SPIRITALES SENTENTIÆ
per alphabet. disp. § 1-24 (Maxims 1)

ΕΤΕΡΑΙ ΓΝΩΜΑΙ

CPG 2443 PG 79.1249C-1269D

01

 1. The beginning of salvation -
    to condemn yourself.

1. Ἀρχὴ σωτηρίας
    ἡ ἑαυτοῦ κατάγνωσις.

02

 2. It is better to throw a random stone
than a [random] word.

2.  Βέλτιον λίθον εἰκῆ βαλεῖν ἢ λόγον.

Sextus 152; Clitarchus 28; Pythagoras 7

03

 3. Be towards everyone
  as you want everyone to be [towards you].

3.  Γίνου τοῖς πᾶσιν
    ὡς σὺ θέλεις τοὺς πάντας.

04

 4. Exercise justice more in deed than word.

4. Δικαιοσύνην μᾶλλον εργῳ ἢ λόγῳ ασκει.

05

 5. Pious is the one, not who shows mercy to many,
     but who does wrong to none.

5.  Εὐσεβὴς οὐχ ὁ πολλοὺς ἐλεῶν,
   ἀλλ' ὁ μηδένα ἀδικῶν.

Cf. Clitarchus 6

06

 6. Better the life lived with good courage on a bed of straw, than to be troubled upon a bed of gold.

6.  Ζῆν ἄμεινον ἐπὶ στιβάδος κατακείμενον καὶ θαρρεῖν ἢ ταράττεσθαι χρυσῆν εχοντα κλίνην.

Pythagoras 29

07

7. Pleasant among friends is one who nourishes the soul.

7. Ἡδὺς ἐκεῖνος φίλων ὁ τὴν ψυχὴν διατρέφων.

08

8. Revere God through acts,
   hymn [God] in word[s],
       honor [God] in thought.

8.  Θεὸν ἔργοις μὲν σέβου,
    λόγῳ δὲ ὕμνει,
      ἐννοίᾳ δὲ τίμα.

cf. Evag. On Pr. 82-87: Psalmody & Prayer;

09

9. A priest is made by prudence, lifestyle, and noble birth.

9. Ἱερέα φρόνησις καὶ βίος καὶ εὐγένεια ποιεῖ.

10

10. The worst [fate] is to be a servant of shameful passions.

10.  Κάκιστόν ἐστι πάθεσι δουλεύειν αἰσχροῖς.

Sextus 75a;  75b; cf. Pythagoras 21

11

11. Use word[s] to teach virtue,
    but deed[s] to proclaim it.

11.  Λόγῳ μὲν τὴν ἀρετὴν δίδασκε, ἔργῳ δὲ αὐτὴν κήρυσσε.

12

12. Do not regard having virtue as the Good,
   but rather [doing it] as needed.

12.  Μὴ τὸ ἔχειν ἀρετὴν καλὸν εἶναι νόμιζε, ἀλλὰ τὸ ὡς δεῖ.

Clitarchus 138

13

13. By honoring the law
   you will live in accordance with the law.

13.  Νόμον τιμῶν
        κατὰ νόμον ζήσεις.

14

14. A foreigner is one for whom the things of the world are foreign.

14.  Ξένος ἐκεῖνος, οὗ ξένα τὰ τοῦ κόσμου.

15

15. The envious damages himself,

   for as soon as he utters evil concerning another he brings down evil on himself.

15. Ὁ φθονῶν ἑαυτὸν ζημιοῖ·

 ὁ γὰρ κατ' ἄλλου κακῶς φθεγγόμενος φθάνει πάσχων ὑφ' ἑαυτοῦ κακῶς.

Sextus 477

16

16. Do not either flatter or provoke the wealthy.

16.  Πλούσιον μήτε κολάκευε μήτε παρόξυνε.

17

17. While wine strengthens the body,
    the soul [is strengthened] by the word of God.

17. Ῥώννυσι μὲν οινος τὸ σῶμα,
τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν λόγος θεοῦ.

Cf. Pythagoras 90, Sextus 413

18

18. Do not make use of foods that are enjoyable,
   but rather those that are beneficial.

18.  Σιτίοις χρῶ οὐ τοῖς ἡδέσιν, ἀλλὰ τοῖς ὠφελίμοις.

19

19. By attempting to please the crowds, you become like the crowds.¹⁵

19.  Τοῖς οχλοις πειρώμενος ἀρέσκειν τῶν οχλων εσῃ ὅμοιος.

Sextus 534

Maxims1_20

20. Above all else strike out at the body.

20. Ὑπὲρ πάντα καταχρῶ τῷ σώματι.

Cf. Sextus 71a

21

21. Eager for work is he who has plenty of time

21.  Φιλόπονος ἐκεῖνος,
ᾧ χρόνος περισσεύει.

Clitarchus 83

22

22. Do not approve the outer dress of a Christian man,
   but rather [his] soul's thoughts and purposes.

22.  Χριστιανοῦ ἀνδρὸς μὴ τὸ σχῆμα ἀποδέχου,
   ἀλλὰ τὸ τῆς ψυχῆς φρόνημα.

Sextus 462 and Pythagoras 54

23

23. To accuse the blameless one -
   a sin against God.

23.  Ψέγειν τὸν ἀνεπίληπτον εἰς θεὸν ἁμαρτία.

Cf. Sextus 194

24

24. From ears and tongue
the danger is great.

24. Ὤτων καὶ γλώσσης
      μέγας ὁ κίνδυνος.

Clitarchus 144c