Who were the Greek wise men

A.� Blythe wanted to know more about the Greek wise men called Dias and Chilon. In fact, Dias is called Bias.< xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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Q. So, who were they

A. They were two of the Seven Wise Men of Greece, a list of men drawn from among the outstanding politicians and political philosophers of ancient Greece. Although such listings differed widely, the consensus is: Bias of Priene, Chilon of Sparta, Cleobulus, Periander, Pittacus, Solon, and Thales.

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Q.� When and where

A.� They lived in Greece and Asia Minor (now Turkey) about 600BC and were active in science and politics. Sometimes they are known as the Seven Sages.

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Q.� Bias first, please.

A.� He was known as Bias of Priene. When the Persians besieged Priene and citizens began to flee from the city taking all their valuable possessions with them, Bias remained unmoved. On being asked if he had no possessions he wished to save from the enemy, he replied: 'All my wealth is in my head.' Other famous pronouncements of his are: 'Not to be able to participate in misfortune is the greatest catastrophe'; 'Begin slowly but continue with vigour'; 'Action makes the man'.

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Q.� Mmm. Wise words, mate. Any more

A.� Yes, the best till last: 'Wisdom should be cherished as a means of travelling from youth to old age, for it is more lasting than any other possession.'

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Q.� So, can Chilon top that

A.� Reckon he can. Into the column of a temple of the oracle of Delphi he carved the words used on nearly every American mini-series today: 'Know thyself.'

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Q.� Good call. Any more

A.� 'Prefer loss to a dishonest gain; the one brings pain at the moment, the other for all time.' As a Spartan, he brought greater strictness to Spartan training. As an ephor ' elected magistrate and administrator ' he strengthened the power of that position, and for the first time the ephors directed policy with the king.

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Q.� What about the other wise guys

A.� A brief selection, then. Cleobulus said: 'Moderation in things is best. The tongue of a balance, or level teaches this lesson.' Periander the Corinthian: 'Put reins upon your anger: Fleabane applied to the nostrils will show this.' Pittacus advocated 'Nothing to excess: they make the same point who dissolve coriander in the mouth.' Thales said: 'Do not be an accomplice. Thus the lapwing smeared with birdlime draws its companion into the snare, and the bee-eater does likewise.'

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Q.� What

A.� Maybe it loses something in the telling. I suppose you just had to be there.

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By Steve Cunningham