Ancient Pearls of Wisdom

For many centuries wise thoughts in few words from ancient philosophers and statesmen from around the world have inspired many generations.

Their pearls of wisdom are still as relevant today as when they were first recorded, and will continue to inspire many generations to come.  

Enjoy some of their guidelines for living wisely:

Lao Tzu or Lao Tze (570-490 b.C.) - Taoism founder:

"A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves."

"Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy."

Epictetus (55-135 AD), a slave who became a Greek philosopher:
"Anyone who is able to make you mad becomes your mester, but this person can only do this with your permission."

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

"First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak."

Herodotus (484 b.C.- 425 b.C.) Greek historian:
"Men trust their ears less than their eyes." 
"All men's gains are the fruit of venturing."

Confucius (551 b.C. - 479 b.C) Confucianism founder:                           

"Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire."

"The object of the superior man is truth."

Aristotle - (384 BC – 322 BC) Greek philosopher and a scientist: 
"Educating the mind without educating the heart is noeducation at all.” 
 "Hope is a waking dream."

 

Lucius Annaeus Seneca (c.1 BC – 65 AD) Roman Stoic philosopher: 
"True happines is...to enjoy the present without anxious dependence upon the future." 
 "A happy life is the one which is in accordance with its own nature."

                    "While we teach, we learn."

 

Socrates (c.470 – 399 BC) Greek (Athenian) philosopher:

 "Be as you wish to seem."

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."