EP 56: Do This To Live A Good Life

EP 56:  Do this to live a good life

The Greek world centered around Delphi for two reasons. One — the world’s most famous oracle resided there. Two — the secrets to a good life were carved into the marble sides of Apollo’s temple. One had only to walk the temple grounds to gain the priceless insights.

In this episode we look at some the 147 maxims, including Know Thyself and Everything in Moderation.

If you love this podcast, you'll also enjoy Garner's audible novel about the gods, Homo Divinitas, now available on Amazon.com and Audible.com.

Transcript

EPISODE 56:  Do this to live a good life

IT’S AN AGE-OLD QUESTION: WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO LIVE A GOOD LIFE? THE ANCIENT GREEKS ASKED IT, TOO.

THEY WERE FORTUNATE, AS ADVICE FOR LIVING WELL WAS CODIFIED INTO 147 SAYINGS OR PRECEPTS CARVED IN STONE AT THE PLACE THEY CONSIDERED THE CENTER OF THE WORLD. THAT WAS, OF COURSE, DELPHI, THE HOME OF THE DELPHIC ORACLE. IN FACT, THESE PRECEPTS WERE CONSIDERED TO BE THE WORDS OF APOLLO HIMSELF.

BUT BEFORE WE GET INTO IT, LET’S START BY DEFINING “A GOOD LIFE.” ANCIENT GREEKS LIKED PLEASURE AS MUCH AS ANYONE, BUT THEY DIDN’T DEFINE “A GOOD LIFE” AS ONE OF PLEASURE ALONE.

THEIR DEFINITION INCLUDED VIRTUE, SELF-RESPECT, FRIENDSHIP, FAMILY & EVEN RESPONSIBILITY. THEY LOOKED TO THE DELPHIC ORACLE FOR ANSWERS TO SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ...

BUT FOR CONCERNS ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL, THEY NEEDED ONLY TO WALK THE TEMPLE GROUNDS AT DELPHI FOR ADVICE.

THE 147 SAYINGS WERE INCISED ON APOLLO’S TEMPLE AND ON A NEARBY SMALLER BUILDING. THEY APPEARED IN THE 5TH CENTURY BC., BUT WERE FAR OLDER THAN THAT.

THEY TOTALED 147 BECAUSE THE THREE NUMBERS — 1, 4 & 7 — ADDED TOGETHER EQUALED 12, AND 12 WAS THE NUMBER OF GODS LIVING ON MOUNT OLYMPUS.

FOR MORE THAN 1,000 YEARS, WHEN GREEKS TROD THE SACRED PATH TO APOLLO'S TEMPLE, THEY WOULD SEE THE CARVINGS.

AS THE CENTURIES PASSED, A NUMBER OF DELPHIC MAXIMS BECAME WORLD FAMOUS. ONES YOU MAY HAVE HEARD INCLUDE, KNOW THYSELF & NOTHING IN EXCESS. THESE TWO WERE CONSIDERED THE MOST IMPORTANT.

IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TODAY FOR SOMEONE TO ADVISE, "EVERYTHING IN MODERATION." THAT'S REALLY JUST A VARIATION ON THE GREEK NOTHING IN EXCESS.

Ω WELCOME TO EPISODE 56 OF GARNER'S GREEK MYTHOLOGY. WE HAVE LISTENERS FROM 179 COUNTRIES ... SO WELCOME TO EVERYONE, WHEREVER YOU ARE.

I'M YOUR HOST, MYTHOLOGIST PATRICK GARNER. REMEMBER TO VISIT AMAZON TO CHECK OUT MY FOUR BOOKS ABOUT THE GREEK GODS IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD. THAT’S RIGHT--THE OLYMPIC GODS RETURN TO MANIPULATE EVENTS ONCE AGAIN.

THE STORIES ARE PART OF THE NAXOS QUARTET, AND INCLUDE THE WINNOWING, CYCLADIC GIRLS, HOMO DIVINITAS & ALL THAT LASTS. AS AN ASIDE, HOMO DIVINITAS IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO BOOK.

YOU CAN ALSO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM & THIS PODCAST AT PATRICKGARNERBOOKS.COM. MY NOVELS HAVE BEEN BEST SELLERS. THEY’RE GREAT ENTERTAINMENT & INCLUDE YOUR FAVORITE GREEK GODS.

1 SO VISIT MY WEBSITE AT PATRICKGARNERBOOKS.COM, THEN LINK OVER TO AMAZON AND GIVE YOURSELF A QUADRUPLE TREAT!

Ω

I WANT TO GIVE A QUICK SHOUT-OUT TO THE WRITER PHILIP CHRYSOPOULOS, WHO RECENTLY PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE ON THE DELPHIC COMMANDMENTS IN THE GREEK REPORTER, WHICH IS AN ONLINE NEWS SOURCE FEATURING BOTH TODAY'S STORIES & ANCIENT ONES.

HE INSPIRED THIS CURRENT EPISODE. IF YOU WANT TO READ PHILIP'S ARTICLE, IT'S CALLED "THE 147 COMMANDMENTS GODS GAVE TO ANCIENT GREEKS."

AS LONGTIME LISTENERS TO THIS PODCAST KNOW, UNIQUE TOPICS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN, SO I GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR HIGHLIGHTING HOW APOLLO EXPANDED HIS REACH BEYOND HIS ORACLE TO TEACH MORTALS HOW TO LIVE.

THE 147 CARVINGS EMPHASIZED FIVE BASIC THEMES, WHICH WERE:

RESPECTING ONE'S SELF & OTHERS; ACTING PROPERLY; LOVING YOUR COUNTRY & YOUR FRIENDS; HAVING SELF-CONTROL; & BEING VIRTUOUS …

NOW, LET'S LISTEN TO A SAMPLING OF THE COMMANDS. THEY BEGAN SIMPLY ENOUGH WITH RESPECT THE GODS. THIS IS CERTAINLY A COMMAND TO OBEY, IF YOU RECALL HOW DIONYSUS, THE GOD OF WINE, DISPATCHED THE KING OF THEBES WHEN THE KING DISRESPECTED HIS DIVINITY.

DIONYSUS SET HIM UP TO BE KILLED AT ONE OF HIS RAVES BY HIS OWN MOTHER, WHO DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM.

THEN THERE’S THE COMMAND, RESPECT YOUR PARENTS, WHICH WAS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO GREEKS. ALL CHILDREN WERE EXPECTED TO HONOR THEIR MOTHER & FATHER.

THAT BEHAVIOR WAS CONSTANTLY EMPHASIZED. THINK OF THE SHAME & SUBSEQUENT DESTRUCTION OF OEDIPUS, WHO INADVERTENTLY KILLED HIS FATHER & MARRIED HIS MOTHER.

AND REMEMBER THE STORY OF ORESTES, WHO KILLED HIS MOTHER. CLYTEMNESTRA, WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY MURDERED HIS FATHER. HIS SAGA DID NOT HAVE A HAPPY ENDING.

AS EVERYONE KNEW, THE GREEK FURIES — THOSE TERRIFYING GODDESSES OF VENGEANCE — WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO PUNISH AN OFFSPRING’S CRIMES AGAINST PARENTS …

APOLLO’S DELPHIC COMMANDS FOLLOWED IN QUICK SUCCESSION: RESPECT THE ELDERLY.

RESPECT THOSE WHO ASK FAVORS OF YOU. THIS IS ANOTHER BIG ADMONITION. ZEUS, FOR ALL HIS MORAL FAILINGS, DID DEMAND HUMANS AT LEAST OFFER FOOD AND DRINK TO A STRANGER.

THERE’S A FAMOUS STORY ABOUT ZEUS & HERMES IN DISGUISE WHO SEEK SHELTER ON A STORMY NIGHT. FAMILY AFTER FAMILY TURN THEM AWAY.

FINALLY, IN THE POOREST HOUSE IN THIS TOWN, A HUSBAND & WIFE WELCOME THEM WITH FOOD & DRY CLOTHES. ZEUS REWARDS THEM ROYALLY.

2 THEREAFTER, GREEKS WERE REQUIRED TO OPEN THEIR DOORS TO THOSE IN NEED. ONE NEVER KNEW WHEN A STRANGER MIGHT BE A GOD.

THE NEXT COMMAND WAS, RESPECT YOURSELF.

THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY ONE FOUND IN EVERY CULTURE: DO NOT KILL THE INNOCENT. THIS OF COURSE WAS SIMILAR TO THE BIBLICAL "THOU SHALL NOT KILL."

THE NEXT WAS, DO NOT TAKE A GOD’S NAME IN VAIN.

THEN, NOURISH THOSE YOU LOVE, WHICH REFERRED TO ONE'S CHILDREN & FAMILY.

HONOR YOUR HOUSE.

RESPECT & KEEP YOUR MARRIAGE. AS AN ASIDE I’LL MENTION THAT THE OLYMPIC GODS OVERLOOKED THIS COMMAND, AS THEY CONSTANTLY HAD AFFAIRS & CHANGED SPOUSES. KNOW WHEN YOUR TIME TO GET MARRIED HAS COME … THIS IS A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT COMMAND FOR SOCIETY.

MARRIAGE WAS CONSIDERED TO BE THE NORMAL STATE FOR ADULTS & THE SOCIAL INSTITUTION INTO WHICH CHILDREN SHOULD BE BORN.

THE PHILOSOPHER ARISTOTLE EVEN GAVE A PROPER AGE TO WED. MEN SHOULD MARRY AT 35, HE SAID, & WOMEN AT 18. OF COURSE THIS WAS THE EXACT AGE HE & HIS WIFE WERE WHEN THEY MARRIED.

THEN, ASSOCIATE WITH GOOD PEOPLE.

Ω THE NEXT SECTION OF THE COMMANDMENTS WAS ABOUT PATRIOTISM & ACTING PROPERLY: FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT & WHAT IS GOOD. THIS COMMAND WOULD HAVE APPEALED TO THE FIERCE GREEK BELIEF IN FREEDOM.

IT IS FOLLOWED BY, BE HUMBLE.

THEN ...BE AWARE OF YOUR MORTALITY.

EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL.

WITHHOLD YOUR ANGER.

& … SPEAK WITH GENTLENESS.

CONTINUING WITH DIRECTIONS ABOUT SELF-CONTROL, THE COMMANDS INCLUDE, WATCH WHAT YOU SAY, AVOID IMPERTINENCE, KEEP ALL SECRETS ENTRUSTED TO YOU, SAY ONLY WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS TRUE, AVOID CORRUPT THINGS, DO NOT MAKE PROMISES, & … WHEN DRINKING, BE RESTRAINED. A CAUTIONARY EXAMPLE FROM GREEK MYTHOLOGY

3 IS THE SATYRS’ LOVE OF WINE. THEY CONSTANTLY OVERINDULGED, EMBARRASSING EVERY GOD WITH THEIR CRUDE BEHAVIOR.

THE COMMANDMENTS THEN SHIFTED TO THE VERY ACT OF THINKING, WHICH WAS A UNIQUELY GREEK OBSESSION AT THE TIME.

FOR INSTANCE, A TEMPLE CARVING READ, CONTEMPLATE WHAT YOU HEAR.

THEN, CULTIVATE PURE THOUGHTS.

BE OPEN-MINDED.

LET YOUR THOUGHTS BE CONSTRUCTIVE.

ADDRESSING MINDFULNESS, THEY CONTINUED, BE AWARE OF YOUR ACTIONS & THEIR CONSEQUENCES.

CONVERSE WITH ALL THEN, GIVE EAR TO EVERYONE. AS AN ASIDE, COMPARE THIS TO OUR CURRENT CANCEL CULTURE.

THE GREEKS WERE ADAMANT THAT ALL IDEAS, EXCEPT FOR THOSE CONSIDERED BLASPHEMOUS, WERE WORTHY OF BEING HEARD.

Ω THEN THE COMMANDS SHIFTED TO MATTERS OF SELF-CONDUCT. FOR INSTANCE, ONE STATES, BE HONORABLE.

THEN, DO NOT HAVE LOW EXPECTATIONS.

PRAISE THE GOOD.

SAY ONLY GOOD THINGS ABOUT EVERYONE.

JUDGE OTHERS ONLY ON THEIR VIRTUE.

THEN, GIVE COMFORT TO THOSE IN NEED.

YOU'LL NOTICE A THEME HERE. RATHER THAN ENCOURAGING DIVISIVENESS, APOLLO ARGUES FOR UNITY & CONSIDERATION.

RATHER THAN CANCELLING IDEAS THAT MIGHT DIFFER FROM ONE’S OWN, HE SAYS, IN EFFECT, "LISTEN TO ALL WHO SPEAK — THINK TWICE ABOUT WHAT YOU HEAR."

THEN REGARDING BEHAVIOR, HE HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS, PRESCRIBING, KEEP A GOOD REPUTATION, ASSOCIATE WITH THOSE WHO HAVE GOOD VIRTUE, ANTICIPATE WHAT MAY OCCUR, HATE ARROGANCE, NEVER BE HALF-HEARTED ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT.

AND TO THOSE WHO VISITED DELPHI, A COMMAND STATED, NEVER DOUBT THE ORACLE.

OF COURSE, THE COMMAND WOULD HAVE QUELLED ANY MUTTERING OR SARCASM.

Ω

THE MAXIMS FREQUENTLY SPEAK OF LOVE. FOR INSTANCE, ONE STATES, HELP THOSE YOU LOVE WHEN THEY'RE IN NEED.

PROTECT YOUR FRIENDSHIPS, & ... ALWAYS BE THERE FOR FRIENDS IF THEY NEED YOU.

THE COMMANDS THEN ENCOURAGE LEARNING. ONE INSTRUCTS, EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN. SEEK WISDOM, NEVER TIRE OF LEARNING, ASSOCIATE WITH WISE PEOPLE, & … BE A FRIEND OF WISDOM.

ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS OF THE COMMANDS WAS CARVED ON THE BOTTOM LEFT PEDIMENT OF APOLLO'S TEMPLE, & STATED, KNOW THYSELF.

THE PHILOSOPHER HERACLITUS INTERPRETED THIS AS MEANING, "KNOW YOUR LIMITS." PLATO TOOK A GRANDER VIEW OF IT, SAYING IT MEANT, "KNOW YOUR SOUL."

AND INTO OUR OWN TIME, THINKERS, GURUS & PSYCHOANALYSTS HAVE CONTINUED TO INTERPRET ITS MEANING ...

THERE WERE MORE COMMANDS RELATING TO LEARNING: STAY FOCUSED ON YOUR EDUCATION.

MAKE USE OF YOUR TALENTS, Ω EMPHASIZING VIRTUE, THE COMMANDS WENT ON, HONOR GOOD DEEDS.

PRAISE VIRTUE, DO FAVORS FOR OTHERS, BE OPTIMISTIC, SPEAK JUSTLY, BE OBJECTIVE & FAIR.

YOU'LL NOTE THAT THESE LAST COMMANDS ALL MIRROR EACH OTHER, SAYING OVER & OVER, IN EFFECT, "BE GOOD IN ALL WAYS."

THEN TAKING A DARKER TURN & RECOGNIZING THAT LIFE IS UNSETTLED, THEY CAUTIONED, THE FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN, DO NOT BELIEVE IN LUCK, & … ACCEPT YOUR FATE.

THEY GO ON. FOR INSTANCE, DISCUSSING MATTERS OF JUDGMENT, ONE STATED, DESPISE

5 INJUSTICE.

ONE WAS A WARNING TO JUDGES THEMSELVES. IT SAID, JUDGE WITHOUT BEING BRIBED, AVOID CORRUPTION, ACT WITH CERTAINTY & CONVICTION, WHICH MEANT, DON'T EQUIVOCATE OR STALL FOR TIME. THEN, SYMPATHIZE WITH THOSE WHO ARE UNFORTUNATE.

Ω 

IN A SERIES OF PRACTICAL COMMANDS, THERE WAS, NEVER WASTE TIME.

ACCEPT THE PASSAGE OF TIME.

WHEN YOU START SOMETHING, FINISH IT, ACCEPT YOUR MISTAKES, THEN, AVOID DISPUTES.

AVOID VIOLENCE.

TURNING POLITICAL, ONE COMMAND STATED, BE LAWFUL. RESPECT GOVERNMENT, BE PREPARED TO DIE FOR YOUR COUNTRY, APPRECIATE THE HELP THAT IS GIVEN TO YOU, & … DO NOT STEAL.

Ω

PRACTICAL ADVICE WENT ON, SAYING, DO NOT BE UNKIND, DO NOT BE EVIL, WHICH WAS GOOGLE’S FORMER MOTTO, “DON’T BE EVIL”. THE COMMANDS WENT ON, BEWARE OF DECEPTION, & FINALLY, DO NOT SPEAK ILL OF THOSE WHO CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES.

NEARING THEIR END, THE COMMANDMENTS SHIFTED TO THE TOPIC OF WEALTH. FOR INSTANCE, ACQUIRE WEALTH THROUGH JUST MEANS.

YOUR HARD WORK SHOULD ALWAYS BE HONORABLE.

COMMANDS WARNED AGAINST BEING ATTACHED TO MATERIAL THINGS. ONE REQUIRED GREEKS TO USE THEIR RESOURCES FOR GOOD PURPOSE.

... SPEND YOUR WEALTH WISELY, IF YOU HAVE, YOU SHOULD GIVE. THIS COMMAND WAS A PARTICULARLY INTERESTING METHOD OF ENSURING CIVIL PEACE.

WEALTHY ANCIENT ATHENIANS WERE EXPECTED TO UNDERWRITE OR PAY FOR MANY PUBLIC

6 COSTS, LIKE THEATRE, WARSHIPS & BATTLE ARMOR.

SOME ANCIENT GOVERNMENTS RECOGNIZED THAT WEALTH SHOULD BE OCCASIONALLY REDISTRIBUTED TO THE POOR TO AVOID UPRISINGS.

FOR INSTANCE, IN PERSIA RULERS HAD PERIODIC DEBT FORGIVENESS FOR THE ENTIRE POPULATION. THIS ALLOWED CITIZENS TO AVOID SLAVERY …

ANOTHER PRECEPT REGARDING WEALTH WAS: WHEN YOU SPEND, DO SO WISELY.

BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE.

ANOTHER COMMAND, AS IMPORTANT AS "KNOW THYSELF," WAS ALSO CARVED ON THE PEDIMENT OF APOLLO'S TEMPLE.

IT WAS, NOTHING IN EXCESS. THIS LATER BECAME KNOWN AS THE GOLDEN MEAN. MODERATION WAS ADMIRED.

FOR INSTANCE, ARISTOTLE WROTE THAT, WHILE COURAGE IS A VIRTUE, IF TAKEN TO EXCESS, IT BECOMES RECKLESSNESS.

ON THE OTHER HAND, HE SAID, IF COURAGE IS ABSENT, IT MAY BE SEEN AS COWARDICE.

Ω THE REMAINING COMMANDMENTS EMPHASIZED PROPER BEHAVIOR:

DO NOT CRITICIZE.

DO NOT SLANDER OTHERS, DO NOT BE ENVIOUS.

HAVE A SENSE OF SHAME, LIVE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT SORROW, RESPECT THE DEAD, & THE FINAL MAXIM … DO NOT IMPOSE YOURSELF ON OTHERS.

YET AFTER ALL 147 COMMANDS, IF VISITORS LEFT DELPHI REMEMBERING ANYTHING, IT WAS KNOW THYSELF & NOTHING IN EXCESS ...

Ω LATER HISTORIANS REJECTED THE ANCIENT BELIEF THAT THESE WERE APOLLO'S COMMANDS. INSTEAD, THEY ATTRIBUTED THEM TO THE SEVEN SAGES OF GREECE. THESE WERE MEN WHO LIVED BETWEEN 750 & 550 BC.

BUT NO ONE REALLY KNOWS. THE ATTRIBUTIONS ARE SPECULATIVE. AND MANY OF THE DELPHIC COMMANDMENTS WERE ANCIENT.

MY OPINION AS A MYTHOLOGIST? A NUMBER OF THE COMMANDS ARE ORIENTED AROUND SOCIAL CONTROL. APOLLO WAS UNLIKELY TO HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN THIS SORT OF THING. BUT THOSE WHO RULED IN GREECE WOULD HAVE WANTED TO EMPHASIZE COMMANDS LIKE, RESPECT GOVERNMENT & BE PREPARED TO DIE FOR YOUR COUNTRY.

ASSIGNING SUCH COMMANDS TO A REVERED GOD SUCH AS APOLLO WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE COMMANDS CLOUT.

AND APOLLO WOULD HAVE SMILED AT THE ATTRIBUTION, PARTICULARLY THE ONE THAT ORDERED GREEKS TO RESPECT THE GODS.

Ω

JOIN ME ... FOR A FUTURE EPISODE OF GARNER'S GREEK MYTHOLOGY.

AND ONE MORE THING, IF YOU HAVE LITTLE ONES IN YOUR LIFE, THERE'S A NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR BOOKSHELF.

IT'S CALLED READ-ALOUD STORIES FOR YOUNG LISTENERS, BY D.K. GARNER. THERE ARE NO GREEK GODS, BUT ANIMALS — ALWAYS PART OF GREEK LIFE — PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THESE CHARMING STORIES.

THEY TALK WITH THE CHILDREN AT THE MOMENT A LITTLE HELP IS NEEDED, EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THE STORIES OF U-TURN THE CROW, ELI THE DOG, WINKY THE HORSE, NOT-GEORGE THE BUNNY & ROOTY THE ROOSTER.

VISIT PATRICKGARNERBOOKS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

AND THANKS FOR LISTENING ... THIS IS YOUR HOST, PATRICK GARNER.