And this indeed is what he said to the young men in the Gymnasium. But
when they had told their parents what they had heard, a thousand men
having called Pythagoras into the senate-house, and praised him for what
he had said to their sons, desired him, if he had any thing advantageous
to say to the Crotonians, to unfold it to those who were the leaders of
the administration. He was also the first that advised them to build a
temple to the Muses, in order that they might preserve the existing
concord. For he observed that all these divinities were called by one
common name, [the Muses,] that they subsisted in conjunction with each
other, especially rejoiced in common honors, and in short, that there
was always one and the same choir of the Muses. He likewise farther
observed, that they comprehended in themselves symphony, harmony, rythm,
and all things which procure concord. They also evince that their power
does not alone extend to the most beautiful theorems, but likewise to
the symphony and harmony of things. In the next place, he said it was
necessary they should apprehend that they received their country from
the multitude of the citizens, as a common deposit. Hence, it was
requisite they should so govern it, that they might faithfully transmit
it to their posterity, as an hereditary possession. And that this would
firmly be effected, if they were equal in all things to the citizens,
and surpassed them in nothing else than justice. For men knowing that
every place requires justice, have asserted in fables that Themis has
the same order with Jupiter, that Dice, i. e. justice, is seated by
Pluto, and that Law is established in cities; in order that he who does
not act justly in things which his rank in society requires him to
perform, may at the same time appear to be unjust towards the whole
world. He added, it was proper that the senators should not make use of
any of the Gods for the purpose of an oath, but that their language
should be such as to render them worthy of belief even without oaths.
And likewise, that they should so manage their own domestic affairs, as
to make the government of them the object of their deliberate choice.
That they should also be genuinely disposed towards their own offspring,
as being the only animals that have a sensation of this conception. And
that they should so associate with a wife the companion of life, as to
be mindful that other compacts are engraved in tables and pillars, but
those with wives are inserted in children. That they should likewise
endeavour to be beloved by their offspring, not through nature, of which
they were not the causes, but through deliberate choice: for this is
voluntary beneficence.
He further observed, that they should be careful not to have connexion
with any but their wives, in order that the wives may not bastardize the
race through the neglect and vicious conduct of the husbands. That they
should also consider, that they received their wives from the Vestal
hearth with libations, and brought them home as if they were suppliants,
in the presence of the Gods themselves. And that by orderly conduct and
temperance, they should become examples both to their own families, and
to the city in which they live. That besides this, they should take care
to prevent every one from acting viciously, lest offenders not fearing
the punishment of the laws, should be concealed; and reverencing
beautiful and worthy manners, they should be impelled to justice. He
also exhorted them to expel sluggishness from all their actions; for he
said that opportunity was the only good in every action. But he defined
the divulsion of parents and children from each other, to be the
greatest of injuries. And said, that he ought to be considered as the
most excellent man, who is able to foresee what will be advantageous to
himself; but that he ranks as the next in excellence, who understands
what is useful from things which happen to others. But that he is the
worst of men who waits for the perception of what is best, till he is
himself afflicted. He likewise said, that those who wish to be honored,
will not err if they imitate those that are crowned in the course: for
these do not injure their antagonists, but are alone desirous that they
themselves may obtain the victory. Thus also it is fit that those who
engage in the administration of public affairs, should not be offended
with those that contradict them, but should benefit such as are obedient
to them. He likewise exhorted every one who aspired after true glory, to
be such in reality as he wished to appear to be to others: for counsel
is not so sacred a thing as praise; since the former is only useful
among men, but the latter is for the most part referred to the Gods. And
after all this he added, that their city happened to be founded by
Hercules, at that time when he drove the oxen through Italy, having been
injured by Lacinius; and when giving assistance by night to Croton, he
slew him through ignorance, conceiving him to be an enemy. After which,
Hercules promised that a city should be built about the sepulchre of
Croton, and should be called from him Crotona, when he himself became a
partaker of immortality. Hence Pythagoras said, it was fit that they
should justly return thanks for the benefit they had received. But the
Crotonians, on hearing this, built a temple to the Muses, and dismissed
the harlots which they were accustomed to have. They also requested
Pythagoras to discourse to the boys in the temple of Pythian Apollo, and
to the women in the temple of Juno.