Ancient Maxims of Delphi

There are some 147 apophthegmata — words of wisdom — inscribed upon a stone monument at Delphi. Some are non-starters these days. "Rule your wife" and "Admire oracles" are ones we can do without. "Keep deeply the top secret" and "Beget from noble routes" aren't helpful. "Exercise nobility of character," "Pray for things possible," "Look down on no one" seems like good advice. There's a wise quartet ... "As a child be well-behaved," and "As a youth be self-disciplined," "As of middle age be just," and "As an old man be sensible." The ancient sages still provide guidance in the human effort to live wisely.