your favourite Hellenic maxims

[greagach]

<br /> Sometimes I come up with short Greek phrases, masterpieces of rhythm and condensed meaning, that even though they were first pronounced millenia ago, still can cut like a knife and whisper to me the way out to many every-day situations. <br /><br /> To me, they are, along with "grandpa Homer", the reason for which I wanted to study Greek. <br /><br /> So, give me your top 3 of Greek quotations that have changed your life, inspired you at some time, puzzled you or made you strongly identify or disagree with them. <br /><br /> ...and why you like them!<br /><br />

[greagach]

<br /> here just a couple of my favourites:<br /><br /> [face=SPIonic]q/alassa kl/uzei p/anta t' )anthr/wpwn kak/a. . . [/face]<br /> it's so consoling to think of this each time I have a good swim, but also to know how humanity might end up if going on the way it often does...<br /><br /> [face=SPIonic] (istor/ia t/o f=os t=hs )alhqe/ias ki' (o did/askalos t=es zw=hj [/face] <br /> I guess this one says it all...<br /><br /> [face=SPIonic] (ws m/ega t/o mikr/on )/estin, )en kair=w doq/en [/face]<br /> everything can matter, even the least of things, when you're ready to accept it. <br /><br /> <br /><br />

[Keesa]

I don't know enough Greek to have any yet, but I'll post them when I do! <br /><br />Keesa

[benissimus]

Could you translate those? I don't speak Greek yet, but I am fascinated.

[greagach]

<br /> yes, benissimus, why not! Translation would go: <br /><br /> a. "Thalassa klyzei panta t' anthropon kaka..." =<br /> Almighty sea washes away all sins of men...<br /> [I think it's from Euripides, Iphigeneia en Taurois] <br /><br /> b. "Historia to phos tees aleetheias ki ho didaskalos tees zoees" = <br /> Knowledge is the way to the truth, the way to a better life.<br /> [fail to remember where I picked up this one]<br /><br /> c. "Hos mega to mikron estin, en kairo dothen" = <br /> How great can a little thing be, if only offered at the right time. [no idea where this is from either]<br /><br /> <br />

[benissimus]

Thank you. Those are very nice, I could almost understand the last one without the translation, but got hung up with "en kairo."

[annis]

[face=SPIonic]mhde\n a)/gan[/face]<br /><br />I tend not to collect maxims, but bits of poetry.<br /><br />[face=SPIonic]pa/nta po/noj teu/xei qnhtoi=j mele/th te brotei/h[/face] - Archilochus<br /><br />"Toil makes all for humans, and mortal care." (More literal than flowing translation.)<br /><br />I'll not recite all my memorized Sappho right now.

[Skylax]

A Greek proverb quoted by Aulus Gellius (II, 6, 9)<br /><br />[face=SPIonic]Polla/ki toi kai\ mw=ro\j a)nh\r ma/la kai/rion ei)=pen[/face]<br /><br />"Oft-times even a fool expressed himself to the purpose." (Translated by J.C. ROLFE)

[greagach]

great, this last one! I think I'm going to use it often about myself from now on...<br /><br /> <br /> here are another three sayings that I like to bear in mind: <br /><br /> [face=SPIonic]po/lemoj pa/ntwn me/n path/r e)sti, pa/ntwn de/ basileu/j, kai/ touj me/n qeou/j e)/deice tou/j de/ a)nqrwpouj, tou/j me/n dou/louj e)poi/hse, tou/j de/ e)leuqe/rouj [/face] =<br /> <br /> Human effort / toil is the father and master of what happens; some people could become gods thanks to it, others remained humans; it is the one that makes some people slaves, others free. Heracleitos<br /><br /><br /> [face=SPIonic]e)n muri/oisi ta/ kala/ gi/gnetai po/noij[/face] = <br /><br /> it takes a life of trying to achieve a good work<br /> [don't remember who said this, but he definitely knew about perseverance!] <br /><br /><br /> [face=SPIonic]e)k gai/hj pa/nta kai/ ei)j gh=n pa/nta teleuta=[/face] [Xenophanes], or the circle of life. <br /> does this by chance remind you of something?? <br /><br /><br /> keep posting more! <br /> <br />

[Raya]

I haven't read much in the original yet, but I have come across a few memorable monostichoi...<br /><br />(Not sure about accentuation or source for the first two.)<br /><br />[face=SPIonic]ou)k a)/n labeis para\ tou= mh\ e)xoidoj[/face]<br />~ A reminder not to expect too much from people<br /><br />[face=SPIonic]polloi\ me\n oi( ba/rbaroi, o)ligoi de oi( qeoi/[/face]<br />~ Don't despair, for the vast majority of us aren't gods<br /><br />[face=SPIonic]ga/moj ga\r a)nqrw/poisin eu)tai=kon kako/n[/face]<br />- Menander<br />~ I agree - on the 'evil' bit, at least ;D<br /><br />William Annis: Sappho - yes! - she RULES!!!<br />(sorry, I can't think of a more dignified way to put that)