Seven Sages of Greece

(1) Solon of Athens, whose motto was, “Know thyself.”

(2) Chilo of Sparta—“Consider the end.”

(3) Thalēs of Mileʹtos—“Who hateth suretyship is sure.”

(4) Bias of Prieʹnē—“Seize men are bad.”

(5) Cleobuʹlos of Lindos—“The golden mean,” or “Avoid extremes.”

(6) Pittacos of Mityleʹnē—“Seize Time by the forelock.”

(7) Periander of Corinth—“Nothing is impossible to industry.”

First, Solon, who made the Athenian laws,

While Chilo, in Sparta, was famed for his saws:

In Mileʹtos did Thales astronomy teach;

Bias used in Prieʹne his morals to preach;

Clebulos, of Lindos, was handsome and wise;

Mityleʹne gainst thraldom saw Pittacos rise;

Periander is said to have gained through his court

The title that Myson, the Cheman, ought.

E. C. B.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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