Pythagoras Quotes

72 Sourced Quotes

If thou intend to do any good; tarry not till tomorrow! for thou knowest not what may chance thee this night.

Pythagoras
Honor Wisdom; and deny it not to them that would learn; and shew it unto them that dispraise it! Sow not the sea fields!

Pythagoras
Let not sleep fall upon thy eyes till thou has thrice reviewed the transactions of the past day. Where have I turned aside from rectitude? What have I been doing? What have I left undone, which I ought to have done? Begin thus from the first act, and proceed; and, in conclusion, at the ill which thou hast done, be troubled, and rejoice for the good.

Pythagoras
There are men and gods, and beings like Pythagoras.

Pythagoras
A wound from a tongue is worse than a wound from a sword: for the latter affects only the body, the former the spirit.

Pythagoras
Those alone are dear to Divinity who are hostile to injustice.

Pythagoras
Despise all those things which when liberated from the body you will not want; invoke the Gods to become your helpers.

Pythagoras
Meditate upon my counsels; love them; follow them;
To the divine virtues will they know how to lead thee.
I swear it by the One who in our hearts engraved
The sacred Tetrad, symbol immense and pure,
Source of Nature and model of the Gods.

Pythagoras
Number is the ruler of forms and ideas, and the cause of gods and daemons.

Pythagoras
We ought so to behave to one another as to avoid making enemies of our friends, and at the same time to make friends of our enemies.

Pythagoras
By Silence, the discretion of a man is known: and a fool, keeping Silence, seemeth to be wise.

Pythagoras
Holding fast to these things, you will know the worlds of gods and mortals which permeates and governs everything. And you will know, as is right, nature similar in all respects, so that you will neither entertain unreasonable hopes nor be neglectful of anything.

Pythagoras
It is requisite to choose the most excellent life; for custom will make it pleasant. Wealth is an infirm anchor, glory is still more infirm; and in a similar manner, the body, dominion, and honour. For all these are imbecile and powerless. What then are powerful anchors. Prudence, magnanimity, fortitude. These no tempest can shake. This is the Law of God, that virtue is the only thing that is strong; and that every thing else is a trifle.

Pythagoras
He is worst of all, that is malicious against his friends.

Pythagoras
A fool is known by his Speech; and a wise man by Silence.

Pythagoras
Friends are as companions on a journey, who ought to aid each other to persevere in the road to a happier life.

Pythagoras
A blow from your friend is better than a kiss from your enemy.

Pythagoras
Order thyself so, that thy Soul may always be in good estate; whatsoever become of thy body.

Pythagoras
Envy has been, is, and shall be, the destruction of many. What is there, that Envy hath not defamed, or Malice left undefiled? Truly, no good thing.

Pythagoras
The King that followeth Truth, and ruleth according to Justice, shall reign quietly: but he that doth the contrary, seeketh another to reign for him.

Pythagoras
It is requisite to defend those who are unjustly accused of having acted injuriously, but to praise those who excel in a certain good.

Pythagoras
Choose always the way that seems the best, however rough it may be; custom will soon render it easy and agreeable.

Pythagoras
The most momentous thing in human life is the art of winning the soul to good or to evil.

Pythagoras
Work at these things, practice them, these are the things you ought to desire; they are what will put you on the path of divine virtue — yes, by the one who entrusted our soul with the tetraktys, source of ever-flowing nature. Pray to the gods for success and get to work.

Pythagoras
Dispose thy Soul to all good and necessary things!

Pythagoras
Most men and women, by birth or nature, lack the means to advance in wealth and power, but all have the ability to advance in knowledge.

Pythagoras
None can be free who is a slave to, and ruled by, his passions.

Pythagoras
A good Soul hath neither too great joy, nor too great sorrow: for it rejoiceth in goodness; and it sorroweth in wickedness. By the means whereof, when it beholdeth all things, and seeth the good and bad so mingled together, it can neither rejoice greatly; nor be grieved with over much sorrow.

Pythagoras
Educate the children and it won't be necessary to punish the men.

Pythagoras
As soon as laws are necessary for men, they are no longer fit for freedom.

Pythagoras