Bion of Borysthenes: Doing

Bion of Borysthenes was ancient greek philosopher. Explore interesting quotes on doing.
Bion of Borysthenes: 28 quotes2 likes

“Boys throw stones at frogs in fun, but the frogs do not die in fun, but in earnest.”

Bion of Borysthenes

Variant translation: Boys throw stones at frogs for fun, but the frogs don't die for "fun", but in sober earnest.
As quoted by Plutarch, Moralia, xii. 66

“Therefore we should not try to alter circumstances but to adapt ourselves to them as they really are, just as sailors do. They don't try to change the winds or the sea but ensure that they are always ready to adapt themselves to conditions. In a flat calm they use the oars; with a following breeze they hoist full sail; in a head wind they shorten sail or heave to. Adapt yourself to circumstances in the same way.”

Bion of Borysthenes

As quoted by Teles of Megara, fr. 2, On Self-Sufficiency

“Just as the good actor perform well whatever role the poet assigns, so too must the good man perform whatever Fortune assigns. For she, says Bion, just like a poet, sometimes assigns the leading role, sometimes that of the supporting role; sometimes that of a king, sometimes that of a beggar. Do not, therefore, being a supporting actor, desire the role of the lead.”

Bion of Borysthenes

As quoted by Teles of Megara, fr. 2, On Self-Sufficiency