Lucian of Samosata, Hermotimus, ed. Kenneth Kilburn, 47

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ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Τί δὴ οὖν πράξομεν, ὦ Ἑρμότιμε; οὐ γὰρ ¹ ἀπαγορευτέον οἶμαι ἐπεὶ μηδενὸς ἡγεμόνος τοιούτου ἔς γε τὸ παρὸν εὐποροῦμεν. ἆρα τόδε πάντων κράτιστόν ἐστι καὶ ἀσφαλέστατον, αὐτὸν ἕκαστον ἀρξάμενον διὰ πάσης προαιρέσεως χωρῆσαι καὶ ἐπισκέψασθαι ἀκριβῶς τὰ ὑπὸ πάντων λεγόμενα;

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Ἔοικεν ἀπό γε τούτων. πλὴν ἐκεῖνο μὴ ἐναντίον ᾖ ὃ μικρῷ πρόσθεν ἔλεγες, ὡς οὐ ῥᾴδιον ἐπιδόντα ἑαυτὸν καὶ πετάσαντα τὴν ὀθόνην ἀναδραμεῖν αὖθις. πῶς γὰρ οἷόν τε πάσας ἐπελθεῖν τὰς ὁδοὺς ἐν τῇ πρώτῃ, ὡς φής, κατασχεθησομένῳ;

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Ἐγώ σοι φράσω. τὸ τοῦ Θησέως ἐκεῖνο μιμησόμεθα καί τι λίνον παρὰ τῆς τραγικῆς Ἀριάδνης λαβόντες εἴσιμεν ἐς τὸν λαβύρινθον ἕκαστον, ὡς ἔχειν ἀπραγμόνως μηρυόμενοι αὐτὸ ἐξιέναι.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Τίς ἂν οὖν ἡμῖν Ἀριάδνη γένοιτ' ἂν ἢ πόθεν τοῦ λίνου εὐπορήσομεν;

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Θάρρει, ὦ ἑταῖρε. δοκῶ γάρ μοι εὑρηκέναι οὗτινος ἐχόμενοι ἐξέλθοιμεν ἄν.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Τί οὖν τοῦτό ἐστιν;

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Οὐκ ἐμὸν ἐρῶ ἀλλά τινος τῶν σοφῶν, τὸ “νῆφε καὶ μέμνησο ἀπιστεῖν”· ἢν γὰρ μὴ ῥᾳδίως πιστεύωμεν ἀκούοντες ἀλλὰ δικαστικῶς αὐτὸ ποιῶμεν ἀπολιπόντες καὶ τοῖς ἑξῆς λόγον, ἴσως ἂν εὐμαρῶς τοὺς λαβυρίνθους ἐκφύγοιμεν.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Εὐ λέγεις, καὶ τοῦτο ποιῶμεν.

Hermotimus. Lucian of Samosata. ed. Kenneth Kilburn. Medford, MA. Perseus 5.0.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

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

Editions (1)

Ἑρμότιμος ἢ Περὶ Αἱρέσεων Perseus (Lucian. Luciani Samosatensis Opera, Vol. 1. Jacobitz, Karl, editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1909.) — 47 focus

Λυκῖνος

τί δὴ οὖν πράξομεν, ὦ Ἑρμότιμε; οὐκ ἀπαγορευτέον οἶμαι, ἐπεὶ μηδενὸς ἡγεμόνος τοιούτου ἔς γε τὸ παρὸν εὐποροῦμεν. ἆρα τόδε πάντων κράτιστόν ἐστι καὶ ἀσφαλέστατον, αὐτὸν ἕκαστον ἀρξάμενον διὰ πάσης προαιρέσεως χωρῆσαι καὶ ἐπισκέψασθαι ἀκριβῶς τὰ ὑπὸ πάντων λεγόμενα;

Ἑρμότιμος

ἔοικεν ἀπό γε τούτων· πλὴν ἐκεῖνο μὴ ἐναντίον ᾖ, ὃ μικρῷ πρόσθεν ἔλεγες, ὡς οὐ ῥᾴδιον ἐπιδόντα ἑαυτὸν καὶ πετάσαντα τὴν ὀθόνην ἀναδραμεῖν αὖθις. πῶς γὰρ οἷόν τε πάσας ἐπελθεῖν τὰς ὁδοὺς ἐν τῇ πρώτῃ, ὡς φής, κατασχεθησομένῳ;

Λυκῖνος

ἐγώ σοι φράσω· τὸ τοῦ Θησέως ἐκεῖνο μιμησόμεθα, καί τι λίνον παρὰ τῆς τραγικῆς Ἀριάδνης λαβόντες εἴσιμεν ἐς τὸν λαβύρινθον ἕκαστον, ὡς ἔχειν ἀπραγμόνως μηρυόμενοι αὐτὸ ἐξιέναι.

Ἑρμότιμος

τίς οὖν ἂν ἡμῖν Ἀριάδνη γένοιτʼ ἂν ἢ πόθεν τοῦ λίνου εὐπορήσομεν; 789

Λυκῖνος

θάρρει, ὦ ἑταῖρε· δοκῶ γάρ μοι εὑρηκέναι οὗτινος ἐχόμενοι ἐξέλθοιμεν ἄν.

Ἑρμότιμος

τί οὖν τοῦτό ἐστιν;

Λυκῖνος

οὐκ ἐμὸν ἐρῶ, ἀλλά τινος τῶν σοφῶν, τὸ νῆφε καὶ μέμνησο ἀπιστεῖν· ἢν γὰρ μὴ ῥᾳδίως πιστεύωμεν ἀκούοντες, ἀλλὰ δικαστικῶς αὐτὸ ποιῶμεν ἀπολιπόντες καὶ τοῖς ἑξῆς λόγον, ἴσως εὐμαρῶς ἂν τοὺς λαβυρίνθους ἐκφύγοιμεν.

Ἑρμότιμος

εὖ λέγεις, καὶ τοῦτο ποιῶμεν.

Translations (2)

The Scythian or Consul Perseus (Lucian, Vol. 6. Kilburn, Kenneth, translator. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1959 (unrenewed copyright).) — 47 focus

LYCINUS

Then what shall we do, Hermotimus? I do not think that we ought to give up because we have no such guide at the moment. Is it not the best and safest plan for everyone at the beginning to make his own way through every system and examine carefully the doctrines of each?

HERMOTIMUS

That seems to follow. But we must watch lest we meet this stumbling-block in what you said a little before. When we have once committed ourselves and spread the sail, it is not easy to return. How can we travel all the paths, if we are to be held fast in the first, as you say?

LYCINUS

I will tell you. We will copy that stratagem of Theseus and take a thread from Ariadne in the play, and then enter every labyrinth. So, by winding it up we shall have no difficulty in getting out.

HERMOTIMUS

Then who will be our Ariadne? And where shall we get our thread?

LYCINUS

Never fear, my friend. I think I have discovered what to hold on to, if we are to get out.

HERMOTIMUS

Well, what?

LYCINUS

I will tell you—it is not mine, it comes from one of the sages: “Keep sober, and remember to disbelieve.” ¹ For, if we are not prepared to believe everything we hear, but rather to act like judges and let the next man have his say, perhaps we may escape the labyrinths with ease.

HERMOTIMUS

Good, let us do this.

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.) — 47 focus

[47]

Lycinus

What shall we do, then? I do not think we ought to despair, in the momentary absence of such a guide. Perhaps the best and safest plan of all is to set to work oneself, go through every system, and carefully examine the various doctrines.

Hermotimus

That is what seems to be indicated. I am afraid, though, there is an obstacle in what you said just now: it is not easy, when you have committed yourself with a spread of canvas to the wind, to get home again. How can a man try all the roads, when, as you said, he will be unable to escape from the first of them?

Lycinus

My notion is to copy Theseus, get dame Ariadne to give us a skein, and go into one labyrinth after another, with the certainty of getting out by winding it up.

Hermotimus

Who is to be our Ariadne? Where shall we find the skein?

Lycinus

Never despair; I fancy I have found something to hold on to and escape.

Hermotimus

And what is that?

Lycinus

It is not original; I borrow it from one of the wise men: ‘Be sober and doubt all things,’ says he. If we do not believe everything we are told, but behave like jurymen who suspend judgement till they have heard the other side, we may have no difficulty in getting out of the labyrinths.

Hermotimus

A good plan; let us try it.

Notes on the current edition

Σκύθης ἢ πρόξενος

1. οὐ γὰρ ἀπ. Seager οὐκ ἂν ἀπ. MSS.

Lucian of Samosata Hermotimus 47

ed. Kenneth Kilburn

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ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Τίς ἂν οὖν ἡμῖν Ἀριάδνη γένοιτ' ἂν ἢ πόθεν τοῦ λίνου εὐπορήσομεν;

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Θάρρει, ὦ ἑταῖρε. δοκῶ γάρ μοι εὑρηκέναι οὗτινος ἐχόμενοι ἐξέλθοιμεν ἄν.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Τί οὖν τοῦτό ἐστιν;

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Εὐ λέγεις, καὶ τοῦτο ποιῶμεν.

Current edition Perseus

Ἑρμότιμος

τίς οὖν ἂν ἡμῖν Ἀριάδνη γένοιτʼ ἂν ἢ πόθεν τοῦ λίνου εὐπορήσομεν; 789

Λυκῖνος

θάρρει, ὦ ἑταῖρε· δοκῶ γάρ μοι εὑρηκέναι οὗτινος ἐχόμενοι ἐξέλθοιμεν ἄν.

Ἑρμότιμος

τί οὖν τοῦτό ἐστιν;

Ἑρμότιμος

εὖ λέγεις, καὶ τοῦτο ποιῶμεν.

LYCINUS

Then what shall we do, Hermotimus? I do not think that we ought to give up because we have no such guide at the moment. Is it not the best and safest plan for everyone at the beginning to make his own way through every system and examine carefully the doctrines of each?

HERMOTIMUS

That seems to follow. But we must watch lest we meet this stumbling-block in what you said a little before. When we have once committed ourselves and spread the sail, it is not easy to return. How can we travel all the paths, if we are to be held fast in the first, as you say?

LYCINUS

I will tell you. We will copy that stratagem of Theseus and take a thread from Ariadne in the play, and then enter every labyrinth. So, by winding it up we shall have no difficulty in getting out.

HERMOTIMUS

Then who will be our Ariadne? And where shall we get our thread?

LYCINUS

Never fear, my friend. I think I have discovered what to hold on to, if we are to get out.

HERMOTIMUS

Well, what?

LYCINUS

I will tell you—it is not mine, it comes from one of the sages: “Keep sober, and remember to disbelieve.” ¹ For, if we are not prepared to believe everything we hear, but rather to act like judges and let the next man have his say, perhaps we may escape the labyrinths with ease.

HERMOTIMUS

Good, let us do this.

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ Τίς ἂν οὖν ἡμῖν Ἀριάδνη γένοιτ' ἂν ἢ πόθεν τοῦ λίνου εὐπορήσομεν;

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ Θάρρει, ὦ ἑταῖρε. δοκῶ γάρ μοι εὑρηκέναι οὗτινος ἐχόμενοι ἐξέλθοιμεν ἄν.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ Τί οὖν τοῦτό ἐστιν;

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ Εὐ λέγεις, καὶ τοῦτο ποιῶμεν.

Current edition Perseus

Ἑρμότιμος τίς οὖν ἂν ἡμῖν Ἀριάδνη γένοιτʼ ἂν ἢ πόθεν τοῦ λίνου εὐπορήσομεν; 789

Λυκῖνος θάρρει, ὦ ἑταῖρε· δοκῶ γάρ μοι εὑρηκέναι οὗτινος ἐχόμενοι ἐξέλθοιμεν ἄν.

Ἑρμότιμος τί οὖν τοῦτό ἐστιν;

Ἑρμότιμος εὖ λέγεις, καὶ τοῦτο ποιῶμεν.

LYCINUS Then what shall we do, Hermotimus? I do not think that we ought to give up because we have no such guide at the moment. Is it not the best and safest plan for everyone at the beginning to make his own way through every system and examine carefully the doctrines of each?

HERMOTIMUS That seems to follow. But we must watch lest we meet this stumbling-block in what you said a little before. When we have once committed ourselves and spread the sail, it is not easy to return. How can we travel all the paths, if we are to be held fast in the first, as you say?

LYCINUS I will tell you. We will copy that stratagem of Theseus and take a thread from Ariadne in the play, and then enter every labyrinth. So, by winding it up we shall have no difficulty in getting out.

HERMOTIMUS Then who will be our Ariadne? And where shall we get our thread?

LYCINUS Never fear, my friend. I think I have discovered what to hold on to, if we are to get out.

HERMOTIMUS Well, what?

LYCINUS I will tell you—it is not mine, it comes from one of the sages: “Keep sober, and remember to disbelieve.” 1 For, if we are not prepared to believe everything we hear, but rather to act like judges and let the next man have his say, perhaps we may escape the labyrinths with ease.

HERMOTIMUS Good, let us do this.

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Lycinus

Hermotimus

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Τίς ἂν οὖν ἡμῖν Ἀριάδνη γένοιτ' ἂν ἢ πόθεν τοῦ λίνου εὐπορήσομεν;

ΛΥΚΙΝΟΣ

Θάρρει, ὦ ἑταῖρε. δοκῶ γάρ μοι εὑρηκέναι οὗτινος ἐχόμενοι ἐξέλθοιμεν ἄν.

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Τί οὖν τοῦτό ἐστιν;

ΕΡΜΟΤΙΜΟΣ

Εὐ λέγεις, καὶ τοῦτο ποιῶμεν.

Ἑρμότιμος

τίς οὖν ἂν ἡμῖν Ἀριάδνη γένοιτʼ ἂν ἢ πόθεν τοῦ λίνου εὐπορήσομεν; 789

Λυκῖνος

θάρρει, ὦ ἑταῖρε· δοκῶ γάρ μοι εὑρηκέναι οὗτινος ἐχόμενοι ἐξέλθοιμεν ἄν.

Ἑρμότιμος

τί οὖν τοῦτό ἐστιν;

Ἑρμότιμος

εὖ λέγεις, καὶ τοῦτο ποιῶμεν.

LYCINUS

Then what shall we do, Hermotimus? I do not think that we ought to give up because we have no such guide at the moment. Is it not the best and safest plan for everyone at the beginning to make his own way through every system and examine carefully the doctrines of each?

HERMOTIMUS

That seems to follow. But we must watch lest we meet this stumbling-block in what you said a little before. When we have once committed ourselves and spread the sail, it is not easy to return. How can we travel all the paths, if we are to be held fast in the first, as you say?

LYCINUS

I will tell you. We will copy that stratagem of Theseus and take a thread from Ariadne in the play, and then enter every labyrinth. So, by winding it up we shall have no difficulty in getting out.

HERMOTIMUS

Then who will be our Ariadne? And where shall we get our thread?

LYCINUS

Never fear, my friend. I think I have discovered what to hold on to, if we are to get out.

HERMOTIMUS

Well, what?

LYCINUS

I will tell you—it is not mine, it comes from one of the sages: “Keep sober, and remember to disbelieve.” ¹ For, if we are not prepared to believe everything we hear, but rather to act like judges and let the next man have his say, perhaps we may escape the labyrinths with ease.

HERMOTIMUS

Good, let us do this.