Plutarch, De sollertia animalium, 37

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[37]

ARISTOTIMUS.

Now, gentlemen, it lies on your part that are judges, to pronounce sentence.

SOCLARUS.

Assuredly then, for our parts, we shall give the same judgment in this, as Sophocles did in another case:

Discourse upon discording arguments

Is then determined best, when what was said

Is duly weighed and stated on both sides.

For thus comparing what you have both discoursed one against another, it will be found that you have acquitted yourselves on both sides like true champions against those that would deprive brute animals of sense and understanding.

De sollertia animalium. Plutarch. Boston. 1874.

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Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

Which are the most crafty, water-animals or those creatures that breed upon the land? (English) (Plutarch. Plutarch's Morals, Vol. V. Goodwin, William W., editor; Philips, John, translator. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1874.)

Editions (1)

Πότερα τῶν ζῴων φρονιμώτερα τὰ χερσαῖα ἢ τὰ ἔνυδρα Perseus (Plutarch. Plutarchi Chaeronensis Moralia, Vol. VI. Vernardakēs, Grēgorios N., editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1895.) — 37 focus

[37]

ΑΡΙΣΤ.

Ἔξεστιν οὖν ὑμῖν, ὦ ἄνδρες δικασταί, τὴν ψῆφον φέρειν.

ΣΩΚΛ.

ʼἀλλʼ ἡμῖν γε πάλαι τὸ τοῦ Σοφοκλέους δεδογμένον ἐστίν 20

εὖ γὰρ καὶ διχοστατῶν λόγος

σύγκολλὰ τʼ ἀμφοῖν ἐς μέσον τεκταίνεται.

ταυτὶ γάρ, ἃ πρὸς ἀλλήλους εἰρήκατε, συνθέντες εἰς ταὐτὸν ἀμφότεροι καλῶς ἀγωνιεῖσθε κοινῇ πρὸς τοὺς τὰ ζῷα λόγου καὶ συνέσεως ἀποστεροῦντας.

Translations (1)

Whether land or sea animals are cleverer Perseus (Plutarch. Moralia, Vol. XII. Cherniss, Harold, and Helmbold, William C., translators. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1957 (printing).) — 37 focus

[37]

ARISTOTIMUS.

¹ So, gentlemen of the jury, you may now cast your votes.

SOCLARUS.

As for us, we have for some time held the view of Sophocles²:

It is a marvel how of rival sides

The strife of tongues welds both so close together.

For by combining what you have said against each other, you will together put up a good fight against those³ who would deprive animals of reason and understanding.⁴

Plutarch De sollertia animalium 37

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ARISTOTIMUS.

SOCLARUS.

Current edition Perseus

ΑΡΙΣΤ.

ΣΩΚΛ.

ARISTOTIMUS.

SOCLARUS.

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