The Commentary of Hierocles upon the Golden Verses of Pythagoras

For this science therefore, which must render us pure and perfect, it is good to have short and certain rules, to be as so many aphorisms of the art; that by their means, in an orderly and easy progress, we may arrive at happiness, which is the sole end of our being.

Among all the rules that contain a summary of philosophy, the verses of Pythagoras, called THE GOLDEN VERSES, justly hold the first rank; for they contain the general precepts of all philosophy, as well for what regards the active, as the contemplative, life. By their means every one may acquire truth and virtue, render himself pure, happily attain to the divine resemblance, and, as is said in the Timæus a dialogue on the nature of the physical world of Plato, whom we are to regard as a very exact master of the doctrine of Pythagoras, after having regained his health, and recovered his integrity and his perfection, he may see himself again in his primitive state of innocence and of light.

Pythagoras begins with the precepts of active virtue. For we must first subdue our inward disorders, and dissipate all sluggishness from off our minds, before we can apply ourselves to the knowledge of divine things. For, as an eye that is diseased, and not yet healed of its fluxion, cannot behold a dazzling and