Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie

Philosopher, scholar, translator. Bio: Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie.

Diogenes Laërtius’s Life of Pythagoras

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, Pythagorean Sourcebook & Library, 1919

I. Early Life Since we have now gone through the Ionian philosophy, which was derived from Thales, and the lives of the several illustrious, men… Read More »Diogenes Laërtius’s Life of Pythagoras

Anonymous Biography of Pythagoras, preserved by Photius

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, Pythagorean Sourcebook & Library, 1919

1. Plato was the pupil of Archytas, and thus the ninth in succession from Pythagoras; the tenth was Aristotle. Those of Pythagoras’s disciples that were… Read More »Anonymous Biography of Pythagoras, preserved by Photius

Porphyry’s Life of Pythagoras

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, Pythagorean Sourcebook & Library, 1919

1. Many think that Pythagoras was the son of Mnesarchus, but they differ as to the latter’s race; some thinking him a Samian, while Neanthes, in… Read More »Porphyry’s Life of Pythagoras

Iamblichus’s Life of Pythagoras

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, Pythagorean Sourcebook & Library, 1919

Chapter I. Importance of the Subject Since wise people are in the habit of invoking the divinities at the beginning of any philosophic consideration, this… Read More »Iamblichus’s Life of Pythagoras

Plotinus, The Enneads [6:1-9]

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, 1918 [Originally published in Plotinus: Complete Works]

Ennead 6.1. Of the Ten Aristotelian and Four Stoic Categories. HISTORICAL REVIEW OF CATEGORIES. 1. Very ancient philosophers have investigated the number and kinds of… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [6:1-9]

Plotinus, The Enneads [5:1-9]

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, 1918 [Originally published in Plotinus: Complete Works]

Ennead 5.1. The Three Principal Hypostases, or Forms of Existence. AUDACITY THE CAUSE OF HUMAN APOSTASY FROM THE DIVINITY. 1. How does it happen that… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [5:1-9]

Plotinus, The Enneads [4:1-9]

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, 1918 [Originally published in Plotinus: Complete Works]

Ennead 4.1. Of the Being of the Soul. It is in the intelligible world that dwells veritable being. Intelligence is the best that there is… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [4:1-9]

Plotinus, The Enneads [3:1-9]

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, 1918 [Originally published in Plotinus: Complete Works]

Ennead 3.1. Concerning Fate. POSSIBLE THEORIES ABOUT FATE. 1. The first possibility is that there is a cause both for the things that become, and… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [3:1-9]

Plotinus, The Enneads [2:1-9]

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, 1918 [Originally published in Plotinus: Complete Works]

Ennead 2.1. Of the Heaven. HEAVEN, THOUGH IN FLUX, PERPETUATES ITSELF BY FORM. 1. Nothing will be explained by the perfectly true (Stoic) statement that… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [2:1-9]

Plotinus, The Enneads [1:1-9]

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, 1918 [Originally published in Plotinus: Complete Works]

Ennead 1.1. The Organism and the Self. PSYCHOLOGIC DISTINCTIONS IN SOUL. 1. To what part of our nature do pleasure and grief, fear and boldness… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [1:1-9]

Porphyry’s Life of Plotinus, and Order of His Writings

Translation/ by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, 1918 [Originally published in Plotinus: Complete Works]

I. Plotinus, like Porphyry, Despised His Physical Nature, but a Picture of Him was Secured. Plotinus the philosopher, who lived recently, seemed ashamed of having… Read More »Porphyry’s Life of Plotinus, and Order of His Writings