The Death of Marcus Aurelius

The Death of Marcus Aurelius

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Wisdom from the Early Cynics, Antisthenes 12


Diocles records the following sayings of Antisthenes: 

To the wise man nothing is foreign or impracticable. 

A good man deserves to be loved. 

Men of worth are friends. 

Make allies of men who are at once brave and just. 

Virtue is a weapon that cannot be taken away. 

It is better to be with a handful of good men fighting against all the bad, than with hosts of bad men against a handful of good men. 

Pay attention to your enemies, for they are the first to discover your mistakes. 

Esteem an honest man above a kinsman. 

Virtue is the same for women as for men. 

Good actions are fair and evil actions foul. 

Count all wickedness foreign and alien.

Wisdom is a most sure stronghold, which never crumbles away nor is betrayed. 

Walls of defense must be constructed in our own impregnable reasonings.

—Diogenes Laërtius, 6.12-13




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