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The Delphic Maxims in Literature
A study of the three ancient (500 BC) Delphic maxims and how they were interpreted by the Greeks and Romans. Wilkins suggests that these principles were so widely held that it eventually found its way into early Christian belief where it was able to grow.
- GenresPhilosophy
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1929
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September 8, 2023
Around 600 BC, carved into the temple of Apollo at Delphi, were three maxims: know thyself, nothing in excess, surety brings ruin. There was also an enigmatic letter E, whose meaning is a puzzle for modern scholars, as it was for Plutarch in the first century AD.
We don’t actually know any of this for certain; the temple was destroyed in AD 390 at the order of the Roman emperor Theodosius I. Instead, we must rely on the references to the maxims by the great minds of antiquity, who were doing the same thing that I am now – reflecting on the statements and trying to use them to live a better life.
Wilkins’ The Delphic Maxims in Literature is a study of the history of the maxims and the evolution of thought around them. The second and third are given one chapter apiece: “nothing in excess” was relatively well unambiguous and similar to other sayings that encouraged moderation; “surety brings ruin” has been variously translated and was interpreted very differently by the Greeks (danger of overconfidence) and the Romans, the latter of whom had the more prosaic interpretation that we should avoid giving financial guarantees.
The majority of the book is rightfully devoted to gnothi seauton – know thyself – which reflects the relative importance of that first maxim to literary and philosophical minds over three millennia. Wilkins explores the subtle evolution in interpretation over the centuries, from the individualistic self-knowledge of the Greeks (knowing strengths and weaknesses) to the more holistic and humanist understanding encouraged by thinkers in the 18th century. I am deeply reminded of Hegel’s philosophy of history, wherein the intellectual soul of humanity (the geist) is yearning to grow its rationality, freedom, and power, and trying to approach ultimate self-consciousness – the “becoming of Man”.
My preferred interpretations of the three maxims are as follows:
- Know Thyself: understand your motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. Be conscious and deliberate.
- Nothing too much: “everything in moderation, including moderation”
- Surety brings ruin: avoid overconfidence.
Wilkins also discusses how this self-knowledge may be achieved, beautifully summarising it thus:
The Delphic Maxims in Literature is hard to recommend as it is rather arcane, with many references to obscure authors whose literary importance may have waned to nothingness in the century since Wilkins wrote the book. But in one’s quest for self-knowledge, it is heartening to know that one is in the company of many of the great minds from history.
My highlights here.
We don’t actually know any of this for certain; the temple was destroyed in AD 390 at the order of the Roman emperor Theodosius I. Instead, we must rely on the references to the maxims by the great minds of antiquity, who were doing the same thing that I am now – reflecting on the statements and trying to use them to live a better life.
Wilkins’ The Delphic Maxims in Literature is a study of the history of the maxims and the evolution of thought around them. The second and third are given one chapter apiece: “nothing in excess” was relatively well unambiguous and similar to other sayings that encouraged moderation; “surety brings ruin” has been variously translated and was interpreted very differently by the Greeks (danger of overconfidence) and the Romans, the latter of whom had the more prosaic interpretation that we should avoid giving financial guarantees.
The majority of the book is rightfully devoted to gnothi seauton – know thyself – which reflects the relative importance of that first maxim to literary and philosophical minds over three millennia. Wilkins explores the subtle evolution in interpretation over the centuries, from the individualistic self-knowledge of the Greeks (knowing strengths and weaknesses) to the more holistic and humanist understanding encouraged by thinkers in the 18th century. I am deeply reminded of Hegel’s philosophy of history, wherein the intellectual soul of humanity (the geist) is yearning to grow its rationality, freedom, and power, and trying to approach ultimate self-consciousness – the “becoming of Man”.
My preferred interpretations of the three maxims are as follows:
- Know Thyself: understand your motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. Be conscious and deliberate.
- Nothing too much: “everything in moderation, including moderation”
- Surety brings ruin: avoid overconfidence.
Wilkins also discusses how this self-knowledge may be achieved, beautifully summarising it thus:
Education in the fullest sense, literary, historical, scientific; the experiences of life, such as work, and love, and sorrow, and contact with our fellows generally.
The Delphic Maxims in Literature is hard to recommend as it is rather arcane, with many references to obscure authors whose literary importance may have waned to nothingness in the century since Wilkins wrote the book. But in one’s quest for self-knowledge, it is heartening to know that one is in the company of many of the great minds from history.
My highlights here.
Displaying 1 of 1 review