Famous Pythagoras Quotes
“Educate the children and it won't be necessary to punish the men.”
As quoted in Geary's Guide to the World's Great Aphorists (2007) by James Geary
“There is no word or action but has its echo in Eternity.”
As quoted in Pythagoron: The Religious, Moral, and Ethical Teachings of Pythagoras (1947) by Hobart Huson, p. 99
Context: There is no word or action but has its echo in Eternity.
Thought is an Idea in transit, which when once released, never can be lured back, nor the spoken word recalled. Nor ever can the overt act be erased All that thou thinkest, sayest, or doest bears perpetual record of itself, enduring for Eternity.
Pythagoras Quotes about the soul
As quoted in Divine Harmony: The Life and Teachings of Pythagoras by John Strohmeier and Peter Westbrook. (1999)
The Golden Verses
"Pythagorean Ethical Sentences From Stobæus" (1904)
Florilegium
“Choose rather to be strong in soul than in body.”
"Pythagorean Ethical Sentences From Stobæus" (1904)
Choose rather to be strong of soul than strong of body.
As quoted in Florilegium, I.22, as translated in Dictionary of Quotations (1906) by Thomas Benfield Harbottle, p. 396
Florilegium
The Sayings of the Wise (1555)
“Sobriety is the strength of the soul, for it preserves its reason unclouded by passion.”
As quoted in The History of Philosophy: From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Present Century (1819) by William Enfield
Sobriety is the strength of the mind; for it preserves reason unclouded by passion.
As quoted in Bible of Reason (1831) by Benjamin F. Powell, p. 157
Strength of mind rests in sobriety; for this keeps your reason unclouded by passion.
As quoted in Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern English and Foreign Sources (1899) by James Wood
Pythagoras Quotes about God
“Number is the ruler of forms and ideas, and the cause of gods and daemons.”
As quoted in Life of Pythagoras (c. 300) by Iamblichus of Chalcis, as translated by Thomas Taylor (1818)
Variants:
Number rules the universe.
As quoted in The Story of a Number (1905) by E. Maor; also in Comic Sections (1993) by Desmond MacHale
“Man know thyself; then thou shalt know the Universe and God.”
As quoted in Fragments of Reality: Daily Entries of Lived Life (2006) by Peter Cajander, p. 109
As quoted in Divine Harmony: The Life and Teachings of Pythagoras by John Strohmeier and Peter Westbrook. (1999)
The Golden Verses
"Pythagorean Ethical Sentences From Stobæus" (1904)
Florilegium
“There are men and gods, and beings like Pythagoras.”
Of himself, as quoted in A History of Western Philosophy (1945) by Bertrand Russell
Pythagoras: Trending quotes
Attribution to Pythagoras by Ovid, as quoted in The Extended Circle: A Dictionary of Humane Thought (1985) by Jon Wynne-Tyson, p. 260; also in Vegetarian Times, No. 168 (August 1991), p. 4
Context: As long as Man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.
“Reason not with him, that will deny the principal truths!”
The Sayings of the Wise (1555)
Pythagoras Quotes
“By Silence, the discretion of a man is known: and a fool, keeping Silence, seemeth to be wise.”
The Sayings of the Wise (1555)
The Sayings of the Wise (1555), p. 128
“It is better wither to be silent, or to say things of more value than silence.”
As quoted in A Dictionary of Thoughts: Being a Cyclopedia of Laconic Quotations from the Best Authors of the World, both Ancient and Modern (1908) by Tyron Edwards, p. 525
Context: It is better wither to be silent, or to say things of more value than silence. Sooner throw a pearl at hazard than an idle or useless word; and do not say a little in many words, but a great deal in a few.
“It is requisite to choose the most excellent life; for custom will make it pleasant.”
"Pythagorean Ethical Sentences From Stobæus" (1904)
Florilegium
Context: 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.
As quoted in Bibliotheca Sacra and Theological Review by ? Vol. IV, No. 8 (1847) by Dallas Theological Seminary, p. 107
“In anger we should refrain both from speech and action.”
As quoted in Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, "Pythagoras", Sect. 23–24, as translated in Dictionary of Quotations (1906) by Thomas Benfield Harbottle, p. 370
As quoted in The Biblical Museum: A Collection of Notes Explanatory, Homiletic, and Illustrative on the Holy Scriptures, Especially Designed for the Use of Ministers, Bible-students, and Sunday-school Teachers (1873) http://books.google.com/books?id=aJ8CAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA1-PA331&dq=%22only+necessary+to+make+war+with+five+things%22&ei=8jG1SZKiIIGklQTL0KHHDg by James Comper Gray, Vol. V
“Those alone are dear to Divinity who are hostile to injustice.”
"Pythagorean Ethical Sentences From Stobæus" (1904)
Florilegium
“Power is the near neighbour of necessity.”
As quoted in Aurea Carmina (8) by Hierocles of Alexandria, as translated in Dictionary of Quotations (1906) by Thomas Benfield Harbottle, p. 356
This is often published as a direct quote of Pythagoras, but seems to be derived from the account of Diogenes Laertius of Pythagorean doctrines, where he simply describes the statement as a precept of his followers. In the translation of C. D. Yonge (1853) it is rendered, in regard to Pythagoreans:
: They also say, that the most important privilege in man is, the being able to persuade his soul to either good or bad. And that men are happy when they have a good soul; yet, that they are never quiet, and that they never retain the same mind long. Also, that an oath is justice; and that on that account, Jupiter is called Jupiter of Oaths. Also, that virtue is harmony, and health, and universal good, and God; on which account everything owes its existence and consistency to harmony. Also, that friendship is a harmonious equality.
Disputed
“Let not sleep fall upon thy eyes till thou has thrice reviewed the transactions of the past day.”
As translated in The Rambler No. 8 http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=Joh1Ram.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=8&division=div1 (14 April 1750) by Samuel Johnson
Let not sleep e'er close thy eyes
Without thou ask thyself: What have I omitted and what done?
Abstain thou if 'tis evil; persevere if good.
As translated by Fabre d'Olivet
Do not let sleep close your tired eyes until you have three times gone over the events of the day. 'What did I do wrong? What did I accomplish? What did I fail to do that I should have done?' Starting from the beginning, go through to the end. Then, reproach yourself for the things you did wrong, and take pleasure in the good things you did.
As quoted in Divine Harmony: The Life and Teachings of Pythagoras by John Strohmeier and Peter Westbrook. (1999)
The Golden Verses
Context: 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.
“Envy has been, is, and shall be, the destruction of many.”
The Sayings of the Wise (1555)
Context: 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.
“It is better to suffer, than to do, wrong.”
The Sayings of the Wise (1555), p. 164
“Know that death comes to everyone, and that wealth will sometimes be acquired, sometimes lost.”
As quoted in Divine Harmony: The Life and Teachings of Pythagoras by John Strohmeier and Peter Westbrook. (1999)
The Golden Verses
Context: Know that death comes to everyone, and that wealth will sometimes be acquired, sometimes lost. Whatever griefs mortals suffer by divine chance, whatever destiny you have, endure it and do not complain. But it is right to improve it as much as you can, and remember this: Fate does not give very many of these griefs to good people.
As quoted in Divine Harmony: The Life and Teachings of Pythagoras by John Strohmeier and Peter Westbrook. (1999)
The Golden Verses
Context: Many words befall men, mean and noble alike; do not be astonished by them, nor allow yourself to be constrained.
If a lie is told, bear with it gently.
But whatever I tell you, let it be done completely.
Let no one persuade you by word or deed to do or say whatever is not best for you.
As translated by Fabre d'Olivet
The Golden Verses
Context: 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.
As quoted in Divine Harmony: The Life and Teachings of Pythagoras by John Strohmeier and Peter Westbrook (1999)
The Golden Verses
Context: You will know that wretched men are the cause of their own suffering, who neither see nor hear the good that is near them, and few are the ones who know how to secure release from their troubles. Such is the fate that harms their minds; like pebbles they are tossed about from one thing to another with cares unceasing. For the dread companion Strife harms them unawares, whom one must not walk behind, but withdraw from and flee.
“Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they please.”
As quoted in The World's Laconics: Or, The Best Thoughts of the Best Authors (1853) by Everard Berkeley
Variant: Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they will.
“There is geometry in the humming of the strings. There is music in the spacings of the spheres.”
As quoted in the preface of the book entitled Music of the Spheres by Guy Murchie (1961)
The Golden Verses
“The oldest, shortest words— "yes" and "no"— are those which require the most thought.”
As quoted in Numerology for Relationships: A Guide to Birth Numbers (2006) by Vera Kaikobad, p. 78
“Let no one persuade you by word or deed to do or say whatever is not best for you.”
As quoted in Divine Harmony: The Life and Teachings of Pythagoras by John Strohmeier and Peter Westbrook. (1999)
The Golden Verses
Context: Many words befall men, mean and noble alike; do not be astonished by them, nor allow yourself to be constrained.
If a lie is told, bear with it gently.
But whatever I tell you, let it be done completely.
Let no one persuade you by word or deed to do or say whatever is not best for you.
“Silence is better than unmeaning words.”
As quoted in Encyclopaedia Americana (1832) Vol. X, p. 445 edited by Francis Lieber, E. Wigglesworth, and Thomas Gamaliel Bradford
As quoted in The Golden Ratio (2002) by Mario Livio
“Reason is immortal, all else mortal.”
As quoted in Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, Sect. 30, as translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925); also in The Demon and the Quantum: From the Pythagorean Mystics to Maxwell's Demon (2007) by Robert J. Scully, Marlan O. Scully, p. 11
“Above all things, respect yourself.”
Variant translations:
Respect yourself above all.
As quoted in Divine Harmony: The Life and Teachings of Pythagoras http://www.sacredscience.com/pythagoras.htm by John Strohmeier and Peter Westbrook. (1999)
Above all things reverence thy self.
Above all things, respect yourself.
Above the cloud with its shadow is the star with its light. Above all things reverence thyself.
The Golden Verses
Variant: Above all things reverence thy Self.
As quoted in Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, "Pythagoras", Sect. 10
As quoted in Diogenes Laërtius, Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, "Pythagoras", Sect. 23, as translated in Dictionary of Quotations http://archive.org/details/dictionaryquota02harbgoog (1906) by Thomas Benfield Harbottle, p. 320
“As soon as laws are necessary for men, they are no longer fit for freedom.”
As quoted in Short Sayings of Great Men: With Historical and Explanatory Notes (1882) by Samuel Arthur Bent, p. 454
As quoted in A Dictionary of Thoughts: Being a Cyclopedia of Laconic Quotations from the Best Authors of the World, both Ancient and Modern (1908) by Tyron Edwards, p. 101
“It is difficult to walk at one and the same time many paths of life.”
"Pythagorean Ethical Sentences From Stobæus" (1904)
Florilegium
The Sayings of the Wise (1555)
“Anger begins in folly, and ends in repentance.”
As quoted in Treasury of Thought: Forming an Encyclopædia of Quotations from Ancient and Modern Authors (1894) by Maturin Murray Ballou
“In this theater of man's life it is reserved only for God and angels to be lookers on.”
Francis Bacon, in The Advancement of Learning (1605) Book II, xx, 8.
Misattributed
As quoted in A Dictionary of Thoughts: Being a Cyclopedia of Laconic Quotations from the Best Authors of the World, both Ancient and Modern (1908) by Tyron Edwards, p. 592
“Take not thine enemy for thy friend; nor thy friend for thine enemy!”
The Sayings of the Wise (1555)
“I was Euphorbus at the siege of Troy.”
As reported by Heraclides Ponticus (c. 360 BC), and Diogenes Laërtius (Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, "Pythagoras", Sect. 4), and quoted in Cosmic Optimism: A Study of the Interpretation of Evolution (1949) by Frederick William Conner
Misquoted as "I was at Euphorbus at the siege of Troy." in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations (1922)
“Dear youths, I warn you cherish peace divine,
And in your hearts lay deep these words of mine.”
As reported by Heraclides, son of Sarapion, and Diogenes Laërtius, in Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, "Pythagoras", Sect. 7, in the translation of C. D. Yonge (1853)
