{"id":4587,"date":"2016-07-11T15:57:49","date_gmt":"2016-07-11T15:57:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/repeatright.com\/engine\/?p=4587"},"modified":"2018-09-26T21:32:58","modified_gmt":"2018-09-26T21:32:58","slug":"anacharsis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.repeatright.com\/engine\/anacharsis\/","title":{"rendered":"ANACHARSIS"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1453315804311{margin-top: -40px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” add_icon=”true” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1449531588223-e020d87d-f7dd094f-cf63220a-e17e”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

\u201cA vine bears three grapes: the first of pleasure, the second of drunkenness, and the third of repentance.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Anacharsis<\/strong>, Scythian philosopher<\/p>\n

Cited by Diogenes Laertius, \u201cLife of Anacharsis\u201d (c. 250 B.C.E.) in The\u00a0<\/em>Lives of the Ancient Philosophers, Containing an Account of the Several Sects, Doctrines, Actions and Remarkable\u00a0<\/em>Sayings<\/em>, trans. not named, London: John Nicholson, 1702 edition, p. 55; online via Library of Catalonia & Google Books, books.google.com<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-ban” add_icon=”true” title=”Alt. Trans.” tab_id=”1449531589281-1a7ccd5f-aa59094f-cf63220a-e17e”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]Alternative translation<\/em><\/strong>: [1925 R.D. Hicks translation]\n

\u201cIt was a saying of his that the vine bore three kinds of grapes: the first of pleasure, the next of intoxication, and the third of disgust<\/span>. He said he wondered why in Greece experts contend in the games and non-experts award the prizes. Being asked how one could avoid becoming a toper, he answered, “By keeping before your eyes the disgraceful exhibition made by the drunkard.” Again, he expressed surprise that the Greek lawgivers should impose penalties on wanton outrage, while they honour athletes for bruising one another.\u201d<\/p>\n[Alternative translation source<\/em>: Lives of Eminent Philosophers<\/em>, Diogenes Laertius, trans. Robert Drew (R.D.) Hicks, Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1925 \u2013 1972 edition, Chaper 8: Anacharsis; online via Perseus Digital Library, ed. Gregory R. Crane, Tufts University, www.perseus.tufts.edu<\/a>][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” add_icon=”true” title=”Context” tab_id=”1449531588755-96303790-852e094f-cf63220a-e17e”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]Extended excerpts<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\n

[Original 1702 text, with \u2018long\u2019 (or \u2018medial\u2019) s, original spelling & text structure]<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHis Apothegms were the\u017fe. (e) A Vine bears three grapes, the fir\u017ft Pleasure, the \u017fecond of Drunkenne\u017fs, the third of Repentance. \u2018Tis \u017ftrange that in Greece<\/em> the differences of Arti\u017fts \u017fhould be decided by tho\u017fe that are not artists. A view of the un\u017feemly actions of drunken Men, is the mo\u017ft effectual di\u017f\u017fua\u017five from Wine. He wondered why the Grecians<\/em> who puni\u017fhed injuries, honor\u2019d the wre\u017ftlers; they they drank in little cups at the beginning of their banquets, and quaffed in large bowls when their \u017ftomacks were full; why tho\u017fe who forbid lying, lye \u017fo frequently in putting off their wares.\u201d (p. 55)<\/p>\n

[Repeat Right editor – modern version of Nicholson\u2019s 1702 text]<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHis Apothegms were these: A vine bears three grapes, the first pleasure, the second of drunkenness, the third of repentance. It\u2019s strange that in Greece the differences of artists should be decided by those that are not artists. A view of the unseemly actions of drunken men is the most effectual dissuasive from wine. He wondered why the Grecians who punished injuries, honored the wrestlers; they they drank in little cups at the beginning of their banquets, and quaffed in large bowls when their stomachs were full; why those who forbid lying, lied so frequently in putting off their wares.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Source note<\/em><\/strong>: The historian Diogenes La\u00ebrtius wrote The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers <\/em>sometime in the early third century, most likely between 200-450 B.C.E. The original work was written in Greek. His writing \u2013 published long after the life of Anacharsis \u2013 provides one of the few surviving sources that describes Anacharsis and his travels.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” add_icon=”true” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1449531589797-29580b31-8c50094f-cf63220a-e17e”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]Source link<\/span> <\/em><\/strong>[Featured<\/span> – 1702 Nicholson edition]: The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers<\/em> (1702 John Nicholson) online via Google Books: https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=SQrULxU3TXMC&pg=PA55&dq=third+of+Repentance<\/a><\/p>\n

Source link<\/span> <\/em><\/strong>[Alt. Translation<\/span> – 1925 R.D. Hicks translation]: Lives of Eminent Philosophers<\/em> (date|1925 trans., 1972 Harvard Press ed.) online via Perseus Digital Library: http:\/\/www.perseus.tufts.edu\/hopper\/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0258%3Abook%3D1%3Achapter%3D8<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” add_icon=”true” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1453315829087-ce67c619-0fbc220a-e17e”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n[Translation I<\/strong><\/span>]\n

\u201cThese decrees of yours are no different from spiders\u2019 webs. They\u2019ll restrain anyone weak and insignificant who gets caught in them, but they\u2019ll be torn to shreads by people with power and wealth.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Anacharsis<\/strong>, Scythian philosopher<\/p>\n

Cited by the Greek biographer Plutarch in Plutarch\u2019s Lives<\/em> (1st Century, prior to 120 C.E.) \u201cSolon,\u201d Greek Lives: A Selection of Nine Greek Lives<\/em>, trans. Robin Waterfield, London: Oxford University Press, 1998<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” add_icon=”true” title=”Context” tab_id=”1453315829475-7c82a017-1e62220a-e17e”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong>: \u201cNow, this was at a time when Solon was involved in state affairs and was drafting his laws, and when Anacharsis found out what Solon was up to, he mocked his belief that he could use mere decrees to curb his fellow citizens\u2019 injustice and rapacity. \u201cThese decrees of yours are no different from spiders\u2019 webs,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019ll restrain anyone weak and insignificant who gets caught in them, but they\u2019ll be torn to shreads by people with power and wealth<\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Source note<\/em><\/strong>: Plutarch\u2019s Lives<\/em> is also known as Plutarch\u2019s Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans<\/em>, or Parallel Lives<\/em>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” add_icon=”true” title=”Source ISBN” tab_id=”1453315829682-63e8fade-cf4c220a-e17e”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Source<\/em><\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0Library \u2013 Greek Lives: A Selection of Nine Greek Lives<\/em> (1998) International Standard Book Number (ISBN): 9780192825018[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1453316221301{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” add_icon=”true” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1453315828001-b5e2e52e-ea1e220a-e17e”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n[Translation II<\/strong><\/span>]\n

\u201cW<\/strong>ritten laws, which were like spiders\u2019 webs, and would catch, it is true, the weak and poor, but easily be broken by the mighty and rich.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Anacharsis<\/strong>, Scythian philosopher<\/p>\n

Cited by Greek biographer Plutarch in Plutarch\u2019s Lives<\/em> (1st Century, prior to 120 C.E.) Plutarch\u2019s Lives: The Translation Called Dryden\u2019s<\/em>, Vol. I, ed. A.H. Clough, Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1888, p. 172; online via Google Books, books.google.com<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” add_icon=”true” title=”Context” tab_id=”1453315828385-86abfac4-79bf220a-e17e”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong>: \u201cIt is stated, that Anacharsis and Solon, and Solon and Thales, were familiarly acquainted, and some have delivered parts of their discourse; for, they say, Anacharsis, coming to Athens, knocked at Solon\u2019s door, and told him, that he, being a stranger, was come to be his guest, and contract a friendship with him; and Solon replying, \u201cIt is better to make friends at home,\u201d Anacharsis replied, \u201cThen you that are at home make friendship with me.\u201d Solon, somewhat surprised at the readiness of the repartee, received him kindly, and kept him some time with him, being already engaged in public business and the compilation of his laws; which when Anacharsis understood, he laughed at him for imagining the dishonesty and covetousness of his countrymen could be restrained by written laws, which were like spiders\u2019 webs, and would catch, it is true, the weak and poor, but easily be broken by the mighty and rich.<\/span> To this Solon rejoined that men keep their promises when neither side can get any thing by the breaking of them; and he would so fit his laws to the citizens, that all should understand it was more eligible to be just than to break the laws. But the event rather agreed with the conjecture of Anacharsis than Solon\u2019s hope. Anacharsis, being once at the assembly, expressed his wonder at the fact that in Greece wise men spoke and fools decided.\u201d (p. 172)<\/p>\n

Source note<\/em><\/strong>: Plutarch\u2019s Lives<\/em> is also known as Plutarch\u2019s Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans<\/em>, or Parallel Lives<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” add_icon=”true” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1453315828572-dac97b48-68e0220a-e17e”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]\n

Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>: Plutarch\u2019s Lives: The Translation Called Dryden\u2019s<\/em> (1888) Google Books:\u00a0https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=q0I8AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA172&dq=written+laws+which+were+like+spiders+webs<\/a><\/p>\n

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Resources<\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”none” el_class=”Wrapper-Author-Resources”]Learn more about Anacharsis<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0| Here are a few good places to find out more –<\/p>\n