Empedocles’ Complete Fragments, Volume I

Diog. Laert. VIII 60

And you, Pausanias, hear me, son of wise-hearted Anchites.

Sext. Emp., Adv. math. VII 123 sq.

For narrow are the means of grasping strewn throughout the limbs,

and many the wretched things that break in and blunt their thinking.

Having looked, in their lifetimes, on a small part of life,

swift-fated, they are lifted like smoke and fly away,

persuaded only of that which each has chanced to meet with 5

as they are driven every way — yet <each> boasts to have found the whole.

So these things are not to be seen by men, nor heard,

nor grasped with the mind. But you, then, since you have turned aside here,

shall learn — no further than mortal wisdom has ever risen.

Sext. Emp., Adv. math. VII 125

But you, gods, turn the madness of those men away from my tongue,

and from holy mouths channel out a pure spring;

and you, much-remembering white-armed maiden Muse,

I entreat: of what it is lawful for creatures of a day to hear,

send it, driving from the house of Piety your well-reined chariot. 5

Nor shall the flowers of glorious honour force you

to take them up from mortals, on the terms of speaking more than is holy

in your boldness — and only then to be enthroned on the heights of wisdom.