PITTACUS

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One of the "Seven Sages" of Ancient Greece. He was born in Mytelene, Lesvos. With the help of the poet Alkaios, he freed his homeland from the Tyranny of Meleagros, and was elected eisymnetis to support the new regime. He was distinguished for his moderation, his clear and just legislation and his prudent administration. When the Athenians attacked the Mytileneans with war, Pittacus also excelled as a general, defeating and killing the Athenian general Phrynon. About 580 he voluntarily left the office, and spent the last years of his life in peace, with letters as his main occupation. He died in old age. His favorite saying was "time knows". Of his writings, which were all destroyed, together with the Treatise on the Laws, only a short poem and a letter to Croesus survived.

Quotes

1. FORGIVENESS IS SUPERIOR TO REPENTANCE
2. IT IS HARD FOR A MAN TO BE INFALLIBLE
3. EVEN THE GODS DO NOT FIGHT WITH NECESSITY
4. POWER SHOWS THE CHARACTER OF MEN
5. EXCELLENCE IS DOING IN THE BEST WAY WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW
6. IF SOMEONE COMMITS AN OFFENSE WHILE DRUNK THEIR PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE DOUBLE
7. THE GREATEST AUTHORITY IS THE LAW
8. VICTORIES ARE ACHIEVED WITHOUT BLOOD SHED
9. IF YOU LOOK TOO HARD FOR A GOOD PERSON YOU WILL NOT FIND HIM
10. TIME IS PLEASURABLE
11. THE FUTURE IS UNKNOWN
12. THE EARTH IS FAITHFUL
13. THE SEA IS UNFAITHFUL
14. PRUDENT PEOPLE FORESEE AND PREVENT MISFORTUNES WHILE THE BRAVE CAN FACE THEM
15. DON'T REVEAL WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO BECAUSE IF YOU FAIL YOU'LL BE MOCKED
16. WE SHOULD NOT MOCK MISFORTUNE FEARING NEMESIS
17. WHEN WE ARE TRUSTED WITH SOMETHING WE MUST RETURN IT
18. WE SHOULD NOT SPEAK BAD OF FRIENDS NOR OF ENEMIES
19. BE PIOUS, PRUDENT, SINCERE, TRUSTWORTHY, EXPERIENCED, SKILLFUL, HAVE FRIENDS AND BE DILIGENT