Ancient Maxims of Delphi

The Delphic maxims are a set of 147 aphorisms inscribed at Delphi. Originally, they were said to have been given by the Greek god Apollo's Oracle at Delphi, Pythia, and therefore were attributed to Apollo. The apophthegmata are inscribed on a stone monument at Delphi. Some are non-starters these days. "Rule your wife" and "Admire oracles" are ones we can live without. "Keep deeply the top secret" and "Beget from noble routes" aren't that helpful.

"Shun evil," "Exercise nobility of character," "Pray for things possible," "Look down on no one" seems like good advice. There's a wise quartet ... "As a child be well-behaved," and "As a youth be self-disciplined," "As of middle age be just," and "As an old man be sensible." The ancient sages still provide guidance in the human effort to live wisely.