Having the fewest wants, I am nearest to the gods.

καὶ ἐλαχίστων δεόμενος ἔγγιστα εἶναι θεῶν

Socrates

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

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More information about this quote

Topic

Attachment (Buddhism) Simple living Materialism Possessions

Speaker

Socrates

Author

Diogenes Laërtius

Source

The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

Genre

Historical literature

Language

Greek

Time

400 400s 3rd century

Occupation

Philosopher

From

Greece Europe Ancient Greece

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Socrates. Quoted in Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, written by Diogenes Laertius. c. 240 AD, bk. 2, ch. 27.

Current Citation

Socrates. Quoted in The Lives of Eminent Philosophers, written by Diogenes Laërtius, translated by Pamela Mensch, edited by James Miller. Oxford University Press, 2018, bk. 2, ch. 27.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Socrates about attachment (buddhism): “Having the fewest wants, I am nearest to the gods.”
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A quote by Socrates about attachment (buddhism): “Having the fewest wants, I am nearest to the gods.”
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A quote by Socrates about attachment (buddhism): “Having the fewest wants, I am nearest to the gods.”
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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 Socrates

Democracy, which is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder, and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike.

Socrates

Quoted in Republic, by Plato

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More information about this quote
Topic
Democracy Politics
Speaker
Socrates

Author

Plato
Source
Republic
Medium
Philosophical dialogue Dialogue
Genre
Philosophical literature
Language
Greek
Time
375 BC 370s BC 4th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Socrates. Quoted in Πολιτεία [Republic], written by Plato. c. 375 BCE.

Current Citation

Socrates. Quoted in Republic, written by Plato, translated by Desmond Lee. Penguin Classics, 2007.

Another quote from The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

Know thyself.

Thales

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

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More information about this quote
Topic
Introspection Self-knowledge Self-awareness Wisdom
Speaker
Thales

Author

Diogenes Laërtius
Source
The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers
Medium
Presocratic fragment Fragment
Genre
Philosophical literature
Statement Type
Advice
Language
Greek
Time
3rd century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

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

Current Citation

Thales. 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. 1.

Another quote originally in Greek

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Apostle Paul

Philippians 4:8

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More information about this quote
Topic
Virtues

Author

Apostle Paul
Source
Philippians The Bible
Medium
Scripture
Genre
Religious literature
Language
Greek
Time
62 60s 1st century
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Philippians 4:8).