Political fragments of Archytas, Charondas, Zaleucus, and other ancient Pythagoreans, preserved by Stobæus : $b and also, Ethical fragments of Hierocles, the celebrated commentator on the Golden Pythagoric Verses, preserved by the same author
Philosophy
Political fragments of Archytas, Charondas, Zaleucus, and other ancient Pythagoreans, preserved by Stobæus : $b and also, Ethical fragments of Hierocles, the celebrated commentator on the Golden Pythagoric Verses, preserved by the same author
Ethics -- Early works to 1800; Political science -- Early works to 1800
Let more elderly men also preside over such as are younger, so
that the latter may be ashamed of and deterred from vice, through
reverence and fear of the former. For in cities in which more elderly
men are shameless, the children and grandchildren of these are also
destitute of shame. But wanton insolence and injustice are the
attendants of shamelessness and impudence. And destruction follows
these. Let, however, no one be impudent[22], but let every one be
modest and temperate; because he will thus have the Gods propitious
to him, and will procure for himself salvation. For no vicious man is
dear to divinity. Let every one likewise honour probity and truth,
and hate what is base and false. For these are the indications of
virtue and vice. Hence it is requisite to accustom children from
their youth [to worthy manners], by punishing those that are lovers
of falsehood, but being delighted with those that are lovers of
truth, in order that in each that which is most beautiful, and most
prolific of virtue, may be implanted. Each of the citizens, likewise,
should be more anxious to pretend to be temperate than to pretend
to be wise: for the pretence of wisdom is a great indication of an
ignorance of probity, and is also a sign of pusillanimity. But let
the pretence of temperance be considered as a true claim to it. For
no one should feign with his tongue, that he performs beautiful
deeds, when at the same time he is both destitute of worthy conduct
and good intentions.
It is likewise requisite to preserve benevolence towards rulers,
being obedient to and venerating them as if they were parents. For he
who does not conceive that this is proper will suffer the punishment
of bad counsel from the dæmons who are the inspective guardians of
the seat of empire. For the rulers are the guardians of the city, and
of the safety of the citizens.
But it is also necessary that governors should preside justly over
those that are governed, in the same manner as over their own
children, in passing sentence on others, laying asleep hatred,
friendship, and anger.
Let those likewise be praised and celebrated who, being themselves in
affluence, have assisted the indigent, and let them be considered as
the saviours of the children and defenders of their country. And let
the wants of those be relieved who are poor through fortune, and not
through an indolent and intemperate life. For fortune is common to
all men, but an indolent and intemperate life is peculiar to bad men.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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