Meaning: The quote "The Pythagoreans degrade impious men into brutes and, if one is to believe Empedocles, even into plants" is attributed to Giovanni Mirandola, an Italian writer and philosopher of the Renaissance period. This quote reflects the beliefs and teachings of the Pythagoreans, a philosophical and religious school founded by the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras.

The Pythagoreans were known for their mystical and religious views, as well as their contributions to mathematics and philosophy. According to their teachings, the universe was governed by the principles of harmony and order, and they sought to understand the underlying principles that governed the natural world. Central to their beliefs was the concept of metempsychosis, or the transmigration of souls, which held that the soul could be reborn in different forms after death, including animals and even plants.

The quote suggests that the Pythagoreans held a hierarchical view of the soul, wherein impious or wicked individuals would be degraded into lower forms of life, such as animals or plants, as a form of punishment or purification. This belief reflects the Pythagorean emphasis on the moral and spiritual development of the soul, with the ultimate goal being to attain a higher state of existence through virtue and wisdom.

Empedocles, another ancient Greek philosopher and pre-Socratic thinker, is referenced in the quote as supporting the idea that impious individuals could be degraded into plants. Empedocles is known for his theory of the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water) and the concept of love and strife as governing forces in the universe. He also believed in the transmigration of souls and the idea that the soul could be reincarnated in different forms based on its moral qualities.

The quote can be interpreted as a reflection of the Pythagorean and Empedoclean views on the moral and spiritual consequences of one's actions. It suggests a belief in a system of cosmic justice, where the moral conduct of individuals determines their fate in the afterlife or in subsequent incarnations. The idea of being degraded into lower forms of life as a consequence of impiety or wickedness reflects a belief in karmic retribution and the notion that the soul must undergo purification and transformation in order to progress towards a higher state of being.

In the context of Renaissance philosophy, Giovanni Mirandola's reference to the Pythagoreans and Empedocles may have been intended to evoke contemplation on the nature of the soul, the moral implications of human behavior, and the potential consequences in the afterlife or in future incarnations. It also serves as a reminder of the enduring influence of ancient Greek philosophy on the intellectual and spiritual traditions of Western civilization.

Overall, the quote "The Pythagoreans degrade impious men into brutes and, if one is to believe Empedocles, even into plants" encapsulates the ancient Greek philosophical beliefs in the transmigration of souls, moral accountability, and the potential consequences of impiety or wickedness in the cosmic order. It invites contemplation on the nature of the soul, the moral implications of human conduct, and the enduring legacy of ancient philosophical traditions in shaping our understanding of ethics, spirituality, and the human condition.