, one of the seven sages of Greece, of whom some sayings are preserved,
, one of the seven sages of Greece, of whom
some sayings are preserved, but not many particulars of
his life, was born at Mitylene in the island of Lesbos,
about 649 B. C. By his valour and abilities he obtained
the sovereignty of his native city, which he employed only
to lead the people to happiness, by giving them the best
laws he could devise. Having fulfilled this task, and put
his laws into verse, according to the fashion of the times,
that they might be more easily remembered, he resigned
his authority, and returned to a private life. His fellow-citizens would have rewarded his benefits by a large donation of land, but he positively refused to accept more than
a circular portion, taking the cast of his javelin from the
centre every way, as the measure of its circumference.
“It is better,
” he said, “to convince my country that I
am sincerely disinterested, than to possess great riches.
”
He died about 579 B. C. aged seventy. Some of his sayings were, “The first office of prudence is to foresee
threatening misfortunes, and prevent them. Power discovers the man. Never talk of your schemes before they
are executed; lest, if you fail to accomplish them, you
be exposed to the double mortification of disappointment
and ridicule. Whatever you do, do it well. Do not that
to your neighbour, which you would take ill from him.
Be watchful for opportunities, &c.
”