Dusty Phrases

Hi! Welcome to “Dusty Phrases.” You will find a phrase below, in one ancient language or another, along with its English translation. You may also find the power to inspire your friends or provoke dread among your enemies.

For other examples, visit HERE:

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Greek:

Κρῆτες ἀεὶ ψεῦσται
Krêtes aeì pseûstai

English:

Cretans always lie.

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This phrase is attributed to Epimenedes – who was himself a Cretan. Thus, the above phrase is one of the earliest known examples of a logical paradox. From Wiki:

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The Epimenides paradox reveals a problem with self-reference in logic. It is named after the Cretan philosopher Epimenides of Knossos (alive circa 600 BC) who is credited with the original statement. A typical description of the problem is given in the book Gödel, Escher, Bach, by Douglas Hofstadter:

Epimenides was a Cretan who made the immortal statement: “All Cretans are liars.”

A paradox of self-reference arises when one considers whether it is possible for Epimenides to have spoken the truth.