Life of Pythagoras — Iamblichus, trans. Thomas Taylor (1818)

Do not investigate the name of God, because you will not find it. For every thing which is called by a name, receives its ee from that which is more worthy than itself, so that it is one person that calls, and another that hears. Who is it, therefore, that has given a name to God? God, however, is not a name to God, but an indication of what we conceive of him.

God is a light incapable of receiving its contrary (darkness. ]

You have in yourself something similar to God, and therefore use yourself as the temple of God, on account of that which in you resembles God.

Honor God above all things, that he may rule over you.

Whatever you honor above all things, that which you so honor will have dominion over you. But if you give yourself to the domination of God, you will thus have dominion over all things.

1 For as every cause of existence to a thing, is better than that thing, so far as the one is cause and the other effect; thus also that which gives a name to any thing is better than the thing named, so far as it is named, i.e. so far as pertains to its possession of aname. For the nominator is the cause, and the name the effect.

p. 192

p. 193

The greatest honor which can be paid to God, is to know and imitate him.

There is not any thing, indeed, which wholly resembles God; nevertheless the imitation of him as much as possible by an inferior nature is grateful to him.

God, indeed, is not in want of any thing, but the wise man is in want of God alone. He, therefore, who is in want but of few things, and those necessary, emulates him who is in want of nothing.

Endeavour to be great in the estimation of divinity, but among men avoid envy.

The wise man whose estimation with men was but small while he was living, will be renowned when he is dead.

Consider all the time to be lost to you in which you do not think of divinity.

A good intellect is the choir of divinity.

A bad intellect is the choir of evil demons.

Honor that which is just, on this very account that it is just.

You will not be concealed from divinity when you act unjustly, nor even when you think of acting so.

The foundation of piety is continence; but the summit of piety is the love of God.

Wish that what is expedient and not what is pleasing may happen to you.

Such as you wish your neighbaur to be to you, such also be you to your neighbours.

That which God gives you, no one can take away.

Neither do nor even think of that which you are not willing God should know.

Before you do any thing think of God, that his light may precede your energies.

The soul is illuminated by the recollection of deity.

The use of all animals as food is indifferent, but it is more rational to abstain from them.

God is not the author of any evil.

p. 13

p. 194

You should not possess more than the use of the body requires.

Possess those things which no one can take from you.

Bear that which is necessary, as it is necessary.

Ask those things of God which it is worthy of God to bestow.

The reason which is in you, is the light of your life.

Ask those things of God, which you cannot receive from man.

Wish that those things which labor ought to precede, may be possessed by you after labor.

Be not anxious to please the multitude.

It is not proper to despise those things of which we shall be in want after the dissolution ! of the body.

You should not ask of divinity that which, when you have obtained, you will not perpetually possess.

Accustom your soul after [it has conceived all that is great of] divinity, to conceive something great of itself.

Esteem nothing to be precious, which a bad man may take from you.

He is dear to divinity, who considers those things alone to be precious, which are esteemed to be so by divinity.

Every thing which is more than necessary to man, is hostile to him.

He who loves that which is not expedient, will not love that which is expedient.

The intellect of the wise man is always with divinity.

God dwells in the intellect of the wise man.

Every desire is insatiable, and therefore is always in want.

The wise man is always similar to himself.

The knowledge and imitation of divinity, are alone sufficient to beatitude.

Use lying as poison.

1 In the Latin it is “‘ post disposttionem corporis.” But for dtsposttionem it is evidently necessary to read dissolutionem.

p. 195

Nothing is so peculiar to wisdom as truth.

When you preside over men, remember that divinity also presides over you.

Be persuaded that the end of life, is to live conformably to divinity.

Depraved affections are the beginnings of sorrows.

An evil disposition is the disease of the soul; but injustice and impiety are the death of it.

Use all men in such a way, as if you were the common curator of all things after God.

He who uses mankind badly, uses himself badly.

Wish that you may be able to benefit your enemies.

Endure all things, in order that you may live conformably to God.

By honoring a wise man, you will honor yourself.

In all your actions place God before your eyes.1

You are permitted to refuse matrimony, in order that you may live incessantly adhering to God.? If, however, as one knowing the battle, you are willing to fight, take a wife, and beget children.

To live, indeed, is not in our power, but to live rightly is.

Be unwilling to admit accusations against the man who is studious of wisdom.