Theognis

Theognis of Megara was an ancient Greek poet. More than half of the elegiac poetry of Greece before the Alexandrian period is included in the 1,400 lines ascribed to Theognis.

Elegies

• One finds many companions for food and drink, but in a serious business a man's companions are few.
  • Line 115.

• Even to a wicked man a divinity gives wealth, Cyrus, but to few men comes the gift of excellence.
  • Line 149.

• Surfeit begets insolence, when prosperity comes to a bad man.
  • Line 153.

• Adopt the character of the twisting octopus, which takes on the appearance of the nearby rock. Now follow in this direction, now turn a different hue.
  • Line 215.

• The best of all things for earthly men is not to be born and not to see the beams of the bright sun; but if born, than as quickly as possible to pass the gates of Hades, and to lie deep buried.
  • Line 425.

• Wine is wont to show the mind of man.
  • Line 500.

• No man takes with him to Hades all his exceeding wealth.
  • Line 725. Compare: "For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away, his glory shall not descend after him", Psalm xlix, 17.

• Bright youth passes swiftly as a thought.
  • Line 985.