Tao Te Ching
Xenophon of Athens Ξενοφῶν
(430–354 BCE)
General, Socratic biographer, philosopher
Much like Plato, Xenophon was a student and biographer of Socrates. These two biographical descriptions (the only surviving examples of contemporary Socratic dialogue) differ widely however sparking an historical debate about what Socrates was really like. Bertrand Russel wrote that Xenophon “was not very liberally endowed with brains and on the whole conventional” (Others though like Montaigne, Rousseau, and Benjamin Franklin praised his intellect.) but also “the excellence of Plato as a writer of fiction throws doubt on him as a historian” so obscure mystery must remain surrounding Socrates. As a Greek general, historian, mercenary, as well as philosopher; Xenophon’s approach and descriptions reveal the more pragmatic and political view.
Lineages
Greek Historians / Journalists
Eras
Western
Egyptian Civilization (3150 – 305 BCE)Greek Civilization (480 – 146 BCE)
The Axial Age, “The Great Leap of Being” (800 – 200 BCE)
Unlisted Sources
Anabasis
Hiero
Memorabilia
Quotes by Xenophon of Athens (12 quotes)
“Excess of grief for the dead is madness; for it is an injury to the living, and the dead know it not.”
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“He who eats with most pleasure is he who least requires sauce.”
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“However well a man sows a field or plants a farm, he cannot know who will gather in the fruits; another may build a beautiful house, but he knows not who will inhabit it.”
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“Socrates gave a lifetime to the outpouring of his substance in the shape of the greatest benefits bestowed on all who cared to receive them… he made those who lived in his society better men and sent them on their way rejoicing.”
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“To want nothing is godlike; and the less we want, the nearer we approach the divine.”
from Memorabilia
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“The despot lives night and day like one condemned to death by the whole of mankind for his wickedness.”
from Hiero
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“The leader must himself believe that willing obedience always beats forced obedience, and that he can get this only by really knowing what should be done.”
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“To fear a crowd, and yet to fear solitude, to fear to go unguarded, to fear the very guards themselves; to be unwilling to dispense with an armed escort, and yet to feel displeasure at the sight of one's attendants carrying arms: what a hateful predicament.”
from Hiero
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“Yet is it more honorable, and just, and upright, and pleasing, to treasure in the memory good acts than bad.”
from Anabasis
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“If you consider what are called the virtues in mankind, you will find their growth is assisted by education and cultivation.”
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“There is small risk a general will be regarded with contempt by those he leads, if, whatever he may have to preach, he shows himself best able to perform.”
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Quotes about Xenophon of Athens (5 quotes)
“a masterly storyteller, but a middling philosopher, an amateur in everything but war... Xenophon began, like Philip, with a vision of conquest; he ends, like Alexander, captivated by the people he thought to conquer.”
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“Xenophon, a military man, not very liberally endowed with brains, and on the whole conventional in his outlook... his ideas so far from being subversive, were rather dull and commonplace.”
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“If Xenophon had no other merit than that of being the friend of the martyr Socrates, he would be interesting; but he was also a warrior, philosopher, poet, historian, agriculturist, and charming in society.”
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“Xenophon was a man of great modesty, and as handsome as can be imagined... Socrates met him in a narrow lane, prevented him from passing, asked him where men were made good and virtuous. Xenophon didn't know and Socrates said, 'Follow me then and learn.' From that time on, Xenophon was a follower of Socrates.”
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