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Theognis of Megara Quotes
Greece
Theognis of Megara (fl. 6th century BC) was an ancient Greek poet. More than half of the elegiac poetry of Greece before the Alexandrian period is included in the 1,400 lines ascribed to Theognis.
Also known as: Theognis
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34 quotes
One finds many companions for food and drink, but in a serious business a man's companions are few.
Kurnos, unless the gods deceive my mind,
Ploutos, no wonder mortals worship you:
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.
Spend time on excellence, and love the right,
No higher prize is given to men than virtue;
Of virtue justice is the sum and substance,
Surfeit begets insolence, when prosperity comes to a bad man.
Than a good woman nought, my friend, is sweeter.
As in the fire the skilled artificer
We struggle onward, ignorant and blind,
Even to a wicked man a divinity gives wealth, Cyrus, but to few men comes the gift of excellence.
Vain from the base is hope of gratitude;
Nothing, Cyrnus, is more delightful than a good wife; to the truth of this I am witness to thee and do thou become witness to me.
Senseless and childish they who mourn the dead,
Mankind vain things imagines, knowing nought;
Too many tongues have gates which fly apart
No man takes with him to Hades all his exceeding wealth.
I hate a woman who's a gadabout, I hate
Alone 'mongst mortals dwelleth kindly Hope;
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