Quotes by Famous Ancient Greek Philosophers, Historians and Scientists

GREEK BLOG SERIES #1: Know Thyself; Moderation In All Things; I Know Nothing…; Get Married…

• “Know Thyself” (gnothi seavton)

Ancient Greek aphorism “know thyself” or “gnothi seavton” (Greek: γνῶθι σεαυτὸν).

The 10th-century Byzantine encyclopedia,  the Suda,  recognized Chilon and Thales as the sources of the maxim “Know Thyself.” Other attributions include Socrates and Solon (among others)  but it appears the maxim may have originated in Ancient Egypt. However,  it may have been adopted by the Ancient Greeks because we know that the maxim was inscribed over the entrance to the forecourt of the oracle at Delphi (according to the historian Pausanias).

• Socrates
  Philosopher,  5th century BC
  (Greek: Παν μέτρον άριστον) Pan metron  ariston.
  “Moderation in all things”

• Socrates
  Philosopher,  5th century BC “One thing I know, that I know nothing.  This is the    source of my wisdom”

• Socrates
  Philosopher,  5th century BC  “By all means, get married: If you find a good wife, you’ll be happy; if not, you’ll become a philosopher”

Andrew Yiannakis, Ph.D., Research Professor, Unversity of New Mexico

Author: andrewyiannakis

Andrew Yiannakis, Ph.D., is currently a Research Professor at the University of New Mexico (USA). He is also Professor Emeritus from the University of Connecticut where he taught the Sociology of Leisure, Tourism & Sport, as well as Research Methods and Computer Applications. He also holds the rank of 8th Dan in Traditional Jujutsu and a 6th Dan in Traditional Kodokan Judo. He is the Director of the Institute of Traditional Martial Arts at the University of New Mexico. He is also the Chair of the Traditional Jujutsu Committee of the USJJF. As an amateur historian, he has led several expeditions to Greece to conduct research at Thermopylae, and locate the path the Persians used in 480 BC to encircle, and defeat King Leonidas and the Greek allies. Prof. Yiannakis has published extensively in a number of areas. View all posts by andrewyiannakis