One of the sayings of Diogenes was that most men were within a finger's breadth of being mad; for if a man walked with his middle finger pointing out, folks would think him mad, but not so if it were his forefinger.

The sun too penetrates into privies, but is not polluted by them.

Arcesilaus had a peculiar habit while conversing of using the expression, "My opinion is," and "So and so will not agree to this.

When Thales was asked what was difficult, he said, To know one's self. And what was easy, To advise another.

That man does not possess his estate, but his estate possesses him.

There are many marvellous stories told of Pherecydes. For it is said that he was walking along the seashore at Samos, and that seeing a ship sailing by with a fair wind, he said that it would soon sink; and presently it sank before his eyes. At another time he was drinking some water which had been drawn up out of a well, and he foretold that within three days there would be an earthquake; and there was one.

Plato was continually saying to Xenocrates, "Sacrifice to the Graces.