Lucian of Samosata, Hermotimus, Kenneth Kilburn (Translator), 6

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LYCINUS

But you have not said how long, to give it a date.

HERMOTIMUS

I don’t know myself exactly, Lycinus. Not more than twenty years at a guess. After that I shall surely be on the top.

LYCINUS

Good Heavens! As long as that!

HERMOTIMUS

Yes, Lycinus; my struggles are for great prizes.

LYCINUS

Perhaps so. But those twenty years—has your teacher promised you that length of life? If he has he must be more than a wise man—a prophet, or an oracle-monger, or an expert in Chaldean lore, as well—they say that they know this sort of thing. For, if it is not certain that you will live to reach Virtue, it is quite unreasonable to take all this trouble and wear yourself out night and day, not knowing whether Fate as you near the top will come and pull you down by the foot with your hopes unfulfilled.

HERMOTIMUS

Away with you! That, Lycinus, is blasphemy. May I live to enjoy happiness through wisdom for just one day!

LYCINUS

Would that repay you for all your labours—just one day?

HERMOTIMUS

For me even a moment is enough.

Hermotimus. Lucian of Samosata. Kenneth Kilburn (Translator). Medford, MA. Perseus 5.0.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

The Scythian or Consul (English) (Lucian, Vol. 6. Kilburn, Kenneth, translator. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1959 (unrenewed copyright).)

Editions (2)

Ἑρμότιμος ἢ Περὶ Αἱρέσεων Perseus (Lucian. Luciani Samosatensis Opera, Vol. 1. Jacobitz, Karl, editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1909.) — 6 focus

Λυκῖνος

ὅμως οὐκ ἔφησθα ὁπόσον, ὡς χρόνῳ περιλαβεῖν.

Ἑρμότιμος

οὐδʼ αὐτὸς γὰρ οἶδα, ὧ Λυκῖνε, τἀκριβές· εἰκάζω μέντοι οὐ πλείω τῶν εἴκοσιν ἐτῶν ἔσεσθαι, μεθʼ ἃ πάντως που ἐπὶ τῷ ἄκρῳ ἐσόμεθα.

Λυκῖνος

Ἡράκλεις, πολὺ λέγεις.

Ἑρμότιμος

καὶ γὰρ περὶ μεγάλων, ὦ Λυκῖνε, οἱ πονοι.

Λυκῖνος

τοῦτο μὲν ἴσως ἀληθές· ὑπὲρ δὲ τῶν εἴκοσιν ἐτῶν, ὅτι βιώσῃ τοσαῦτα, πότερον ὁ διδάσκαλός σου καθυπέσχετο, οὐ μόνον σοφός, ἀλλὰ καὶ μαντικὸς ὢν ἢ χρησμολόγος τις ἢ ὅσοι τὰς Χαλδαίων μεθόδους ἐπίστανται; φασὶ γοῦν εἰδέναι τὰ τοιαῦτα· οὐ γὰρ δὴ σέ γε εἰκὸς 746 ἐπὶ τῷ ἀδήλῳ, εἰ βιώσῃ μέχρι πρὸς τὴν ἀρετήν, τοσούτους πόνους ἀνέχεσθαι καὶ ταλαιπωρεῖν νύκτωρ καὶ μεθʼ ἡμέραν οὐκ εἰδότα, εἴ σε πλησίον ἤδη τοῦ ἄκρου γενόμενον τὸ χρεὼν ἐπιστὰν κατασπάσει λαβόμενον τοῦ ποδὸς ἐξ ἀτελοῦς τῆς ἐπίδος.

Ἑρμότιμος

ἄπαγε· δύσφημα γὰρ ταῦτα, ὦ Λυκῖνε. ἀλλʼ εἴη βιῶναι, ὡς μίαν γοῦν ἡμέραν εὐδαιμονήσω σοφὸς γενόμενος.

Λυκῖνος

καὶ ἱκανή σοι ἀντὶ τῶν τοσούτων καμάτων ἡ μία ἡμέρα;

Ἑρμότιμος

ἐμοὶ μὲν καὶ ἀκαριαῖον ὁπόσον ἱκανόν.

Σκύθης ἢ πρόξενος Perseus (Lucian, Vol. 6. Kilburn, Kenneth, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1959 (unrenewed copyright).) — 6 focus

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Ὅμως οὐκ ἔφησθα ὁπόσον, ὡς χρόνῳ περιλαβεῖν.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Οὐδ’ αὐτὸς γὰρ οἶδα, ὦ Λυκῖνε, τἀκριβές. εἰκάζω μέντοι οὐ πλείω τῶν εἴκοσιν ἐτῶν ἔσεσθαι, μεθ' ἃ πάντως που ἐπὶ τῷ ἄκρῳ ἐσόμεθα.

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Ἡράκλεις, πολὺ λέγεις.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Καὶ γὰρ περὶ μεγάλων, ὦ Λυκῖνε, οἱ πόνοι.

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Τοῦτο μὲν ἴσως ἀληθές. ὑπὲρ δὲ τῶν εἴκοσιν ἐτῶν ὅτι βιώσῃ τοσαῦτα πότερον ὁ διδάσκαλός σου καθυπέσχετο, οὐ μόνον σοφός, ἀλλὰ καὶ μαντικὸς ὢν ἢ χρησμολόγος τις ἢ ὅσοι τὰς Χαλδαίων μεθόδους ἐπίστανται; φασὶ γοῦν εἰδέναι τὰ τοιαῦτα. οὐ γὰρ δὴ σέ γε εἰκὸς ἐπὶ τῷ ἀδήλῳ, εἰ βιώσῃ μέχρι πρὸς τὴν ἀρετήν, τοσούτους πόνους ἀνέχεσθαι καὶ ταλαιπωρεῖν νύκτωρ καὶ μεθ' ἡμέραν οὐκ εἰδότα εἴ σε πλησίον ἤδη τοῦ ἄκρου γενόμενον τὸ χρεὼν ἐπιστὰν κατασπάσει λαβόμενον τοῦ ποδὸς ἐξ ἀτελοῦς τῆς ἐλπίδος.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Ἄπαγε. δύσφημα γὰρ ταῦτα, ὦ Λυκῖνε. ἀλλ’ εἴη βιῶναι ὡς μίαν γοῦν ἡμέραν εὐδαιμονήσω σοφὸς γενόμενος.

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Καὶ ἱκανή σοι ἀντὶ τῶν τοσούτων καμάτων ἡ μία ἡμέρα;

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Ἐμοὶ μὲν καὶ ἀκαριαῖον ὁπόσον ἱκανόν.

Translations (1)

Hermotimus, or the Rival Philosophies Perseus (The Works of Lucian of Samosata, Vol. 2. Fowler, Henry Watson and Fowler, Francis George, translators. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1905.) — 6 focus

[6]

Lycinus

But you have never told me how far, in terms of time.

Hermotimus

No; for I know not precisely myself. My guess is that it will not be more than twenty years; by that time I shall surely be on the summit.

Lycinus

Mercy upon us, you take long views!

Hermotimus

Ay; but, as the toil, so is the reward.

Lycinus

That may be; but about these twenty years—have you your master’s promise that you will live so long? is he prophet as well as philosopher? or is it a soothsayer or Chaldean expert that you trust? such things are known to them, I understand. You would never, of course, if there were any uncertainty of your life’s lasting to the Virtue-point, slave and toil night and day like this; why, just as you were close to the top, your fate might come upon you, lay hold of you by the heel, and lug you down with your hopes unfulfilled.

Hermotimus

God forbid! these are words of ill omen, Lycinus; may life be granted me, that I may grow wise, and have if it be but one day of Happiness!

Lycinus

For all these toils will you be content with your one day?

Hermotimus

Content? yes, or with the briefest moment of it.

Lucian of Samosata Hermotimus 6

Kenneth Kilburn (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

LYCINUS

But you have not said how long, to give it a date.

HERMOTIMUS

I don’t know myself exactly, Lycinus. Not more than twenty years at a guess. After that I shall surely be on the top.

LYCINUS

Good Heavens! As long as that!

HERMOTIMUS

Yes, Lycinus; my struggles are for great prizes.

HERMOTIMUS

Away with you! That, Lycinus, is blasphemy. May I live to enjoy happiness through wisdom for just one day!

LYCINUS

Would that repay you for all your labours—just one day?

HERMOTIMUS

For me even a moment is enough.

Current edition Perseus

Λυκῖνος

ὅμως οὐκ ἔφησθα ὁπόσον, ὡς χρόνῳ περιλαβεῖν.

Ἑρμότιμος

οὐδʼ αὐτὸς γὰρ οἶδα, ὧ Λυκῖνε, τἀκριβές· εἰκάζω μέντοι οὐ πλείω τῶν εἴκοσιν ἐτῶν ἔσεσθαι, μεθʼ ἃ πάντως που ἐπὶ τῷ ἄκρῳ ἐσόμεθα.

Λυκῖνος

Ἡράκλεις, πολὺ λέγεις.

Ἑρμότιμος

καὶ γὰρ περὶ μεγάλων, ὦ Λυκῖνε, οἱ πονοι.

Ἑρμότιμος

ἄπαγε· δύσφημα γὰρ ταῦτα, ὦ Λυκῖνε. ἀλλʼ εἴη βιῶναι, ὡς μίαν γοῦν ἡμέραν εὐδαιμονήσω σοφὸς γενόμενος.

Λυκῖνος

καὶ ἱκανή σοι ἀντὶ τῶν τοσούτων καμάτων ἡ μία ἡμέρα;

Ἑρμότιμος

ἐμοὶ μὲν καὶ ἀκαριαῖον ὁπόσον ἱκανόν.

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Ὅμως οὐκ ἔφησθα ὁπόσον, ὡς χρόνῳ περιλαβεῖν.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Οὐδ’ αὐτὸς γὰρ οἶδα, ὦ Λυκῖνε, τἀκριβές. εἰκάζω μέντοι οὐ πλείω τῶν εἴκοσιν ἐτῶν ἔσεσθαι, μεθ' ἃ πάντως που ἐπὶ τῷ ἄκρῳ ἐσόμεθα.

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Ἡράκλεις, πολὺ λέγεις.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Καὶ γὰρ περὶ μεγάλων, ὦ Λυκῖνε, οἱ πόνοι.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Ἄπαγε. δύσφημα γὰρ ταῦτα, ὦ Λυκῖνε. ἀλλ’ εἴη βιῶναι ὡς μίαν γοῦν ἡμέραν εὐδαιμονήσω σοφὸς γενόμενος.

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Καὶ ἱκανή σοι ἀντὶ τῶν τοσούτων καμάτων ἡ μία ἡμέρα;

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Ἐμοὶ μὲν καὶ ἀκαριαῖον ὁπόσον ἱκανόν.

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

LYCINUS But you have not said how long, to give it a date.

HERMOTIMUS I don’t know myself exactly, Lycinus. Not more than twenty years at a guess. After that I shall surely be on the top.

LYCINUS Good Heavens! As long as that!

HERMOTIMUS Yes, Lycinus; my struggles are for great prizes.

HERMOTIMUS Away with you! That, Lycinus, is blasphemy. May I live to enjoy happiness through wisdom for just one day!

LYCINUS Would that repay you for all your labours—just one day?

HERMOTIMUS For me even a moment is enough.

Current edition Perseus

Λυκῖνος ὅμως οὐκ ἔφησθα ὁπόσον, ὡς χρόνῳ περιλαβεῖν.

Ἑρμότιμος οὐδʼ αὐτὸς γὰρ οἶδα, ὧ Λυκῖνε, τἀκριβές· εἰκάζω μέντοι οὐ πλείω τῶν εἴκοσιν ἐτῶν ἔσεσθαι, μεθʼ ἃ πάντως που ἐπὶ τῷ ἄκρῳ ἐσόμεθα.

Λυκῖνος Ἡράκλεις, πολὺ λέγεις.

Ἑρμότιμος καὶ γὰρ περὶ μεγάλων, ὦ Λυκῖνε, οἱ πονοι.

Ἑρμότιμος ἄπαγε· δύσφημα γὰρ ταῦτα, ὦ Λυκῖνε. ἀλλʼ εἴη βιῶναι, ὡς μίαν γοῦν ἡμέραν εὐδαιμονήσω σοφὸς γενόμενος.

Λυκῖνος καὶ ἱκανή σοι ἀντὶ τῶν τοσούτων καμάτων ἡ μία ἡμέρα;

Ἑρμότιμος ἐμοὶ μὲν καὶ ἀκαριαῖον ὁπόσον ἱκανόν.

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ Ὅμως οὐκ ἔφησθα ὁπόσον, ὡς χρόνῳ περιλαβεῖν.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ Οὐδ’ αὐτὸς γὰρ οἶδα, ὦ Λυκῖνε, τἀκριβές. εἰκάζω μέντοι οὐ πλείω τῶν εἴκοσιν ἐτῶν ἔσεσθαι, μεθ' ἃ πάντως που ἐπὶ τῷ ἄκρῳ ἐσόμεθα.

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ Ἡράκλεις, πολὺ λέγεις.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ Καὶ γὰρ περὶ μεγάλων, ὦ Λυκῖνε, οἱ πόνοι.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ Ἄπαγε. δύσφημα γὰρ ταῦτα, ὦ Λυκῖνε. ἀλλ’ εἴη βιῶναι ὡς μίαν γοῦν ἡμέραν εὐδαιμονήσω σοφὸς γενόμενος.

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ Καὶ ἱκανή σοι ἀντὶ τῶν τοσούτων καμάτων ἡ μία ἡμέρα;

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ Ἐμοὶ μὲν καὶ ἀκαριαῖον ὁπόσον ἱκανόν.

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Stable identifiers

LYCINUS

But you have not said how long, to give it a date.

HERMOTIMUS

I don’t know myself exactly, Lycinus. Not more than twenty years at a guess. After that I shall surely be on the top.

LYCINUS

Good Heavens! As long as that!

HERMOTIMUS

Yes, Lycinus; my struggles are for great prizes.

HERMOTIMUS

Away with you! That, Lycinus, is blasphemy. May I live to enjoy happiness through wisdom for just one day!

LYCINUS

Would that repay you for all your labours—just one day?

HERMOTIMUS

For me even a moment is enough.

Λυκῖνος

ὅμως οὐκ ἔφησθα ὁπόσον, ὡς χρόνῳ περιλαβεῖν.

Ἑρμότιμος

οὐδʼ αὐτὸς γὰρ οἶδα, ὧ Λυκῖνε, τἀκριβές· εἰκάζω μέντοι οὐ πλείω τῶν εἴκοσιν ἐτῶν ἔσεσθαι, μεθʼ ἃ πάντως που ἐπὶ τῷ ἄκρῳ ἐσόμεθα.

Λυκῖνος

Ἡράκλεις, πολὺ λέγεις.

Ἑρμότιμος

καὶ γὰρ περὶ μεγάλων, ὦ Λυκῖνε, οἱ πονοι.

Ἑρμότιμος

ἄπαγε· δύσφημα γὰρ ταῦτα, ὦ Λυκῖνε. ἀλλʼ εἴη βιῶναι, ὡς μίαν γοῦν ἡμέραν εὐδαιμονήσω σοφὸς γενόμενος.

Λυκῖνος

καὶ ἱκανή σοι ἀντὶ τῶν τοσούτων καμάτων ἡ μία ἡμέρα;

Ἑρμότιμος

ἐμοὶ μὲν καὶ ἀκαριαῖον ὁπόσον ἱκανόν.

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Ὅμως οὐκ ἔφησθα ὁπόσον, ὡς χρόνῳ περιλαβεῖν.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Οὐδ’ αὐτὸς γὰρ οἶδα, ὦ Λυκῖνε, τἀκριβές. εἰκάζω μέντοι οὐ πλείω τῶν εἴκοσιν ἐτῶν ἔσεσθαι, μεθ' ἃ πάντως που ἐπὶ τῷ ἄκρῳ ἐσόμεθα.

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Ἡράκλεις, πολὺ λέγεις.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Καὶ γὰρ περὶ μεγάλων, ὦ Λυκῖνε, οἱ πόνοι.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Ἄπαγε. δύσφημα γὰρ ταῦτα, ὦ Λυκῖνε. ἀλλ’ εἴη βιῶναι ὡς μίαν γοῦν ἡμέραν εὐδαιμονήσω σοφὸς γενόμενος.

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Καὶ ἱκανή σοι ἀντὶ τῶν τοσούτων καμάτων ἡ μία ἡμέρα;

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Ἐμοὶ μὲν καὶ ἀκαριαῖον ὁπόσον ἱκανόν.