Aelius Aristides

thumb|Neither walls, theatres, porches, nor senseless equipage, make States; but men who are able to rely upon themselves. Publius Aelius Aristides Theodorus (Ancient Greek: Πόπλιος Αἴλιος Ἀριστείδης Θεόδωρος; 117–181 AD) was a Greek orator and author considered to be a prime example as a member of the Second Sophistic, a group of celebrated and highly influential orators who flourished from the reign of Nero until c. 230 AD. Quotes Neither walls, theatres, porches, nor senseless equipage, make States; but men who are able to rely upon themselves. Vol. 1 (ed. Samuel Jebb, 1722), translated by Arthur W. Austin, The Woman and the Queen: A Ballad, and Other Specimens of Verse (Cambridge: John Wilson and Son, 1875) p. 90 By Themistocles alone, or with very few others, does this saying appear to be approved, which, though Alcaeus formerly had produced, many afterwards claimed: "Not stones, nor wood, nor the art of artisans, make a State; but where men are who know how to take care of themselves, there are cities and walls." Vol. 2 (ed. Samuel Jebb, 1730), translated by Arthur W. Austin, The Woman and the Queen, &c. (1875) p. 90. Reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 8th ed. (1883) p. 373, note. Austin also translated the passage into verse: Nor porches, theatres, nor stately halls,Nor senseless equipage, nor lofty walls,Nor towers of wood or stone, nor workmen's arts,Compose a State; but men with daring hearts,Who on themselves rely to meet all calls,Compose a State,—it needs not other walls! Compare: "An Ode in Imitation of Alcæus" (trans. William Jones, 1781) External links Category:Authors from Greece Category:Orators