399 BC, a Greek philosopher from Athens, acclaimed founder of Western philosophy and one of the first moral philosophers of the ethical tradition of thought, was a perplexing individual, who never wrote anything down.

What we do know about Socrates and his thoughts and ideas, comes mainly from the accounts of the philosopher Plato and the historian Xenophon, who were both his pupils.

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing” – Socrates

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing“

Socrates

Today this could be “We never stop learning“

In 399 BC, Socrates went on trial for corrupting the youth of Athens, he unsuccessfully defended himself and was found guilty.

The official charges were: (1) corrupting youth; (2) worshipping false gods; and (3) not worshipping the state religion.

Socrates was given the death penalty and was made to drink a cup of hemlock (a poisonous liquid).

Socrates’s reaction, was to warn the Athenians, that they could not avoid criticism from his many followers, unless they became good men.

Socrates spent his last day in prison where his friends visited him and offered to help him escape, he declined.

“Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty” Socrates

“Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty”

Socrates

Could be said as “The best things in life are free” or “Keep things simple“

3. Plato

Plato – Ancient Greek Philosopher – By Science Photo Library

The philosopher, Plato, who was a student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founded the Platonic Academy of Athens.

The Academy of ancient Athens, the turning point in ancient Greek education, established in around 387 BC, was the first center of higher education in the Western world, many of which today still bear the name Academy.

In his youth, Plato, whose aim was to better society, briefly considered entering into politics, however, as he saw Athens becoming a hotbed of political corruption, he realized the only thing to help his city and Greece in general, was for politicians to understand the meaning of justice.

“The beginning is the most important part of the work” – Plato

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.”

Plato

As we all say today “Just do it”!

Plato was not a fan of democracy and holds it responsible for the downfall of Athens and for the death of Socrates, who was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens and sentenced to death.

At around the age of about forty, Plato, made the first of his many trips to “The Pythagorean school” in Croton, one of the most prosperous cities of Magna Graecia; ‘Greater Greece’, in southern Italy.

Pythagoras (c. 570-495 BC), one of the most influential mathematicians of all time, had founded “The Pythagorean school”, where anyone was accepted, no one was turned away, even women were allowed to join him, unusual and often frowned upon in his day when women were meant to be seen and not heard, in fact, Theano of Croton, the wife or student of Pythagoras, was one of the first female philosophers of ancient Greece.

On returning home to Athens, after his first visit to Croton, Plato, inspired by the Pythagorean way of life, at once, set about establishing his own school; the Platonic Academy of Athens.

As it was Plato’s belief that philosophy directed people’s minds toward a knowledge of goodness and virtue, which would greatly benefit society, both the subjects and teaching methods of the Academy were based on Plato’s Socratic Method.

“The greatest wealth is to live content with little” – Plato

“The greatest wealth is to live content with little”

Plato

Today’s well-known phrase; “Less is more“

The subjects studied at the Academy, again inspired by Plato’s trip to the Pythagorean School in Italy, were philosophy, astronomy and mathematics; it was one of the first known institutions in dedicated to making sense of the world through scientific observations of the universe, another first was the study of nature’s mathematical laws; mathematical physics.

The Academy continued until the year 86 BC, in 86 BC, when the Romans invaded Greece and Lucius Cornelius Sulla, laid siege to Athens, conquering the city, causing mass destruction.

4. Aristotle

Aristotle 384–322 BC – Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath

Greek philosopher, Aristotle (384–322 BC), one of the greatest and most influential philosophers of all time, as well as being an important figure in the history of science, mathematics and theater, founded his philosophical school in Athens, known as the Peripatetic school, or simply the Peripatos, in 335 BC.(Peripatetic means “walking or wandering”).

Aristotle was born in 384 BCE in the city of Stagira in Macedonia, his father Nichomacus, personal physician to King Amyntas of Macedonia, had died while Aristotle was still young.

Proxenus of Atarneus, his brother-in-law, then became his guardian and it was he who sent Aristotle to complete his education at Plato’s Academy in Athens, where Aristotle remained for over twenty years.

Despite being a model student, who frequently presented his personal essays on rhetoric, Aristotle often disagreed with Plato’s beliefs, with the result that, when it was time for Plato’s successor to be chosen, Aristotle was passed over in favour of Plato’s nephew Speusippus.

With no future at the Academy, he accompanied Xenocrates, philosopher, mathematician and one-time leader of the Platonic Academy from 339 – 314 BC, to Asia Minor where they stayed with Xenocrates’s friend, the tyrant Hermias of Atarneus.

It was here in Atarneus that Aristotle established his first school.

“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honour.”
Aristotle

“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honour.”

Aristotle

Could be interpreted today as “Step outside your comfort zone“

335 BC – Aristotle Returns to Athens and Establishes the Peripatetic school

When Athens fell under Macedonian rule in 335 BC, Aristotle returned to Athens from Asia Minor and established his “Peripatetic school”, a school which eventually became a rival to Plato’s Academy

Aristotle remained at his school in Athens for the next twelve years and it is during this period, from 335 to 323 BC, that Aristotle is thought to have composed many of his works.

Sadly, many of his works have not survived, of those which did manage to make it, the most important ones include; Physics, Metaphysics, Nicomachean Ethics, Politics, On the Soul and Poetics.

The intention of the school was not to dwell or expand on any one specific conviction, but to explore all philosophical and scientific theories; in fact, his school has been compared to a factory that made professionals of any kind!

“Doubt is the beginning of wisdom” – Aristotle

“Doubt is the beginning of wisdom“

Aristotle

Today we are told to “Question everything” or “Never assume“

Aristotle split his study of philosophy into three parts: practical, theoretical, and productive.

Practical philosophy included the study of fields such as biology, mathematics and physics, theoretical philosophy included metaphysics and the study of the soul and productive philosophy concentrated on crafts, agriculture and the arts.

In contrast to Plato, Aristotle explained, that through observation, it was indeed possible to ascertain the end causes and purposes of existence and to identify these causes and purposes.

This philosophical way of thinking, known as teleology, would become one of the most significant philosophical concepts of the western world.

5. Demosthenes

Demosthenes (384-322 BC), one of the great Attic speakers, Athenian politician

Demosthenes (384 BC – 322 BC), one of the most famous orators of ancient times, was born in Athens and learnt rhetoric by studying the speeches of established great orators.

He delivered his first speech at the young age of twenty.

Gradually, after many hours in his study preparing speeches and then refining his speaking abilities by shouting to be heard above the crashing of the ocean waves, Demosthenes gained a reputation as a hard- working, dedicated orator.

“Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.” – Demosthenes

“Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.”

Demosthenes

What we might hear today as “one step at time” or “slow and steady wins the race“

As Demosthenes was born in an age of decline, sometime after the Golden years of Athens, he tried to persuade his fellow citizens to revert to their former habits of courage and self-reliance.

However, no one took his advice.

Demosthenes eventually became a successful lawyer, however, when the bane of his life, Philip of Macedonia, began meddling in the affairs of Greece, Demosthenes became more involved in politics.

Demosthenes tried to warn his fellow citizens not to give in Philip, and once again, his advice fell on deaf ears.

“All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action” – Demosthenes

“All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action”

Demosthenes

Today we might say “You’re all talk” or “All words and no action“

Eventually, after many years of Demosthenes’ warnings to the Athenians and Philip of Macedon’s violation of Athenian law, which persisted for many years, resulting in the fatal Battle of Chaeronea, Athens was forced to give in to an alliance, in which Macedonia had the upper hand.

For the next twelve years, Demosthenes had no choice but to surrender to Macedonian rule.

After the death of Philip II, Demosthenes was a major player in his city’s uprising against the new king of Macedonia, Alexander the Great.

The revolt failed and to avoid arrest, he took his own life.

6. Epicurus

Epicurus -Ancient Greek philosopher – Founder of Epicureanism

The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus (341–270 BC), born on the Greek island of Samos, was the ancient Greek philosopher who founded Epicureanism and rejected the Platonism of his day and went on to create his own school, known as “the Garden”, in Athens, where, against the general policy of the day, he openly allowed women and slaves to join the school.

Epicurus’s aim in life was to convince people that the purpose of philosophy was to help people achieve a happy, eudaimonic, tranquil life characterized by ataraxia (peace and freedom from fear) and aponia (the absence of pain).

He recommended a simple, self-sufficient life surrounded by friends.

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for” – Epicurus

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for”

Epicurus

Today we say “Be grateful for what you have“

Epicurean teachings were controversial from the word go, throughout the Middle Ages Epicurus was remembered as a patron of drunkards, whoremongers, and gluttons.

His influence took a major leap, after the Enlightenment, deeply affecting the ideas of major thinkers, including John Locke, Thomas Jefferson, Jeremy Bentham, and Karl Marx.