# Simias 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 introduces Simias of Thebes, a philosopher credited with twenty-three dialogues covering a wide range of topics including wisdom, music, philosophy, government, and the soul.

## Themes in this chapter

### Natural Philosophy and Cosmology

Simias's dialogues on topics like music, truth, and the soul reflect an engagement with natural philosophy and the nature of reality.

### Ethics and Self-Control

Works such as 'On Fortitude', 'On what is Becoming', and 'On Living Well' indicate a focus on ethical conduct and self-discipline.

## Character check-ins

### Simias of Thebes

Simias is a Theban philosopher, author of twenty-three dialogues on diverse subjects such as wisdom, music, philosophy, and the soul.

## Key lines

> Simias was a Theban; and there are twenty-three dialogues of his extant, contained in one single volume: On Wisdom; on Ratiocination; on Music; on Verses; on Fortitude; on Philosophy; on Truth; on Letters; on Teaching; on Art; on Government; on what is Becoming; on what is Eligible, and what Proper to be Avoided; on A Friend; on Knowledge; on the Soul; on Living Well; on what is Possible; on Money; on Life; on what the Honorable is; on Industry; and on Love.

Simias of Thebes authored twenty-three dialogues collected in one volume, covering subjects from wisdom and music to government, ethics, and love.

_This passage lists the extensive range of Simias's philosophical writings._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/simias
- 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