Pythagoras’ Contribution
The stream of an ancient wisdom flows out of a remote antiquity. At times traces of its existence are observable while at others, when dogmatism… Read More »Pythagoras’ Contribution
pythagoreanism
Writings related to Pythagoreanism. See also: Neopythagoreanism.
On Pythagoras
Pythagoras was born about 528 B.C., and his parents, Mnesarchus and Pythais were citizens of Samos and descendants of Ancaeus, who, it is said by… Read More »On Pythagoras
The Pythagorean Science of Numbers
It was an auspicious day for the student at Crotona when Pythagoras received him into his own dwelling and welcomed him as a disciple. The… Read More »The Pythagorean Science of Numbers
Pythagoras
Twenty-five centuries ago the island of Samos was one of the garden spots of Ionia. Colonized hundreds of years before by a group of Arcadians… Read More »Pythagoras
Diogenes Laërtius’s Life of Pythagoras
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
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
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
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
The School of Pythagoras at Crotona
[Crotona] This was the ancient city of Magna Graecia, Italy, and has no reference to modern places of that name. [I.] One of the greatest… Read More »The School of Pythagoras at Crotona
Life and Teachings of Pythagoras
I. Life “Pythagoras, the pure philosopher deeply versed in the profounder phenomena of nature, the noble inheritor of the ancient lore, whose great aim was… Read More »Life and Teachings of Pythagoras
The Golden Verses of Pythagoras
1. First worship the immortal gods as the Law ordains. 2. Reverence thy oath, and next, the illustrious heroes. 3. Then supplicate the good terrestrial demons,… Read More »The Golden Verses of Pythagoras
“The Good and Happy Man,” by Archytas
In the first place, it is requisite to know this, that the good man is not immediately happy from necessity; but that this is the… Read More »“The Good and Happy Man,” by Archytas
“On the Tetractys,” by Theon of Smyrna
The tetrad was called by the Pythagoreans every number, because it comprehends in itself all the numbers as far as to the decad, and the… Read More »“On the Tetractys,” by Theon of Smyrna
“On the Virtues,” by Theages, Metapus & Clinias
From Theages, in his Treatise “On the Virtues”: The order of the soul subsists in such a way, that one part of it is the… Read More »“On the Virtues,” by Theages, Metapus & Clinias
“On Felicity,” by Hippodamus
Of animals, some are the recipients of felicity, but others are incapable of receiving it. And those animals, indeed, are receptive of it that have… Read More »“On Felicity,” by Hippodamus
“Concerning Human Life,” by Euryphamus
The perfect life of man falls short indeed of the life of God, because it is not self-perfect, but surpasses that of irrational animals, because… Read More »“Concerning Human Life,” by Euryphamus
“On Tranquility,” by Hipparchus
Since men live but for a very short period, if their life is compared with the whole of time, they will make a most beautiful… Read More »“On Tranquility,” by Hipparchus
Fragments of the Ethical Writings of Certain Pythagoreans
FROM HIPPODAMUS, THE THURIAN, IN HIS TREATISE ON FELICITY. ———— Of animals, some are the recipients of felicity, but others are incapable of receiving it.… Read More »Fragments of the Ethical Writings of Certain Pythagoreans
Pythagoric Sentences, from the Protreptics of Iamblichus
[Note:] Several of these sentences as published by Arcerius, are in a very defective state; but which, as the learned reader will perceive, I have… Read More »Pythagoric Sentences, from the Protreptics of Iamblichus
Pythagoric Ethical Sentences from Stobæus
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… Read More »Pythagoric Ethical Sentences from Stobæus
Iamblichus’s Life of Pythagoras, or Pythagoric Life
Full title: IAMBLICHUS’ LIFE OF PYTHAGORAS OR PYTHAGORIC LIFE. ACCOMPANIED BY FRAGMENTS OF THE ETHICAL WRITINGS OF CERTAIN PYTHAGOREANS IN THE DORIC DIALECT; AND A… Read More »Iamblichus’s Life of Pythagoras, or Pythagoric Life
The Golden Sentences of Democrates
1. If any one will give his mind to these sentences, he will obtain many things worthy of a man, and be free from many things… Read More »The Golden Sentences of Democrates
The Pythagoric Symbols, with the Explanations of Iamblichus
All these Symbols are exhortatory in common to the whole of virtue; but particularly each to some particular virtue. Different Symbols also are differently adapted… Read More »The Pythagoric Symbols, with the Explanations of Iamblichus
The Similitudes of Demophilus
1. Flattery is like painted armour, because it affords delight, but is of no use. 2. Learning is similar to a golden crown; for it is both… Read More »The Similitudes of Demophilus
The Pythagoric Sentences of Demophilus
1. Request not of the divinity such things as when obtained you cannot preserve; for no gift of divinity can ever be taken away; and on… Read More »The Pythagoric Sentences of Demophilus