Bion of Borysthenes Quotes

It hurts the bald-head just as much as the thatched-head to have his hairs plucked.

How stupid it was for the king to tear out his hair in grief, as if baldness were a cure for sorrow.

Once when Bion was at sea in the company of some wicked men, he fell into the hands of pirates; and when the rest said, "We are undone if we are known," – "But I," said he, "am undone if we are not known."

Boys throw stones at frogs in fun, but the frogs do not die in fun, but in earnest.

Just as the good actor perform well whatever role the poet assigns, so too must the good man perform whatever Fortune assigns. For she, says Bion, just like a poet, sometimes assigns the leading role, sometimes that of the supporting role; sometimes that of a king, sometimes that of a beggar. Do not, therefore, being a supporting actor, desire the role of the lead.

Self-conceit is the enemy of progress.

The road to Hades is easy to travel; at any rate men pass away with their eyes shut.

Wealth is the sinews of success.

Love of money is the mother-city (metropolis) of all evils.

Good slaves are free, but bad free men are slaves of many passions.

Bion insisted on the principle that "The property of friends is common."

Referring to a wealthy miser he said, "He has not acquired a fortune; the fortune has acquired him."

Therefore we should not try to alter circumstances but to adapt ourselves to them as they really are, just as sailors do. They don't try to change the winds or the sea but ensure that they are always ready to adapt themselves to conditions. In a flat calm they use the oars; with a following breeze they hoist full sail; in a head wind they shorten sail or heave to. Adapt yourself to circumstances in the same way.

Old age is the harbor of all ills.