Profile of Pythagoras
- First worship the Immortal Gods, as they are established and ordained by the Law.
- Reverence the Oath, and next the Heroes, full of goodness and light.
- Honour likewise the Terrestrial Daemons by rendering them the worship lawfully due to them.
- Honour likewise thy parents, and those most nearly related to thee.
- Of all the rest of mankind, make him thy friend who distinguishes himself by his virtue.
- Always give ear to his mild exhortations, and take example from his virtuous and useful actions.
- Avoid as much as possible hating thy friend for a slight fault.
- [And understand that] power is a near neighbour to necessity.
- Know that all these things are as I have told thee; and accustom thyself to overcome and vanquish these passions:--
- First gluttony, sloth, sensuality, and anger.
- Do nothing evil, neither in the presence of others, nor privately.
- But above all things respect thyself.
- In the next place, observe justice in thy actions and in thy words.
- And accustom not thyself to behave thyself in any thing without rule, and without reason.
- But always make this reflection, that it is ordained by destiny that all men shall die.
- And that the goods of fortune are uncertain; and that as they may be acquired, so may they likewise be lost.
- Concerning all the calamities that men suffer by divine fortune.
- Support with patience thy lot, be it what it may, and never repine at it.
- But endeavour what thou canst to remedy it.
- And consider that fate does not send the greatest portion of these misfortunes to good men.
- There are among men many sorts of reasonings, good and bad.
- Admire them not too easily, nor reject them.
- But if falsehoods be advanced, hear them with mildness, and arm thyself with patience.
- Observe well, on every occasion, what I am going to tell thee:--
- Let no man either by his words, or by his deeds, ever seduce thee.
- Nor entice thee to say or to do what is not profitable for thyself.
- Consult and deliberate before thou act, that thou mayest not commit foolish actions.
- For it is the part of a miserable man to speak and to act without reflection.
- But do that which will not afflict thee afterwards, nor oblige thee to repentance.
- Never do anything which thou dost not understand.
- But learn all thou ought'st to know, and by that means thou wilt lead a very pleasant life.
- in no wise neglect the health of thy body.
- But give it drink and meat in due measure, and also the exercise of which it has need.
- Now by measure I mean what will not incommode thee.
- Accustom thyself to a way of living that is neat and decent without luxury.
- Avoid all things that will occasion envy.
- And be not prodigal out of season, like one who knows not what is decent and honourable.
- Neither be covetous nor niggardly; a due measure is excellent in these things.
- Do only the things that cannot hurt thee, and deliberate before thou dost them.
- Never suffer sleep to close thy eyelids, after thy going to bed.
Till thou hast examined by thy reason all thy actions of the day. - Wherein have I done amiss? What have I done? What have I omitted that I ought to have done?
- If in this examination thou find that thou hast done amiss, reprimand thyself severely for it.
And if thou hast done any good, rejoice. - Practise thoroughly all these things; meditate on them well; thou oughtest to love them with all thy heart.
- 'Tis they that will put thee in the way of divine virtue.
- I swear it by him who has transmitted into our souls the Sacred Quaternion, the source of nature, whose cause is eternal.
