Bion of Borysthenes

Good slaves are free, but bad free men are slaves of many passions.

— Bion of Borysthenes

How stupid it was for the king to tear out his hair in grief, as if baldness were a cure for sorrow.

— Bion of Borysthenes

It hurts the bald-head just as much as the thatched-head to have his hairs plucked.

— Bion of Borysthenes

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

— Bion of Borysthenes

Love of money is the mother-city (metropolis) of all evils.

— Bion of Borysthenes

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

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

Old age is the harbor of all ills.

— Bion of Borysthenes

Wealth is the sinews of success.

— Bion of Borysthenes

Self-conceit is the enemy of progress.

— Bion of Borysthenes