Alternative translation: [1925 R.D. Hicks translation]

“It was a saying of his that the vine bore three kinds of grapes: the first of pleasure, the next of intoxication, and the third of disgust. He said he wondered why in Greece experts contend in the games and non-experts award the prizes. Being asked how one could avoid becoming a toper, he answered, “By keeping before your eyes the disgraceful exhibition made by the drunkard.” Again, he expressed surprise that the Greek lawgivers should impose penalties on wanton outrage, while they honour athletes for bruising one another.”

[Alternative translation source: Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Diogenes Laertius, trans. Robert Drew (R.D.) Hicks, Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1925 – 1972 edition, Chaper 8: Anacharsis; online via Perseus Digital Library, ed. Gregory R. Crane, Tufts University, www.perseus.tufts.edu]

Extended excerpts:

[Original 1702 text, with ‘long’ (or ‘medial’) s, original spelling & text structure]

“His Apothegms were theſe. (e) A Vine bears three grapes, the firſt Pleasure, the ſecond of Drunkenneſs, the third of Repentance. ‘Tis ſtrange that in Greece the differences of Artiſts ſhould be decided by thoſe that are not artists. A view of the unſeemly actions of drunken Men, is the moſt effectual diſſuaſive from Wine. He wondered why the Grecians who puniſhed injuries, honor’d the wreſtlers; they they drank in little cups at the beginning of their banquets, and quaffed in large bowls when their ſtomacks were full; why thoſe who forbid lying, lye ſo frequently in putting off their wares.” (p. 55)

[Repeat Right editor – modern version of Nicholson’s 1702 text]

“His Apothegms were these: A vine bears three grapes, the first pleasure, the second of drunkenness, the third of repentance. It’s strange that in Greece the differences of artists should be decided by those that are not artists. A view of the unseemly actions of drunken men is the most effectual dissuasive from wine. He wondered why the Grecians who punished injuries, honored the wrestlers; they they drank in little cups at the beginning of their banquets, and quaffed in large bowls when their stomachs were full; why those who forbid lying, lied so frequently in putting off their wares.”

Source note: The historian Diogenes Laërtius wrote The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers sometime in the early third century, most likely between 200-450 B.C.E. The original work was written in Greek. His writing – published long after the life of Anacharsis – provides one of the few surviving sources that describes Anacharsis and his travels.

Source link [Featured – 1702 Nicholson edition]: The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers (1702 John Nicholson) online via Google Books: https://books.google.com/books?id=SQrULxU3TXMC&pg=PA55&dq=third+of+Repentance

Source link [Alt. Translation – 1925 R.D. Hicks translation]: Lives of Eminent Philosophers (date|1925 trans., 1972 Harvard Press ed.) online via Perseus Digital Library: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0258%3Abook%3D1%3Achapter%3D8

Extended excerpt: “Now, this was at a time when Solon was involved in state affairs and was drafting his laws, and when Anacharsis found out what Solon was up to, he mocked his belief that he could use mere decrees to curb his fellow citizens’ injustice and rapacity. “These decrees of yours are no different from spiders’ webs,” he said. “They’ll restrain anyone weak and insignificant who gets caught in them, but they’ll be torn to shreads by people with power and wealth.”

Source note: Plutarch’s Lives is also known as Plutarch’s Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans, or Parallel Lives.

Source: Library – Greek Lives: A Selection of Nine Greek Lives (1998) International Standard Book Number (ISBN): 9780192825018

Extended excerpt: “It is stated, that Anacharsis and Solon, and Solon and Thales, were familiarly acquainted, and some have delivered parts of their discourse; for, they say, Anacharsis, coming to Athens, knocked at Solon’s door, and told him, that he, being a stranger, was come to be his guest, and contract a friendship with him; and Solon replying, “It is better to make friends at home,” Anacharsis replied, “Then you that are at home make friendship with me.” Solon, somewhat surprised at the readiness of the repartee, received him kindly, and kept him some time with him, being already engaged in public business and the compilation of his laws; which when Anacharsis understood, he laughed at him for imagining the dishonesty and covetousness of his countrymen could be restrained by written laws, which were like spiders’ webs, and would catch, it is true, the weak and poor, but easily be broken by the mighty and rich. To this Solon rejoined that men keep their promises when neither side can get any thing by the breaking of them; and he would so fit his laws to the citizens, that all should understand it was more eligible to be just than to break the laws. But the event rather agreed with the conjecture of Anacharsis than Solon’s hope. Anacharsis, being once at the assembly, expressed his wonder at the fact that in Greece wise men spoke and fools decided.” (p. 172)

Source note: Plutarch’s Lives is also known as Plutarch’s Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans, or Parallel Lives.

Source link: Plutarch’s Lives: The Translation Called Dryden’s (1888) Google Books: https://books.google.com/books?id=q0I8AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA172&dq=written+laws+which+were+like+spiders+webs