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- The Delphic Maxims
Our journey today takes us to the mystical Temple of Apollo, located in the heart of Greece on Mount Paranassus.
The Temple of Apollo today.
Here the Oracle of Delphi is said to have received the Wisdom of the favorite son of Zeus, Apollo.
It is said that by inhaling vapors from a sacred fissure the Oracle could channel the God of archery, music, light, prophecy, the arts, and healing.
In one of these “Channelings” Apollo gave humanity 147 maxims to live by for a fulfilled life.
These Delphic Maxims, were considered to be so important that the Greeks etched them into the very stones of the Temple.
The 3 most important of these maxims are variously stated to have been on the temple front.
These three maxims are:
KNOW THYSELF
NOTHING IN EXCESS
GIVE A PLEDGE AND TROUBLE IS AT HAND
Understanding the Call to Self-Knowledge
To "Know Thyself" is a call to embark on a courageous exploration of your inner landscape.
The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, a proponent of this maxim, asserted that true wisdom begins with the recognition of one's own ignorance. As this acknowledgment serves as a powerful catalyst for personal growth and enlightenment.
“And isn’t this obvious,” said Socrates, “that people derive most of their benefits from knowing themselves, and most of their misfortunes from being self-deceived? Those who know themselves know what is appropriate for them and can distinguish what they can and cannot do; and, by doing what they understand, they both supply their needs and enjoy success, while, by refraining from doing things that they don’t understand, they avoid making mistakes and escape misfortune.”
At its core, knowing oneself involves peeling back the layers of identity, examining beliefs, values, strengths, and weaknesses.
It requires a willingness to confront the shadowy corners of the psyche, embracing both the light and the darkness within.
Understanding one's motivations, desires, and fears lays the foundation for living authentically.
When armed with self-awareness, you can navigate challenges with a clearer sense of purpose. Choices aligned with personal values and aspirations lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling existence.
In essence, "Know Thyself" invites us to befriend ourselves, to become intimately acquainted with the architect of our thoughts and actions.
As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, this ancient maxim remains a timeless guide – a lantern illuminating the path to authenticity, purpose, and a life well-lived.
Nothing in Excess
This phrase, beckons us to explore the art of moderation and find harmony in the balance of life.
A Lesson from Icarus
Let’s stay in the frame of ancient Greek myth.
Daedalus and Icarus serves as a reminder of the dangers of excess. Daedalus, in his wisdom, cautioned his son Icarus not to fly too close to the sun, for the wax binding his wings might melt.
Icarus, driven by unchecked ambition, soared too high, leading to his downfall.
“Nothing in Excess" echoes this timeless lesson, urging us to avoid the extremes that can lead to hubris and catastrophe.
In a world saturated with stimuli and choices, the call for moderation becomes more important than ever.
Scrutinize your habits, be they related to work, leisure, or consumption!
"Nothing in Excess" invites you to celebrate the art of balance – a dance between ambition and contentment, productivity and relaxation, indulgence and restraint.
By embracing moderation, you cultivate resilience, prevent burnout, and foster a sustainable approach to well-being.
The maxim challenges societal norms that glorify excess and prompts us to question the true source of fulfillment.
Give a pledge, and trouble is at hand
This one stands as a guidepost in the journey of life. It invites you to reflect on the consequences of making commitments and promises, urging you to navigate these decisions with careful consideration.
Whether in the form of personal promises, financial obligations, or professional commitments, the act of pledging binds us to a course of action, and with it comes a measure of responsibility.
Making Pledges with Purpose
"Give a pledge, and trouble is at hand" underscores the importance of deliberation in decision-making.
It encourages us to assess the impact of our commitments on various aspects of life, ensuring that our promises align with our values and aspirations.
Freedom in Thoughtful Commitment
While cautioning against hasty promises, the maxim does not discourage commitment altogether. Instead, it invites you to approach commitments with mindfulness.
By doing so, you retain a measure of freedom – freedom to act in alignment with your evolving understanding of self and circumstances.
So, let it guide you in the art of making commitments with purpose and deliberation, ensuring that each pledge contributes to your definition of a life well-lived.
Now, if you are more interested in the rest of the Delphic Maxims here is the list with the rest of them:
Follow God (Επου θεω)
Obey the law (Νομω πειθου)
Worship the Gods (Θεους σεβου)
Respect your parents (Γονεις αιδου)
Be overcome by justice (Ηττω υπο δικαιου)
Know what you have learned (Γνωθι μαθων)
Perceive what you have heard (Ακουσας νοει)
Be (or Know) Yourself (Σαυτον ισθι)
Intend to get married (Γαμειν μελλε)
Know your opportunity (Καιρον γνωθι)
Think as a mortal (Φρονει θνητα)
If you are a stranger act like one (Ξepsilon;νος ων ισθι)
Honor the hearth [or Hestia] (Εστιαν τιμα)
Control yourself (Αρχε σεαυτου)
Help your friends (Φιλοις βοηθει)
Control anger (Θυμου κρατει)
Exercise prudence (Φρονησιν ασκει)
Honour providence (Προνοιαν τιμα)
Do not use an oath (Ορκω μη χρω)
Love friendship (Φιλιαν αγαπα)
Cling to discipline (Παιδειας αντεχου)
Pursue honour (Δοξαν διωκε)
Long for wisdom (Σοφιαν ζηλου)
Praise the good (Καλον ευ λεγε)
Find fault with no one (Ψεγε μηδενα)
Praise virtue (Επαινει αρετην)
Practice what is just (Πραττε δικαια)
Be kind to friends (Θιλοις ευνοει)
Watch out for your enemies (Εχθρους αμυνου)
Exercise nobility of character (Ευγενειαν ασκει)
Shun evil (Κακιας απεχου)
Be impartial (Κοινος γινου)
Guard what is yours (Ιδια φυλαττε)
Shun what belongs to others (Αλλοτριων απεχου)
Listen to everyone (Ακουε παντα)
Be (religiously) silent (Ευφημος ιοθι)
Do a favour for a friend (Φιλω χαριζου)
Nothing to excess (Μηδεν αγαν)
Use time sparingly (Χρονου φειδου)
Foresee the future (Ορα το μελλον)
Despise insolence (Υβριν μισει)
Have respect for suppliants (Ικετας αιδου)
Be accommodating in everything (Παςιν αρμοζου)
Educate your sons (Υιους παιδευε)
Give what you have (Εχων χαριζου)
Fear deceit (Δολον φοβου)
Speak well of everyone (Ευλογει παντας)
Be a seeker of wisdom (Φιλοσοφος γινου)
Choose what is divine (Οσια κρινε)
Act when you know (Γνους πραττε)
Shun murder (Φονου απεχου)
Pray for things possible (Ευχου δυνατα)
Consult the wise (Σοφοις χρω)
Test the character (Ηθος δοκιμαζε)
Give back what you have received (Λαβων αποδος)
Down-look no one (Υφορω μηδενα)
Use your skill (Τεχνη χρω)
Do what you mean to do (Ο μελλεις, δος)
Honor a benefaction (Ευεργεςιας τιμα)
Be jealous of no one (Φθονει μηδενι)
Be on your guard (Φυλακη προσεχε)
Praise hope (Ελπιδα αινει)
Despise a slanderer (Διαβολην μισει)
Gain possessions justly (Δικαιως κτω)
Honor good men (Αγαθους τιμα)
Know the judge (Κριτην γνωθι)
Master wedding-feasts (Γαμους κρατει)
Recognize fortune (Τυχην νομιζε)
Flee a pledge (Εγγυην φευγε)
Speak plainly (Αμλως διαλεγου)
Associate with your peers (Ομοιοις χρω)
Govern your expenses (Δαπανων αρχου)
Be happy with what you have (Κτωμενος ηδου)
Rever a sense of shame (Αισχυνην σεβου)
Fulfill a favor (Χαριν εκτελει)
Pray for happiness (Ευτυχιαν ευχου)
Be fond of fortune (Τυχην στεργε)
Observe what you have heard (Ακουων ορα)
Work for what you can own (Εργαζου κτητα)
Despise strife (Εριν μισει)
Detest disgrace (Ονειδς εχθαιρε)
Restrain the tongue (Γλωτταν ισχε)
Keep yourself from insolence (Υβριν αμυνου)
Make just judgments (Κρινε δικαια)
Use what you have (Χρω χρημασιν)
Judge incorruptibly (Αδωροδοκητος δικαζε)
Accuse one who is present (Αιτιω παροντα)
Tell when you know (Λεγε ειδως)
Do not depend on strength (Βιας μη εχου)
Live without sorrow (Αλυπως βιου)
Live together meekly (Ομιλει πραως)
Finish the race without shrinking back (Περας επιτελει μη αποδειλιων))
Deal kindly with everyone (Φιλοφρονει πασιν)
Do not curse your sons (Υιοις μη καταρω)
Rule your wife (Γυναικος αρχε)
Benefit yourself (Σεαυτον ευ ποιει)
Be courteous (Ευπροσηγορος γινου)
Give a timely response (Αποκρινου εν καιρω)
Struggle with glory (Πονει μετ ευκλειας)
Act without repenting (Πραττε αμετανοητως)
Repent of sins (Αμαρτανων μετανοει)
Control the eye (Οφθαλμοθ κρατει)
Give a timely counsel (Βουλευου χρονω)
Act quickly (Πραττε συντομως)
Guard friendship (Φιλιαν φυλαττε)
Be grateful (Ευγνωμων γινου)
Pursue harmony (Ομονοιαν διωκε)
Keep deeply the top secret (Αρρητον κρυπτε)
Fear ruling (Το κρατουν φοβου)
Pursue what is profitable (Το συμφερον θηρω)
Accept due measure (Καιρον προσδεχου)
Do away with enmities (Εχθρας διαλυε)
Accept old age (Γηρας προσδεχου)
Do not boast in might (Επι ρωμη μη καυχω)
Exercise (religious) silence (Ευφημιαν ασκει)
Flee enmity (Απεχθειαν φευγε)
Acquire wealth justly (Πλουτει δικιως)
Do not abandon honor (Δοξαν μη λειπε)
Despise evil (Κακιαν μισει)
Venture into danger prudently (Κινδυνευε φρονιμως)
Do not tire of learning (Μανθανων μη καμνε)
Do not stop to be thrifty (Φειδομενος μη λειπε)
Admire oracles (Χρησμους θαυμαζε)
Love whom you rear (Ους τρεφεις αγαπα)
Do not oppose someone absent (Αποντι μη μαχου)
Respect the elder (Πρεσβυτερον αιδου)
Teach a youngster (Νεωτερον διδασκε)
Do not trust wealth (Πλουτω απιστει)
Respect yourself (Σεαυτον αιδου)
Do not begin to be insolent (Μη αρχε υβριζειν)
Crown your ancestors (Προγονους στεφανου)
Die for your country (Θνησκε υπερ πατριδος)
Do not be discontented by life (Τω βιω μη αχθου)
Do not make fun of the dead (Επι νεκρω μη γελα)
Share the load of the unfortunate (Ατυχουντι συναχθου)
Gratify without harming (Χαριζου αβλαβως)
Grieve for no one (Μη επι παντι λυπου)
Beget from noble routes (Εξ ευγενων γεννα)
Make promises to no one (Επαγγελου μηδενι)
Do not wrong the dead (Φθιμενους μη αδικει)
Be well off as a mortal (Ευ πασχε ως θνητος)
Do not trust fortune (Τυχη μη πιστευε)
As a child be well-behaved (Παις ων κοσμιος ισθι)
As a youth – self-disciplined (ηβων εγκρατης)
As of middle-age – just (μεσος δικαιος)
As an old man – sensible (πρεσβυτης ευλογος)
On reaching the end – without sorrow (τελευτων αλυπος)