Antisthenes Quotes
Antisthenes of Athens was an ancient Greek philosopher of the 5th and 4th centuries BC, a student of Socrates and traditionally regarded as the founder of the Cynic school of philosophy. He taught at the Cynosarges gymnasium in Athens, possibly the source of the school's name through the Greek kunikos meaning dog-like. The quotes below are attributed to Antisthenes, organized by topic.
Antisthenes on Knowledge
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Attributed to Antisthenes:
“Pay attention to your enemies, for they are the first to discover your mistakes.”
Antisthenes on Life
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Attributed to Antisthenes:
“There are only two kinds of luck in the world: the foreseen and the unforeseen.”
Antisthenes on Virtue
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Attributed to Antisthenes:
“Virtue is sufficient for happiness; it requires nothing else but the strength of a Socrates.”
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Attributed to Antisthenes:
“I would rather go mad than feel pleasure.”
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Attributed to Antisthenes:
“It is the privilege of the gods to want nothing, and of godlike men to want little.”