Ancient Greek sayings still in use.
Some of the most quoted lines in the world are Greek, and Greeks still use them in everyday conversation, often in the ancient wording.
“Know thyself”, “nothing in excess”, “I know that I know nothing”: these lines travel the world, often with confident attributions to Socrates, Thales or the Seven Sages.
Many of those attributions are traditional rather than proven, and some famous lines are later condensations rather than verbatim quotations. Each page states what is and is not documented.
Pronunciation is given the way Greeks say these phrases today, not as reconstructed ancient Greek.
Όλο το ελληνικό αρχείο ↗ (the full archive, in Greek)
Γνώθι σαυτόν
Know yourself. Know yourself: your limits and your motives.
Μηδέν άγαν
Nothing too much. Nothing to an excessive degree; avoid extremes.
Μέτρον άριστον
Measure is best. Avoiding excess and keeping a sense of measure are seen as wise choices.
Εν οίδα ότι ουδέν οίδα
One thing I know: that I know nothing. Being aware of the limits of our knowledge is the starting point of real inquiry.
Συν Αθηνά και χείρα κίνει
With Athena’s help, move your hand as well. It is not enough to hope for help; we have to act ourselves too.
Τα εν οίκω μη εν δήμω
What is in the house, not in the town square. Private family matters do not always need to become a subject of public discussion.
Μία χελιδών έαρ ου ποιεί
One swallow does not make spring. One pleasant event or one good deed is not enough to judge a whole period or a whole life.
Ο άνθρωπος φύσει πολιτικόν ζώον
Man is by nature a political animal. Human beings develop their abilities within communities that share speech, rules and a sense of justice.
Γηράσκω αεί διδασκόμενος
I grow old always learning. Learning can continue throughout life, whatever your age.
Ουδέν κακόν αμιγές καλού
No evil is unmixed with good. Even an unpleasant situation may hold some positive elements or opportunities.