Τοι in Odyssey II 2:88

[Jean_Putmans]

Homeros Odyssey II 2:88

αλλα φιλη μητηρ, η τοι περι κερδεα οιδε

I wonder, why almost no translation has an explicit translation of τοι (Pron. Dat Sg; dativus commodi), except the German Translation of Schadewaldt: „sondern die eigne Mutter, die dir vorzüglich die Vorteile kennt“ (but thy own mother, knowing the profits beneficial to you).

Ich checked 7 dutch translations, 3 german (incl. Schadewaldt) and 5 English (George Chapman, Roger Barnard Mourdant, John William Mackail, Augustus Taber Murray = Loeb, Sir William Morris.

Is my (and Schadewaldt’s) explanation of τοι wrong?

The Tricks of Penelope gain time for Telemachos, so he is benefitting by them.

Is there some reason to leave out τοι ?

[mwh]

To my mind that’s probably an overtranslation, and implies too subtle a reading of the passage. As I read it, τοι may serve to reinforce the fact that he’s addressing Telemachus and to stress Penelope’s wiliness, as he proceeds to explain in what follows, effectively glossing κερδεα (plural, different from the singular). But no more than that. So I’d say “let me tell you” would be adequate but too wordy.

[Paul_Derouda]

I must have posted this before, but I couldn’t resist. (Substandard) French has even a double ethic dative, as Obélix here, but try to translate this in any other language! Sorry - back to Greek!