Simplicius Quotes
Simplicius of Cilicia was a Greek Neoplatonist philosopher and the last great commentator on Aristotle in the Athenian tradition. After the closure of the Platonic Academy by Justinian in 529, he traveled with Damascius and other colleagues to the court of the Sasanian king Khosrow I in Persia and, after returning to the Roman Empire under guarantees of toleration, devoted himself to writing detailed commentaries on Aristotle's Categories, On the Heavens, Physics, and On the Soul, and on the Encheiridion of Epictetus. The quotes below are attributed to Simplicius, organized by topic.
Browse Simplicius by topic
Simplicius on Happiness
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“Do nothing but what is necessary . ... By this rule a man has the double pleasure of making his actions good and few into the bargain. For the greater part of what we say and do, being unnecessary, if this were but taken away, we should have both more leisure and less disturbance. And therefore before a man sets forward, he should ask himself this question, "Am I not upon the verge of something unnecessary?”
Marcus Aurelius Antonius , Meditations , Book 4 (c. AD 121–180)
Simplicius on Knowledge
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Attributed to Simplicius:
“It is the task of the commentator to set out the philosopher's meaning, not his own.”
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“Simplicity is the most deceitful mistress that ever betrayed man.”
Henry Adams , The Education of Henry Adams (1907). -
“Henry Adams , The Education of Henry Adams (1907).”
Simplicity is the most deceitful mistress that ever betrayed man. -
“Simplicity is very complicated .”
Armen Agop , quoted by Eltorie, Aida, (2009) Undercurrent, Contemporary Egyptian Art . Art Sawa. Dubai. pg. 32 -
“Armen Agop , quoted by Eltorie, Aida, (2009) Undercurrent, Contemporary Egyptian Art . Art Sawa. Dubai. pg. 32”
Simplicity is very complicated . -
“Marcus Aurelius Antonius , Meditations , Book 4 (c. AD 121–180)”
Do nothing but what is necessary . ... By this rule a man has the double pleasure of making his actions good and few into the bargain. For the greater part of what we say and do, being unnecessary, if this were but taken away, we should have both more leisure and less disturbance. And therefore before a man sets forward, he should ask himself this question, "Am I not upon the verge of something un -
“Simplicity — the art of maximizing the amount of work not done — is essential.”
Mike Beedle, Arie van Bennekum, Alistair Cockburn, Ward Cunningham, Martin Fowler, Jim Highsmith, Andrew Hunt, Ron Jeffries, Jon Kern, Brian Marick, Robert C. Martin, Ken Schwaber, Jeff Sutherland, Dave Thomas, Principles behind the Agile Manifesto (2001). -
“Mike Beedle, Arie van Bennekum, Alistair Cockburn, Ward Cunningham, Martin Fowler, Jim Highsmith, Andrew Hunt, Ron Jeffries, Jon Kern, Brian Marick, Robert C. Martin, Ken Schwaber, Jeff Sutherland, Dave Thomas, Principles behind the Agile Manifesto (2001).”
Simplicity — the art of maximizing the amount of work not done — is essential.
Simplicius on Nature
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Attributed to Simplicius:
“Light is the most fitting metaphor for being.”
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“Clancy got a very simple view of the world. Good versus evil . Evil seems to get the upper hand. Good triumphs with vastly superior automatic weapons!”
Bill Bailey , as quoted in "Spooks, Kooks, Spies and Lies" by Les Marcott in Scene4 Magazine (May 2007).
Simplicius on Truth
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Attributed to Simplicius:
“True philosophy preserves what was best in earlier philosophy.”
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Attributed to Simplicius:
“Aristotle's words must always be understood in their philosophical context.”
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Attributed to Simplicius:
“Plato and Aristotle, rightly read, do not contradict each other.”