The Golden Verses of Pythagoras

Although no original writings of
Pythagoras have survived antiquity,
this collection of seventy-one aphorisms
is mentioned by Hierocles of Alexandria in
the fifth century CE. From internal evidence,
some scholars believe that they come from a
hexameter poem by Pythagoras, which was
transmitted orally until persecution scattered the
Pythagoreans, and they were then committed
to writing.1 The present edition is an original
translation by Florence M. Firth,2 adapted here
for modern readers.

1. First worship the Immortal Gods, as they
are established and ordained by the Law.
2. Reverence the Oath, and next the Heroes,
full of goodness and light.
3. Honor likewise the Terrestrial Guiding
Spirits by rendering them the worship
lawfully due to them.
4. Honor likewise your parents and those
most nearly related to you.
5. Of all the rest of humanity, make friends
with those who distinguish themselves by
their virtue.
6. Always give ear to their mild exhortations,
and take example from their virtuous and
useful actions.
7. Avoid as much as possible hating your
friend for a slight fault.
8. [And understand that] power is a near
neighbor to necessity.
9. Know that all these things are as I have
told you; and accustom yourself to overcome
and vanquish the following passions:
10. First gluttony, sloth, sensuality, and anger.
11. Do nothing evil, neither in the presence
of others, nor privately;
12. But above all things respect yourself.
13. In the next place, observe justice in your
actions and in your words.
14. And do not involve yourself in anything
without rule or reason.
15. But always realize that it is ordained by
destiny that all human beings shall die,
16. And that the goods of fortune are
uncertain; and that as they may be acquired,
so may they likewise be lost.
17. Concerning all the calamities that
humans suffer by divine fortune,
18. Support with patience your lot, be it what
it may, and never repine at it.
19. But endeavor what you can to remedy it,
20. And consider that fate does not send
the greatest portion of these misfortunes to
good people.
21. There are many possibilities that people
can choose from, both good and bad;
22. So, from among the possibilities, carefully
choose the best path for yourself.
23. But if falsehoods be advanced, hear
them with mildness, and arm yourself
with patience.
24. Observe well, on every occasion, what I
am going to tell you:
25. Let no person, either through words or
deeds, ever seduce you.
26. Nor entice you to say or to do what is not
beneficial for yourself.
27. Consult and deliberate before you act,
that you may not commit foolish actions.
28. For it is the mark of a miserable person to
speak and to act without reflection.
29. But do that which will not afflict you
afterwards, nor oblige you to repentance.
30. Never do anything which you do not
understand.
31. Learn all you ought to know, and thus
you will lead a very pleasant life.
32. In no way neglect the health of your body;
33. Give it drink and food in due measure,
and also the exercise of which it has need.
34. Now, by measure, I mean what will not inconvenience you.
35. Accustom yourself to a way of living that
is neat and decent without luxury.
36. Avoid all things that will occasion envy.
37. And be not prodigal out of season,
like one who knows not what is decent
and honorable.
38. Be neither covetous nor stingy; a modest
measure is excellent in these things.
39. Do only that which will not hurt you,
and think carefully about what you are going
to do before you do it.
40. Never fall asleep after going to bed,
41. Till you have carefully considered all your
actions of the day:
42. Where have I gone amiss? What have I
done? What have I omitted that I ought to
have done?
43. If in this examination you find that you
have gone amiss, reprimand yourself severely
for it;
44. And if you have done any good, rejoice.
45. Practice thoroughly all these things;
meditate on them well, for you ought to love
them with all your heart.
46. It is they that will put you on the path of
divine virtue.
47. I swear it by the one who has transmitted
into our souls the Sacred Quaternion, the
source of nature, whose cause is eternal.
48. But never begin to set your hand to any
work, till you have first prayed to the gods to
accomplish what you are about to begin.
. . . observe justice in your
actions and in your words.
49. When you have become familiar with
this habit,
50. You will know the constitution of the
Immortal Gods and of humans.
51. Even the extent of the power of gods and
humans, and what contains and binds them
together.
52. You shall likewise know that according to
Law, the nature of this universe flows through
all things alike,
53. So that you shall not hope for what you
ought not to hope; and nothing in this world
shall be hidden from you.
54. You will likewise know that human
beings bring on their own misfortunes,
voluntarily and of their own free choice.
55. Unhappy that they are! They neither see
nor understand that what is best for them is
within them.
56. Few know how to deliver themselves out
of their misfortunes.
57. Such is the fate that blinds humanity,
and takes away their senses.
58. Like huge barrels they roll to and
fro, always oppressed with innumerable
problems.
59. For fatal strife, seemingly innate, pursues
them everywhere, tossing them up and
down; nor do they perceive this.
60. Instead of provoking and stirring up
strife, they ought, by yielding, to avoid it.
61. Oh! Jupiter, our Father! If you would
deliver humans from all the evils that oppress
them,
62. Show them the veil of ignorance that
blinds their eyes.
63. But take courage: the human race is divine:
64. Sacred nature reveals to them the most
hidden mysteries.
65. If she imparts to you her secrets, you will
easily perform all the things for which I have
ordained you,
66. And by the healing of your soul, you shall
deliver it from all evils, from all afflictions.
67. But abstain from meat, which will
prevent you from the purifying and the
deliverance of your soul;
68. Carefully distinguish between things,
and examine all things well.
69. Leaving yourself to always be guided and
directed by the understanding that comes
from above, allowing it to control your
destiny.
70. And when you have eventually divested
yourself of your mortal body, you will arrive
at the most pure Æther,
71. And you shall be a God—immortal,
incorruptible—and Death shall have no
more dominion over you.



1Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, The Pythagorean Sourcebook
and Library. (Newburyport, MA: Red Wheel Weiser,
1987), 163.
2Florence M. Firth, The Golden Verses Of Pythagoras
and Other Pythagorean Fragments (Krotona,
Hollywood: Theosophical Publishing House, 1904).