7 extraordinary phrases from Greek philosophers

With phrases from Greek philosophers we refer to statements that date from the period between the 6th century and the year 149 BC.. This corresponds to what is known as Classical Greece, a stage in which philosophy shone in a special way. The thinkers of that time influenced the entire subsequent development of our culture.

The most famous thinkers of that period were Socrates Plato and Aristotle. However, they were not the only ones, although they were the ones cited in more places. Hence many of the phrases of the Greek philosophers that we rescue today bear his signature.

Classical Greece is a wonderful stage of humanity: we talk about the pillars of the culture of the old continent. Our political system or our way of articulating thought has its roots in the Peloponnese peninsula. Let’s remember that fantastic time through some of the phrases of the Greek philosophers.

1. Commit an injustice

No writings of his have reached us, but he is considered one of the fathers of philosophy.. What we know about Socrates has come to us, in essence, through Plato. Thanks to the writings of the latter, we have been able to learn a good part of his thinking, especially interested in political organization.

One of his phrases says: “It is worse to commit an injustice have to suffer it because whoever commits it becomes unjust and whoever suffers it does not”. It means that what we do defines who we are. What they do to us, on the other hand, does not determine us, but is a simple contingency.

2. One of the phrases of the Greek philosophers about happiness

Several phrases from Greek philosophers already target happiness, a concern that appears in human beings as soon as they become aware that they can inhabit different states of mind. In this regard, one of Pericles’ statements states: “Happiness is in freedom and freedom in courage”.

Ultimately, it means that happiness is possible within the framework of freedom. A freedom threatened, consciously or unconsciously, by different interests. In the face of them, courage and conviction are necessary. Thus, the happiness would be a fruit reserved for the brave.

3. Plato and love

Although love – as we understand it today – is not one of the most recurrent themes in the phrases of Greek philosophers, we can place it in some way in Plato’s thought.. The expression “platonic love” is not gratuitous, which in some way alludes to that world of ideas, as perfect as it is unattainable.

One of his phrases says: “There is no man so cowardly whom love does not make brave and transform into a hero.”. It is certainly an idealistic assertion, but it is still well-founded. Love is a very powerful life force that serves as motivation for great undertakings, conquests and achievements.

4. Poverty and wealth

This is one of those phrases from the Greek philosophers that has survived to this day paraphrased in a thousand ways. It is also from Plato and says the following: “Poverty does not come from the decrease in wealth, but from the multiplication of desires.”.

At this point, Plato approaches Eastern thought. In this, desire is a source of suffering, while the absence of desire is freedom and plenitude. The ability to renounce desires leads to a greater degree of freedom and fewer frustrations.since it implies control in the relationship we have with the world.

5. Deception and responsibility

This phrase is from Anaxagoras and is also repeated today. He points out: “If you cheat on me once, it’s your fault; If you fool me two, it’s mine”. In short, it means that experience rewards us with mistakes so that we learn; Otherwise, it would have little meaning.

In general, Greek thought devoted much attention to moral responsibility – responsibility towards oneself, but also towards society as citizens.. For this reason, Greek mythology is full of episodes in which there are eternal punishments for mistakes committed. Also others in which ignorance or the attempt to transgress the rules lead to disaster.

6. What is fear?

Aristotle could not be missing from a selection of phrases from Greek philosophers. This is one of his most beautiful statements: “Fear is a suffering caused by the expectation of evil”. This is a magnificent definition, or rather description, of what fear really is.

It is very interesting that you define it not as a fact, but as an expectation. In reality, one does not fear what is there, or what one experiences here and now, but rather what one imagines may happen. Fear would not be nourished by action, but by passivity in waiting.

7. The truly lasting

This is a phrase from Sophocles, the author of the great Greek tragedies. It is very beautiful and is still as strong as it was almost 26 centuries ago. He says: “Only what is achieved with virtue is lasting.”.

If we review what remains in our lives, we will surely agree with Sophocles. What we achieve by investing effort and putting our virtues into play is much more lasting. than that which comes to us by chance, without being the product of effort.

This is just a small sample of the phrases of the Greek philosophers. Its acuity is surprising. We are talking about a time in which the main technology they had was their own mind, thought, to reflect and reach conclusions about the different ways of acting and their consequences.

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