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147 Delphic Maxims - Words Of Wisdom

by Shaun Ramsden

Rated
4.1
Type
guided
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Everyone
Plays
47

The Delphic maxims are a set of moral precepts that were inscribed on the Temple of Apollo in the ancient Greek precinct of Delphi. The three best-known maxims – are "Know thyself", "Nothing in excess", and "Give a pledge and trouble is at hand." A further 147 maxims, documented by Stobaeus in the 5th century AD, were also located somewhere in the vicinity of the temple. While some of these maxims may be somewhat outdated - it is amazing how most of them are still great words of wisdom and relevant even in the 21st Century.

MoralityRespectGratitudeSelf ControlPrudenceWisdomJusticeFriendshipModestyLife GuidanceAncient GreeceDelphiWords Of WisdomMoral GuidanceRespect And GratitudeInner WisdomJustice And FairnessGratitude And Appreciation

Transcript

Follow God.

Obey the law.

Worship the gods.

Respect your parents.

Be overcome by justice.

Know what you have learned.

Perceive what you have heard.

Know yourself.

Intend to get married.

Know your opportunity.

Think as a mortal.

If you are a stranger,

Act like one.

Honor the hearth or hestia.

Control yourself.

Help your friends.

Control anger.

Exercise prudence.

Honor providence.

Do not use an oath.

Love friendship.

Cling to discipline.

Pursue honor.

Long for wisdom.

Praise the good.

Find fault with no one.

Praise virtue.

Practice what is just.

Be kind to friends.

Watch out for your enemies.

Exercise nobility of character.

Shun evil.

Be impartial.

Guard what is yours.

Shun what belongs to others.

Listen to everyone.

Be religiously silent.

Do a favor for a friend.

Nothing to excess.

Use time sparingly.

Foresee the future.

Despise insolence.

Have respect for suppliants.

Be accommodating in everything.

Educate your sons.

Give what you have.

Fear deceit.

Speak well of everyone.

Be a seeker of wisdom.

Choose what is divine.

Act when you know.

Shun murder.

Pray for things possible.

Consult the wise.

Test the character.

Give back what you have received.

Don't look to no one.

Use your skill.

Do what you mean to do.

Honor a benefaction.

Be jealous of no one.

Be on your guard.

Praise hope.

Despise a slanderer.

Gain possessions justly.

Honor good men.

Know the judge.

Master wedding feasts.

Recognize fortune.

Flee a pledge.

Speak plainly.

Associate with your peers.

Govern your expenses.

Be happy with what you have.

Revere a sense of shame.

Fulfill a favor.

Pray for happiness.

Be fond of fortune.

Observe what you have heard.

Work for what you can own.

Despise strife.

Detest disgrace.

Restrain the tongue.

Keep yourself from insolence.

Make just judgments.

Use what you have.

Judge incorruptibly.

Accuse one who is present.

Tell when you know.

Do not depend on strength.

Live without sorrow.

Live together meekly.

Finish the race without shrinking back.

Deal kindly with everyone.

Do not curse your sons.

Rule your wife.

Benefit yourself.

Be courteous.

Give a timely response.

Struggle with glory.

Act without repenting.

Repent of sins.

Control the eye.

Give a timely counsel.

Act quickly.

Guard friendship.

Be grateful.

Pursue harmony.

Keep deeply the top secret.

Fear ruling.

Pursue what is profitable.

Accept due measure.

Do away with enmities.

Accept old age.

Do not boast in might.

Exercise religious silence.

Flee enmity.

Acquire wealth justly.

Do not abandon honor.

Despise evil.

Venture into danger prudently.

Do not tire of learning.

Do not stop to be thrifty.

Admire oracles.

Love whom you rear.

Do not oppose someone absent.

Respect the elder.

Teach a youngster.

Do not trust wealth.

Respect yourself.

Do not begin to be insolent.

Crown your ancestors.

Die for your country.

Do not be discontented by life.

Do not make fun of the dead.

Share the load of the unfortunate.

Gratify without harming.

Grieve for no one.

Beget from noble roots.

Make promises to no one.

Do not wrong the dead.

Be well off as a mortal.

Do not trust fortune.

As a child,

Be well behaved.

As a youth,

Self-disciplined.

As of middle age,

Just.

As an old man,

Sensible.

On reaching the end without sorrow.

Meet your Teacher

Shaun RamsdenPerth WA, Australia

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© 2026 Shaun Ramsden. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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