“Indeed, the truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end, the one who suffers the most: and his suffering comes to him from things so little and so trivial that one can say that it is no longer objective at all. It is his own existence, his own being, that is at once the subject and the source of his pain, and his very existence and consciousness is his greatest torture.”

~Thomas Merton

When the esoteric wisdom of the ages seems so distant and unintelligible, even when one knows of its purpose of reforming the soul and the potency which it carries, the ability to self-actualize and live virtuously can appear just as distant and unattainable. One must realize the wisdom of the ancient traditions is of the same Tradition whose torch we still carry today. It is alive and waiting for us in our families and friends, churches and schools, and works of genuine art. Our lives are already steeped in its divine Light. There is no secret wisdom that we haven't heard yet which we require to recognize true Beauty, Truth, or Goodness in the world. There is no grand ritual required to initiate us into a virtuous life.

The path begins, and continues forever, with simple changes habits with one's bodily temple and exercises of awareness in one's conscious mind. Too often bad habits disrespecting the body will eventually corrupt the mind, and vice versa. When both are infected with evil the soul suffers and is brought down into despair. The man who eats poorly, stays inside all day, complains about circumstances, and eschews responsibilities will accumulate nutritional deficiencies and weaknesses until his soul is overburdened. Whether this sickly lifestyle began with one poor dietary habit or one bad thought pattern is irrelevant because one will eventually bring about the other. Likewise the adoption of a single good habit, whether it is physically or mentally healthy, will begin to change the whole. Good habits become good routines, and good routines become good Life.

When you are then oriented on the right path, the truths of the ancient wisdom inevitably reveal themselves. You have planted the seed of your own salvation so you may later reap that what you have sown. You are born anew to live out your own myth as the salt of the Earth. You are the mystic, the warrior, the alchemist, the hero...

Mos Maiorum ("Customs of our ancestors")

Mos Maiorum was the moral code and the ancient principles of the Romans. A summary of the way of the Roman:

i) "Fides"; fidelity, loyalty and reliability.

ii) "Pietas"; piety, the act of respect and honouring of God, family and homeland.

iii) "Religio"; observation of religious practices.

iv) "Cultus"; cultivation of culture and unity.

v) "Disciplina"; dedication to training and self-discipline; obedience to those who we serve.

vi) "Virtus"; cultivation of virtue, honour and a noble and manly character.

vii) "Dignitas"; observing dignity in all actions, leaving an honorable reputation for posterity.

viii) "Auctoritas". leading others primarily by our actions, and to rally others around us; cultivation of the power of command and leadership.

The Delphic Maxims, pt. 1

1. Ἕπου θεῷ Follow the Gods
2. Νόμῳ πείθου Obey the law
3. Θεοὺς σέβου Respect the Gods
4. Γονεῖς αἰδοῦ Respect your parents
5. Ἡττῶ ὑπὸ δικαίου Be ruled by justice
6. Γνῶθι μαθών Know by learning
7. Ἀκούσας νόει Listen and understand
8. Σαυτὸν ἴσθι Be thyself
9. Γαμεῖν μέλλε Intend to get married
10. Καιρὸν γνῶθι Know your opportunity
11. Φρόνει θνητά Think mortal thoughts
12. Ξένος ὢν ἴσθι Know when you are an outsider
13. Ἑστίαν τίμα Honour the hearth
14. Ἄρχε σε αυτοῦ Be in control of yourself
15. Φίλοις βοήθει Help your friends
16. Θυμοῦ κράτει Control your temper
17. Φρόνησιν ἄσκει Exercise prudence
18. Πρόνοιαν τίμα Honour forethought
19. Ὅρκῳ μὴ χρῶ Do not use an oath
20. Φιλίαν ἀγάπα Embrace friendship
21. Παιδείας ἀντέχου Cling to education
22. Δόξαν δίωκε Pursue honour
23. Σοφίαν ζήλου Be eager for wisdom
24. Καλὸν εὖ λέγε Praise the good
25. Ψέγε μηδένα Find fault with no one
26. Ἐπαίνει ἀρετήν Praise virtue
27. Πρᾶττε δίκαια Practice what is just

Aristotle argued that usury was equivalent to sodomy, as money is incapable of naturally reproducing itself.

Likewise, Thomas Aquinas described both as "sins against nature, in which the very order of nature is violated, an injury done to God himself, who sets nature in order."