Pythagoras, therefore, complying with their wish, is said to have given
the boys the following advice: That they should neither revile any one,
nor take vengeance on those that reviled. He likewise exhorted them to
pay diligent attention to learning, which derives its appellation from
their age. He added, that it was easy for a modest youth to preserve
probity through the whole of life; but that it was difficult for one to
accomplish this, who was not naturally well disposed at that age; or
rather it is impossible that he who begins his course from a bad
impulse, should run well to the end. Besides this, he observed that boys
were most dear to divinity, and hence in times of great drought, they
were sent by cities to implore rain from the Gods, in consequence of the
persuasion that divinity is especially attentive to children; though
such as are permitted to be continually conversant with sacred
ceremonies, scarcely obtain purification in perfection. From this cause
also, the most philanthropic of the Gods, Apollo and Love, are
universally represented in pictures as having the age of boys. It is
likewise acknowledged, that some of the games in which the conquerors
are crowned, were instituted on account of boys; the Pythian, indeed, in
consequence of the serpent Python being slain by a boy; but the Nemean
and Isthmian, on account of the death of Archemorus and Melicerta.
Besides what has been said likewise, while the city of Crotona was
building, Apollo promised to the founder, that he would give him a
progeny, if he brought a colony into Italy; from which inferring that
Apollo providentially attended to the propagation of them, and that all
the Gods paid attention to every age, they ought to render themselves
worthy of their friendship. He added, that they should exercise
themselves in hearing, in order that they may be able to speak. And
farther still, that as soon as they have entered into the path in which
they intend to proceed to old age, they should follow the steps of those
that preceded them, and never contradict those that are older than
themselves. For thus hereafter, they will justly think it right that
neither should they be injured by their juniors. On account of these
exhortations, it must be confessed that he deserved not to be called by
his own name, but that all men should denominate him divine.