Many of us are familiar with the traditional mythological portrayals of the divine. In the upcoming series, we will explore deeper philosophical perspectives on the true essence and nature of the gods as understood by the Platonic tradition.

These descriptions are drawn from our book, The Flower of the Mind. A free PDF version is available for download [here].

A physical edition of the book will be released for purchase later this year.

"First, honor the immortal gods, as set down by the law, and revere the oath."

The Golden Verses of the Pythagoreans 1-2

"Come now, take courage, the race of men is divine."

The Golden Verses of the Pythagoreans 63

“There’s nothing better in the world, Cyrnus, than a father and mother who care for the holy law.” Theognis, Elegies 131–132

In The Republic (435e–441e.), Plato formulates the tripartite, or three-part, theory of the human soul. To explain the theory, he compares souls to nations. Nations, he says, consist of three major classes: the ruling class, the fighting class, and the working class. The ruling class is the government and is traditionally led by a king. The military and police comprise the fighting class. Merchants, farmers, and all those who work for a living make up the third class. Likewise, the human soul has three major “classes”: rational, spirited, and appetitive.

"Clothes that are made clean and bright become soiled again by use, but the soul being once purified from ignorance remains splendid forever." The Similitudes of Demophilus 25

“God has no place on the earth more suitable to his nature than a pure and holy soul.” The Pythagorean Sentences of Demophilus 44

“Never take confidential counsel, Cyrnus, with a bad man when you would accomplish an important matter, but seek the counsel of the good, Cyrnus, even if it means much labor and a long journey.” Theognis, Elegies 69–72