Theognis 31-8, 503-10
translation and commentary by Ava Scott (’26)
Translation
Theognis 31-8
31 So know these things: do not associate with evil men,
32 but always cling to the good ones.
33 Drink and eat with those men,
34 and sit with them,
35 and please them, because they have great power.
36 From good men, you will learn good things,
37 but if you associate with evil men,
38 you will lose even the sense that you have.
39 So be in company with the good,
40 and someday, you’ll say that I give good advice to my friends.
Theognis 503-10
503 My head is heavy with wine, Onomacritus, and wine constrains me;
504 I am no longer the manager of my own judgement,
505 and the room is running around in circles. But come, let me stand up
506 and try to find out how the wine holds captive
507 my feet and my wits. I am afraid
508 that I might do something rash while drunk and be greatly disgraced.
509 It’s bad to drink a lot of wine, but if someone drinks it skillfully,
510 it is not a bad, but a good.
Commentary
Commentary (Theognis 31-8, 503-10)
Line 32: The word “cling to” can also be taken in the sense of “lay hold on” and “take advantage of” (Allan 2019, 166).
Line 38: Allan 2019, 166.
Line 40: Inspired by J.M. Edmonds’ translation, 1931.
Line 504: “Manager” refers to the ταμια, who was a servant with a special status who managed things of value in the house.
Line 507: “Wits” can be literally translated “my mind in my chest.” Many ancient cultures believed that the mind was located in the heart, because the heart beats faster when one is emotional.
Translation for line 37 inspired by J.M. Edmonds, 1931.
Sources
Allan, William. Greek elegy and iambus: A selection. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019.
Bremmer, Jan N. “Titans.” In Brill’s New Pauly Online. Leiden: Brill, 2006. doi: https://doi-org.newman.richmond.edu/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e1215840
Campbell, David A. Greek lyric. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1982.
Edmonds, J. M. “Elegy and Iambus, Volume.” Elegy and Iambus, Volume I, volume 1, Theognis, The Elegiac Poems of Theognis. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1931. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0479%3Avolume%3D1%3Atext%3D11%3Asection%3D2.
Hünemörder, Christian. “Incense.” In Brill’s New Pauly Online. Leiden: Brill, 2006. doi: https://doi-org.newman.richmond.edu/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e12209480
Hurschmann, Rolf. “Wreath, Garland.” In Brill’s New Pauly Online. Leiden: Brill, 2006. doi: https://doi-org.newman.richmond.edu/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e622060
Lydos. “Attributed to Lydos: Terracotta Column-Krater (Bowl for Mixing Wine and Water): Greek, Attic: Archaic.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accessed December 15, 2023. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/253349.
“Perfume.” In Brill’s New Pauly Online. Leiden: Brill, 2006. doi: https://doi-org.newman.richmond.edu/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e908180
Pheidippos. “Attributed to Pheidippos: Terracotta Kylix: Eye-Cup (Drinking Cup): Greek, Attic: Archaic.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accessed December 15, 2023. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/254175.
Renger, Johannes, and Mareile Haase.“Libation.” In Brill’s New Pauly Online. Leiden: Brill, 2006. doi: https://doi-org.newman.richmond.edu/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e1218770.