Bion of Borysthenes Quotes

Self-conceit is the enemy of progress.

Wealth is the sinews of success.

Bion insisted on the principle that "The property of friends is common."

The boys throw rocks at the frogs in jest. But the frogs die in earnest.

Good slaves are free, but bad free men are slaves of many passions.

The road to Hades is easy to travel; at any rate men pass away with their eyes shut.

Just as the good actor perform well whatever role the poet assigns, so too must the good man perform whatever Fortune assigns. For she, says Bion, just like a poet, sometimes assigns the leading role, sometimes that of the supporting role; sometimes that of a king, sometimes that of a beggar. Do not, therefore, being a supporting actor, desire the role of the lead.

It hurts the bald-head just as much as the thatched-head to have his hairs plucked.

Though boys throw stones at frogs in sport, the frogs do not die in sport, but in earnest.

Love of money is the mother-city (metropolis) of all evils.