Paul Brunton Philosophic Foundation homepage > Notebooks of Paul Brunton

---

Pythagoras, gentle compassionate apostle of the bloodless diet, killed by the Crotona mob, had to die for venturing to show a higher ideal--just as Socrates died for shaming his jurors with their inferior ethical standard. Plato was driven into exile for more than twenty years because he dared to teach truth. Above all it was Jesus, put to death for endeavouring to show men a kingdom not of this world, the kingdom of heaven. Thus the roll of light-bringers could be extended: those deprived of life and those persecuted but left to live, and those who escaped despite opposition. How low the level from which the half-animal men have yet to rise!

-- Notebooks Category 13: Human Experience > Chapter 2 : Living in The World > # 368