| Passage and Problem | Alternatives Translations and Positions | Discussion Link |
|---|---|---|
| How Is Knowledge Of The Gods Manifest? Letter to Menoeceus: 123f. ἐναργὴς γαρ αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ γνῶσις. "And the knowledge (ἡ γνῶσις (gnōsis)) of them (θεοί "gods", note the plural here) is ἐναργὴς." But what does ἐναργὴς mean? It has two primary definitions: visible, palpable, in bodily shape, properly of gods appearing in their own forms (in Homer); so of a dream or vision; ex., ἐναργὴς ταῦρος "in visible form a bull, a very bull" manifest to the mind's eye, distinct | Bailey: For gods there are, since the knowledge of them is by clear vision. Hicks: For verily there are gods, and the knowledge of them is manifest Don: "Gods exist, and the knowledge of them is manifest to the mind's eye" | Discussion here. |
| Should The Wise Man (Or Woman) Marry? The "Wise Man" saying in Diogenes Laertius appears to be corrupted and varying translators take reverse positions as to whether marriage is advised by Epicurus. | CD Yonge’s 1853: “Marriage, they say, is never any good to a man, and we must be quite content if it does no harm; and the wise man will never marry or beget children, as Epicurus himself lays down in his Doubts and in his treatises on Nature. Still, under certain circumstances in his life he will forsake these rules and marry.” Loeb Classical Library version of the R.D. Hicks translation, which dates from 1931, concurs: “Nor, again, will the wise man marry and rear a family: so Epicurus says in the Problems and in the De Natura. Occasionally he may marry due to special circumstances in his life.” But Cyril Bailey in his 1926 translation says: “Moreover, the wise man will marry and have children, as Epicurus says in the Problems and in the work On Nature. But he will marry according to the circumstances of his life.” Epicurus Reader (Inwood and Gerson) “And indeed the wise man will marry and father children….” George Strodach (1963): “In addition, the wise man will marry and beget children…. but he will marry according to his station in life, whatever it may be.” | Discussion Here |
| What Is The Proper Attitude Toward Wanting More In VS35? VS 35: Bailey translates 35 this way: "We should not spoil what we have by desiring what we do not have, but remember that what we have too was the gift of fortune." |
Norman DeWitt (EAHP page __ ) "We must not spoil the enjoyment of the blessings we have by pining for those we have not but rather reflect that these too are among the things desirable." Peter St Andre: "Don't ruin the things you have by wanting what you don't have, but realize that they too are things you once did wish for." Peter adds the note "[35] The word translated here as "ruin" (λυμαίνομαι) means, at root, to mistreat. The implication is that not honoring the good things you have achieved is a sign of disrespect and shows a lack of appreciation. See also Vatican Sayings #69 and #75. |
Discussion here. |
| What Does VS66 Mean About How To Mourn Deceased Friends? VS 66: Bailey: Let us show our feeling for our lost friends not by lamentation but by meditation. |
DeWitt p 327: "Let us show our sympathy with our friends, not by wailing, but by taking thought." Epicurus.net: "We show our feeling for our friends' suffering, not with laments, but with thoughtful concern." |
Discussion here |
| What Is The Best Way To View The "Wise Man" Saying In Diogenes Laertius As to Rejoicing at Misfortune of Another? (near line 120) | Bailey: "He will rejoice at another’s misfortunes, but only for his correction." Perseus: ""He will be grateful to anyone when he is corrected." Yonge: "he will propitiate an absolute ruler when occasion requires, and will humor him for the sake of correcting his habits;" |
Discussion Here |
Table of Texts With Translation Difficulties
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December 12, 2022 at 8:01 PM -
December 12, 2022 at 8:44 PM -
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