Who Can't Be Trusted, Parenting, and Other Life Lessons from Pythagoras

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Pythagoras was the founder of an entire tradition that has survived to this day. Born in 569 BC, this Greek philosopher and mathematician was recognized worldwide for his outstanding intellect, philosophical and scientific views.

For many, Pythagoras was the first mathematician we know of in world history. And his contributions were very important in various mathematical fields such as geometry, arithmetic, and even astronomy and music.

Pythagoras' theoretical legacy had an important influence on Plato and Aristotle and on philosophy in general.

To get to know this important Greek philosopher better, in today's article we will look at famous Pythagoras quotes that have been passed down through the ages.

1. Life is like a spectacle; in it the very worst people often occupy the best places.

Life is often compared to a spectacle, where people are the actors and their actions are the play. And like any spectacle, life has its ups and downs, its heroes and villains. However, unlike a theater, in life there is no clear division between good and bad seats. Often the best seats are occupied by those who least deserve them.

This is an injustice that can be disappointing. But perhaps that is the lesson. Life is not always fair, and we will not always get what we think we deserve. But that does not mean we should give up. We must continue to fight for what we believe in and strive to make the world a better place.

2. Only an ignoble person is capable of praising to someone’s face and slandering behind their back.

An ignoble person often acts out of selfish motives, without caring about the consequences of their actions for others. One of the manifestations of ignobleness is duplicity - the ability to say one thing to your face and another behind your back. Such behavior indicates cowardice and lack of honesty.

An ignoble person is afraid to express his true opinion openly, so he resorts to backbiting and gossip. Praising in front of others and backbiting behind their back is a sign of hypocrisy. Backbiting and hypocrisy destroy trust and undermine reputation. They can cause deep pain and damage relationships.

3. Take care of your children's tears so that they can shed them on your grave.

These words are an important reminder that parents' actions today will have long-term consequences for their children's lives in the future, and that parents should strive to ensure that our children grow up in a loving and supportive environment where their feelings are understood, valued, and protected.

Tears shed by children during childhood due to abuse or neglect can have long-term consequences. They can undermine children's self-esteem, make it difficult to form healthy relationships, and increase the risk of developing mental illness later in life.

4. Help others lift their burdens, but do not feel obligated to carry them.

These wise words encourage us to reach out to those in need, but not to take on other people's problems. Helping others is a noble act, but it is important to remember your own boundaries and well-being.

Sometimes we want to help others, either because they are having problems with their spouse, at work, with money. A helping hand can comfort, inspire, and give hope to those who are struggling. However, when we take on too much, we risk exhausting ourselves and jeopardizing our own well-being.

The key is to find a balance between helping and preserving our own strength. We must be able to say “no” when necessary. We cannot solve others’ problems for them, but we can help them find the words of encouragement they need in difficult times.

5. Raise children, and there will be no need to punish men.

This profound saying is based on the idea that children who are raised with respect, responsibility, and compassion are less likely to commit crimes or harm others. Instilling moral values, discipline, and responsibility in children from an early age can help them grow into virtuous adults who make positive contributions to society. We can lay a strong foundation for their future behavior that is valuable to society as a whole.

6. One must wage war only with five things: with diseases of the body, ignorance of the mind, with passions of the body, with rebellions of the city and discord in families.

Pythagoras understood that there are only five battles that are truly important for a person to fight. The first war we must wage is the war against disease in the body. Physical illness is a constant threat to our health and happiness. The second war we must wage is the war against ignorance in the mind. Ignorance leads to prejudice, superstition, and intolerance.

The war against ignorance requires a relentless pursuit of knowledge, critical thinking, and an openness to new perspectives. The third battle we must wage is the passions of the flesh. Our physical desires and impulses, if left unchecked, can lead to excess, addiction, and self-destructive behavior.

The fourth war we must wage is the war against urban unrest. Internal unrest and social instability destroy community and undermine progress. Finally, the fifth war we must wage is the war against family discord. The family is the cornerstone of society, and discord within it destroys a person.

7. In anger we must refrain from both words and actions.

Anger is a powerful emotion that can cloud our judgment and lead to thoughtless words and actions. Words spoken in anger can be extremely destructive. They can hurt feelings, ruin relationships, and cause irreparable damage. Therefore, it is important to pause and calm down before speaking when we are angry.

8. When leaving, don’t look back.

Pythagoras encouraged letting go of the past and moving forward, clinging to what was can hinder growth and progress. Remember that life is a journey and sometimes we need to leave certain things behind in order to move on. When you leave, don’t look back. Instead, look forward with hope and optimism.

9. It is difficult to go through life on several paths at the same time.

Life is full of possibilities, and it is often tempting to try to pursue multiple paths at once. However, this can be challenging and require significant effort and compromise. Divided attention, stress, and lack of time can lead to mediocre results and negative consequences for our well-being. Rather than trying to do everything, it is better to focus on a few key priorities and strive to achieve the best results in them.

10. Never trust a friend who speaks badly of his comrades.

A person's behavior towards others can reveal a lot about their own character. A person who speaks badly of their friends and is willing to betray their friends' trust by spreading rumors or putting them down is likely to do the same to you.

This highlights the importance of honesty, loyalty, and trustworthiness in friendships and warns against associating with those who exhibit such behavior. When choosing friends, choose those who are loyal, compassionate, and trustworthy. Avoid those who spread negative information and do not value their loved ones. Remember that a person's character is revealed in how they treat others.

I wonder what you think about these statements? Which quote did you like the most? Write in the comments.