EAST AND WEST

“Ἡ παιδεία τροφὴ ψυχῆς.”
Ἡσίοδος (Hesiod)
Translation: “Education is the nourishment of the soul.”
Meaning: Hesiod emphasizes the importance of education in nurturing and enriching one’s inner self.

“Ὅτι γνώσεσθε τῆς ἀρετῆς τὸ τί ἐστιν τελεία.”
Ἀριστοτέλης (Aristotle)
Translation: “You will know the nature of virtue by its perfect expression.”
Meaning: Aristotle suggests that true virtue can be understood through its ultimate manifestation in one’s actions.

“Ἀνήρ καλός ἀεί.”
Σόλων (Solon)
Translation: “A good man is always beautiful.”
Meaning: Solon highlights that inner goodness and virtue make a person attractive and beautiful.

“Εὖ παιδευθεὶς ἄνθρωπος εὖ ζήσεται.”
Ἐπίκουρος (Epicurus)
Translation: “A person who has been well educated will live a good life.”
Meaning: Epicurus underscores the positive impact of education on leading a fulfilling and meaningful life.

“Μηδέν ἄγαν.”
Κλεοβούλης (Cleobulus)
Translation: “Nothing in excess.”
Meaning: Cleobulus advises moderation in all things, emphasizing the importance of balance in life.

“Ὁ ἄνθρωπος νοῦς ὄν.”
Ἡράκλειτος (Heraclitus)
Translation: “Man is a thinking being.”
Meaning: Heraclitus highlights the unique quality of human beings as thinking creatures.

“Ὁρᾶν ἄνδρα φιλόσοφον, εἶναι δὲ φιλόσοφον οὐκ ὁρᾶν.”
Δημόκριτος (Democritus)
Translation: “To see a philosopher, look at a man, but to know a philosopher, you cannot see him.”
Meaning: Democritus suggests that true philosophers are known by their wisdom and actions, not just by appearance.

“Ἡ ἀρετὴ παρὰ μονονοίᾳ διατριβῇ οὐκ ἂν εἴη.”
Ἡσίοδος (Hesiod)
Translation: “Virtue cannot thrive in solitude.”
Meaning: Hesiod emphasizes the social nature of virtue and the importance of interaction with others in its development.

“Εἷς οἶδε πολλὰ.”
Πλάτων (Plato)
Translation: “One knows many things.”
Meaning: Plato suggests that true knowledge leads to an awareness of the vastness of one’s ignorance.

“Γνῶθι σεαυτόν.”
Ἐπιμενίδης (Epimenides)
Translation: “Know yourself.”
Meaning: Epimenides’ famous aphorism encourages self-awareness and introspection as the path to wisdom and self-improvement.