Bias of priene biography of donald
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Herodotus tells us that Bias, when the Persians had defeated the Lydian king Croesus (after 547 BCE), advised the Greeks of Asia Minor to leave their cities and migrate to the far west, and build a new city on Sardinia. Furthermore, he also warned against hasty speech, describing it as a sign of madness.
Bias also offered several pieces of wisdom.
In the first place, he mentions Bias' good reputation as an orator,note[Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Philosophers 1.84.] quoting as evidence a line from the poet Hipponax, who was a contemporary of Bias. Indeed this must have been his maxim."
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Bias of Priene
Bias of Priene (first half sixth century BCE): Greek politician, one of the Seven Sages.
There's not much we know for certain about Bias of Priene.
Among them are: “cherish wisdom” and “acknowledge the existence of the gods.” He also said ”never praise a man solely for his wealth if he is unworthy.”
Bias advised that one should seek to persuade others rather than using force to get their way. In the latter case, he would be sure to make one of his friends his enemy.
The author of the Histories adds that he considered this to be a very wise proposal, apparently unaware that Sardinia, at this moment, was a Carthaginian possession that could not be colonized.note[Herodotus, Histories 1.170.]
There's a second remark about Bias in the Histories. On rare occasions when he sentenced someone to death, he wept.
Bias died at the age of about 85 while standing in court.
When the advocate on the opposite side had spoken, the judges decided in favor of Bias's client, by which time Bias had died. But in the former, he could make an enemy into a friend. After he had finished speaking, he rested his head on his grandson. His famous saying was, “Most men are bad.”
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Bias of Priene
Bias was born at Priene and was the son of Teutamus.
It consisted of 2,000 verses, as well as many proverbs. He was considered as one of the seven sages of Ancient Greece and achieved great fame and glory around 570 BC, during the reign of the Lydian kings Alyattes and Croesus.
Known for his compassion as much as his wisdom, Bias rescued enslaved women by paying their ransoms, educating them, and providing dowries before sending them back to their homeland in Messenia.
Bias was deeply devoted to his native land, and his judicial prowess became proverbial.
Greek philosopher Bias of Priene treated the women he freed as if they were his own daughters
Renowned for his justice and rhetorical skill, Bias was famous for his moral sayings and for an excerpt of a lyrical poem attributed to him, distributed among the Seven Sages by Satyrus the Wanderer.
According to Phanodicus, Bias saved several Messenian women captured in war from slavery.
Bias of Priene: The Greek Philosopher Who Saved Women From Slavery
Bias of Priene was a 6th century BC ancient Greek philosopher hailed from Priene in Ionia, an ancient region encompassing the central part of the western coast of Anatolia. He is said to have been distinguished for his skill as an advocate, and for his use of it in defence of the right.
According to Diogenes Laertius, he passed away as all righteous men do – upright and virtuous to the very end.
Wisdom and teachings of Bias
He wrote the poem ”On Ionia, who among them could be most blessed with happiness” (Peri Ionias, tina malist’ an modoron eudaimonoii). According to Herodotus, either Bias or Pittacus of Mytilene had visited king Alyattes, and had convinced him not to launch a sea-borne expedition.note[Herodotus, Histories 1.27.] The story - essentially just a witty remark - may be untrue, but suggests that later generations associated Bias with the wars against the Lydians; Diogenes Laertius seems to corroborate this when he describes a stratagem that saved Priene when it was under siege.note[Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Philosophers 1.83.]
Diogenes Laertius adds several bits and pieces.
When asked about the occupation that brings the most pleasure, he answered, “Making money.”
He advised people to approach life with the mindset that they could live both a short and a long time. The city gave him a magnificent funeral and inscribed on his tomb:
Here Bias of Priene lies, whose name
Brought to his home and all Ionia fame.
It is said that Bias wrote a poem of 2000 lines on Ionia and the way to make it prosperous.
Many sayings were attributed to him by Diogenes Laertius and by others:
In April, 1819, Schopenhauer wrote in his Reisebuch [Travel Diary]: "In the Vatican [Hall of Philosophers] there is the bust of Bias with the inscription of πλεῖστοι ἄνθρωποι κακοί [most men are bad].
Bias replied, “I carry everything with me,” meaning that his wisdom and virtues were his true possessions, unlike material goods.
Ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who held Bias in high esteem, is said to have remarked: “In Priene, Bias, son of Teutamos, was born, the most eloquent of all others,” implying that Bias was superior to the other six members of the circle of the Seven Sages of ancient Greece.
Sayings and philosophical views
When asked, “What is sweet to men?” the Greek philosopher replied, “Hope.” He also stated that he would prefer to resolve a dispute between two enemies rather than between two friends.