Antisthenes Quotes on Knowledge
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. This page collects quotes attributed to Antisthenes on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
-
Attributed to Antisthenes:
“There are only two kinds of luck in the world: the foreseen and the unforeseen.”
-
“Pay attention to your enemies, for they are the first to discover your mistakes.”
§ 12 -
“ἀρχὴ παιδεύσεως ἡ τῶν ὀνομάτων ἐπίσκεψις”
The investigation of the meaning of words is the beginning of education . Arrian , Discourses of Epictetus , i. 17 -
“The investigation of the meaning of words is the beginning of education . Arrian , Discourses of Epictetus , i. 17”
ἀρχὴ παιδεύσεως ἡ τῶν ὀνομάτων ἐπίσκεψις -
“ἔλεγέ τε συνεχές, “ μανείην μᾶλλον ἢ ἡσθείην.”
I'd rather be mad than feel pleasure. § 3; quoted also by Eusebius of Caesarea , Praeparatio Evangelica xv. 13 -
“ἀκούσας ποτὲ ὅτι Πλάτων αὐτὸν κακῶς λέγει, “βασιλικόν,” ἔφη, “ καλῶς ποιοῦντα κακῶς ἀκούειν.”
It is a royal privilege to do good and be ill spoken of. § 3; quoted also by Marcus Aurelius , vii. 36 -
“πρός τε τὸ Ποντικὸν μειράκιον μέλλον φοιτᾶν αὐτῷ καὶ πυθόμενον τίνων αὐτῷ δεῖ, φησί, “βιβλιαρίου καινοῦ καὶ γραφείου καινοῦ καὶ πινακιδίου καινοῦ,” τὸν νοῦν παρεμφαίνων.”
Antisthenes ... said once to a youth from Pontus who was on the point of coming to him to be his pupil, and was asking him what things he wanted, "You want a new book, and a new pen, and a new tablet;" - meaning a new mind. § 4 -
“Antisthenes ... was asked on one occasion what learning was the most necessary, and he replied, "To unlearn one's bad habits.”
§ 4 -
“ἐρωτηθεὶς τί αὐτῷ περιγέγονεν ἐκ φιλοσοφίας, ἔφη, “τὸ δύνασθαι ἑαυτῷ ὁμιλεῖν.”
When he was asked what advantage had accrued to him from philosophy, his answer was, “The ability to hold converse with myself.” § 4