Greece

Explore 272 quotes by people from Greece

He who commands the sea has command of everything.

Themistocles

Quoted in Letters to Atticus, by Cicero

More information about this quote

Topic

Naval power Ocean and sea

Speaker

Themistocles

Author

Cicero

Source

Letters to Atticus

Medium

Letter

Language

Latin

Time

462 BC 460s BC 1st century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Themistocles. Quoted in Epistulae ad Atticum [Letters to Atticus], by Marcus Tullius Cicero. 1 century BC, bk. 10, no. 8.

Current Citation

Themistocles. Quoted in Cicero: Letters to Atticus, by Marcus Tullius Cicero, translated by D. R. Shackleton Bailey. Vol. 2, Harvard, University Press, 1999, bk. 10, no. 8.

Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true.

Demosthenes

More information about this quote

Topic

Delusion Credulity Truth

Speaker

Demosthenes

Medium

Speech

Language

Greek

Time

349 BC 340s BC 4th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Demosthenes. Olynthiac Three. c. 349 BC, Athens, Greece.

Reverence for parents stands written third among the statutes of Justice, to whom honor supreme is due.

Aeschylus

The Suppliants

Buy The Suppliant Maidens at Amazon Buy The Suppliant Maidens at Amazon
Read The Suppliant Maidens at MIT's classics department website

More information about this quote

Topic

Filial piety

Speaker

Chorus

Author

Aeschylus

Source

The Suppliants

Medium

Play

Genre

Greek tragedy Tragedy (play)

Language

Greek

Time

465 BC 465s BC 5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Aeschylus. Ἱκέτιδες, Hiketides [The Suppliants]. c. 455 BC.

We know the good, we apprehend it clearly,
but we can't bring it to achievement.

Euripides

Hippolytus

Buy Hippolytus at Amazon Buy Hippolytus at Amazon
Read Hippolytus at the MIT's classics department website

More information about this quote

Topic

The good Doing the right thing

Speaker

Phaedra

Author

Euripides

Source

Hippolytus

Medium

Play

Genre

Greek tragedy Tragedy (play)

Language

Greek

Time

428 BC 420s BC 5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Euripides. Ἱππόλυτος [Hippolytus]. 428 BC, City Dionysia festival, Athens, Greece.

Current Citation

Euripides. "Hippolytus." Euripides I: Alcestis, Medea, The Children of Heracles, Hippolytus, edited and translated by Richard Lattimore, et. al. University of Chicago Press, 2013.

From this point onwards history becomes an organic whole: the affairs of Italy and Africa are connected with those of Asia and of Greece, and all events bear a relationship and contribute to a single end.

Polybius

More information about this quote

Topic

Globalization Interconnectedness of all people

Author

Polybius

Source

Histories (Polybius)

Genre

Historical literature

Language

Greek

Time

117 BC 110s BC 2nd century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Polybius. Ἱστορίαι [Histories]. c. 110 BC, bk. 1.

Current Citation

Polybius. The Histories, translated by W. R. Paton. Vol. 1, Harvard University Press, 2010, bk. 1.

There was never any yet that wholly could escape love, and never shall there be any, never so long as beauty shall be, never so long as eyes can see.

Longus

More information about this quote

Topic

Power of love Love

Author

Longus

Source

Daphnis and Chloe

Language

Greek

Time

200 200s 3rd century

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longus. Δάφνις καὶ Χλόη [Daphnis and Chloe]. c. 250, preface.

Current Citation

Longus. Daphnis and Chloe, translated by Ronald McCail. Oxford University Press, 2009, preface.

Adopt the character of the twisting octopus, which takes on the appearance of the nearby rock. Now follow in this direction, now turn a different hue.

Theognis of Megara

More information about this quote

Topic

Adaptability

Author

Theognis of Megara

Source

Elegies

Medium

Poem

Statement Type

Advice

Language

Greek

Time

541 BC 540s BC 6th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Theognis. Elegies. c. 541 BC.

Current Citation

Theognis. "Elegies." Hesiod and Theognis: Theogony, Works and Days, and Elegies, translated by Dorothea Wender. Penguin Classics, 1976.

The soul of man is divided into three parts, intelligence, reason, and passion. Intelligence and passion are possessed by other animals, but reason by man alone.

Pythagoras

Quoted in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, by Diogenes Laërtius

Buy The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers at Amazon Buy The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers at Amazon
Read The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers at Project Gutenberg

More information about this quote

Topic

Man and animals Reason The soul Human nature

Speaker

Pythagoras

Author

Diogenes Laërtius

Source

The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

Medium

Presocratic fragment Fragment

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

3rd century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Pythagoras. Quoted in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, written by Diogenes Laërtius. c. 240 AD, bk. 8, ch. 1, sect. 30.

Current Citation

Pythagoras. Quoted in The Lives of Eminent Philosophers, written by Diogenes Laërtius, translated by Pamela Mensch, edited by James Miller. Oxford University Press, 2018, bk. 8, ch. 1, sect. 30.

The best of all things for earthly men is not to be born and not to see the beams of the bright sun; but if born, then as quickly as possible to pass the gates of Hades, and to lie deep buried.

Theognis of Megara

Elegies

More information about this quote

Topic

Being born The human condition

Author

Theognis of Megara

Source

Elegies

Medium

Poem

Language

Greek

Time

545 BC 540s BC 6th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Theognis. Elegies. c. 541 BC.

Current Citation

Theognis. "Elegies." Hesiod and Theognis: Theogony, Works and Days, and Elegies, translated by Dorothea Wender. Penguin Classics, 1976.

The fates have given mankind a patient soul.

Homer

The Iliad

Buy The Iliad at Amazon Buy The Iliad at Amazon
Read The Iliad at Project Gutenberg

More information about this quote

Topic

Patience

Author

Homer

Source

The Iliad

Medium

Poem

Genre

Epic poem

Language

Greek

Time

700 BC 700s BC 8th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Homer. Ἰλιάς [The Iliad], edited by Demetrius Chalcondyles. Florence: Bernardus Nerlius and Demetrius Damilas, 1489, bk. 24, l. 49.

Current Citation

Homer. The Iliad, translated by Robert Fitzgerald. Oxford University Press, 2014, bk. 24, l. 49.

Men are good in but one way, but bad in many.

Aristotle

The Nicomachean Ethics

Buy the Nicomachean Ethics at Amazon Buy the Nicomachean Ethics at Amazon
Read the Nicomachean Ethics at MIT's classics department website

More information about this quote

Topic

Human nature Nature of man

Author

Aristotle

Source

The Nicomachean Ethics

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

Greek

Time

350 BC 350s BC 4th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Aristotle. Ἠθικὰ Νικομάχεια, Ēthika Nikomacheia [Nicomachean Ethics]. c. 322 BC.

Current Citation

Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics, translated by Terence Irwin. Hackett Publishing, 2019, bk. 2.

Whosoever obeys the gods, to him they particularly listen.

Homer

The Iliad

Buy The Iliad at Amazon Buy The Iliad at Amazon
Read The Iliad at Project Gutenberg

More information about this quote

Topic

Obedience to God

Author

Homer

Source

The Iliad

Medium

Poem

Genre

Epic poem

Language

Greek

Time

700 BC 700s BC 8th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Homer. Ἰλιάς [The Iliad], edited by Demetrius Chalcondyles. Florence: Bernardus Nerlius and Demetrius Damilas, 1489, bk. 1, l. 218.

Current Citation

Homer. The Iliad, translated by Robert Fitzgerald. Oxford University Press, 2014, bk. 1, l. 218.

Have patience, heart. Once you endured worse than this.

Homer

The Odyssey

Buy The Odyssey at Amazon Buy The Odyssey at Amazon
Read The Odyssey at MIT's classics department website

More information about this quote

Topic

Patience Perseverance

Author

Homer

Source

The Odyssey

Medium

Poem

Genre

Epic poem

Language

Greek

Time

700 BC 700s BC 8th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Homer. Ὀδύσσεια [Odyssey]. c. 710 BC, bk. 20, l. 18.

Current Citation

Homer. The Odyssey, edited by Bernard Knox, translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics, 2006, bk. 20, l. 18.

Crito, I owe a cock to Asclepius; will you remember to pay the debt?

Socrates

Quoted in Phaedo, by Plato

Last words

Buy Phaedo at Amazon Buy Phaedo at Amazon
Read Phaedo at Project Gutenberg

More information about this quote

Speaker

Socrates

Author

Plato

Source

Phaedo

Medium

Philosophical dialogue Dialogue

Genre

Philosophical literature

Statement Type

Last words Question

Language

Greek

Time

360 BC 360s BC 4th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Socrates. Quoted in Φαίδων [Phaedo], written by Plato. c. 360 BC.

Current Citation

Socrates. Quoted in "Phaedo." Plato: Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo, written by Plato, translated by G. M. A. Grube and John M. Cooper. Hackett Publishing, 2002.

Therefore don't you be gentle to your wife either. Don't tell her everything you know, but tell her one thing and keep another thing hidden.

Homer

The Odyssey

Buy The Odyssey at Amazon Buy The Odyssey at Amazon
Read The Odyssey at MIT's classics department website

More information about this quote

Topic

Trustworthiness of women Gender relations Marriage Secrets

Author

Homer

Source

The Odyssey

Medium

Poem

Genre

Epic poem

Language

Greek

Time

700 BC 700s BC 8th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Homer. Ὀδύσσεια [Odyssey]. c. 710 BC, bk. 11, l. 441-443.

Current Citation

Homer. The Odyssey, edited by Bernard Knox, translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics, 2006, bk. 11, l. 441-443.

May the gods grant you all things which your heart desires, and may they give you a husband and a home and gracious concord, for there is nothing greater and better than this-when a husband and wife keep a household in oneness of mind, a great woe to their enemies and joy to their friends and win high renown.

Homer

The Odyssey

Buy The Odyssey at Amazon Buy The Odyssey at Amazon
Read The Odyssey at MIT's classics department website

More information about this quote

Topic

Marriage

Author

Homer

Source

The Odyssey

Medium

Poem

Genre

Epic poem

Statement Type

Well-wishing

Language

Greek

Time

700 BC 700s BC 8th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Homer. Ὀδύσσεια [Odyssey]. c. 710 BC, bk. 6, l. 180-185.

Current Citation

Homer. The Odyssey, edited by Bernard Knox, translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics, 2006, bk. 6, l. 180-185.

Come hither, renowned Odysseus, hither, you pride and glory of all Achaea! Pause with your ship; listen to our song. Never has any man passed this way in his dark vessel and left unheard the honey-sweet music from our lips; first he has taken his delight, then gone on his way a wiser man. We know of all the sorrows in the wide land of Troy that Argives and Trojans bore because the gods would needs have it so; we know of all things that come to pass on the fruitful earth.

Homer

The Odyssey

Buy The Odyssey at Amazon Buy The Odyssey at Amazon
Read The Odyssey at MIT's classics department website

More information about this quote

Topic

Temptation

Author

Homer

Source

The Odyssey

Medium

Poem

Genre

Epic poem

Language

Greek

Time

700 BC 700s BC 8th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Homer. Ὀδύσσεια [Odyssey]. c. 710 BC, bk. 12, l. 184-191.

Current Citation

Homer. The Odyssey, edited by Bernard Knox, translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics, 2006, bk. 12, l. 184-191.

Of all human ills, greatest is fortune's wayward tyranny.

Sophocles

Ajax

Buy Ajax at Amazon Buy Ajax at Amazon
Read Ajax at MIT's classics department website

More information about this quote

Topic

Bad luck Fortune The human condition

Speaker

Tecmessa

Author

Sophocles

Source

Ajax

Medium

Play

Genre

Tragic play Greek theater

Language

Greek

Time

430 BC 430s BC 5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Sophocles. Αἴας [Ajax]. c. 441 BCE, Athens, Greece.

Current Citation

Sophocles. "Ajax." Electra and Other Plays, translated by David Raeburn. Penguin Classics, 2008.

If purpose, then, is inherent in art, so is it in Nature also. The best illustration is the case of a man being his own physician, for Nature is like that-agent and patient at once.

Aristotle

Physics

Buy Physics at Amazon Buy Physics at Amazon

More information about this quote

Topic

Nature

Author

Aristotle

Source

Physics

Genre

Scientific literature

Language

Greek

Time

350 BC 350s BC 4th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Aristotle. Φυσικὴ ἀκρόασις Phusike akroasis [Physics]. 4th century BC.

Current Citation

Aristotle. Physics, translated by Robin Waterfield. Oxford University Press, 2008.

Silence gives the proper grace to women.

Sophocles

Ajax

Buy Ajax at Amazon Buy Ajax at Amazon
Read Ajax at MIT's classics department website

More information about this quote

Topic

Discreet women Patriarchy

Speaker

Tecmessa

Author

Sophocles

Source

Ajax

Medium

Play

Genre

Greek tragedy Tragedy (play)

Language

Greek

Time

440 BC 440s BC 5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Sophocles. Αἴας [Ajax]. c. 441 BCE, Athens, Greece.

Current Citation

Sophocles. "Ajax." Electra and Other Plays, translated by David Raeburn. Penguin Classics, 2008.