Diogenes Laertius Quotes & Sayings

As to the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or do not exist. For many are the obstacles that impede knowledge, both the obscurity of the question and the shortness of human life. — Diogenes Laertius

The tired ox treads with a firmer step — Diogenes Laertius

That man does not possess his estate, but his estate possesses him. — Diogenes Laertius

A vine bears three grapes, the first of pleasure, the second of drunkenness, and the third of repentance. — Diogenes Laertius

Man is the most intelligent of animals
and the most silly. — Diogenes Laertius

He used to say that it was better to have one friend of great value than many friends who were good for nothing. — Diogenes Laertius

We are more curious about the meaning of dreams than about things we see when awake. — Diogenes Laertius

The mountains too, at a distance, appear airy masses and smooth, but seen near at hand they are rough. — Diogenes Laertius

Anaxagoras said to a man who was grieving because he lay dying in a foreign land, "The descent to hell is the same from every place. — Diogenes Laertius

Ignorance plays the chief part among men, and the multitude of words. — Diogenes Laertius

Discourse on virtue and they pass by in droves. Whistle and dance and shimmy, and you've got an audience! — Diogenes Laertius

Thales said there was no difference between life and death. Why, then, said some one to him, do not you die? Because, said he, it does make no difference. — Diogenes Laertius

When Thales was asked what was difficult, he said, To know one's self. And what was easy, To advise another. — Diogenes Laertius

Why not whip the teacher when the student misbehaves? — Diogenes Laertius

One original thought is worth a thousand mindless quotings. — Diogenes Laertius

Of what am I guilty," once exclaimed Antisthenes, "that I should be praised? — Diogenes Laertius

Whichever you do, you will repent it. — Diogenes Laertius

Thales was asked what was very difficult; he said: To know one's self. — Diogenes Laertius

When asked what learning was the most necessary, he said, "Not to unlearn what you have learned!" — Diogenes Laertius

Courage, my boy! that is the complexion of virtue. — Diogenes Laertius

He also said that he marvelled that among the Greeks, those who were skilful in a thing contend together; but those who have no such skill act as judges of the contest. — Diogenes Laertius

We have two ears and only one tongue in order that we may hear more and speak less. — Diogenes Laertius

Step out of my sunlight. — Diogenes Laertius

Stand a little less between me and the sun. Diogenes and I. — Diogenes Laertius

Time is the most valuable thing that a man can spend. — Diogenes Laertius

Time is the image of eternity. — Diogenes Laertius

One day a man invited him into a richly furnished house, saying 'be careful not to spit on the floor.' Diogenes, who needed to spit, spat in his face, exclaiming that it was the only dirty place he could find where spitting was permitted. — Diogenes Laertius