The 7 Sages of Ancient Greece
From Dwarfs to Wise Men... What's Up With the Number 7?
Dear Classical Wisdom Reader,
Even down here at the End of the World, news has traveled of the recent Hollywood remake of the beloved classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs... as well as its controversies. Discussion and debate have bubbled up, resulting in intriguing questions, such as: are myths always so political? So culturally divisive? Can any new version ever capture the magic of the original, whatever its new fangled angle?
And... Why do we love stories about groups of seven?
Seven dwarves, seven wonders of the world, seven deadly sins, seven of Thebes. There’s something magical, almost mythical, about the number... From seven planets (according to the ancients) and seven days to seven continents and seven seas, you just can’t get away from it...
But long before Disney™ gave us Dopey, Doc, and Grumpy, another set of seven captured the world’s imagination, the Seven Sages of Ancient Greece. Instead of whistling while they worked, these men dispensed wisdom that shaped Western thought. And while the dwarfs had their charming quirks, the sages had their own personalities: the idealistic reformer Solon, the pragmatic warrior Chilon, and the occasionally terrifying Periander, who, let’s face it, might have made a great Disney villain.
If the Seven Sages were around today, perhaps they’d be offering their insights on Hollywood reboots, stock market crashes, or the pitfalls of social media. Bias of Priene, known for his pessimistic view of humanity, might have something to say about online comment sections. Thales, the early scientist, would probably be leading AI ethics debates. And Cleobulus, with his love of riddles, might have made a fortune writing cryptic tweets.
So, as we revisit the wisdom of these ancient thinkers, let’s imagine them in today’s world. Would they be political commentators? Best-selling self-help authors? Maybe even Substackers? Whatever the case, their insights remain as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago....
All the best,
Anya Leonard
Founder and Director
Classical Wisdom
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The Seven Wisest Men of Greece
By Edward Whelan
The idea of exceptionally wise men was not unique to Greece. Ancient Mesopotamians also revered figures of wisdom, and the Greeks, influenced by their predecessors, compiled their own list of legendary sages. The historian Herodotus, often called the ‘Father of History,’ was among the first to mention them, though over time, different authors disputed exactly who should be included. While at least 23 individuals have been suggested for this honor, a standard list of seven eventually emerged.
One legend suggests that these sages met at Delphi, where they inscribed a series of maxims—short pieces of advice—on the walls of the Temple of Apollo. These sayings, such as "Know thyself" and "Nothing in excess", became guiding principles of Greek thought and culture.
These men were not just thinkers; they were statesmen, lawgivers, and philosophers whose guidance influenced the evolution of Classical Greek thought. Though some details about their lives remain shrouded in legend, their words and deeds continue to inspire.
1. Bias of Priene (6th century BC)
A celebrated lawyer and politician, Bias of Priene was renowned not just for his intellect but for his compassion. One story tells of how he ransomed women captured by pirates, ensuring their safe return to their homeland. Despite his benevolent acts, he famously remarked, "Most men are bad." Was this cynicism, or just the hard-earned wisdom of a man who had seen too much injustice?
2. Cleobulus of Lindos (c. 600 BC)
A poet and ruler, Cleobulus governed the city of Lindos on Rhodes for four decades. Known for his love of riddles, he once posed a famous conundrum: "A father has twelve children: each of them has thirty daughters, half white and half black, who die in turn but never disappear." The answer? The year, with its twelve months and alternating days of light and darkness. His most enduring teaching was "Moderation is the chief good."
3. Solon of Athens (c. 638–558 BC)
A towering figure in Athenian history, Solon was a reformer who sought to curb the excesses of the aristocracy, including abolishing debt slavery. After implementing his reforms, he embarked on a ten-year journey, believing that leaving Athens would give his laws time to take root. One tale recounts his visit to King Croesus of Lydia, who boasted of his wealth. Solon, unimpressed, warned: "Count no man happy until he is dead." Years later, when Croesus was captured by the Persian king Cyrus and about to be executed, he cried out Solon’s name, realizing at last the truth of his words.
4. Chilon of Sparta (c. 600 BC)
A Spartan statesman, Chilon played a key role in militarizing Sparta, shaping it into the disciplined warrior society that would later dominate Greece. He is said to have died from sheer joy upon hearing that his son had won an Olympic championship. His famous motto, "You should not desire the impossible," speaks to his pragmatic Spartan mindset.
5. Thales of Miletus (c. 624–546 BC)
Perhaps the most famous of the sages, Thales was a scientist and philosopher who attempted to explain the world through reason and observation rather than myth. He famously predicted a solar eclipse in 585 BC, an achievement that astonished his contemporaries. Once, when mocked for his lack of wealth, he applied his knowledge of weather patterns to predict a bountiful olive harvest, bought up all the olive presses in advance, and made a fortune—proving that philosophers could succeed in business if they wished. His best-known saying? "Surety brings disaster."
6. Pittacus of Mytilene (c. 640–568 BC)
A general and ruler of Mytilene, Pittacus was famous for his fairness and commitment to democracy and once saved his city from an Athenian invasion. . He once declared, "It is hard to be a good man," a phrase later discussed in Plato’s Protagoras. Pittacus also introduced a law imposing double punishments for crimes committed while drunk—arguing that those who could not control themselves should be doubly accountable. Another popular saying attributed to Pittacus was that, “You should know which opportunities to choose.”
7. Periander of Corinth (fl. 627 BC)
A ruler of Corinth, Periander was both an effective leader and a ruthless tyrant. Under his administration, the city flourished economically and culturally. However, legends paint him as brutal, even murdering his wife in a fit of rage. His most famous saying, "Forethought in all things," suggests that he may have wished he had planned his own actions more carefully.
Other Wise Men of Greece
Several other figures were occasionally listed among the Seven Sages:
Myson of Chenae (6th century BC) was praised by the Oracle of Delphi as the wisest of all Greeks. He lived humbly as a farmer and believed that arguments should always be settled with facts.
Anacharsis (6th century BC), a Scythian philosopher, astonished the Athenians with his sharp wit. However, his attempts to introduce Greek customs back home led to his assassination—reportedly by his own brother.
Other names, such as Lasus and Aristoxenus, were also proposed by later writers, though little is known about them.
The Legacy of the Seven Sages
The Seven Sages marked a turning point in Greek civilization. As mythological explanations for the world gave way to practical wisdom and reason, these figures served as transitional icons—replacing heroes like Odysseus with real-world philosophers and statesmen. Their sayings, often simple yet profound, continue to be quoted today.
While they may not have fully ushered in the empirical, rational age of philosophy that figures like Socrates and Plato later embodied, they set the stage for its arrival with their wit and wisdom.
These are great, readable posts,interesting and informative. I suspect there is a book on this subject in your future, or perhaps you’ve already published it?
There is also the 7 sapta-Rishi's in Vedic/Indian mythology who developed the Vedas