Ἀπὸ καλοῦ ξύλου κἂν ἀπάγξασθαι
should be hanged from a fine timber
Translated by Jennifer Benedict14 Feb 2002Vetting: high4 revisions
Translation
[Aristophanes] wants to say that it is better to employ noble and well-scrutinized generals than base ones. For if it is necessary to suffer, better to suffer at the hands of someone good than someone base. And Aristophanes [writes]: "if you should stumble, at least [you will hang] from [a timber that is] worthy."1