IT IS A HARD THING TO BE A GOOD MAN

This entry is given to another member of the hoi septa sophoi club, Pittacus Of Mytilene (640-568 BC). He is known to us mostly from his biography written by Diogenes Laertius, and several extant fragments of his wise sayings make our honorable mention of him very much worthwhile.

A native of Mytilene, he commanded the city’s defense when an Athenian army was about to attack. Before the final showdown, however, he challenged the Athenian general to a single combat, offering that its result would determine the fate of his city without further bloodshed. The challenge was accepted, Pittacus killed the Athenian, and this ended the war. The grateful city made Pittacus its absolute ruler. He governed wisely, making good laws, and bringing the city into a fine shape. After ten years, considering his job well done, he voluntarily resigned his power and withdrew himself from public office.

Too good to be true? Maybe, but still here is a good, edifying story. After more than two-and-a-half millennia, why should small print matter?

His several wise sayings have survived the ravages of time. One of them known as “the Golden Rule,” is of a particular interest because of its close similarity to the Biblical Commandment:

“Do not to your neighbor what you would take ill from him.”

My special favorite among his sayings is the one that I selected as the title of this entry: “It is a hard thing to be a good man.” Among his other known gems of wisdom are these:

Pardon is better than punishment.

Whatever you do, do it well.

Even the Gods cannot strive against necessity.

Power shows the man.

Do not say beforehand what you are going to do; for if you fail, you will be laughed at.

Do not reproach a man with his misfortunes, fearing lest Nemesis may overtake you.

Forbear to speak evil not only of your friends, but also of your enemies.

Cultivate truth, good faith, experience, cleverness, sociability, and industry.

Know thy opportunity.

…Bertrand Russell has no mention of him. Herodotus mentions him once, but isn’t sure whether the person he mentioned is Pittacus or Bias of Priene, another member of the Seven. Webster’s Biographical Dictionary is giving him the following short entry: Pittacus. 650?-570? BC. Greek ruler of Mytilene in Lesbos; one of the Seven Wise Men of Greece; overthrew Melanchrus, Tyrant of Lesbos (circa 611 BC); became tyrant of Mytilene (589-579); voluntarily resigned power (579). (Which is, of course, not much.)

But for me, even though a person of understandably moderate interest, he deserves a short entry of his own, at least out of respect for his membership in the seven sages club, but also on his own merit. And of course, his profound dictum “It is a hard thing to be a good man” has a very special significance for all time…