τοὺς χρηστοὺς μὴ δεῖσθαι βοηθείας (.. good men do not need any intercessor). PHOCION (c. 400 317 B.C.)--when reproached by his friends for having interceded in court for some worthless man who was being tried. (Plutarch, Lives: Phocion, x). Τοῦτο μὲν ἀναγκαῖόν ἐστιν, & Θεμιστόκλεις, καλὸν δὲ καὶ στρατηγικὸν ἀληθῶς ἡ περὶ τὰς χεῖρας εγκράτεια. (That, Themistocles, is very true; but it is also the part of an honourable general to keep his hands clean). ARISTIDES (d. 469 B.C.)—to Themistocles, the latter saying that he thought it the most valuable quality for a general to be able to divine beforehand what the enemy would do. (Plutarch, Lives: Aristides, 24). Τοῦτο μὲν, ὦ φίλοι, τὸ ῥέον αἷμα καὶ οὐκ ἐχώρ, οἷός πέρ τε ῥέει μακάρεσσι θεοῖσιν. (This, my friends, that flows from my wound is blood, and not 'Ichor that flows through the veins of the gods'). ALEXANDER THE GREAT (356323 B.C.)-when wounded by an arrow (Plutarch, Lives: Alexander, xxviii). Τούτῳ νίκα. (By this conquer). — See In hoc signo vinces. Ὑμεῖς ἐμοὶ, ὦ ἄνδρες Αθηναῖοι, συμβούλῳ μὲν κἂν μὴ θέλητε, χρήσεσθε συκοφάντῃ δὲ οὐδὲ ἂν θέλήτε. (Men of Athens, I shall always give you my advice, whether you wish it or not; but I will not accuse men falsely even if you wish it.) DEMOSTHENES (c. 382-322 B.C.) -when called upon to impeach someone, the Athenians becoming riotous because he refused. (Plutarch, Lives: Demosthenes, xiv). Υπόκρισις ὑπόκρισις ὑπόκρισις. (Delivery! delivery! delivery!) ANDRONICUS (c. 284-c. 204 B.C.) --to Demosthenes, who asked him what were the three chief essentials of rhetoric. The passage in Plutarch runs : "Οθεν ἐρομένου αὐτὸν τί πρῶτον ἐν ῥητορικῇ, εἶπεν, Ὑπόκρισιςκαὶ τί δεύτερον, Υπόκρισις· καὶ τί τρίτον, Υπόκρισις. (Accordingly when he [Demosthenes] asked him [Andronicus] what was the first thing in rhetoric, he said Delivery; and the second, Delivery; and the third, Delivery)-Lives of the Ten Orators: Demosthenes, 345. Cf. Boswell's Life of Johnson [1824 ed. vol. ii, p. 195], 1773. Φιλήκοον εἶναι, μᾶλλον ἢ φιλόλαλον. (Be fond of listening, rather than fond of chattering). CLEOBULUS (fl. c. 560 B.C.)— (Diogenes Laertius Lives: Cleobulus, $92). Cf.: be check'd for silence, But never tax'd for speech. Shakspere. All's Well that Ends Well, act 1, sc. 1, 1. 76-7 (Count of Rousillon). Cf. : Χρὴ σιγᾶν ἢ κρείσσονα σιγῆς λέγειν. (Keep silence or let thy words be worth more than silence). PYTHAGORAS-(Stobaeus, Florilegium XXXIV., 7). Η σιγὴν καίριον ἢ λόγον ὠφέλιμον ἔχε. (Keep timely silence, or say something profitable). PYTHAGORAS-(Id., Ibid., xxxiv, 8). Φίλους μὴ ταχὺ κτῶ · οὓς δ ̓ ἂν κτήσῃ, μὴ ἀποδοκίμαζε. (Do not make friends quickly, but do not cast them off when made). SOLON (B.C. 638-558)-(Diogenes Laertius, Lives: Solon, § 60). Φίλων παρόντων καὶ ἀπόντων μεμνῆσθαι. (Bear in mind your friends, whether present or absent). THALES (B.C. 636-546)-(Diogenes Laertius, Lives: Thales § 37). Φοβερώτερόν ἐστιν ἐλάφων στρατόπε δον ἡγουμένου λέοντος ἢ λεόντων ἐλάφου. (An army of stags led by a lion is more to be feared than an army of lions led by a stag). CHABRIAS (d. 358 B.C.)-(Plutarch, Apophthegmata: Chabrias, 3). Also attributed by Stobaeus (Florilegium, LIV, 61) to PHILIP OF MACEDON (383-336 B.C.) χαλεπὸν ἐλεεῖν ἅμα καὶ φρονεῖν. (.. it is hard to have pity and be wise). AGESILAUS (438-361 B.C.)—when leaving a sick friend behind in spite of his entreaties, the camp being suddenly broken up (Plutarch, Lives: Agesilaus, xiii). Χαλεπὸν ἐσθλὸν ἔμμεναι. difficult to be good). (It is PITTACUS (B.C. 652-569)— Diogenes Laertius, Lives: Pittacus, § 76). Χαλεπὸν μὲν ἐστιν, ὦ πολῖται, πρὸς γαστέρα λέγειν ὦτα οὐκ ἔχουσαν. (It is a difficult task, fellowcitizens, to make the stomach hear reason, seeing that it has no ears). CATO MAJOR (234-149 B.C). — beginning of a discourse to the Roman people, dissuading them from an unreasonable clamour for largesses and distributions of corn, (Plutarch, Lives: Cato Major, 8). Cf.: The belly hath no ears.-English Proverb. Ventre affamé n'a point d'oreilles.French Proverb. χρῶ δεξάμενος ἣν ὁ θεὸς δίδωσιν THEOCRITUS, the prophet (c. 290-c. 210 B.C.) to Pelopidas, alluding to a filly escaped from some horses at pasture, and which was used as a sacrifice (Plutarch, Lives: Pelopidas, 22). See Ου τοι ἀπόβλητ ̓ ἐστὶ θεῶν ἐρικυδέα δῶρα. *Ω 'Αθηναῖοι, ἄρα γε πιστεύσετε ἂν ἡλίκους ὑπομένω κινδύνους ἔνεκα τῆς παρ' ὑμῖν εὐδοξίας; (Do you believe, Athenians, how great are the dangers I face to win a good name at Athens?) ALEXANDER THE GREAT (356323 B.C.)-after crossing the Hydaspes, the passage of which was disputed by Porus. (Plutarch, Lives: Alexander, lx). 66 Carlyle (in his essay on Voltaire), alluding to Voltaire, says, "At all "hours of his history, he might "have said with Alexander: "O Athenians, what toil do I undergo "to please you!' and the last pleasure his Athenians demand of "him is, that he would die for "them." (Critical and Miscellaneous Essays 1888 ed., vol. 2, p. 155). Ω γύναι, Αθηναῖοι μὲν ἄρχουσι τῶν Ἑλλήνων, ἐγὼ δὲ ̓Αθηναίων, ἐμοῦ δὲ σὺ, σοῦ δὲ ὁ υἱὸς, ὥστε φειδέσθω τῆς ἐξουσίας, δι' ήν, ἀνόητος ὢν πλεῖστον Ελλήνων δύναται. (Woman, the Athenians govern the Greeks, I govern the Athenians, you govern me, and your son governs you: so let him not abuse his power, which, simple as he is, enables him to do more than all the Greeks put together). THEMISTOCLES (c. 533-c. 465 B.C.)-to his wife, in reference to his son, who used to take advantage of his mother's weakness. (Plutarch, Lives: Cato Major,8). A saying of Cato Major's, (234-149 B.C.) when discoursing of the power of women was πάντες ἄνθρωποι τῶν γυναικῶν ἄρχουσιν, ἡμεῖς δὲ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, ἡμῶν δὲ αἱ γυναῖκες (all men rule their wives; we rule all men; and we are ruled by our wives)—ibid., 8. Cf.: Les Français gouvernent le monde, et les femmes gouvernent les Français. (The French govern the world, and govern the French). women Ω Ηράκλεις, ws πολλοὺς ὁρῶ στρατηγοὺς, ὀλίγους δὲ στρατι ώτας. (By Hercules, how many generals I see-and how few soldiers !) PHOCION (C. 400-317 B C.)alluding to those who pestered him with advice as to what he should do, Mikion having landed at Rhamnus with a large force of Macedonians and mercenaries. (Plutarch, Lives: Phocion, xxv). Cf. Who can direct when all pretend to know?— Goldsmith, The Traveller, 1. 64. Ὦ καλῆς ἡμέρας. (Oh happy day !) ANTIGONUS (d. 239 B.C.)—words shouted after a victory, when he vomited a quantity of blood, fell sick of a fever, and died. (Plutarch, Lives: Cleomenes, xxx). Ω Κάτων, φθονῶ σοι τοῦ θανάτου καὶ γὰρ ἐμοὶ σὺ τῆς σαυτοῦ σωτηρίας ép0ovnoas. (Cato, I grudge thee thy death, for thou hast grudged me thy safety). JULIUS CAESAR (100-44 B.C.)— referring to Cato (95-46 B.C.) Plutarch, Lives: Cato, xxii). Ω ξένε, οὐκ ἐν δέοντι χρῇ τῷ δέοντι. (You speak, my good sir, of what is much to the purposeelsewhere). KING LEONIDAS (fl. c. 492-480 B.C.)-rebuking one who was discoursing about a matter which was itself opportune though the occasion and place were inopportune (Plutarch, Lives: Lycurgus, xx). Ὦ παῖ, ζήτει σεαυτῷ βασιλείαν ἴσην, Μακεδονία γάρ σε οὐ χωρεῖ. (My son, seek out a kingdom worthy of thyself, for Macedonia will not hold thee). PHILIP OF MACEDON (382-336 B.C.) to Alexander the Great, after the latter had successfully ridden the horse Bucephalus. (Plutarch, Lives: Philip, vi). Ὦ παῖδες, πάντα προλήψετα ιὁ πατήρ ἐμοὶ δὲ οὐδὲν ἀπολείψει μεθ' ὑμῶν ἔργον ἀποδείξασθαι μέγα καὶ λαμπρόν. (My father will forestall us, boys, in everything: he will leave no great and glorious exploit for me to achieve with you). ALEXANDER THE GREAT (356323 B.C.)-as a lad, whenever he heard of his father's victories. (Plutarch, Lives: Alexander v). "Ω Περίκλεις, καὶ οἱ τοῦ λύχνου χρείαν ἔχοντες ἔλαιον ἐπιχέουσιν. (Pericles, even those who have occasion for a lamp supply it with oil). ANAXAGORAS (499-427 B.C.)when Pericles besought him to live. Anaxagoras was in want and had determined to starve himself to death. (Plutarch, Lives: Pericles, xvi). Ω Σόλων, τοῖς βασιλεῦσι δεῖ ὡς ἥκιστα ἢ ὡς ἥδιστα ὁμιλεῖν. . Μὰ Δι' ἀλλ' ὡς ἥκιστα ἢ ὡς ἄριστα. (Solon, one ought to say either very little to kings or else say what they wish most to hear. Nay, rather, one should say either very little or what it is best for them to hear.) ESOP (fl. 570 B.C.)-to Solon, when vexed at Croesus' ungracious reception of the latter; with Solon's reply. (Plutarch, Lives: Solon, xxviii). Ω τύχη, μικρόν τί μοι κακὸν ἀντὶ τῶν τοσούτων καὶ τηλικούτων ἀγαθῶν ποίησον. (O! fortune, for so many and such great benefits, send me some small evil!) PHILIP OF MACEDON (382-336 B.C.)-on receiving news that a son had been born to him, a great victory gained by his general, Parmenion, and that he had been crowned at the Olympian games. (Plutarch, Apophthegmata: Philip, 3). See πότε ἄρα παυσόμεθα νικῶντες ; Emilius (c. 229-160 B.C.)-addressing the people after burying his second child, referred to the fickleness of Fortune in similar terms, 'knowing that she never bestows any great kindness unalloyed and without exacting retribution for it." ... ὠδίνειν ὄρος, εἶτα μῦν ἀποτεκεῖν (... the mountain was in labour, and lo! it brought forth a mouse). AGESILAUS (438-360 B.C.)(Plutarch, Lives: Agesilaus, xxxvi). Cf. "Quid dignum tanto feret hic promissor hiatu ? Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus." (What's coming, pray, that thus he winds his horn? The mountain labours, and a mouse is born. Conington). -HORACE. De Arte Poetica, 138. "The mountain has brought forth a mouse."-English saying. ITALIAN SAYINGS. Ah! che se gli è un Dio, ben tosto lo paghèra ; ma veramente se non e'è Dio, è galant' huomo. (If there is a God, he will be well punished; but, really, if there is no God, he is a clever man.) Attributed to POPE URBAN VIII (1568-1644), referring to Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642). See Si le cardinal est en paradis &c. Anch' io sono pittore! (I, too, am a painter.) Attributed to CORREGGIO (14941534), standing before Raphael's picture of St. Cecilia at Bologna, but its authenticity is doubtful. Another version is "Son pittore anch' io." (I am a painter also.)— P. Luigi Pungileoni, Memorie istoriche di Antonio Allegri detto il Correggio (Parma, 1817, vol. 1, p. 60.) Ancora imparo ! (I am still learning!) INSCRIPTION accompanying a favourite device of MICHAEL ANGELO (1474-1563) of an old man in a go-cart, with an hourglass upon it. Chiesa libera in libero Stato. See Libera Chiesa in libero Stato. Ci siamo e ci resteremo. (Here we are, and here we will remain.) VICTOR EMMANUEL II (182078), when receiving a deputation at the Quirinal Palace after entering Rome (June 2, 1871), is said to have uttered the following words: "A Roma ci siamo e ci resteremo (We are at Rome, and there we will remain.) See J'y suis, j'y reste. Economie sino all' osso. (Eco nomies right down to the bone, i.e., thorough retrenchment.) QUINTINO SELLA, in a speech to the Chamber of Deputies, Dec. 15, 1869. Eppur si muove! (Nevertheless it moves!) Attributed to GALILEO GALILEI (1564-1642), after his recantation of his Dialogue on Sun-spots and the sun's rotation, before the Inquisition in 1632; but authenticity doubtful (see J. J. Fahie, Galileo: his life and work, 1903.) |