Bion of Borysthenes Quotes

The boys throw rocks at the frogs in jest. But the frogs die in earnest.

Wealth is the sinews of success.

Though boys throw stones at frogs in sport, the frogs do not die in sport, but in earnest.

Self-conceit is the enemy of progress.

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

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

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.

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

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

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