24 Quotes by Antisthenes
Antisthenes was a Greek philosopher and founder of the Cynic school of philosophy. He was a student of Socrates and a contemporary of Plato, and his teachings emphasized the importance of living a simple and honest life in accordance with nature. Antisthenes believed that virtue was the most important aspect of a person's character and that material possessions and social status were ultimately meaningless. He also believed in the idea of "katabasis," or a descent into hardship and suffering, as a means of achieving greater understanding and enlightenment. His ideas have had a lasting influence on Western philosophy and continue to be studied and debated today. (Bio)
Antisthenes Quotes
There are only two people who can tell you the truth about yourself - an enemy who has lost his temper and a friend who loves you dearly. (Meaning)
The most useful piece of learning for the uses of life is to unlearn what is untrue. (Meaning)
Wealth and poverty do not lie in a man's estate, but in men's souls.
The investigation of the meaning of words is the beginning of education.
It is a royal privilege to do good and be ill spoken of.
It is better to fall in with crows than with flatterers; for in the one case you are devoured when dead, in the other case while alive.
Observe your enemies, for they first find out your faults.
States are doomed when they are unable to distinguish good men from bad.
As iron is eaten away by rust, so the envious are consumed by their own passion.
The advantages of philosophy? That I am able to hold converse with myself.
When brothers agree, no fortress is so strong as their common life.
Not to unlearn what you have learned is the most necessary kind of learning.
We weed out the darnel from the corn and the unfit in war, but do not excuse evil men from the service of the state.
As rust corrupts iron, so envy corrupts man.
To all my friends without distinction I am ready to display my opulence: come one, come all; and whosoever likes to take a share is welcome to the wealth that lies within my soul.
The most necessary learning is that which unlearns evil.
I'd rather be mad than feel pleasure.
Pay attention to your enemies, for they are the first to discover your mistakes.
We must not contradict, but instruct him that contradicts us; for a madman is not cured by another running mad also.
Quarrels often arise in marriages when the bridal gifts are excessive.
I am sadly afraid that I must have done some wicked thing.
It is better to fall among crows than flatterers; for those devour only the dead - these the living.
How to get rid of having anything to unlearn.
Royalty does good and is badly spoken of.
― Antisthenes Quotes
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
