1001Philosophers

Aristippus Quotes on Virtue

Aristippus of Cyrene was a Greek philosopher and the founder of the Cyrenaic school. This page collects quotes attributed to Aristippus on the topic of virtue, drawn from across the philosopher's works.

Quotes

  • Attributed to Aristippus:

    “It is not abstinence from pleasures that is best, but mastery over them without being worsted.”

  • Attributed to Aristippus:

    “I possess, but I am not possessed.”

  • Attributed to Aristippus:

    “Better to be a beggar than ignorant.”

  • Attributed to Aristippus:

    “The wise man would not seek pleasure if it were always followed by pain.”