The reason why we have two ears and only one mouth is that we may listen the more and talk the less.

δύο ὦτα ἔχομεν, στόμα δὲ ἕν, ἵνα πλείονα μὲν ἀκούωμεν, ἥττονα δὲ λέγωμεν.

Zeno

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

Silence is golden Listening

Speaker

Zeno

Author

Diogenes Laërtius

Source

The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

Genre

Biography

Language

Greek

Time

430 BC 430s BC 5th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Occupation

Philosopher

From

Italy Europe Ancient Greece

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Zeno. Quoted in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, written by Diogenes Laërtius. c. 240 AD, bk. 7, ch. 1, sect. 23.

Current Citation

Zeno. Quoted in The Lives of Eminent Philosophers, written by Diogenes Laërtius, translated by Pamela Mensch, edited by James Miller. Oxford University Press, 2018, bk. 7, ch. 1, sect. 23.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Zeno about silence is golden: “The reason why we have two ears and only one mouth is that we may listen the more…”
Download
A quote by Zeno about silence is golden: “The reason why we have two ears and only one mouth is that we may listen the more…”
Download
A quote by Zeno about silence is golden: “The reason why we have two ears and only one mouth is that we may listen the more…”
Download

Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by Diogenes Laërtius

Do not speak ill of the dead.

Chilon

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
Speaking ill of the dead
Speaker
Chilon

Author

Diogenes Laërtius
Source
The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers
Genre
Historical literature
Language
Greek
Time
400 400s 3rd century
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Chilon. Quoted in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, written by Diogenes Laërtius. c. 240 AD, bk. 1, ch. 3.

Current Citation

Chilon. Quoted in The Lives of Eminent Philosophers, written by Diogenes Laërtius, translated by Pamela Mensch, edited by James Miller. Oxford University Press, 2018, bk. 1, ch. 3.

Another quote from the 5th century BC

As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

Psalm 125:2

Buy the Bible (KJV) at Amazon Buy the Bible (KJV) at Amazon
Read this verse at Bible Hub
More information about this quote
Topic
God's protection Jerusalem
Source
Psalms The Bible
Medium
Scripture
Genre
Religious literature
Language
Hebrew
Time
450 BC 450s BC 5th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Psalm 125:2).

Another quote from Classical antiquity

The best political community is formed by citizens of the middle class.

Phocylides

Quoted in Politics, by Aristotle

Buy Politics at Amazon Buy Politics at Amazon
Read Politics at MIT's classics department website
More information about this quote
Topic
Middle class Political community Political theory
Speaker
Phocylides

Author

Aristotle
Source
Politics
Genre
Political literature Philosophical literature
Language
Greek
Time
350 BC 350s BC 4th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Phocylides. Quoted in Politics, written by Aristotle. 4th century BC, bk. 4.

Current Citation

Phocylides. Quoted in Politics, written by Aristotle, translated by R. F. Stalley and Sir Ernest Barker. Oxford University Press, 2009, bk. 4.

Another quote from The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

Liars when they speak the truth are not believed.

Aristotle

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
Consequences of lying Liars Lying
Speaker
Aristotle

Author

Diogenes Laërtius
Source
The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers
Genre
Historical literature
Language
Greek
Time
400 400s 3rd century
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Aristotle. Quoted in Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, written by Diogenes Laertius. c. 240 AD, bk. 5, ch. 1, sect. 17.

Current Citation

Aristotle. Quoted in The Lives of Eminent Philosophers, written by Diogenes Laërtius, translated by Pamela Mensch, edited by James Miller. Oxford University Press, 2018, bk. 5, ch. 1, sect. 17.

Another quote originally in Greek

Give me but one firm spot on which to stand and I will move the earth.

Archimedes

Quoted in History of the World, by Diodorus Siculus

More information about this quote
Topic
Laws of physics Physics
Speaker
Archimedes

Author

Diodorus Siculus
Source
History of the World
Language
Greek
Time
212 BC 210s BC 3rd century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Archimedes. Quoted in History of the World, written by Diodorus Siculus. c. 20 BC.

Current Citation

Archimedes. Quoted in Diodorus Siculus: Library of History, Volume IX, Books 18-19.65. Harvard University Press, 1947.