Pythagoras (c. 6th century BCE)
“[A]bove all things respect thyself.
In the next place, observe justice in thy actions and in thy words.
And accustom not thyself to behave thyself in any thing without rule, and without reason.”
- This quote comes from a collection of moral and ethical sayings known as The Golden Verses (lines 12-14), attributed to the ancient theologian, philosopher, and mathematician, Pythagoras (c. 6th century BCE). Like the teachings of many other ancient figures, Pythagoras’ sayings and beliefs were preserved by disciples, students, and scholars who collected and interpreted the late master’s views for posterity. In particular, the so-called Golden Verses were compiled and named around the 3rd century CE or earlier, as they were referenced by figures such as Iamblichus (c. 250-330), Alciphron (3rd century), and Porphyry (c. 234-305). The translation used here is by Florence M. Firth (Theosophical Publishing, 1904), which was based on the translations of Hall (1657) and André Dacier (1707).
