Prodicus of Ceos Quotes
Prodicus of Ceos was a Greek sophist and rhetorician of the late fifth century BC, contemporary with Socrates. Coming to Athens as an envoy from his island, he remained as a celebrated and well-paid teacher of rhetoric and the careful analysis of synonyms. The quotes below are attributed to Prodicus of Ceos, organized by topic.
Prodicus of Ceos on God
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Attributed to Prodicus of Ceos:
“Each god, in the beginning, was a mortal benefactor whom gratitude has deified.”
Prodicus of Ceos on Knowledge
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Attributed to Prodicus of Ceos:
“Wisdom and virtue must be cultivated through education.”
Prodicus of Ceos on Truth
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Attributed to Prodicus of Ceos:
“The careful distinction of words is the foundation of philosophy.”
Prodicus of Ceos on Virtue
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Attributed to Prodicus of Ceos:
“Virtue is hard to attain; the gods have placed sweat as her gatekeeper.”
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Attributed to Prodicus of Ceos:
“Choose virtue, even when she shows her difficult face.”