The Golden Verses of Pythagoras
A New Translation
Pythagoras of Samos is one of the greatest sages in Romanism. He was born in the 2nd century AUC (6th century BC) and travelled the Mediterranean teaching kings and common folk alike how to live in harmony with nature and the Gods. His code of ethics continued to be a spiritual guide even into the middle ages. Sadly, many today know him only for his mathematical theories which shows how effectively traditional western spirituality has been hidden from westerners.
There are many translations of the Golden Verses which were originally written in Greek. The Romanist Society and the leader of the Classical Wisdom Tradition telegram channel have developed a new translation of the verses with reference to other translations and the original Greek. This translation focuses on the spiritual meaning and application of these verses for classical practitioners.
The Golden Verses
First honor the immortal Gods, in the order established by Law;
Then reverence the Oath; And next honor the illustrious Heroes.
Likewise, honor the holy men, performing the lawful rites.
Honor your parents and your nearest relations.
Among others, make the most virtuous your friend.
Love to make use of his gentle words, and learn from his useful deeds;
And avoid, as much as possible, hating your friend for a slight fault.
Necessity will reveal your ability for this.
Know that all these things are as I have told you,
And accustom yourself to control: first gluttony, sloth, lust, and anger.
Do nothing shameful, neither in the presence of others, nor privately;
Thus, above all things, sit as a judge over yourself.
Next, observe justice in your actions and in your words.
And accustom yourself not to behave without reason.
Know that it is ordained by Destiny that all men shall die,
And that just as possessions may be acquired, they may likewise be lost.
Concerning all the calamities that men suffer by Divine Fate,
Endure your lot with patience, whatever it may be, and never be angry.
To relieve them, as far as you can, is permitted,
And consider that Fate does not send many of these to good men.
The speech of the people is various, some good and some bad.
Do not be puzzled by them, nor allow them to deter you from your purpose.
If any falsehoods are advanced, arm yourself with patience.
Observe well, on every occasion, what I am going to tell you:
Let no one with speech or with deeds ever deceive you,
To say or to do what is not best for you.
Think before you act, so that nothing foolish results.
For it is the part of a miserable man to speak and act without reflection.
But do that which will not distress you afterwards, nor oblige you to repentance.
Never do anything which you do not understand;
But learn all you need to know, and thus you will lead a very pleasant life.
Do not neglect the health of your body;
But give it drink, food, and exercise in due measure.
Now, by measure, I mean what will not later induce pain.
Accustom yourself to a way of living that is neat and decent, without luxury.
Avoid all things that will arouse envy in others.
And do not be lavish out of season, like someone who does not know what is decent,
Nor be miserly. Moderation is best in all things!
Do only what cannot hurt you, and deliberate before you act.
Never let sleep close your tired eyes until you have examined all the actions of the day three times.
“Where have I transgressed? What did I accomplish? What duty did I neglect?”
All, from the first to the last, review;
If you have erred, reprimand yourself, but if you have done any good, rejoice.
Thoroughly practice all these things; meditate on them well; you ought to love them with all your heart.
It is they that will put you on the path of Divine Virtue.
I swear it by Him who has transmitted into our soul the Sacred Tetractys, the source of eternal Nature.
Begin your work, having first prayed to the Gods to accomplish it.
If you hold fast to these, you will know the relation of immortal Gods to mortal men and how it pervades all and governs all.
You will see what is true, that Nature is in all things alike,
So that you will not hope what you ought not to hope; and nothing will be hidden from you.
You will know that men freely draw hardship upon themselves.
Unhappy people! They neither see nor understand that the good is near them.
Few know how to deliver themselves from their troubles.
Such is the Fate that blinds them. Like tumbling stones
They roll here and there, oppressed with ills unlimited,
For a baneful companion within them, Discordia, harms them, unperceived.
Instead of provoking her, they ought to withdraw and flee.
Father Jove, you would surely deliver all from the evils that oppress them
If you would show them what kind of Genius they have.
But take courage, the race of man is divine.
Sacred Nature reveals to them the most hidden mysteries.
If you have a share in this, you will come to master my commands,
And by healing your soul, you will deliver it from all these afflictions.
But abstain from the foods we have spoken of, using judgment both in purifications
And in the deliverance of the soul, and examine each thing,
Setting reason, which comes from above, as your charioteer.
And when, after abandoning your mortal body, you arrive at the free Ether,
You will be immortal, a divinity, and Death will have no more dominion over you.