The Commentary of Hierocles upon the Golden Verses of Pythagoras

themselves their own misfortunes voluntarily, and of their own free choice. — Wretches as they are! they neither see, nor understand, that their good is near them. — There are very few of them who know how to deliver themselves out of their misfortunes. — Such is the fate that blinds mankind, and takes away their senses. Like huge cylinders, — They roll to and fro, always oppressed with ills without number. — For fatal contention, that is innate in them, and that pursues them every where, tosses them up and down, nor do they perceive it. — Instead of provoking and stirring it up, they 170ought by yielding to avoid it.

VER. LXI. LXII. LXIII. LXIV. LXV. LXVI.
Great Jupiter! father of men! either deliver us from all the evils that oppress us, — Or discover to us all what demon we use original: "δαίμονα" (daimona); the author refers to the governing spirit or guiding intelligence of each person.. — But take courage; the race of man is divine. — Sacred nature reveals to them the most hidden mysteries. — If she impart to you her secrets, you will easily perform all the things which I have ordained; — And healing your soul, you 183will deliver it from all these evils.

VER. LXVII. LXVIII. LXIX. Abstain from the meats which we have forbidden in the purifications, — And in the deliverance of the soul; make a just distinction of them, and examine all things well. — Leaving yourself always to be guided and directed by the understanding that comes from above, and that ought to hold the 193reins.

VER. LXX. LXXI. And when, after having divested yourself of your mortal body, you arrive in the pure æther the celestial region or fifth element, — Then shall you be a god, immortal, incorruptible; and death shall 213have no more dominion over you.