The banquet of the seven wise men

The banquet of seven ways ( altgriech. Συμποσιακὰ τῶν ἑπτὰ σοφῶν Symposiaka tone hepta Sophon ) is a part of the moralia ancient Greek writer Plutarch .

It contains the teachings of the Seven Wise Men of Greece in dialog form .

place and time

The first popular accounts of a symposium of the Seven Wise Men are relatively old. The language and the verses point to the Athens of the 5th century. Where the wise men met, whether at Kroisos , king of Lydia , or in Delphi , is unknown.

Scolia

From the banquet there are drinking songs, so-called Skolien (song performed on the occasion of a symposium) by six of the Seven Wise Men, which are quoted here in the German translation of the classical philologist Bruno Snell .

Thales

Thales von Milet was a businessman, mathematician and natural philosopher.

Not the many words betray a wise judgment.
Find a wise one,
choose a good one.
Otherwise you will only loosen the desolate tongues of the babblers.

Solon

Solon of Athens was a poet, philosopher and honored politician.

Beware, look at everyone,
whether he has a secret lance in his heart
when he speaks to you with a bright face,
whether the tongue does not sound like a black heart.

Chilon

Chilon of Sparta was a member of the supreme controlling body, the Ephorate .

Gold tries its hand at touchstones
and clearly reveals itself ; but at that time
the disposition of men, good as well as bad, gives its test.

Pittacos

Pittakos of Mytilene was the tyrant of the island of Lesbos .

One should
meet evil with bow and quiver .
Because nothing reliable gossips through his mouth
the tongue that harbors ambiguous thoughts in the heart.

Bias

Bias von Priene was the tyrant of his hometown Priene .

The citizens please everyone if you want to stay in the city.
That brings most of thanks. Stubborn beings
often ignite harmful calamities.

Cleobulus

Cleobulus of Lindos was the tyrant of the island of Rhodes .

Most of the spirit is
a skin between people and words "; but the right measure will help.
Think good things. Friendliness should not be indiscriminate.

Myson

The only toast from the farmer Myson of Chenai has not survived.

Quote

• "A headache causing, annoying and naughty table companion destroys all pleasure.", Chapter 2, 147f :( "σύνδειπνος δὲ κεφαλαλγὴς καὶ βαρὺς καὶ ἀνλάγωγος πανλὸς […υ] χ.