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The
Promises of Philosophy
by Jamblicus
Those things which are subject to us in our
life, as the body, and those things about or
connected with the body, were given to us as
certain instruments. The use of these can be
dangerous, causing much injury, to those who do not
use them rightly. It is necessary, therefore, to
seek and acquire scientific knowledge and to use it
rightly so that we may use all these instruments
properly and without detriment. We must
philosophize, accordingly, if we wish to become
good citizens and to pass through life usefully.
...
If we pursue the heavenly way and live in our
kindred star, then we will philosophize, living
truly, busied with the most profound and marvelous
speculations, beholding the beauty in the soul
immutably related to Truth, viewing the rules of
the gods with joy, gaining perpetual delight and
additional insight from contemplating and
experiencing pure pleasure absolutely unmingled
with any pain or sorrow. Turning this way,
therefore, we will find that philosophy leads us to
total felicity.
Excerpted from Jamblicus'
Exhortations (1917).
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The
Cambridge Companion to Greek and Roman Philosophy,
by David Sedley
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