5 quotes from Xenophon

Xenophon’s phrases exude wisdom and knowledge. Perhaps this philosopher is not as well known as Plato, Socrates or Aristotle, but excellent lessons can also be drawn from his bibliography and experience.

Xenophon was a Greek philosopher, military man, and historian. born in Athens in 431 BC He had close ties with Sparta and received the nickname Attic muse because of the Greek dialect in which he wrote with a really sweet and attractive diction.

Quotes from Xenophon

From the large bibliography that has survived to this day we can extract Xenophon’s phrases of extraordinary beauty and wisdom. Let us not forget that this historian and soldier wrote works such as The Hellenicin which he details the final years of the Peloponnesian War, the magnificent Ten Thousand Expedition, The Anabasis or the very famous Cyropedia.

Curiously, Xenophon was a man very attached to the Persian regime. This, despite being Greek and his homeland being in the middle of the Peloponnesian War. Even so, He deeply admired Cyrus the Younger and even participated in the military campaign to help him claim the throne of Persia against his brother Artaxerxes II.

Xenophon was a student of one of the most important philosophers of antiquity: Socrates. From his authority as a philosopher the works were born Memories of Socrates and the Apology of Socratesin which he tries to clarify the trial in which his teacher was involved.

The power

Curiously, despite being Athenian, Xenophon was a supporter of oligarchic political systems. His support and friendship with Spartan kings or Cyrus the Younger is not surprising.

What is this? If we read the work of Xenophon, we find his predilection for oligarchy, but not in any way. He believed in a fair systemreciprocal, in which the monarch exercises power as a wise, but also just, person.

That is, for this author, power is not exercised from a position of superiority, but rather from understanding and talent. That’s why, whoever governs, does so wiselyknowing how to win the obedience of his people, who bend and obey voluntarily, never by force.

Justice

Faithful student of Socrates, Xenophon always admired his teacher. Therefore, it is not surprising that in this phrase he refers to the difficulty of constantly acting in a harmonious and correct manner.

It is difficult to always work in the right direction. But sometimes, completely unfairly, we are judged by people with a lack of talent and limited vision. Then, the injustice that is committed is much greater.

The spirit

Those people who accumulate material wealth, but do not accompany it with moral and ethical wealth, They are really poor beings that they will hardly learn to enjoy everything they have treasured.

The job well done

Praising without meaning is, almost certainly, a mistake. But not giving praise when someone has earned it is probably a bigger mistake, since as the saying goes, ‘no one is bitter about a sweet treat.’

This phrase fits perfectly with Xenophon’s philosophy, since his belief was knowing how to win over the people as an oligarch through virtue and talent, not by force. Without a doubt, praising those who act well helps in this direction.

The effort

Another of Xenophon’s wise phrases that we take advantage of to say goodbye. Without a doubt, it has been almost 2,500 years since it was written and spoken, but it is as real today as it was once.

In general, those people who strive to achieve a goal end up failing. feel proud of your achievements. These, added together, end up resulting in a greater goal that is achieved as a team.

We hope that you found these phrases from Xenophon attractive and interesting. There is no doubt that the philosophers of ancient Greece harbored enormous wisdom in their thinking from which we still have much to learn today.

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