--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Heraclitus says that Pittacus, when he…" description: "\"Heraclitus says that Pittacus, when he had got Alcæus into his power, released him, saying, \"Forgiveness is better than revenge.\" — Diogenes Laertius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/diogenes-laertius-13984_forgiveness_heraclitus-says-that-pittacus-when-he-ha_2823002.jpg" --- # Heraclitus says that Pittacus, when he had got Alcæus into… ![“Heraclitus says that Pittacus, when he had got Alcæus into his power, released him, saying, "Forgiveness is better than revenge.” quote by Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/diogenes-laertius-13984_forgiveness_heraclitus-says-that-pittacus-when-he-ha_2823002.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/diogenes-laertius-13984_forgiveness_heraclitus-says-that-pittacus-when-he-ha_2823002.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/diogenes-laertius-13984_forgiveness_heraclitus-says-that-pittacus-when-he-ha_2823002.jpg) > “Heraclitus says that Pittacus, when he had got Alcæus into his power, released him, saying, "Forgiveness is better than revenge.” [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Heraclitus taught that forgiveness outweighs revenge. **In simple terms:** Forgiveness is better than revenge. Key Takeaway Choose forgiveness over retaliation. Themes ethics philosophy conflict Mood reflective calm Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal disputes - legal settlements - family feuds - international relations Key Concepts moral choice ancient wisdom Questions to Reflect On - When is forgiveness most challenging? - What benefits arise from forgiving? A Different Perspective Forgiveness may be difficult to practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-revenge-386215/) [Better Than Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-than-revenge-218454/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiveness Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness-better-985483/) [Heraclitus Says](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heraclitus-says-2130459/) [Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge/) [Says Pittacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/says-pittacus-3604709/) ## Related quotes > [Forgiveness is better than revenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pittacus-of-mytilene/forgiveness-is-better-than-revenge/) [Pittacus of Mytilene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pittacus-of-mytilene/) > [“...the dead, being wiser than the living, know freedom is always better than revenge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-g-williams/the-dead-being-wiser-than-the-living-know-freedom-is-always-better/) [Michael G. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-g-williams/) > [“Power is better than revenge. Power is a live thing, by which you reach out to grasp the future. Revenge is a dead thing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-mcmaster-bujold/power-is-better-than-revenge-power-is-a-live-thing-by-which-you-reach/) [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-mcmaster-bujold/) > [Forgiveness is better than revenge, for forgiveness is the sign of a gentle nature, but revenge is the sign of a savage nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-isaac-friedman/forgiveness-is-better-than-revenge-for-forgiveness-is-the-sign-of-a/) [Jerome Isaac Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-isaac-friedman/) > [Forgiveness is better than revenge, for forgiveness is the sign of a gentle nature, but revenge is the sign of a savage nature. the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/forgiveness-is-better-than-revenge-for-forgiveness-is-the-sign-of-a-2/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [If someone steals my man, there's no better revenge than letting her keep him. A real man can't be stolen unless he wants to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/if-someone-steals-my-man-there-s-no-better-revenge-than-letting-her/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Heraclitus somewhere says that all things are in process and nothing stays still, and likening existing things to the stream of a river he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/heraclitus-somewhere-says-that-all-things-are-in-process-and-nothing/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [“All things are a-flowing,' sage Heraclitus says, but a tawdry cheapness shall outlast all days.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/all-things-are-a-flowing-sage-heraclitus-says-but-a-tawdry-cheapness/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) > [Knowledge of divine things for the most part, as Heraclitus says, is lost to us by incredulity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/knowledge-of-divine-things-for-the-most-part-as-heraclitus-says-is/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“If Richard had lived, perhaps... but one cannot look backwards, only forwards. What has passed has passed for ever. What is it Heraclitus says?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-atkinson/if-richard-had-lived-perhaps-but-one-cannot-look-backwards-only/) [Kate Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-atkinson/) > [Heraclitus says you cannot step into the same river twice. We can also say that the same river cannot touch us twice!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/heraclitus-says-you-cannot-step-into-the-same-river-twice-we-can-also/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Cortana," he said. "Made by Wayland the Smith, the legendary forger of Excalibur and Durendal. Said to choose its bearer. When Ogier raised it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/cortana-he-said-made-by-wayland-the-smith-the-legendary-forger-of/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [If you betray me, can I take a better revenge than to love the person you hate?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-corneille/if-you-betray-me-can-i-take-a-better-revenge-than-to-love-the-person/) [Pierre Corneille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-corneille/) > [When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sacha-guitry/when-a-man-steals-your-wife-there-is-no-better-revenge-than-to-let/) [Sacha Guitry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sacha-guitry/) > [If another gul steals your man,There 's no better revenge than letting her keep him,Real men can't be stolen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince-mks/if-another-gul-steals-your-man-there-s-no-better-revenge-than-letting/) [Prince Mks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince-mks/) ## More by Diogenes Laertius > [Pythagoras used to say that he had received as a gift from Mercury the perpetual transmigration of his soul, so that it was constantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/pythagoras-used-to-say-that-he-had-received-as-a-gift-from-mercury/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Anarcharsis, on learning that the sides of a ship were four fingers thick, said that "the passengers were just that distance from death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/anarcharsis-on-learning-that-the-sides-of-a-ship-were-four-fingers/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Courage, my boy! that is the complexion of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/courage-my-boy-that-is-the-complexion-of-virtue/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Aristippus said that a wise man's country was the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/aristippus-said-that-a-wise-man-s-country-was-the-world/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Arcesilaus had a peculiar habit while conversing of using the expression, "My opinion is," and "So and so will not agree to this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/arcesilaus-had-a-peculiar-habit-while-conversing-of-using-the/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Bion used to say that the way to the shades below was easy; he could go there with his eyes shut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/bion-used-to-say-that-the-way-to-the-shades-below-was-easy-he-could/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Diogenes said once to a person who was showing him a dial, "It is a very useful thing to save a man from being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/diogenes-said-once-to-a-person-who-was-showing-him-a-dial-it-is-a/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [“Step out of my sunlight.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/step-out-of-my-sunlight/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Plato affirmed that the soul was immortal and clothed in many bodies successively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/plato-affirmed-that-the-soul-was-immortal-and-clothed-in-many-bodies/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [When asked what learning was the most necessary, he said, “Not to unlearn what you have learned!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/when-asked-what-learning-was-the-most-necessary-he-said-not-to/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Anaximander used to assert that the primary cause of all things was the Infinite,-not defining exactly whether he meant air or water or anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/anaximander-used-to-assert-that-the-primary-cause-of-all-things-was/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [If appearances are deceitful, then they do not deserve any confidence when they assert what appears to them to be true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/if-appearances-are-deceitful-then-they-do-not-deserve-any-confidence/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [There is a written and an unwritten law. The one by which we regulate our constitutions in our cities is the written law; that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/there-is-a-written-and-an-unwritten-law-the-one-by-which-we-regulate/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Aristippus being asked what were the most necessary things for well-born boys to learn, said, "Those things which they will put in practice when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/aristippus-being-asked-what-were-the-most-necessary-things-for-well/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [“One day a man invited him into a richly furnished house, saying 'be careful not to spit on the floor.' Diogenes, who needed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/one-day-a-man-invited-him-into-a-richly-furnished-house-saying-be/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) [Explore all 48 Diogenes Laertius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) ## More Forgiveness quotes > [“Lord I come before you, I repent all my sins; forgive me. I repent on behalf of my children forgive them Lord. Help them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/lord-i-come-before-you-i-repent-all-my-sins-forgive-me-i-repent-on/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [Forgiveness is not saying, What you did to me is okay. It is saying, Im not going to let what you did to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/forgiveness-is-not-saying-what-you-did-to-me-is-okay-it-is-saying-im/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [“So in practicing blanket forgiveness you first assume that in any current condition of pain or discomfort there is some anger involved, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-kahili-king/so-in-practicing-blanket-forgiveness-you-first-assume-that-in-any/) [Serge Kahili King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-kahili-king/) > [Do what is given to you, and do it well, and you will have done enough...live together in the forgiveness of your sins. Forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-what-is-given-to-you-and-do-it-well-and-you-will-have-done-enough/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The public, more often than not, will forgive mistakes, but it will not forgive trying to wiggle out of one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-grizzard/the-public-more-often-than-not-will-forgive-mistakes-but-it-will-not/) [Lewis Grizzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-grizzard/) > [A Real Boyfriend does the sweetest things randomly because he never wants her to feel unappreciated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/a-real-boyfriend-does-the-sweetest-things-randomly-because-he-never/) [Enhance Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enhance-dreams/) > [“(Evil people) do not believe in forgiveness. Their transgressions are either punished or not punished. That is the only result that matters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mchugh/evil-people-do-not-believe-in-forgiveness-their-transgressions-are/) [Daniel McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mchugh/) > [Friendship means understanding, not argument. it means forgiveness, not forgetting. it means the memories last, even if contact is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sokhom/friendship-means-understanding-not-argument-it-means-forgiveness-not/) [Sokhom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sokhom/) > [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [“Have an open mind and heart. Learn to journey in understanding and forgiveness. It's not always going to be easy but it will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-elle/have-an-open-mind-and-heart-learn-to-journey-in-understanding-and/) [Alexandra Elle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-elle/) > [Forgive us our trespasses," says Margarethe, "and get out of our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/forgive-us-our-trespasses-says-margarethe-and-get-out-of-our-way/) [Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/) > [“ving self and others is an every second of every day of every week, of every month, of every year gift that should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjo-jendayi/ving-self-and-others-is-an-every-second-of-every-day-of-every-week-of/) [Sanjo Jendayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjo-jendayi/) > [Forgive yourself for not being the richest, the thinnest, the tallest, the one with the best hair. Forgive yourself for not being the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/forgive-yourself-for-not-being-the-richest-the-thinnest-the-tallest/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [If you can't forgive and forget, pick only one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-brault/if-you-can-t-forgive-and-forget-pick-only-one/) [Robert Brault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-brault/) [Browse all 8,311 Forgiveness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Heraclitus says that Pittacus, when he had got Alcæus into his power, released him, saying, \"Forgiveness is better than revenge.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Diogenes Laertius" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/heraclitus-says-that-pittacus-when-he-had-got-alc-us-into-his-power/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Forgiveness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/heraclitus-says-that-pittacus-when-he-had-got-alc-us-into-his-power/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/diogenes-laertius-13984_forgiveness_heraclitus-says-that-pittacus-when-he-ha_2823002.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/diogenes-laertius-13984_forgiveness_heraclitus-says-that-pittacus-when-he-ha_2823002.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/diogenes-laertius-13984_forgiveness_heraclitus-says-that-pittacus-when-he-ha_2823002.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Heraclitus says that Pittacus, when he had got Alcæus into his power, released him, saying, \"Forgiveness is…” — Diogenes Laertius", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Diogenes Laertius", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Heraclitus says that Pittacus, when he...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/heraclitus-says-that-pittacus-when-he-had-got-alc-us-into-his-power/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/heraclitus-says-that-pittacus-when-he-had-got-alc-us-into-his-power/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```