Theognis of Megara Quotes

Not to be born at all would be the best thing for man.

To many men well-fitting doors are not set on their tongues.

Even to a wicked man a divinity gives wealth, Cyrnus, but to few men comes the gift of excellence.

The greatest treasure you can leave your children is a sense of modesty and the advice to follow virtuous persons.

Adopt the character of the twisting octopus, which takes on the appearance of the nearby rock . Now follow in this direction, now turn a different hue.

Bright youth passes swiftly as a thought.

Rash, angry words, and spoken out of season, When passion has usurp'd the throne of reason, Have ruin'd many. Passion is unjust, And for an idle, transitory gust Of gratified revenge, dooms us to pay With long repentance at a later day.

Surfeit begets insolence, when prosperity comes to a bad man.

Ploutos , no wonder mortals worship you: You are so tolerant of their sins !

One finds many companions for food and drink, but in a serious business a man's companions are very few.

He who mistrusts most should be trusted least.

Unless the gods deceive my mind , That man is forging fetters for himself.

Restrain thy mind, and let mildness ever attend thy tongue.

When we are dead; rugs are no richer than a quick-thorn bed.