sent for
him to examine him as to his influence and intents. He explained to them
that as the Muses were never at variance among themselves, always living
in subjection to Apollo, so should magistrates agree among themselves
and think only of being loyal to the king. All royal edicts and laws are
reflections of divine law, and therefore must be obeyed without
question. And as the Muses never interrupt the harmony of Heaven, but in
fact add to it, so should men ever keep harmony among themselves.

All officers of the government should consider themselves as runners in
the Olympian games, and never seek to trip, jostle, harass or annoy a
rival, but run the race squarely and fairly, satisfied to be beaten if
the other is the stronger and better man. An unfair victory gains only
the anger of the gods.

All disorders in the State come from ill education of the young.
Children not brought up to be patient, to endure, to work, to be
considerate of their elders and respectful to all, grow diseased minds
that find relief at last in anarchy and rebellion. So to take great care
of children in their infancy, and then leave them at puberty to follow
their own inclinations, is to sow disorder. Children well loved and kept
close to their parents grow up into men and women who are an ornament to
the State and a joy to the gods. Lawless, complaining, restless, idle
children grieve the gods and bring trouble upon their parents and
society.

The magistrates were here so pleased, and satisfied in their own minds
that Pythagoras meant the State no harm, that they issued an order that
all citizens should attend upon his lectures at least once a week, and
take their wives and children with them.

They also offered to pay Pythagoras--that is, put him on the payroll as
a public teacher--but he declined to accept money for his services. In
this, Iamblichus says, he was very wise, since by declining a fixed fee,
ten times as much was laid upon the altar of the Temple of the Muses,
and not knowing to whom to return it, Pythagoras was obliged to keep it
for himself and the poor.

* * * * *

Churchmen of the Middle Ages worked the memory of Pythagoras great
injustice by quoting him literally in order to prove how much they were
beyond him. Symbols and epigrams require a sympathetic hearer, otherwise
they are as naught.

For instance, Pythagoras remarks, "Sit thou not down upon a bushel
measure." What he proba