Κλεόβουλος

Son of Euagoras, from Lindos↗,¹ one of the so-called Seven Sages,² distinguished among those of his time for strength and beauty, he studied philosophy in Egypt. He had a daughter named Kleobouline who composed riddles in hexameter verse. Kleoboulos wrote songs and riddles in 3,000 verses. Of his songs, the following is most popular: "lack of taste is prevalent among mortals". He also used to say that one should do a good deed for a friend, so as to make him a better friend, but for an enemy, to make him a friend. [He also said:] "when doing well, do not be over-proud, [and] when in need, do not be too humble. Know how to bear the changes of fortune nobly".³ He ended his life as an old man of 70 years. He said: "measure [is] the best of all things". And he sent a message to Solon⁴ as follows:⁵ "many men are [your] companions and [you have] a home anywhere; but I say that Lindos↗ is the most noble place for Solon. It is a democracy and the island lies on the open sea".