[Born at Priene, in Ionia. Flourished, it is believed, about the
middle of the Sixth Century B.C.]
One of the Seven Sages; and of the four to whom alone the title was
universally conceded: the remaining three being Thales, Pittacus, and
Solon. His profession was that of an advocate; his philosophy was
practical--the fruit of experience. Many of his sayings and doings have
been recorded. He died at a very advanced age.
[From the marble in the Vatican, which bears his name and the motto:--
ΟΙ ΠΛΕΙΣΤΟΙ
ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΙ
ΚΑΚΟΙ.
“The majority of men are bad.”
A curious mistake of the engraver is observable in the word ΠΡΗΝΕΥΣ,
in which the I is omitted; it should have been ΠΡΙΗΝΕΥΣ, the name of
his birth-place. This bust was found at Tivoli, with that of
Periander, No. 29.]