Pittacos , né vers 650 à Mytilène, dans l'île de Lesbos, et mort vers 570 av. J.-C., homme d'État et général grec, aisymnète de la ville de Mytilène, l'un des « Sept sages » de l'Antiquité. Il délivra sa patrie du tyran Mélanchros.
Après avoir gouverné de 595 à 585, il abdiqua volontairement en expliquant : « J’ai été effrayé de voir Périandre de Corinthe devenir le tyran de ses concitoyens après en avoir été le père. Il est trop difficile d’être toujours vertueux »
“Forgiveness is better than revenge.”
As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius in Life of Pittacus, i. 76, citing Heraclitus as his source.
Pittacus made this remark to justify his release of his captured enemy Alcaeus.
According to William Shepard Walsh, in Handy-book of Literary Curiosities (1892), p. 392, Epictetus, quoting from the same source, gives the phrase thus: "Forgiveness is better than punishment; for the one is proof of a gentle, the other of a savage, nature."
“Speak no ill of a friend, nor even of an enemy.”
As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 78.
“Whatever you rebuke your neighbor for, do not do it yourself.”
Apophthegms of the Seven Sages, in Early Greek Philosophy: Beginnings and Ionian Thinkers, Loeb Classical Library Volume 525 (2016), p. 145
“Do not say before hand what you are going to do; for if you fail, you will be laughed at.”
As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 78.
As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 79.
“Even the Gods cannot strive against necessity.”
As quoted by Plato, Protagoras, 345d, and by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 77.
“Cultivate truth, good faith, experience, cleverness, sociability, and industry.”
As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 78.
“Do not reproach a man with his misfortunes, fearing lest Nemesis may overtake you.”
As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 78.
“Whatever you do, do it well.”
As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 77.
As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, i. 77.
