Pay honour to the Immortal Gods, As Order hath established Their Choirs:

Reverence the Oath.

The Heroes great and good Revere thou next, and earth’s good geniuses,

Paying to them such honours as are due.

Honour thy parents and thy nearest kin; Of others make the virtuous your friend:

Yield to his gentle words, his timely acts; Nor for a petty fault take back thy love.

Bear what thou canst: pow’r comest at man’s need.

Know this for truth, and learn to conquer these:

Thy belly first; sloth, luxury and rage.

Do nothing base with others or alone,

And above all things, thine own self respect.

Next practice justice in thy word and deed

And learn to act unreasonably in naught; But know that all must die.

Wealth comes and goes. Of ills the Godess Fortune gives to man

Bear meekly though thy lot, nor grieve at it; But cure  it as thou canst.

From the Golden Verses of the Pythagoreans