The Golden Verses of Pythagoras

1First worship the immortal gods, as they are established and ordained by the Law.

2Reverence the Oath; and next the heroes, full of goodness and light.

3Honor likewise the terrestrial daemons, by rendering them the worship lawfully due to them.

4Honor likewise thy parents, and those most nearly related to thee.

5Of all the rest of mankind, make him thy friend who distinguishes himself by his virtue.

6Always give ear to his mild exhortations, and take example from his virtuous and useful actions.

7Avoid as much as possible hating thy friend for a slight fault.

8Power is a near neighbor to necessity.

9Know that all these things are just as what I have told thee — and accustom thyself to overcome and vanquish these passions:

10First, gluttony, sloth, sensuality, and anger.

11Do nothing evil, neither in the presence of others, nor privately; but above all things respect thyself.

12In the next place, observe justice in thy actions, and in thy words.

13Accustom not thyself to behave thyself in any thing without rule, and without reason.

14But always make this reflection — that it is ordained by destiny that all men shall die.

15And that the goods of fortune are uncertain — and that as they may be acquired, so they may likewise be lost.

16Concerning all the calamities that men suffer by divine fortune, support with patience thy lot, be it what it may, and never repine at it.

17But endeavor what thou canst to remedy it.

18And consider that fate does not send the greatest portion of these misfortunes to good men.

19There are among men many sorts of reasonings, good and bad — admire them not too easily, nor reject them.

20But if falsehoods be advanced, hear them with mildness, and arm thyself with patience.

21Observe well, on every occasion, what I am going to tell thee.

22Let 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.

23Consult and deliberate before thou act, that thou mayest not commit foolish actions.

24For it is the part of a miserable man to speak and to act without reflection.

25But do that which will not afflict thee afterwards, nor oblige thee to repentance.

26Never do anything which thou dost not understand.

27But learn all thou ought’st to know, and by that means thou wilt lead a very pleasant life.

28In 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.

29Now by measure I mean what will not incommode thee.

30Accustom thyself to a way of living that is neat and decent, without luxury.

31Avoid all things that will occasion envy.

32And be not prodigal out of season, like one who knows not what is decent and honorable.

33Neither be covetous nor niggardly — a due measure is excellent in these things.

34Do only the things that cannot hurt thee, and deliberate before thou dost them.

35Never suffer sleep to close thy eyelids, after thy going to bed,

36Till thou hast examined by thy reason all thy actions of the day.

37Wherein have I done amiss? What have I done? What have I omitted that I ought to have done?

38If in this examination thou find that thou hast done amiss, reprimand thyself severely for it.

39And if thou hast done any good, rejoice.

40Practice thoroughly all these things — meditate on them well — thou ought’st to love them with all thy heart.

41’Tis they that will put thee in the way of divine virtue.

42I swear it by him who has transmitted into our souls the sacred Quaternion, the source of nature, whose course is eternal.

43But never begin to set thy hand to any work, till thou hast first prayed the gods to accomplish what thou art going to begin.

44When thou hast made this habit familiar to thee,

45Thou wilt know the constitution of the immortal gods and of men.

46Even how far the different beings extend, and what contains and binds them together.

47Thou shalt likewise know that, according to law, the nature of this universe is in all things alike,

48So that thou shalt not hope what thou ought’st not to hope, and nothing in this world shall be hidden from thee.

49Thou wilt likewise know that men draw upon themselves their own misfortunes, voluntarily, and of their own free choice.

50Unhappy that they are! They neither see nor understand that their good is near them.

51Few know how to deliver themselves out of their misfortunes.

52Such is the fate that blinds mankind, and takes away their senses.

53Like huge cylinders, they roll to and fro — always oppressed with ills innumerable.

54For fatal strife, innate, pursues them everywhere — tossing them up and down — nor do they perceive it.

55Instead of provoking and stirring it up, they ought, by yielding, to avoid it.

56Oh! Jupiter, our father! If thou wouldst deliver men from all the evils that oppress them,

57Show them of what daemon they make use.

58But take courage — the race of man is divine.

59Sacred nature reveals to them the most hidden mysteries.

60If she impart to thee her secrets, thou wilt easily perform all the things which I have ordained thee.

61And, healing thy soul, thou wilt deliver it from all evils and afflictions.

62But abstain thou from the meats which we have forbidden in the purifications and in the deliverance of the soul.

63Make a just distinction of them, and examine all things well.

64Leaving thyself always to be guided and directed by the understanding that comes from above, and that ought to hold the reins.

65And when, after having divested thyself of thy mortal body, thou arrivest at the most pure æther,

66Thou shalt be a god — immortal, incorruptible, and death shall have no more dominion over thee.