The Golden Verses of Pythagoras · 9 of 122 · tr. Florence M. Firth
Section 6 (part 1)
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18 THE GOLDEN SENTENCES OF DEMOCRATES 1.
If anyone will give his mind to these sentences, he will obtain many things worthy of a man, and be free from many things that are base.
2.
The perfection of the soul will correct the depravity of the body; but the strength of the body without reasoning does not render the soul better.
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20 3.
He who loves the goods of the soul will love things more, divine; but he who loves the goods of its transient habitation will love things human.
4.
It is beautiful to impede an unjust man; but, if this be not possible, it is beautiful not to act in conjunction with him.
5.
It is necessary to be good, rather than to appear so.
6.
The felicity of a man does not consist either in body or in riches, but in upright conduct and justice.
7.
Sin should be abstained from, not through fear, but for the sake of the becoming.
8.
It is a great thing to be wise where we ought in calamitous circumstances.
9.
Repentance after base actions is the salvation of life.
10.
It is necessary to be a speaker of the truth, and not to be loquacious.
11.
He who does an injury is more unhappy than he who receives one.
12.
It is the province of a magnanimous man to bear with mildness the errors of others.
13.
It is comely not to oppose the law, nor a prince, nor one wiser than yourself.
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21 14.
A good man pays no attention to the reproofs of the depraved.
15.
It is hard to be governed by these who are worse than ourselves.
16.
He who is perfectly vanquished by riches, can never be just.
17.
Reason is frequently more persuasive than gold itself.
18.
He who admonishes a man that fancies he has intellect, labours in vain.
19.
Many who have not learnt to argue rationally, still live according to reason.
20.
Many who commit the basest actions often exercise the best discourse.
21.
Fools frequently become wise under the pressure of misfortunes.
22.
It is necessary to emulate the works and actions, and not the words of virtue.
23.
Those who are naturally well disposed, know things beautiful, and are themselves emulous of them.
24.
Vigour and strength of body are the nobility of cattle; but the rectitude of manners is the nobility of man.
25.
Neither art nor wisdom can be acquired without preparatory learning.
26.
It is better to reprove your own errors, than those of others.
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22 27.
Those whose manners are well ordered will also be orderly in their lives.
28.
It is good not only to refrain from doing an injury, but even from the very wish.
29.
It is proper to speak well of good works; for to do so of such as are base is the property of a fraudulent man and an impostor.
30, Many that have great learning have no intellect.
31.
It is necessary to endeavour to obtain an abundance of intellect, and not pursue an abundance of erudition.
32.
It is better that counsel should precede actions, than that repentance should follow them.
33.
Put not confidence in all men, but in those that are worthy; for to do the former is the province of a stupid man, but the latter of a wise man.
34.
A worthy and an unworthy man are to be judged not from their actions only, but also from their will.
35.
To desire immoderately is the province of a boy, and not of a man.
36.
Unseasonable pleasures bring forth pains.
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23 37.
Vehement desires about any one thing render the soul blind with respect to other things.
Themes
◆Renunciation Of Wealthethics
The spiritual danger of attachment to material possessions; wealth as a spiritual obstacle.
The passage states that felicity does not consist in riches and that being vanquished by riches prevents justice.
All passages →◇Rejection Of Hypocrisyethics
Critique of outward religious observance that lacks inner transformation; form without substance.
[auto] Verse 5 explicitly states it is necessary to be good rather than merely appear so, directly critiquing outward observance without inner transformation.
All passages →Related passages · 19 parallels
◆buddhism|The Dhammapada|Chapter I, Section 1d
“He suffers when he thinks of the evil he has done; he suffers more when going on the evil path.
18.
The virtuous man is happy in this world, and he is happy in the next; he is happy in both.
He is happy when he thinks of the good he has…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of virtuous conduct and the consequences of one's actions. They highlight the happiness and benefits of following a good path and the suffering associated with evil actions, reflecting a shared moral and ethical insight across different mystical traditions.
◆buddhism|The Dhammapada|Chapter III, Section 1a
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12 CHAPTER III.
THOUGHT.
33.
As a fletcher makes straight his arrow, a wise man makes straight his trembling and unsteady thought, which is difficult to guard, difficult to hold back.
34.
As a fish taken from his watery home and th…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of controlling and taming the mind or thoughts. The Dhammapada focuses on the difficulty of guarding the mind and the happiness that comes from a tamed mind, while the Golden Sentences of Democrites highlight the perfection of the soul and the necessity of reasoning and upright conduct for a good life.
◆buddhism|The Dhammapada|Chapter V, Section 1a
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20 CHAPTER V.
THE FOOL.
60.
Long is the night to him who is awake; long is a mile to him who is tired; long is life to the foolish who do not know the true law.
61.
If a traveller does not meet with one who is his better, or his eq…”
Both passages discuss the nature of wisdom and foolishness, emphasizing the importance of understanding and adhering to moral and ethical principles. They both highlight the consequences of actions and the value of self-awareness and repentance.
◆buddhism|The Dhammapada|Chapter VI, Section 1a
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23 CHAPTER VI.
THE WISE MAN (PA ND ITA).
76.
If you see an intelligent man who tells you where true treasures are to be found, who shows what is to be avoided, and administers reproofs, follow that wise man; it will be better, not wo…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of wisdom, virtuous conduct, and the guidance of wise individuals. They share themes of moral behavior, the pursuit of knowledge, and the avoidance of base actions, reflecting a genuine conceptual parallel across different mystical traditions.
◆buddhism|The Dhammapada|Chapter IX, Section 1
“p. 34 Chapter IX. Evil. 116. If a man would hasten towards the good, he should keep his thought away from evil; if a man does what is good slothfully, his mind delights in evil. 117. If a man commits a sin, let him not do it again; let him…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of moral conduct, the consequences of actions, and the pursuit of virtue. They share a focus on the inner transformation of the individual and the avoidance of evil, though they come from different mystical traditions.
◆buddhism|The Dhammapada|Chapter XII, Section 1
“p. 45 CHAPTER XII. SELF. 157. If a man hold himself dear, let him watch himself carefully; during one at least out of the three watches a wise man should be watchful. 158. Let each man direct himself first to what is proper, then let him te…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of self-discipline, personal responsibility, and moral conduct. They share a focus on the individual's role in achieving purity and virtue, though they come from different mystical traditions.
◆buddhism|The Dhammapada|Chapter XVI, Section 1
“p. 56 CHAPTER XVI. PLEASURE. 209. He who gives himself to vanity, and does not give himself to meditation, forgetting the real aim (of life) and grasping at pleasure, will in time envy him who has exerted himself in meditation. 210. Let no…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of detachment from worldly pleasures and desires as a path to inner peace and virtue. They share a common theme of avoiding attachment to transient things and focusing on higher, more enduring values.
◆buddhism|The Dhammapada|Chapter XVII, Section 1a
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58 CHAPTER XVII.
ANGER.
221.
Let a man leave anger, let him forsake pride, let him overcome all bondage!
No sufferings befall the man who is not attached to name and form, and who calls nothing his own.
222.
He who holds back risi…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of controlling anger and cultivating virtue. They also highlight the significance of truth, justice, and the pursuit of a higher state of being, whether it be Nirvana in Buddhism or the perfection of the soul in Democritus' philosophy.
◆buddhism|The Dhammapada|Chapter XIX, Section 1a
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64 CHAPTER XIX.
THE JUST.
256., 257.
A man is not just if he carries a matter by violence; no, he who distinguishes both right and wrong, who is learned and leads others, not by violence, but by law and equity, and who is guarded by…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of inner virtue, wisdom, and righteous conduct over external appearances or superficial attributes. They share a common theme of defining true virtue and wisdom in terms of moral behavior and understanding, rather than age, status, or mere knowledge.
◆buddhism|The Dhammapada|Chapter XXV, Section 1a
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85 CHAPTER XXV.
THE BHIKSHU (MENDICANT).
360.
Restraint in the eye is good, good is restraint in the ear, in the nose restraint is good, good is restraint in the tongue.
361.
In the body restraint is good, good is restraint in spee…”
Both passages emphasize self-control, restraint, and the importance of virtuous conduct for achieving a higher spiritual state or happiness. The Dhammapada focuses on the Bhikshu's restraint and the path to Nirvana, while the Golden Sentences of Democritus highlight upright conduct and justice for a virtuous life.
9 more
◆neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 39
“Section 6 6. Now if happiness did indeed require freedom from pain, sickness, misfortune, disaster, it would be utterly denied to anyone confronted by such trials: but if it lies in the fruition of the Authentic Good, why turn away from thi…”
Both passages emphasize the pursuit of higher, spiritual goods over material or physical necessities. They share a focus on the soul's aspiration towards ultimate goodness and the insignificance of temporary, worldly conditions in achieving true happiness.
◆neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 40
“Section 7 7. Then why are these conditions sought and their contraries repelled by the man established in happiness? Here is our answer: These more pleasant conditions cannot, it is true, add any particle towards the Sage's felicity: but th…”
Both passages discuss the concept of felicity or happiness and the Sage's detachment from worldly events. They emphasize the importance of inner virtue and the insignificance of external circumstances in achieving true happiness.
◆neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 41
“Section 8 8. As for violent personal sufferings, he will carry them off as well as he can; if they overpass his endurance they will carry him off. And so in all his pain he asks no pity: there is always the radiance in the inner soul of the…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of inner strength and virtue in the face of adversity. Passage A discusses the Sage's ability to remain untroubled by external sufferings, while Passage B highlights the importance of wisdom and upright conduct in calamitous circumstances.
◆neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 47
“Section 14 14. For man, and especially the Sage, is not the Couplement of soul and body: the proof is that man can be disengaged from the body and disdain its nominal goods. It would be absurd to think that happiness begins and ends with th…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of the soul over the body and advocate for a life guided by reason and virtue. They share a common theme of prioritizing spiritual and moral well-being over physical and material concerns.
◆neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 48
“Section 15 15. But suppose two wise men, one of them possessing all that is supposed to be naturally welcome, while the other meets only with the very reverse: do we assert that they have an equal happiness? We do, if they are equally wise.…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of inner virtue and wisdom over external circumstances and material wealth. They share a common theme of the Sage or wise individual who achieves true happiness and felicity through inner virtue and alignment with higher principles.
◆neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 166
“Section 10 10. Under detailed investigation, many other tenets of this school- indeed we might say all- could be corrected with an abundance of proof. But I am withheld by regard for some of our own friends who fell in with this doctrine be…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of virtue, the pursuit of perfection, and the distinction between the higher, spiritual life and the mundane concerns of the material world. They also share a focus on the role of the divine and the importance of ethical conduct.
◆taoism|The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters)|Book 126 (part 1)
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203 BOOK IV.
PART I.
SECTION IV.
Zän Kien Shih, or 'Man in the World, Associated with other Men 1 .' 1.
Yen Hui 2 went to see Kung-nî 3 , and asked leave to take his departure.
'Where are you going to?' asked the Master.
'I will g…”
Both passages discuss the challenges and risks of attempting to influence or reform a ruler or society. They emphasize the importance of inner virtue and wisdom, and caution against the dangers of striving for reputation or engaging in contentious behavior.
◆taoism|The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters)|Book 127 (part 5)
“Though the realisation of this be not manifested in the person, things cannot separate themselves (from its influence).' Some days afterwards duke Âi told this conversation to Min-dze 3 , saying, 'Formerly it seemed to me the work of the so…”
Both passages discuss the importance of inner virtue and the transcendence of physical form or external appearances. They emphasize the cultivation of a higher nature or soul, which is central to both Taoist and Stoic philosophies.
◆western_esoteric|Tertium Organum (P.D. Ouspensky)|Chapter XVIII (part 4)
“A man whose moral sense prompts him to overcome passion in himself, does so because the moral sense (i.e., emotion) is more powerful than all his other feelings, other emotions.
In substance p.
218 all this is perfectly clear and simple,…”
Both passages explore the interplay between reason, emotion, and the higher aspects of human nature. Ouspensky discusses the integration of intellect and higher emotions to achieve spirituality, while Democritus' Golden Sentences emphasize the importance of reason, virtue, and the cultivation of the soul. Both texts highlight the role of higher faculties in guiding human behavior and achieving a more elevated state of being.