A Way for Life - The Delphic Maxims
The Delphic maxims are a set of 147 aphorisms (sayings) inscribed at Delphi, one of the most important religious sanctuaries of the ancient world. Some attribute them to the God Apollo’s Oracle, some to Apollo himself. Later research attributes them to the seven sage sisters of Greece. Recent scholars believe that they are merely the collection of traditional proverbs collected over the centuries. The most recognizable of those maxims is perhaps, “Know thyself” that is carved into the temple of Apollo at the ancient city of Delphi, which is widely attributed to Socrates.
The Maxims have no particular order, and I have omitted nineteen that are no longer relevant to this time and age, like the ones concerning ancient beliefs. Here they are:
Obey the law
Respect your parents
Be overcome by justice
Know what you have learned
Perceive what you have heard
Be Yourself or Know Yourself
Know your opportunity
Think as a mortal
If you are a stranger act like one
Control yourself
Help your friends
Control anger
Exercise prudence
Do not use an oath
Love friendship
Cling to discipline
Pursue honor
Long for wisdom
Praise the good
Find fault with no one
Praise virtue
Practice what is just
Be kind to friends
Watch out for your enemies
Exercise nobility of character
Shun evil
Be impartial
Guard what is yours
Shun what belongs to others
Listen to everything
Be silent
Do a favor for a friend
Do nothing to excess
Use time sparingly
Foresee the future
Despise insolence
Be accommodating in everything
Educate your sons
Give what you have
Fear deceit
Speak well of everyone
Be a seeker of wisdom
Choose what is divine
Act when you know
Consult the wise
Test the character
Give back what you have received
Down-look no one
Use your skill
Do what you mean to do
Be jealous of no one
Be on your guard
Praise hope
Despise a slanderer
Honor good men
Know the judge
Master wedding-feasts
Recognize fortune
Speak plainly
Associate with your peers
Govern your expenses
Be happy with what you have
Revere a sense of shame
Fulfill a favor
Be fond of fortune
Observe what you have heard
Work for what you can own
Despise strife
Detest disgrace
Restrain the tongue
Keep yourself from insolence
Make just judgement
Use what you have
Judge incorruptibly
Accuse one who is present
Tell when you know
Do not depend on strength
Live without sorrow
Live together meekly
Finish the race without shrinking back
Deal kindly with everyone
Benefit yourself
Be courteous
Give a timely response
Struggle with glory
Act without repenting
Control the eye
Give a timely counsel
Act quickly
Guard friendship
Be grateful
Pursue harmony
Keep deeply the top secret
Fear ruling
Pursue what is profitable
Accept due measure
Do away with enmities
Accept old age
Do not boast in might
Flee enmity
Acquire wealth justly
Do not abandon honor
Venture into danger prudently
Do not tire of learning
Do not stop to be thrifty
Love whom you rear
Do not oppose someone absent
Respect the elder
Teach a youngster
Respect yourself
Do not begin to be insolent
Crown your ancestors
Die for your country
Do not be discontented by life
Do not make fun of the dead
Share the load of the unfortunate
Gratify without harming
Grieve for no one
Beget from noble routes
Make promises to no one
Do not wrong the dead
Be well off as a mortal
Do not trust fortune
As a child be well-behaved
As a youth - self-disciplined
As of middle-age - just
As of middle-age - just
On reaching the end - without sorrow
You would have probably noticed the similarity of the Maxims' core philosophy to the Stoic Philosophy in general, and to the code of conduct outlined in the book “Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. (1.Be impeccable with your word / 2.Do not take anything personally / 3.Do not make assumptions / 4.Always do your best). The book is based on an ancient Toltec wisdom which lived continents and ages apart from the times where the maxims were written. If that proves anything, is that as much as we are different as humans, we are all stricken by the chaotic existential nature of our being and that there are proven new old ways to bring some order to that chaos.
What would happen if you were to take the above agreements one each day at a time, ponder it and go to work on enforcing it into your life? How would your life be different? How would the lives of others be different because of the change you are making? How would you feel about that? Is it worth giving it a decent try? When would you start?
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