Olaf Peacock (from Laxdæla Saga)

Olaf "Peacock" Hoskuldsson (c. 938-1006)

"Let the man of best judgement determine our course; the counsel of fools is the more misguided the more of them there are."

• Quote attributed to Olaf Peacock in the anonymously-written Laxdæla Saga, c. 13th century, translated by Keneva Kunz. New York: Penguin Classics, 2008.

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Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu (6th-5th century BCE)

"The reason I have great trouble is that I have a body. When I no longer have a body, what trouble have I?"

• From Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching (Book One, XIII), translated by D. C. Lau (Penguin Classics, 1963).

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Lysander (recorded by Plutarch)

Lysander (d. 395 BCE)

"Children have to be tricked with dice, but men with oaths."

• Quote attributed to Lysander in the Sayings of the Spartans, presumably collected by Plutarch, in On Sparta, translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2005.

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Livy

Livy (c. 59 BCE - 17 CE)

"The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind; for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of human experience plainly set out for all to see."

• The History of Rome (preface) by Livy, translated by Aubrey de Sélincourt. New York: Penguin Classics, 2002.

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The Buddha

The Buddha (c. 6th-5th century BCE)

"For oneself there is not even a self."

• The Dhammapada (Verses on the Way, Chapter 5), recorded in the 3rd century BCE. Translation by Glenn Wallis, 2004.

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Tacitus

Tacitus (c. 56-117+)

"Defeat in battle always begins with the eyes."

• Germania (section 43) by Tacitus, translated by Harold Mattingly and edited by J. B. Rives. New York: Penguin Classics, 2009.

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Christine de Pizan

Christine de Pizan (c. 1364-1430)

"Despite what the slanderers say, there's a positively infinite number of countesses, baronesses, ladies, maidens, bourgeoises and women of every estate who are honourable and distinguished."

• From The Book of the City of Ladies (Part II, chapter 68) by Christine de Pizan, translated by Rosalind Brown-Grant (Penguin Classics, 1999).

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