Opening Pythagoric Sentences — Pythagoreans in Plato Scroll… Continue →
Pythagoreans · Thomas Taylor (1818)
Do not even think of doing what ought not to be done. Choose rather to be strong in soul than in body. Be persuaded that things of a laborious nature contribute more than pleasures to virtue. Every passion of the soul is most hostile to its salvation. It is difficult to walk at one and the same time in many paths of life. Pythagoras said, 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 honor. 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. All the parts of human life, in the same manner as those of a statue, ought to be beautiful. A statue indeed standing …
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