Section 6 (part 1)

p. 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. p. 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. p. 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. p. 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. p. 23 37. Vehement desires about any one thing render the soul blind with respect to other things.