The Wisdom of the Egyptian Goddess Isis: Selections from “Isis and Osiris” by Plutarch (vegetarian), Part 1 of 2

Today, we are pleased to present selections from “The History of Isis and Osiris,” explanations by Plutarch (vegetarian), as recorded in the book “Legends of the Gods” by E. A. Wallis Budge. The History of Isis and Osiris, With explanations of the same, collected by Plutarch, and supplemented by His own views.

“Though it be the wise man’s duty, […] to apply to the gods for every good thing which he hopes to enjoy, yet ought he more especially to pray to them for their assistance in his search after that knowledge which more immediately regards themselves, as far as such knowledge may be attained, inasmuch as there is nothing which they can bestow more truly beneficial to mankind, or more worthy themselves, than truth. For whatever other good things are indulged to the wants of men, they have all, properly speaking, no relation to, and are of a nature quite different from, that of their Divine donors. For ‘tis not the abundance of their gold and silver, nor the command of the thunder, but wisdom and knowledge which constitute the power and happiness of those heavenly beings. […]”

“To desire, therefore, and covet after truth, those truths more especially which concern the Divine nature, is to aspire to be partakers of that nature itself, and to profess that all our studies and inquiries are devoted to the acquisition of holiness. This occupation is surely more truly religious than any external purifications or mere service of the temple can be. But more especially must such a disposition of mind be highly acceptable to that goddess to whose service you are dedicated, for her special characteristics are wisdom and foresight, and her very name seems to express the peculiar relation which she bears to knowledge. For ‘Isis’ is a Greek word, and means ‘knowledge,’ and ‘Typhon,’ the name of her professed adversary, is also a Greek word, and means ‘pride and insolence.’ This latter name is well adapted to one who, full of ignorance and error, tears in pieces and conceals that holy doctrine which the goddess collects, compiles, and delivers to those who aspire after the most perfect participation in the Divine nature.

This doctrine inculcates a steady perseverance in one uniform and temperate course of life, and an abstinence from particular kinds of foods, as well as from all indulgence of the carnal appetite, and it restrains the intemperate and voluptuous part within due bounds, and at the same time habituates her votaries to undergo those austere and rigid ceremonies which their religion obliges them to observe. […]”