Tag: Menander

Didou

Gold-silver-1040x643

Ὁ μὲν Ἐπίχαρμος τοὺς θεοὺς εἶναι λέγει
ἀνέμους, ὕδωρ, γῆν, ἥλιον, πῦρ, ἀστέρας·
ἐγὼ δ’ ὑπέλαβον χρησίμους εἶναι θεοὺς
τἀργύριον ἡμῖν καὶ τὸ χρυσίον <μόνους>. [Epicharmus, fr. B 8]
ἱδρυσάμενος τούτους γὰρ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν
εὖξαι· τί βούλει; πάντα σοι γενήσεται,
ἀγρός, οἰκίαι, θεράποντες, ἀργυρώματα,
φίλοι, δικασταί, μάρτυρες. μόνον δίδου·
αὐτοὺς γὰρ ἕξεις τοὺς θεοὺς ὑπηρέτας.
[Menander, fr. 537]

Epicharmus claims as gods Winds, Water, Earth, Sun, Fire, and Stars, whereas it were my thought that Gold and Silver are for us the useful gods. Just dedicate their shrines within your house and say your prayers. What do you wish for? All things shall be yours: estate and houses, servants, silver-plate, friends, jurymen, and witnesses. Pay! pay! that’s all. For you will have the gods themselves as adjutants. (tr. Francis G. Allinson)

Noun

lit

Ὁ πλεῖστον νοῦν ἔχων
μάντις τ’ ἄριστός ἐστι σύμβουλός θ’ ἅμα.
(Menander, Theoph., fr. 225 Kock)

He who has the most common sense
is at once the best prophet and adviser.
(tr. Francis G. Allinson)

Halōta

Οὐδενὸς χρὴ πράγματος
τὸν εὖ φρονοῦνθ’ ὅλως ἀπογνῶναί ποτε.
ἁλωτὰ γίνετ’ ἐπιμελείᾳ καὶ πόνῳ
ἅπαντ’. ἐγὼ τούτου παράδειγμα νῦν φέρω.
(Menander, Dyskolos 860-863)

A smart man need never entirely despair
Of any undertaking. With care and work
You can have it all. I’m living proof.
(tr. Alan H. Sommerstein)