Inscribed on the temple of Apollo Quotes

Context

This quote was engraved on the forecourt of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. No one knows who exactly said it, if anyone at all (it's been ascribed to at least seven ancient Greeks). The date is unknown, but estimates are from the eighth to sixth century B.C.E. 

"Oracle, will I ever find my true love?"

"That which you seek will be known to you at the time of your self-knowing."

"Huh?"

That was an exchange between the Oracle at Delphi and one of the thousands of people who paid solid coin, or maybe a dead lamb, to receive her wisdom—murky as it may have been. Pythia (that was her handle) was really just a mouthpiece for Apollo. Don't blame her if the answers were fuzzy. She was just the messenger—an ancient version of Seth Speaks. Besides, she was inhaling suspicious smoke to help channel her boss, so you have to cut her some slack.

So, how much navel-gazing does it take to know thyself, anyway? What does it mean to know thyself? The quote wants more than name, age, Facebook page. It's after something deeper, like what are you capable of? Loving, hating, killing, caring, dreaming, defeating the odds? If you can answer those questions, you might not need to consult an oracle. The quest for self-knowledge has been haunting humans since we stood upright and we still haven't figured it out, proving that it's way harder than rocket science.

Where you've heard it

You've heard this said by motivational speakers, traveling preachers, and self-help gurus. It's also written on subway walls.

Additional Notable References

• The Matrix

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Seriously, if you're going to parties where someone would actually say, "know thyself," please don't invite us. We'd rather be at Pythia's after-party, dancing in the moody vapors and strobe lights.