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Spartan Surfers

c. 570-475 BC

Xenophanes

Wandering poet-philosopher from Colophon who mocked human images of the gods and said truth is found over time by searching.

2 sourced lines

Every line we carry

Each one links to its source, what it means, and the shirt in any of our looks.

  1. The gods didn't show us everything. Search, and in time you find better.

    Xenophanes says the gods did not reveal all things to mortals from the start, but by searching, over time, people discover what is better. It is one of the first statements of progress through inquiry. Nothing is handed to you complete; you dig for it.

    Fragment 18 Diels-Kranz, our translation from the Greek

  2. Our wisdom is worth more than the strength of men or horses.

    Xenophanes complained that Greek cities heaped honors on Olympic winners while undervaluing wise counsel, saying his wisdom was better than the strength of men and horses. A boxer cannot make a city well governed. Train the mind as hard as the body.

    Fragment 2.11-12 Diels-Kranz, our translation from the Greek