Date: Mar 27, 2002 - 14:13
In the mid 6th century BCE, Chilon was an Ephor in Sparta. Ephors began as a advisory council to the king, but he and his 4 colleagues strengthened the role of the Ephors until they co-ruled with the king. As Ephor, he also brought greater strictness to the training of Spartan soldiers. With his encouragement the Spartans actively worked to replace tyrannies that he thought were an unstable form of government. (He preferred Oligarchies) He also encouraged Sparta to make permanent peace with some of its neighbors. These were some of the qualities that led other to claim he was one of the Seven Sages of Greece.
Some of his saying:
Prefer loss to dishonest gain; the one brings pain at the money, the other for all time.
Stand surety, and evil awaits thee.
He is also credited with saying;