Diodorus Siculus Quotes

• It is absurd to entrust the defense of a country to people who own nothing in it.

  Diodorus Siculus

  Wisdom, Country, People

  15 Copy quote

• Over the door of the library in Thebes is the inscription "Medicine for the soul.

  Diodorus Siculus

  Doors, Medicine, Soul

  12 Copy quote

• The myths about Hades and the gods, though they are pure invention, help to make men virtuous.

  Diodorus Siculus

  Men, Helping, Invention

  12 Copy quote

• Physically the Celts are terrifying in appearance, with deep sounding and very harsh voices. In conversation they use few words and speak in riddles, for the most part hinting at things and leaving a great deal to be understood. They frequently exaggerate with the aim of extolling themselves and diminishing the status of others. They are boasters and threateners and given to bombastic self-dramatization, and yet they are quick of mind and with good natural ability for learning.

  Diodorus Siculus

  Self, Voice, Leaving

  14 Copy quote

• Now when the ancient Egyptians, awestruck and wondering, turned their eyes to the heavens, they concluded that two gods, the sun and the moon, were primeval and eternal; and they called the former Osiris, the latter Isis.

  Diodorus Siculus

  Eye, Moon, Isis

  17 Copy quote

• Such was the end of Philip (II, king of Macedonia) ...He had ruled 24 years. He is known to fame as one who with but the slenderest resources to support his claim to a throne won for himself the greatest empire among the Hellenes (Greeks), while the growth of his position was not due so much to his prowess in arms as to his adroitness and cordiality in diplomacy.

  Diodorus Siculus

  Kings, Years, Support

  "Histories" by Diodorus Siculus, 16.95.1-2,

  67 Copy quote

• He (King Philip) wanted as many Greeks as possible to take part in the festivities in honour of the gods, and so planned brilliant musical contests and lavish banquets for his friends and guests. Out of all Greece he summoned his personal guest-friends and ordered the members of his court to bring along as many as they could of their acquaintances from abroad.

  Diodorus Siculus

  Kings, Greek, Musical

  Histories 16.91.5-6,

  9 Copy quote

• Medicine for the soul.

  Diodorus Siculus

  Science, Medicine, Soul

  Inscription over the door of the Library at Thebes. I. 49. 3.,

  11 Copy quote

• King Croesus, watching Persian soldiers sack [his capital city], is supposed to have asked the Persian King Cyrus, 'What is it that all those men of yours are so intent upon doing?' 'They are plundering your city and carrying off your treasures,' Cyrus replied. 'Not my city or my treasures,' Croesus corrected him. 'Nothing there any longer belongs to me. It is you they are robbing.'

  Diodorus Siculus

  Kings, Men, Cities

  5 Copy quote

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