# Chilo explained — The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

> Chapter companion for The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius.

## What happens

This chapter details the life, sayings, and death of Chilo, a Lacedaemonian sage and one of the Seven Sages. It recounts his political reforms as ephor, his aphorisms on ethics and self-control, his advice to Periander, his famous saying 'Suretyship, and then destruction,' and his death from joy at his son's Olympic victory.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ethics and Self-Control

Chilo's numerous aphorisms emphasize self-restraint, silence, moderation, and moral integrity, such as 'To rule one’s tongue' and 'To prefer punishment to disgraceful gain.'

### Political Engagement and Tyranny

Chilo's letter to Periander warns of the precarious position of a tyrant and advises against expedition, reflecting on political prudence and the dangers of sole rule.

### Wisdom vs. Sophistry

Chilo's concise speech (the 'Chilonean fashion') and his practical wisdom contrast with sophistry; his sayings are presented as distilled truths.

## Character check-ins

### Chilo of Sparta

The subject of the chapter; a Lacedaemonian sage, ephor, and one of the Seven Sages.

### Periander of Corinth

Recipient of a letter from Chilo advising against an expedition and warning about the dangers of tyranny.

### Aesop

Flourished around the time of Chilo's old age; Chilo asked him what Jupiter was doing.

### Xerxes

Mentioned in the context of Chilo's foresight about Cythera; Demaratus advised Xerxes to use the island.

### Nicias

Mentioned as having reduced Cythera during the Peloponnesian War, confirming Chilo's foresight.

### Demaratus

Banished by the Lacedaemonians; advised Xerxes to keep ships at Cythera.

## Key lines

> Suretyship, and then destruction.

Offering a guarantee leads to ruin.

_One of Chilo's most famous sayings, warning against the risks of financial surety._

> I think that a sole governor is in a slippery position at home; and I consider that tyrant a fortunate man who dies a natural death in his own house.

A sole ruler is unstable at home, and a tyrant is lucky if he dies naturally in his own home.

_From Chilo's letter to Periander, expressing caution about tyranny._

> Gold is best tested by a whetstone hard, Which gives a certain proof of purity; And gold itself acts as the test of men, By which we know the temper of their minds.

Gold is tested by a whetstone, and gold itself tests the character of men.

_A song by Chilo comparing the testing of gold to the testing of human character._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/chilo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters