More from ancient Greece

Questions asked Thales:

Being asked, what was very difficult? "To know thyself."

What was very easy? "To give advise."

What is God? "That which has neither beginning nor end."

Asked how men might live most virtuously and justly: "If we never do ourselves what we blame in others."

More observations from Durant:

"The growth of wealth and luxury made epicureanism (hedonism) fashionable, while stocism and patriotism seemed antiquated and absurd. Competition for the goods of the earth became keener as the old faith lost its power to mitigate class strife; by giving scruples to the strong, and consolations to the weak."

"the most unfortunate of men is he who has not learned to bear misfortune." (Bias)