Pythagoras
Ionian Greek philosopher and founder of the religious movement called Pythagoreanism, often revered as a great mathematician, mystic and scientist.
Above all things reverence thy Self.
Happy is that City that hath a wise man to govern it.
The King that followeth Truth, and ruleth according to Justice, shall reign quietly: but he that doth the contrary, seeketh another to reign for him.
Anger begins in folly, and ends in repentance.
It is not proper either to have a blunt sword or to use freedom of speech ineffectually.
Neither is the sun to be taken from the world, nor freedom of speech from erudition.
It was through philosophy, he said, that he had come to be surprised at nothing.
It is requisite to defend those who are unjustly accused of having acted injuriously, but to praise those who excel in a certain good.
I was Euphorbus at the siege of Troy.
Wish not the thing, which thou mayest not obtain!
Choose always the way that seems the best, however rough it may be; custom will soon render it easy and agreeable.
Holding fast to these things, you will know the worlds of gods and mortals which permeates and governs everything. And you will know, as is right, nature similar in all respects, so that you will neither entertain unreasonable hopes nor be neglectful of anything.
Disbelieve nothing wonderful concerning the gods, nor concerning divine dogmas.
What appeared here, at the center of the Pythagorean tradition in philosophy, is another view of psyche that seems to owe little or nothing to the pan-vitalism or pan-deism (see theion) that is the legacy of the Milesians.
Attempt nothing above thy strength!
No one will deny that the soul of Pythagoras was sent to mankind from Apollo's domain, having either been one of his attendants, or more intimate associates, which may be inferred both from his birth, and his versatile wisdom.
Remind yourself that all men assert that wisdom is the greatest good, but that there are few who strenuously seek out that greatest good.
A solitary man is a God, or a beast.
It was Pythagoras who first called heaven kosmos, because it is perfect, and "adorned" with infinite beauty and living beings.
Patience cometh by the grace of the Soul.
In anger we should refrain both from speech and action.