Inscribed at Delphi · attested by the 5th century BC · ascribed to the Seven Sages
The Delphic maxims were a set of short ethical precepts displayed in the forecourt of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, the seat of the Pythian oracle. Ancient tradition credited them to the legendary Seven Sages of Greece — Thales, Solon, Chilon and others of the 6th century BC — with Chilon of Sparta most often named for “Know thyself.” Modern scholars regard them as common proverbs that gained fresh authority from their prominent temple setting.