Xenophobe's Guide to the Greeks

 

Individuality is the chief feature that characterizes the Greeks, which precludes any attempt to box and label them as a people. After that comes their temperament which flourishes uninhibited throughout their waking hours. This is probably why the ancient sages saw fit to carve their maxims "Nothing in excess" and "Know thyself" on the portals of the Delphic Oracle in an attempt to persuade their fellow Greeks to curb their emotions—they were not heeded then any more than they are now.