Section 10 (part 1)

p. 53 SELECT SENTENCES OF SEXTUS THE PYTHAGOREAN 1. To neglect things of the smallest consequence, is not the least thing in human life. 2. The wise man, and the despiser of wealth, resemble God. 3. Do not investigate the name of God, because you will not find it. For every thing which is called by a name, receives p. 54 its appellation from that which is more worthy than itself, 1 so that it is one person that calls, and another that hears. Who is it, therefore, that has given a name to God? God, however, is not a name to God, but an indication of what we conceive of Him. 4. God is a light incapable of receiving its contrary, darkness. 5. You have in yourself some thing similar to God, and therefore use yourself as the temple of God, on account of that which in you resembles God. 6. Honour God above all things, that He may rule over you. 7. Whatever you honour above all things, that which you so honour will have dominion over you. But if you give yourself to the domination of God, you will thus have dominion over all things. 8. The greatest honour which can be paid to God, is to know and imitate Him. p. 55 9. There is not any thing, indeed, which wholly resembles God; nevertheless the imitation of Him as much as possible by an inferior nature is grateful to Him. 10. God, indeed, is not in want of anything, but the wise man is in want of God alone. He, therefore, who is in want but of few things, and those necessary, emulates him who is in want of nothing. 11. Endeavour to be great in the estimation of Divinity, but among men avoid envy. 12. The wise man whose estimation with men was but small while he was living, will be renowned when he is dead. 13. Consider all the time to be lost to you in which you do not think of divinity. 14. A good intellect is the choir of divinity. 15. A bad intellect is the choir of evil dæmons. 16. Honour that which is just, on this very account that it is just. 17. You will not be concealed from divinity when you act unjustly, nor even when you think of doing so. 18. The foundation of piety is continence; but the summit of piety is the love of God. p. 56 19. Wish that what is expedient and not what is pleasing may happen to you. 20. Such as you wish your neighbour to be to you, such also be you to your neighbour. 21. That which God gives you, no one can take away. 22. Neither do nor even think of that which you are not willing God should know. 23. Before you do anything think of God, that his light may precede your energies. 24. The soul is illuminated by the recollection of deity. 25. The use of all animals as food is Indifferent, but it is more rational to abstain from them. 26. God is not the author of any evil. 27. You should not possess more than the use, of the body requires. 28. Possess those things which no one can take from you. 29. Bear that which is necessary, as it is necessary. 30. Ask those things of God which it is worthy of God to bestow. 31. The reason which is in you, is the light of your life. p. 57 32. Ask those things of God which you cannot receive from man. 33. Wish that those things which labour ought to precede, may be possessed by you after labour. 34. Be not anxious to please the multitude. 35.