Keep promises.
Ὃ ἂν ὁμολογήσῃς, διατήρει
DL 1.98
Periander
@periander · 10 excerpts
Be steadfast to friends in their good fortune and their misfortune alike.
Φίλοις εὐτυχοῦσι καὶ ἀτυχοῦσιν ὁ αὐτὸς ἴσθι
DL 1.98
Pleasures pass; honor is immortal.
Αἱ μὲν ἡδοναὶ φθαρταί, αἱ δὲ τιμαὶ ἀθάνατοι
DL 1.97
Cut the tallest stalks—always remove the eminent.
Ἡ τῶν ὑπερεχόντων σταχύων κόλουσις, ὡς δέον αἰεὶ τοὺς ὑπερέχοντας τῶν πολιτῶν ἀναιρεῖν.
Aristotle, Politics 5.10, 1311a20–22 (Periander’s advice to Thrasybulus)
Practice does everything.
Μελέτη τὸ πᾶν.
DL 1.99
And once being asked why he assumed tyrannical power, he replied, “Because, to abdicate it voluntarily, and to have it taken from one, are both dangerous.”
Καί ποτε ἐρωτηθεὶς διὰ τί τυραννεῖ, ἔφη, ὅτι καὶ τὸ ἑκουσίως ἀποστῆναι καὶ τὸ ἀφαιρεθῆναι κίνδυνον φέρει.
DL 1.97
Punish not only offenders but those who plan offense.
Μὴ μόνον τοὺς ἁμαρτάνοντας, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοὺς μέλλοντας κόλαζε.
DL 1.98
Democracy is better than tyranny.
Δημοκρατία κρεῖττον τυραννίδος
DL 1.97
Honor outlives pleasure.
αἱ μὲν ἡδοναὶ φθαρταί, αἱ δὲ τιμαὶ ἀθάνατοι·
Diogenes Laertius 1.97 (reported saying of Periander)
Tranquillity is good; rashness dangerous.
Καλὸν ἡσυχία· ἐπισφαλὲς προπέτεια
DL 1.97