The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Chapter
Pythagoras explained
This chapter covers the life, teachings, and legacy of Pythagoras, founder of the Italian school of philosophy.
What happens
This chapter covers the life, teachings, and legacy of Pythagoras, founder of the Italian school of philosophy. It details his supposed transmigrations of the soul, his travels to Egypt and Crete to learn sacred mysteries, his establishment of a philosophical community in Crotona, his ethical and dietary precepts, and the symbolic sayings (symbola) attributed to him. It also discusses the writings ascribed to him and the secrecy of his school's doctrines.
Themes in this chapter
Virtue and Self-Sufficiency
Pythagoras's ethical teachings emphasize self-control, moderation in diet and pleasures, and the rejection of excess, as seen in his prohibitions and his advice on prayer and love.
The Philosopher's Life and Character
The chapter details Pythagoras's personal habits, dress, abstention from laughter and anger, and his role as a charismatic teacher and founder of a philosophical community.
Origins and Succession of Philosophical Schools
Pythagoras is presented as the founder of the Italian school, with a lineage traced through earlier teachers like Pherecydes and Hermodamas, and his doctrines were later published by Philolaus.
Characters to notice
- Pythagoras
Central figure of the chapter; his life, teachings, and transmigration beliefs are detailed.
- Heraclitus
Quoted as a natural philosopher who commented on Pythagoras's learning.
- Pherecydes of Syros
Mentioned as a teacher of Pythagoras.
- Epimenides of Crete
Accompanied Pythagoras into the Idaean cave in Crete.
- Aristotle
Cited as an authority on Pythagoras's prohibitions regarding food.
- Plato
Mentioned as having tried to purchase the three celebrated books of Philolaus for a hundred minae.
Key passages
“And as some people came to a festival to contend for the prizes, and others for the purposes of traffic, and the best as spectators; so also in life, the men of slavish dispositions are born hunters after glory and covetousness, but philosophers are seekers after truth.”
Pythagoras compared life to a festival: some seek prizes (glory), others trade (wealth), but the best are spectators (philosophers) who seek truth.
This analogy defines the philosopher's role as a disinterested seeker of truth, contrasting with worldly pursuits.
“He forbids men to pray for anything in particular for themselves, because they do not know what is good for them.”
Pythagoras taught that people should not pray for specific things because they are ignorant of what is truly beneficial.
Reflects a key ethical principle of humility and trust in a higher order.
“Do not stir the fire with a sword.”
Do not provoke the anger of powerful men.
One of Pythagoras's symbolic sayings (symbola) with a hidden moral meaning.