Bias of Priene

[2] In reference to which Demodocus of Leros uttered the following saying: "If you are a judge, give a Prienian decision," and Hipponax said, "More powerful in pleading causes than Bias of Priene.

"[3] He was always reckoned among the Seven Sages.He was mentioned by Dicaearchus as one of the Four to whom alone that title was universally given, the remaining three being Thales, Pittacus, and Solon.

[4] Satyrus placed him at the head of the Seven Sages,[1] and even Heraclitus, who poured scorn on figures such as Hesiod and Pythagoras,[5] referred to Bias as "a man of more consideration than any.

"[6] One of the examples of his great goodness is the legend that says that Bias paid a ransom for some women who had been taken prisoner.

[7] Many sayings were attributed to him by Diogenes Laërtius and by others: In April 1819, Schopenhauer wrote in his Reisebuch [Travel Diary]: "In the Vatican [Hall of Philosophers] there is the bust of Bias with the inscription of πλεῖστοι ἄνθρωποι κακοί [most men are bad].