BIAS OF PRIENE

Bias of Priene 

Bias of Priene was a Greek sage one of the seven sages of Greece and was renowned for his integrity, patriotism, the nobility of his character and his eloquence.  He was born in Priene and was the son of Tetanus.   He was distinguished for his skill as an advocate and of his use in it for the defence of the right. In reference to which Demodocus of Leros said: "If you are a judge, give it Prienean decision" and Hipponox "None more powerful in pleading causes than Bias of Priene."


He was described as one of the four sages to whom alone the title was universally given,  the remaining three being Thalis, Pittacus and Solon.  Satyrus placed him as the head of the seven sages and even Heraclitus who scorned Heriod and Pythagoras referred to Bias as "as a man of more consideration as any."   One of the examples of his great goodness is the legend that says that Bias paid the ransom for a number of women who had been taken as prisoners. After educating them as his own daughters, he sent them back to their fathers, to Messina, their homeland.


Bias died at a very advanced age while pleading a cause for his client.  After he had finished speaking, he rested his head in his grandson.  When the advocate on the opposite side had spoken, the judges decided in favour of Bias's client, by which time Bias had died.  The city gave him a magnificent funeral and inscribed on his tomb was the following rhyme:

                                                    Here Bias of Priene lies
                                                    Whose name brought to  his home
                                                    And all Ionia fame   

                     

Many sayings are attributed to him by Diogenes Laertius and others, such as:


"Naive men are easily fooled."

"It is difficult to hear a change of fortune with magnitude."

"Choose the course you adopt with deliberation, but when you have adopted it persevere it with firmness."

"Do not speak fast, for it shows folly."

"Have prudence." 

"Do not praise an undeserving man because of his riches."

"Gain your point by persuasion, not by force."

"Cherish wisdom from youth to deep old age for it is more lasting than any other possession."

"Take by persuasion, not by force."


And many more sayings that show the wisdom and integrity of this famous man. 

Greek Theatre at Priene