Do Only Those Things Which Don't Harm You

An Exposition on A Golden Verse of Pythagoras

Do only those things which do not harm thee, and deliberate before you act.

-Pythagoras, The Golden Verses, Pythagorean Sourcebook & Library, 164

This maxim is embarrassingly profound. That is, it’s a profound truth stated in such a direct manner, and yet it’s so evidently true wisdom that is ought not be profound to the reader. Instead of “wow”, we ought to say “duh”. And yet, we—even we who actively pursue wisdom—need to be continually reminded of its veracity.

Do not do things which harm you. Dogs return to their vomit—not you, rational animal!

Cease those activities that cause you harmful pain. Now, this injunction obviously doesn’t apply to those activities which cause pain but which are a benefit—lifting weights, facing your faults with sober judgement, apologizing to those you’ve wronged, etc.

Instead, cease those things that cause you harm—not just pain. Cease those things that are harmful to your person, to your body, to your mind, to your soul, to your capacity to choose well. Stop wallowing in vices—don’t get hammered anymore, stop watching porn, quit gambling. Drop your vices.

Think before you act. Give thought to your steps. Ask yourself “am I on the good path? That narrow path of wisdom that leads to life? Or am I on the broad path? That easy path that ultimately leads to destruction.

It’s easier said than done, I know. It’s easier quoted than lived out. But it’s true nonetheless. You should do only those things which don’t harm you. You should deliberate and think through your choices, your day, your life. You really should take a step back and contemplate your decisions and potential decisions. Yes, it’s a simple maxim, but we need to be reminded of it. We’re not like the rest of the animals, the beasts, driven by our instincts, we’re rational creatures, even if rational creatures of dust. We’ve been blessed (and cursed?) with rational faculties. Use them to spiral up into virtue and flourishing instead of down into vicious degeneration.

Quit doing those things that harm you.