INTRODUCTION.

...Rufinus original: Ruffinus. Regarding the other complete works and fragments that still exist, and also what we receive from any other: "We should pray to obtain those goods that are achieved through effort combined with virtue after the work is finished." All of this comes from Sextus. On page 648, he says: "Ask God for those things which it is fitting for God to provide. Seek from God what you cannot receive from a human. In matters where work must come first, wish for these to happen for you after the work [is done]." original Latin: "Hæc posce à Deo, quæ dignum est præstare Deum. Ea pete à Deo, quæ accipere ab homine non potes. In quibus præcedere debet labor, hæc tibi opta evenire post laborem." However, in this last sentence, Rufinus omitted the words "with virtue" after "work."

What Porphyry says almost immediately after this is exactly the first of the Sentences of Demophilus (Small Mythological Works original: Opusc. Mythol., p. 626): "Do not ask God for what you cannot keep once you have it. For every gift of God is permanent; therefore, he will not give what you cannot retain." original Greek: "Ἃ δὲ κτησάμενος οὐ καθέξεις, μὴ αἴτου παρὰ θεοῦ· δῶρον γὰρ θεοῦ πᾶν ἀναφαίρετον· ὥστε οὐ δώσει ὃ μὴ καθέξεις."

The sentence following this is attributed to Pythagoras and can be found in the Sentences of Stobaeus (1609 edition, p. 65): "Despise those things you will not need once you are freed from the body. Instead, practice those things you will need when you are free from the body, and call upon the Gods to be your helpers." original Greek: "Ὧν δὲ τοῦ σώματος ἀπαλλαγεῖσα οὐ δεηθήσῃ, ἐκείνων καταφρόνει· καὶ ὧν ἂν ἀπαλλαγεῖσα δέῃ, εἰς ταῦτα σὺ ἀσκουμένη τὸν θεὸν παρεκάλει γενέσθαι συλληπτορα." In Stobaeus, however, there are some differences that make the sentence more complete. For example, "all" is added after "despise"; the word for "need" is slightly different; "the Gods" is used instead of "God"; and the phrasing for "become your helper" is more specific. Therefore, the full translation would be: "Despise all those things which, when liberated from the body, you will not want; and by training yourself in those things you will need when liberated from the body, invoke the Gods to become your helpers."

On pages 27 and 28, Porphyry says, "Since it is more desirable for you [money] to be lost in vain..." original Greek: "αἱρετωτέρου σοι ὄντος [χρήματα] εἰκῇ"