The Philosophers on Conduct

THE PHILOSOPHERS ON CONDUCT. BY MILTON BENNION, PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY, UNIVERSITY OF UTAH. I. While the ancient Egyptians, the Hebrews and other primi- tive peoples, developed notable codes of morals, or collections of practical precepts, there was no systematic effort to find for these precepts a purely philosophical foundation , until Socrates under- took such an investigation. In the far East Hindu Brahmins and Chinese philosophers, and in the West, Pythagoras, whose thought is more pregnant with the spirit of oriental mysticism than with that of Greek philosophy, had made some contributions to a phil- osophy of conduct. These philosophies, however, had very little influence upon European thought. Philosophy arose in Greece about 600 B. C. as a series of speculations about the nature of things. This early philosophy might be called "speculative physics." It dealt with questions of origin and decay, permanence and change, what is real and what is only an illusion of the senses, and other problems of this sort. A number of these physicists, as they are sometimes called, also talked of the problems of conduct. This part of their thought is, however, practical rather than theoretical, and represents the reflections of wise men upon life's experiences. Most notable among these philosophers of the Pre-Socratic School are Hera- clitus and Democritus. The latter was a contemporary of Soc- rates, but is classified with the older school. It is the purpose of this series merely to introduce the phil- osophers, and to allow them to speak for themselves on the prob-

608 IMPROVEMENT ERA. lems of conduct, by printing from their selected quotations writings. In this number we present a from each of the little three Pre-Socratic Greek philosophers named above. The selec- tions are taken from Professor Blakewell's Source Book in Ancient Philosophy (Scribners) , with permission of the pub- lishers. PYTHAGORAS AND THE PYTHAGOREANS. Pythagoras flourished about 530 B. C. Little is known of \is life and personality. He is regarded by some as a mythical character; by others he has been identified with the Hindu Bud- dha. Usually, however, he is regarded as a Greek, born at Samos, and founder of a school or philosophical and religious brotherhood, at Crotona, in Magna Groecia (Italy) . How much of the supposed teachings of Pythagoras is really due to him, and how much represents additions and elaborations by his followers of later times is not known. It is more truthful, therefore, to speak of these teachings as the Pythagorean doctrines. EXTRACTS FROM THE PYTHAGOREAN GOLDEN WORDS. [Translated by Thomas Davidson.] The gods immortal, as by law disposed. First venerate, and reverence the oath: Then to the noble heroes, and the powers Beneath the earth, do homage with just rites. Thy parents honor and thy nearest kin, And from the rest choose friends on virtue's scale, To gentle words and kindly deeds give way. Nor hate thy friend for any slight offense. Bear all thou canst, for Can dwells nigh to Must. These things thus know. What follow learn to rule: The belly first, then sleep and lust and wrath Do nothing base with others or alone: But most of all thyself in reverence hold. Then practice justice both in deed and word, Nor let thyself wax thoughtless about aught: But know that death's the common lot of all.

— THE PHILOSOPHERS ON CONDUCT. 609 Be not untimely wasteful of thy wealth, Like vulgar men, nor yet illiberal. In all things moderation answers best. Do things that profit thee: think ere thou act. Let never sleep thy drowsy eyelids greet, Till thou hast pondered each act of the day: "Wherein have I transgressed? what have I done? What duty shunned?"^beginning from the first, Unto the last. Then grieve and fear for what Was basely done; but in the good rejoice. Be glad to gather goods, nor less to lose. Of human ills that spring from spirit-powers Endure thy part nor peevishly complain. Cure what thou canst; 'tis well, and then reflect: "Fate never lays too much upon the good." Be not neglectful of thy body's health; But measure use in drink, food, exercise I mean by "measure" what brings no distress. Follow a cleanly, simple mode of life. And guard against such acts as envy breed. Then, if, when thou the body leav'st thou mount To the free ether, deathless shalt thou be, A god immortal, — mortal nevermore! HERACLITUS. [Flourished about 505 B. C] Because of his serious attitude toward life, Heraclitus was called ''The Weeping Philosopher." The following selections are from The Fragments. 23. Were there no injustice men would never have known the name of justice. 28. Even he who is most highly esteemed knows and cherishes nothing buj opinions. And yet justice shall surely overcome forgers of lies and false wit- nesses. 29. There is one thing that the best men prize above all — eternal glory above all perishable things. Most men, however, stuff themselves like cattle. 41. Wisdom is one thing. It is to know the thought by which all things through all are guided. 43 . It is more necessary to extinguish wantonness than a conflagration.

. 6 10 IMPRO VEMENT ERA 50. It is wise to hearken not to me, but to the Word, and to confess that all things are one. 8 Opposition brings men together, and out of discord comes the fairest har- mony, and all things have their birth in strife. 95. It is best to hide one's folly, but it is hard when relaxed over the wine cups. 97. Dogs bark at every one whom they do not know. 101. I have sought to understand myself. 107. Eyes and ears are bad witnesses to men who have not an understand- ing hsart. 110. It were not good for men that all their wishes should be fulfiled. 111. It is disease that makes health pleasant; evil, good; hunger, plenty; weariness, rest. 112. Wisdom is the foremost virtue, and wisdom consists in speaking the truth, and in lending an ear to nature and acting according to her. 116. It is in the power of all men to know themselves and to practice temperance. 117. A man when he is drunk is led about by a beardless boy; he reels along paying no heed where he goes, for his soul is wet. 118. A dry soul is the wisest and the best. 119. Man's character is his fate. DEMOCRITUS. [Flourished about 420 B. C] Democritus is known as the "Laughing Philosopher" because he made happiness the goal of life. THE FRAGMENTS. 2. Of practical wisdom these are the three fruits: to deliberate well, to speak to the point, to do what is right. 3. He who intends to enjoy life should not be busy about many things, and in what he does should not undertake what exceeds his natural capacity. * * THE GOLDEN SAYINGS OF DEMOCRITUS. 37. If one choose the goods of the soul, he chooses the diviner [portion]; if the goods of the body, the merely mortal. 40. 'lis not in strength of body nor in gold that men find htippiness, but in uprightness and in fulness of understanding. 41. Not from fear, but from a sense of duty, refrain from your sins. 43. Repentance from one's evil deeds is the safeguard of life. 45. He who does wrong is more unhappy than he who suffers wrong. 53. Many who have not learned wisdom live wisely, and many who do the basest deeds can make most learned speeches. 54. Fools learn wisdom [only] through misfortune.

. THb] PHILOSOPHERS ON CONDUCT. 611 55. One should emulate works and deeds of virtue, not arguments about it. 57. Strength of body is nobility in beasts of burden, strength of character is nobility in men. 58. The hopes of the right-minded may be realized, those of fools are impossible. 60. It is better to correct your own faults than those of another. 61. Those who have a well-ordered character lead also a well-ordered life. 62. Good means not [merely] not to do wrong, but rather not to desire to do wrong. 64. There are many who know many things, yet are lacking in wisdom. 77. Fame and wealth without wisdom are unsafe possessions. Making money is not without its value, but nothing is baser than to 78. make it by wrong- doing. 68. You can tell the man who rings true from the man who rings false, not by his deeds alone, but also by his desires. 82. False men and shams talk big and do nothing. 89. My enemy is not the man who wrongs me, but the man who means to wrong me. 98. The friendship of one wise man is better than the friendship of a host of fools. 108. Seek afterthe good and with much toil shall ye find it; the evil turns up of itself without your seeking it 111. For a man, petticoat government is the limit of insolence. 119. Men have made an idol of luck as an excuse for their own thought, lessness. Luck seldom measures swords with wisdom. Most things in life quick wit and sharp vision can set right. 160. An evil and foolish and intemperate and irreligious life should not be (Sailed a bad life, but rather, dying long drawn out. 174. The right-minded man , ever inclined to righteous and lawful deeds, is joyous day and night, and strong, and free from care. But if a man take no heed of the right, and leave undone the things he ought to do, then will the recollec- tion of no one of all his transgressions bring him any joy, but only anxiety and self-reproaching. 231. A sensible man takes pleasure in what he has instead of pining for what he has not. 233. Throw moderation to the winds, and the greatest pleasures bring the greatest pains. 191. * * * One ought not to desire other men's blessings, and one ought not to envy those who have more, but rather, comparing his life with that of those who fare worse, and laying to heart their sufferings, deem himself blest of fortune in that he lives, and fares so much better than they. Holding fast this saying, you will pass your life in greater tranquility and will avert not a few of the plagues of life — envy and jealousy and bitterness of mind. Forest Dale, Utah.