The Golden Verses of Pythagoras

(I found the following in a book called Divine Harmony - The Life and
Teachings of Pythagoras by John Strohmeier & Peter Westbrook.  It is
interesting in that it makes reference to a "Pythagorean Oath" and, in the
closing lines, to works called The Purifications and The Salvation of the
Soul.)

Honor first the immortal gods, in the manner prescribed, and respect the
oath.
    Next, honor the reverent heroes and the spirits of the dead by making
the traditional sacrifices.
    Honor your parents and your relatives.  As for others, befriend whoever
excels in virtue.
    Yield to kind words and helpful deeds, and do not hate your friend for a
trifling fault as you are able.  For ability is near to necessity.

Know, then, these things, and practice restraint over the following:
appetite, first, as well as sleep, lust, and anger.
    Do nothing shameful in private or with another.
    Respect yourself above all.
    Practice justice in word and deed, and do not get in the habit of acting
thoughtlessly about anything.
    Know that death comes to everyone, and that wealth will sometimes be
acquired, sometimes lost.  Whatever griefs mortals suffer by divine chance,
whatever destiny you have, endure it and do not complain.  But it is right
to improve it as much as you can, and remember this: Fate does not give very
many of these griefs to good people.
Many words befall men, mean and noble alike; do not be astonished by them,
nor allow yourself to be constrained.
    If a lie is told, bear with it gently.
    But whatever I tell you, let it be done completely.
    Let no one persuade you by word or deed to do or say whatever is not
best for you.

Consider before acting, to avoid foolishness: it is the worthless man who
speaks and acts thoughtlessly.
    Only perform such acts as you will not regret later.
    Do not try to do anything of which you are ignorant, but learn what is
necessary; in this way your life will be most pleasant.
    You should not be neglectful of bodily health, but take food, drink and
exercise in measure; and by measure I mean whatever you will not be sorry
for.
    Practice a way of life that is pure, not dissipated, and guard against
doing whatever incurs envy.
    Do not spend in excess like one who is careless of what is good, nor be
miserly; the mean is best in every case.
    Always do whatever will not harm you, and think before you act.

Do not let sleep close your tired eyes until you have three times gone over
the events of the day.  'What did I do wrong?  What did I accomplish?  What
did I fail to do that I should have done?'  Starting from the beginning, go
through to the end.  Then, reproach yourself for the things you did wrong,
and take pleasure in the good things you did.

Work at these things, practice them, these are the things you ought to
desire; they are what will put you on the path of divine virtue - yes, by
the one who entrusted our soul with the tetraktys, source of ever-flowing
nature.  Pray to the gods for success and get to work.
    Holding fast to these things, you will know the worlds of gods and
mortals which permeates and governs everything.  And you will know, as is
right, nature similar in all respects, so that you will neither entertain
unreasonable hopes nor be neglectful of anything.
    You will know that wretched men are the cause of their own suffering,
who neither see nor hear the good that is near them, and few are the ones
who know how to secure release from their troubles.  Such is the fate that
harms their minds; like pebbles they are tossed about from one thing to
another with cares unceasing.  For the dread companion Strife harms them
unawares, whom one must not walk behind, but withdraw from and flee.

Father Zeus, you would indeed free everyone from many evils if you revealed
to them what destiny they have.
    But take heart, for men are descended from the gods, and nature
generously reveals to them everything holy.  If you care about these things
at all, you will reform by holding to what I command and save your soul from
these troubles.
    Recognize and abstain from the foods we mentioned in The Purifications
and The Salvation of the Soul, and judge all things with reason as your
sovereign guide.  When you leave the body behind and attain to the free air,
you will be immortal, an undying god, a mortal no longer.