Pythagoras

Abstain from beans.

c. 570-495 BCE — A prominent Pythagorean 'Symbol' or maxim, with various interpretations given by ancient commentator…

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Abstain from beans.

c. 570-495 BCE — A prominent Pythagorean 'Symbol' or maxim, with various interpretations given by ancient commentator…

Strange & Unusual Disputed

Don't mix a fire with a knife.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted 3rd century CE) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', interpreted by Diogenes Laertius as 'not inciting the rage or swollen anger …

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Don't mix a fire with a knife.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted 3rd century CE) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', interpreted by Diogenes Laertius as 'not inciting the rage or swollen anger …

Strange & Unusual Disputed

Don't step over a balance beam.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted 3rd century CE) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', interpreted by Diogenes Laertius as 'don't transgress equality and justice'.

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Don't step over a balance beam.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted 3rd century CE) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', interpreted by Diogenes Laertius as 'don't transgress equality and justice'.

Strange & Unusual Disputed

Don't sit on a bushel.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted 3rd century CE) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', interpreted by Diogenes Laertius as 'keep both today and the future in mind …

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Don't sit on a bushel.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted 3rd century CE) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', interpreted by Diogenes Laertius as 'keep both today and the future in mind …

Strange & Unusual Disputed

Don't eat your heart.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted 3rd century CE) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', interpreted by Diogenes Laertius as 'not wearing away your mind with trouble…

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Don't eat your heart.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted 3rd century CE) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', interpreted by Diogenes Laertius as 'not wearing away your mind with trouble…

Strange & Unusual Disputed

Don't help with a burden but put it on.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted later) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', interpreted as helping others to help themselves rather than fostering depen…

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Don't help with a burden but put it on.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted later) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', interpreted as helping others to help themselves rather than fostering depen…

Strange & Unusual Disputed

Don't put a god's image on a ring.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted later) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', likely a prohibition against idolatry or misuse of divine symbols.

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Don't put a god's image on a ring.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted later) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', likely a prohibition against idolatry or misuse of divine symbols.

Strange & Unusual Disputed

Don't leave the outline of a pan in ashes.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted later) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', likely a symbolic instruction about cleanliness or leaving no trace.

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Don't leave the outline of a pan in ashes.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted later) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', likely a symbolic instruction about cleanliness or leaving no trace.

Strange & Unusual Disputed

Don't wipe up a mess with a torch.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted later) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', possibly a practical warning or symbolic of not using something sacred for m…

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Don't wipe up a mess with a torch.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted later) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', possibly a practical warning or symbolic of not using something sacred for m…

Strange & Unusual Disputed

Don't piss towards the sun.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted later) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', possibly indicating respect for divine entities or practical hygiene.

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Don't piss towards the sun.

c. 570-495 BCE (interpreted later) — A Pythagorean 'Symbol', possibly indicating respect for divine entities or practical hygiene.

Strange & Unusual Disputed

Sayings by Pythagoras