Learning proverbs is all about repetition, and I hope this way of repeating the proverbs will be a fun one. I'll also be including crossword puzzles in the review posts I've been doing with the slideshows, and I already added a puzzle for this week's review slideshow. Enjoy!
Καιρὸν γνῶθι.
Recognize the critical moment.
Recognize the critical moment.
Another translation might be: "Know the right moment (in which to do something." The word καιρός has a wide range of meanings in Greek; you can read the dictionary entry at Logeion to learn more. The etymology of this important Greek word remains a mystery. The saying is attributed to Pittacus of Mitylene, one of the seven sages of ancient Greece.
Μὴ παιδὶ μάχαιραν.
Do not (give) a knife to a child.
The verb is implied by the content of the nominative and dative nouns and the negative μή which is used with commands. As with the English word "child," the Greek word παῖς can refer to a girl or a boy; this is known as common gender. Find out more: Gender Diversity in Greek and Latin Grammar.
Μετὰ πόλεμον, ἡ συμμαχία.
After the battle (is over), the allies (arrive).
In other words, you need allied forces to show up before the battle, not afterwards when it's too late to do any good. Compare the English saying: "Closing the barn door after the horse has bolted."
Μεγάλη πόλις, μεγάλη ἐρημία.
Big city, big desert.
Big city, big desert.
The words are quoted by Strabo, describing the city of Megalopolis ("Big City") in Arcadia which had been devastated by frequent wars, playing on the name of the city. Over time, the words came to be used proverbially, referring to something big in size but empty of meaning or value; see Erasmus's Adagia.
Ἀνάγκῃ δ' οὐδὲ θεοὶ μάχονται.
Not even the gods fight against Necessity.
Not even the gods fight against Necessity.
You can read about Ananke at Wikipedia. The saying comes from Plato's Protagoras, quoting Simonides of Ceos.
Λίθον ἕψεις.
You're boiling a stone.
In other words: you're wasting your time. No matter how long you boil a stone, it stays a stone. You can see this root in "paleolithic," the Old Stone Age.
You're boiling a stone.
In other words: you're wasting your time. No matter how long you boil a stone, it stays a stone. You can see this root in "paleolithic," the Old Stone Age.
Ἀρχὴ ἥμισυ παντός.
The beginning (is) half of the whole.
The beginning (is) half of the whole.
In other words: the key to finishing anything is just to get started. Compare the English saying: "Well begun is half done." Things that are "archaic" existed from the beginning of time.
Ἐξ ὄνυχος τὸν λέοντα.
By the claw (you know) the lion.
The idea is that you can recognize someone by a specific trait or feature, although it might be very small; a lion is very big, but his claw is very small. Plus lions, like other cats, often keep their claws hidden... you might not recognize the lion until it is too late!
Τύχη δ' ἀρετῆς ἀναίτιος.
Luck (is) not the cause of excellence.
Literally: Luck is not-cause, ἀναίτιος, of excellence; alpha-privative adjectives like ἀναίτιος do not have a distinctive feminine form. In other words: you don't achieve excellence just by being lucky; you have to work for it. You can read about the goddess of luck at Wikipedia: Tyche.
Ἀνεῳγμέναι Μουσῶν θύραι.
The doors of the Muses (are) open.
In other words: everyone has access to the arts; it is not a private privilege. You can find out more about these goddesses at Wikipedia: Muses.
Γόρδιος δεσμός.
The Gordian knot.
You can read about Alexander the Great and the "knot of Gordium" at Wikipedia: Gordian Knot. The word δεσμός refers to any kind of bond or tie, literal and metaphorical; it can also mean a binding spell or charm.
The Gordian knot.
You can read about Alexander the Great and the "knot of Gordium" at Wikipedia: Gordian Knot. The word δεσμός refers to any kind of bond or tie, literal and metaphorical; it can also mean a binding spell or charm.
Ἐν νυκτὶ βουλή.
In night (comes) counsel.
In other words: sleep on it; the decision will be clear to you in the morning.
The Greek root νυκτ-, like English night, is from Proto-Indo-European *nókʷts.
In night (comes) counsel.
In other words: sleep on it; the decision will be clear to you in the morning.
The Greek root νυκτ-, like English night, is from Proto-Indo-European *nókʷts.
Ἀπὸ μηχανῆς θεός.
God from the machine.
This is better known in its Latin form: Deus ex machina. The machine in question is the crane used in ancient Greek theater to lower a god onto the stage, and the phrase refers to some unexpected event; find out more at Wikipedia: Deus ex machina. From Greek θεός we get English theology, the name Theo, and many other words.
God from the machine.
This is better known in its Latin form: Deus ex machina. The machine in question is the crane used in ancient Greek theater to lower a god onto the stage, and the phrase refers to some unexpected event; find out more at Wikipedia: Deus ex machina. From Greek θεός we get English theology, the name Theo, and many other words.
Ὕπνος δὲ πάσης ἐστὶν ὑγιεία νόσου.
Sleep is a cure for every illness.
Literally: Sleep is the health of every illness. This is one of the monostichs of Menander. You can read about the god of sleep at Wikipedia: Hypnos.
Sleep is a cure for every illness.
Literally: Sleep is the health of every illness. This is one of the monostichs of Menander. You can read about the god of sleep at Wikipedia: Hypnos.
Δίκη δίκην τίκτει, καὶ βλάβη βλάβην.
Justice breeds justice, and harm (breeds) harm.
You can read about the goddess of justice at Wikipedia: Dike.
Justice breeds justice, and harm (breeds) harm.
You can read about the goddess of justice at Wikipedia: Dike.
You can see the word δίκη in the Greek name Eurydice, the wife of Orpheus.
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