Pythagoras — "Do nothing evil, neither in the presence of others, nor privately; But above all…"
Do nothing evil, neither in the presence of others, nor privately; But above all things respect yourself.
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About Pythagoras (c. 570-495 BCE)
Greek philosopher and mathematician whose school in Croton combined geometry (the Pythagorean theorem), number-mysticism, and a religious-vegetarian way of life. Closely associated with Thales of Miletus (earlier pre-Socratic and the first philosopher). For an intellectual contrast, see Heraclitus, pre-Socratic Greek philosopher of flux — Heraclitus called Pythagoras 'the chief of swindlers' — among the founding insults of the philosophical-rivalry tradition. Their 'all is flux' vs 'all is number' poles still organize the philosophy of mathematics today (Platonist vs anti-realist).
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Understanding this quote
What it means
Integrity means behaving the same whether or not anyone is watching. This quote urges you to refuse wrongdoing in public and in private — because the real test of character happens alone. Above that, it places self-respect as the highest authority: your own conscience and judgment matter more than external approval or social pressure. Living ethically isn't about avoiding punishment; it's about maintaining an honest relationship with yourself.
Relevance to Pythagoras
Pythagoras founded a strict philosophical brotherhood in Croton, southern Italy, where members followed rigorous moral codes — vegetarianism, communal property, silence disciplines, and personal purification. He taught that the soul undergoes transmigration and must be kept morally clean across lifetimes. For Pythagoras, mathematics and ethics were unified: both demanded precision and internal discipline. Self-respect, not fear of social judgment, was the engine of virtuous living in his community.
The era
Ancient Greece around 500 BCE was an honor-shame culture — reputation among peers determined social standing, not private conscience. Pythagoras lived as Greek city-states competed fiercely and public image dominated ethics. His insistence on private moral conduct was radical: most Greeks feared social disgrace more than personal wrongdoing. Mystery religions and Orphic cults were reshaping ideas about the soul and afterlife, making personal moral purity a new philosophical concern.
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