The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Chapter
Chilo explained
This chapter details the life, sayings, and death of Chilo, a Lacedaemonian sage and one of the Seven Sages.
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.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Monimus’s feigned madness and destruction of the money is the emotional and psychological peak because it dram…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes 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.
Characters to notice
- 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 passages
“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.
