A Bit of Pindar: Pythian 3.80-83
εἰ δὲ λόγων συνέμεν κορυφάν, Ἱέρων, ὀρθὰν ἐπίστᾳ, μανθάνων οἶσθα προτέρων:
“ ἓν παρ᾽ ἐσλὸν πήματα σύνδυο δαίονται βροτοῖς
ἀθάνατοι.” τὰ μὲν ὦν οὐ δύνανται νήπιοι κόσμῳ φέρειν,
ἀλλ᾽ ἀγαθοί, τὰ καλὰ τρέψαντες ἔξω.
[If you know the true peak of learning, Hieron, you have known the old saying: "along with one good the immortals distribute two woes to mortals." Fools are not able to endure calmly what happens, but the noble turn the good outward.]
“ ἓν παρ᾽ ἐσλὸν πήματα σύνδυο δαίονται βροτοῖς
ἀθάνατοι.” τὰ μὲν ὦν οὐ δύνανται νήπιοι κόσμῳ φέρειν,
ἀλλ᾽ ἀγαθοί, τὰ καλὰ τρέψαντες ἔξω.
[If you know the true peak of learning, Hieron, you have known the old saying: "along with one good the immortals distribute two woes to mortals." Fools are not able to endure calmly what happens, but the noble turn the good outward.]
posted by Nicholas at 1:27 PM
2 Comments:
Hey, I've got those lines on my office door! Part of a poster, titled "two pains for every good," suggesting that the youth should learn Greek. Not sure whether it's snared anyone yet...
That's neat, A., thanks for writing! I have to say, that doesn't sound terribly seductive, but it does take a noble effort, especially to read Pindar. :) Is it a poster you made yourself? Do you teach classics? Thanks for reading, N.
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