Category: Ancient Learning > Ethical Maxims > Delphic Maxims
1 Introduction
This catalogue of ethical maxims is transmitted as a bilingual text in the so-called Hermeneumata Stephani, an ancient handbook for speakers of Latin or Greek to learn the respective other language.
2 Translation
In Delphi, the maxims of Apollo are inscribed on a column near the god:
(1) Honor the gods,
(2) Honor your parents,
(3) Praise noble deeds,
(4) Be a philosopher/lover of wisdom,
(5) Keep away from envy,
(6) Plan to marry,
(7) Avoid a pledge,
(8) Know yourself,
(9) Avoid shameful deeds,
(10) Witness just proceedings,
(11) Apply industry,
(12) Beware loss,
(13) Hold on to wealth,
(14) Die for the sake of these things,
(15) Fear deceit,
(16) Have a good reputation,
(17) Believe in Fortune,
(18) Avoid conflict,
(19) Rule your children,
(20) Be agreeable to the masses,
(21) Do not despise anyone,
(22) Obey the laws,
(23) Consider the future,
(24) Do not threaten anyone,
(25) Keep faith,
(26) Accuse someone only when they are present,
(27) Take care about your livelihood,
(28) Rule yourself,
(29) Keep friends who are like you,
(30) Plan for your old age,
(31) Prepare what is needful,
(32) Make sacrifice according to your means!
3 Greek and Latin text
Praecepta in Delphis ab Apolline in columna scripta sunt secus deum.
Παραγγέλματα ἐν Δελφοῖς παρὰ τοῦ Ἀπόλλωνος ἐπὶ τοῦ στύλου γεγραμμένα εἰσὶν πλησίον τοῦ θεοῦ.
(1) Deum cole : θεὸν σέβου,
(2) Parentes reverere : γονεῖς σέβου,
(3) Lauda bona : ἐπαίνου τὰ καλά,
(4) Philosophus esto : φιλόσοφος ἴσθι,
(5) Invidias amove : φθόνου ἀπέχου,
(6) Nubere cogita : γαμεῖν βουλεύου,
(7) Vadimonium fuge : ἐγγύην φεῦγε,
(8) Cognosce te : γνῶθι σεαυτόν,
(9) Turpia fuge : αἰσχρὰ φεῦγε,
(10) Testare iusta : μάρτυρε τὰ δίκαια,
(11) Industriam praesta : φιλοπονίαν πάρεχε,
(12) Damnum cave : ζημίαν φείδου,
(13) Lucrum tene : κέρδος κράτει,
(14) Morere propterea : θανοῦ δι’ αὐτά,
(15) Dolum metue : τὰ δόλια φοβοῦ,
(16) Famam bonam habe : φήμην καλὴν ἔχε,
(17) Fortunam puta : τύχην νόμιζε,
(18) Contentionem odi : φιλονεικίαν φεῦγε,
(19) Filiis impera : τέκνοις ἐπίτασσε,
(20) Multitudini place : ὀχληριᾳ ἄρεσκε,
(21) Neminem contemne : οὐδενὸς καταφρόνει,
(22) Legibus pare : νόμοις πιθοῦ,
(23) Vide futura : βλέπε τὰ μέλλοντα,
(24) Minare nemini : ἀπείλει μηδενί,
(25) Fidem praesta : πίστιν φύλασσε,
(26) Praesentem accusa : παρόντα κατηγόρει,
(27) Vitae tuae curam age : τοῦ βίου σοῦ φροντίδα ποιοῦ,
(28) Impera tibi : ἐπίτασσε σαυτῷ,
(29) Similibus tibi amicis utere : ὁμοίοις σεαυτῳ φίλοις χρῶ,
(30) Senectutem specta : γῆρας ἐκδέχου,
(31) Utilia para : χρήσιμα ἑτοίμαζε,
(32) Supplica ad quod habes : θυσίαζε καθὼς ἔχεις!
SARTRIX 