PYTHAGORAS'S GOLDEN VERSES

1. First honor the immortal Gods, as the law demands;

2. Then reverence thy oath, and than the illustrious heroes;

3. Then venerate the divinities under the earth, due rites performing,

4. Then honor your parents, and all of your kindred;

5. Among others make the most virtuous thy friend;

6. Love to make use of soft speeches, but deeds that are useful;

7. Alienate not the beloved comrade for trifling offences,

8. Bear all you can, what you can, and you should [are near to each other]

9.Take this wall to heart: you must gain control of your habits;

10. First over stomach, then sleep, and then luxury,

11. And anger; what brings you shame, do not unto others.

12. Nor by yourself; highest of duties is honor of self,

13. Let Justice be practiced in words as in deeds;

14. Then make the habit, never inconsiderately to act;

15. Neither forget that death is appointed to all;

16. That possessions here gladly gathered, there must be left;

17. Whatever sorrow the fate of the gods may here send us,

18. Bear, whatever may strike you, with patience unmurmuring.

19. To relieve it, so far as you can, is permitted; but reflect:

20. Not much good has Fate given to the good.

21 The speech of the people is various, now good, and now evil;

22. So let them not frighten you, nor keep you from your purpose.

23. If false calumnies come to your ear, support it in patience;

24. Yet that which I now am declaring, fulfill it full faithfully:

25. Let no one with speech or with deeds e'er deceive you;

26. To do or to say what is not the best,

27. Think, ere you act, that nothing stupid result;

28. To act inconsiderately is part of a fool;

29. Yet whatever later will not bring you repentance, that you should carry through,

30. Do nothing beyond what you know; yet learn

31. What you may need; thus shall your life grow happy.

32. Neither grow anxious about the health of the body;

33. Keep measure in eating and drinking, and every exercise of the body;

34. By measure, I mean what later will not induce pain;

35. Follow clean habits of life, but not the luxurious;

36. Avoid what envy arouses,

37. At the wrong time, never be prodigal, as if you did not know what was proper;

38. Nor show yourself stingy; that which is medium is ever the best.

39. Never let slumber approach thy wearied eye-lids,

40. Ere thrice you reviewed what this day you did;

41 (Missing)

42. Wherein have I sinned? What did I? What duty is neglected?

43. All from the first to the last, review; and if you have erred,

44. Grieve in your spirit, rejoicing for all that was good.

45. With zeal and with industry, this, then repeat; and learn to repeat it with joy.

46. Thus wilt thou tread on the paths of heavenly virtue,

47. Surely, I swear it by him who into our souls' placed the Four (elements), [yes, by him who imparted to our soul the tetraktys,]

48. Him who is spring of Nature eternal-- Now start on your task!

49. After you have implored the blessing of the Gods. -- If this you hold fast,

50. Soon will you recognize of Gods and mortal men

51. The peculiar existence, how everything passes and returns.

52. Then will you see what is true, how Nature in all is most equal,

53. So that you hope not for what has no hope, nor that aught should escape you.

54. Men shall you find whose sorrows themselves have created,

55. Wretches who see not the God, that is to near, near,

56. Nothing they hear; few know how to help themselves in misfortune.

57. That is the Fate, that blinds humanity, in circl[ing] circles,

58. Hither and yon, they run, in endless sorrows;

59. For they are followed by a grim companion, disunion within themselves,

60. Unnoticed; ne'er rouse him, and fly from before him!

61. Father Zeus, O free them all from sufferings so great,

62. Or show unto each the Genius, who is their guide!

63. Yet, do not fear, for the mortals are divine by [-----]

64. To whom holy Nature everything will reveal and demonstrate;

65. Whereof if you have received, so keep what I teach you;

66. For I will heal you, and you shall remain insured from manifold evil.

67. Avoid foods forbidden, reflect, that this contributes to cleanliness

68. And redemption of your soul; This all, Oh, consider;

69. Let reason, the gift divine, be thy highest guide;

70. Then should you be separated from the body, and soar in the spiritual aether,

71. Then will you be imperishable, a divinity, no longer a human!