The Seven Sages (of Greece) or Seven Wise Men (Greek: οἱ ἑπτὰ σοφοί, hoi hepta sophoi; c. 620 – 550 BC) was the title given by ancient Greek tradition to seven early-6th-century BC philosophers, statesmen, and law-givers who were renowned in the following centuries for their wisdom.
Traditionally, each of the seven sages represents an aspect of worldly wisdom which is summarized by an aphorism. Although the list of sages sometimes varies, the ones usually included are the following:
Cleobulus of Lindos: "Moderation is best in all things" (Greek: πάν μέτρον άριστον, pan metron ariston). He governed as tyrant of Lindos, in the Greek island of Rhodes, c. 600 BC.
Solon of Athens: "Nothing in excess" (Greek: μηδὲν ἄγαν, meden agan). Solon (c. 638 – 558 BC) was a famous legislator and reformer from Athens, framing the laws that shaped the Athenian democracy.
Chilon of Sparta: "Do not desire the impossible" (Greek: μὴ ἐπιθυμεῖν ἀδυνάτων, mei epithumein adunaton). Chilon was a Spartan politician from the 6th century BC, to whom the militarization of Spartan society was attributed.
Bias of Priene: "Most men are bad" (Greek: πλεῖστοι ἄνθρωποι κακοί, pleistoi anthropoi kakoi). Bias was a politician and legislator of the 6th century BC.
Thales of Miletus: "Know thyself" (Greek: γνῶθι σεαυτόν, gnothi seauton). Thales (c. 624 – c. 546 BC) is the first well-known philosopher and mathematician. His advice, "Know thyself," was engraved on the front facade of the Oracle of Apollo in Delphi.
Pittacus of Mytilene: "Know thy opportunity" (Greek: γνῶθι καιρὸν, gnothi kairon). Pittacus (c. 640 – 568 BC) governed Mytilene (Lesbos) along with Myrsilus. He tried to reduce the power of the nobility and was able to govern with the support of the popular classes, whom he favoured.
Periander of Corinth: "Be farsighted with everything" (Greek: Ὅρα τὸ μέλλον, hora to mellon). Periander (fl. 627 BC) was the tyrant of Corinth in the 7th and 6th centuries BC. During his rule, Corinth knew a golden age of unprecedented stability.
