After an association of this kind, they turned their attention to the
health of the body. Most of them, however, used unction and the course;
but a less number employed themselves in wrestling in gardens and
groves; others in leaping with leaden weights in their hands, or in
pantomime gesticulations, with a view to the strength of this body,
studiously selecting for this purpose opposite exercises. Their dinner
consisted of bread and honey or the honey-comb; but they did not drink
wine during the day. They also employed the time after dinner in the
political economy pertaining to strangers and guests, conformably to the
mandate of the laws. For they wished to transact all business of this
kind in the hours after dinner. But when it was evening they again
betook themselves to walking; yet not singly as in the morning walk, but
in parties of two or three, calling to mind as they walked, the
disciplines they had learnt, and exercising themselves in beautiful
studies. After they had walked, they made use of the bath; and having
washed themselves, they assembled in the place where they eat together,
and which contained no more than ten who met for this purpose. These,
however, being collected together, libations and sacrifices were
performed with fumigations and frankincense. After this they went to
supper, which they finished before the setting of the sun. But they made
use of wine and maze, and bread, and every kind of food that is eaten
with bread, and likewise raw and boiled herbs. The flesh also of such
animals was placed before them as it was lawful to immolate; but they
rarely fed on fish: for this nutriment was not, for certain causes,
useful to them. In a similar manner also they were of opinion, that the
animal which is not naturally noxious to the human race, should neither
be injured nor slain. But after this supper libations were performed,
and these were succeeded by readings. It was the custom however with
them for the youngest to read, and the eldest ordered what was to be
read, and after what manner. But when they were about to depart, the
cup-bearer poured out a libation for them; and the libation being
performed, the eldest announced to them the following precepts: That a
mild and fruitful plant should neither be injured nor corrupted, nor in
a similar manner, any animal which is not noxious to the human race. And
farther still, that it is necessary to speak piously and form proper
conceptions of the divine, dæmoniacal, and heroic genera; and in a
similar manner, of parents and benefactors. That it is proper likewise
to give assistance to law, and to be hostile to illegality. But these
things being said, each departed to his own place of abode. They also
wore a white and pure garment. And in a similar manner they lay on pure
and white beds, the coverlets of which were made of thread; for they did
not use woollen coverlets. With respect to hunting they did not approve
of it, and therefore did not employ themselves in an exercise of this
kind. Such therefore were the precepts which were daily delivered to the
disciples of Pythagoras, with respect to nutriment and their mode of
living.