“It is better to suffer, than to do, wrong.”
The Sayings of the Wise (1555), p. 164
Pythagoras: Doing
Pythagoras was ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher. Explore interesting quotes on doing.
Pythagoras:
242
quotes
47
likes
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.
“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.
“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.
The Sayings of the Wise (1555)
“Do not even think of doing what ought not to be done.”
"Pythagorean Ethical Sentences From Stobæus" (1904)
Florilegium
“There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly.”
Terence, in Heauton Timoroumenos [The Self-Tormentor]
Misattributed
As quoted in Divine Harmony: The Life and Teachings of Pythagoras by John Strohmeier and Peter Westbrook. (1999)
The Golden Verses
“Tell not abroad what thou intendest to do; for if thou speed not, thou shalt be mocked!”
The Sayings of the Wise (1555)