HIEROS LOGOS THE GOLDEN VERSES OF PYTHAGORAS In the first place revere the Immortal Gods, as they are established and ordained by the Law. Reverence the Oath. In the next place revere the Heros who are full of goodness and light. Honour likewise the Terrestrial Daimons by rendering them the worship lawfully due to them. Honour likewise thy father and thy mother, and thy nearest relations. 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. Refrain, as far as you can, from spurning thy friend for a slight fault, for power surrounds necessity. Know that all these things are as I have told thee. Accustom thyself to surmount and vanquish these passions: First, gluttony, sloth, lust and anger. Never commit any shameful actions, neither with others nor in private with thyself. 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 anything without rule and without reason. Always make this reflection, that it is ordained by Destiny for all men to die; and that the goods of fortune are uncertain. As they may be acquired, they may likewise be lost. Concerning the calamities that men suffer by Divine Fortune, support with patience thy lot, be what it will, 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 amongst men several sorts of reasonings, good and bad. Admire them not too easily and reject them not either, but if any falsehoods be advanced, give way 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 actions, ever seduce thee, nor entice thee to say or to do what is not profitable for thee. Consult and deliberate before thou act, that thou may'st 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 oughtest to know, and by that means thou wilt lead a very pleasant life. In no wise neglect the health of the body; but give it food and drink in due measure, and also the exercise of which it has need. 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 expensive out of season, like one who knows not what is decent and honourable. Be neither covetous nor niggardly. A due measure is excellent in these things! Do only the things that cannot hurt thee, and deliberate before thou doest them. Never suffer sleep to close thy eyelids after thy going to bed, till thou hast thrice reviewed 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. Practice thoroughly all these things; meditate on them well; thou oughtest to love them with all thy heart. It is they that will put thee in the way of Divine Virtue. I swear it by Him who has transmitted into our souls the Sacred Tetraktys, the Source of Nature, whose course is eternal. Never set thy hand to the work, till thou hast first prayed to the Gods to accomplish what thou art going to begin. When thou hast made this habit familiar to thee, thou wilt know the constitution of the Immortal Gods and of men; even how far the different Beings extend, and what contains and binds them together. Thou shalt likewise know, in accord with Cosmic Order, that the nature of this Universe is in all things alike, so that htou shalt not hope what thou oughtest not to hope;and nothing in this world shall be hid from thee. Thou wilt likewise know that men draw upon themselves their own misfortunes, voluntarily and of their own free choice. Wretches that they are! They neither see nor understand that their good is near them. There are very few of them who know how to deliver themselves out of their misfortunes. Such is the Fate that blinds mankind and takes away his senses. Like huge cylinders, they roll to and fro, always oppressed by ills without number; for fatal contention, which is innate in them, pursues them everywhere, tosses them up and down, nor do they perceive it. Instead of provoking and stirring it up, they ought by yielding to avert it. Great Jupiter, Father of men, you would deliver them from all the evils that opress them, if you would show them what is the Daimon of whom they make use. But take courage, the race of men is divine. Sacred Nature reveals to them the most hidden Mysteries. If she imparts to thee her secrets, thou wilt easily perform all the things which I have ordained thee, and healing thy soul, thou wilt deliver it from all these evils, from all these afflictions. Abstain thou from all that we have forbidden in the Purifications; and in the Deliverance of the Soul make a just distinction of them; examine all things well, leaving thyself always to be guided and directed by the understanding that comes from above, and that ought to hold the reins. And when, after having divested thyself of thy mortal body, thou arrivest in the most pure ether, thou shalt be a God, immortal, incorruptible, and death shall have no more dominion over thee. -Pythagoras died about 507 B.C.E.