Ἀρχὴν ἰᾶσθαι πολὺ λώϊον ἠὲ τελευτήν
far better to heal a beginning than an end
Translated by David Whitehead · 10 Oct 2000 · Vetting: high · 7 revisions
Translation
The proverb shows that it is preferable to prevent suffering and anything else terrible as it is beginning rather than when it has fully developed and reached its conclusion.
Greek original
Ἀρχὴν ἰᾶσθαι πολὺ λώϊον ἠὲ τελευτήν· δηλοῖ δὲ ἡ παροιμία, ὡς ἀρχομένου τινὸς καὶ πάθους καὶ ἄλλου τινὸς δεινοῦ μᾶλλον ἔστι κωλύειν ἢ ἐνακμάσαντος καὶ τελειωθέντος.
Betacode
*)arxh\n i)a=sqai polu\ lw/i+on h)e\ teleuth/n: dhloi= de\ h( paroimi/a, w(s a)rxome/nou tino\s kai\ pa/qous kai\ a)/llou tino\s deinou= ma=llon e)/sti kwlu/ein h)\ e)nakma/santos kai\ teleiwqe/ntos.
Notes
- Lightly adapted from Harpokration (and Photius) s.v.; and cf. Apostolius 3.90.
Tosi [see under alpha 378] no.61.
Cf. "a stitch in time saves nine."
Neighbours in Adler order
α4095Ἀρχηγέτηςchiefα4096Ἀρχὴ ἄνδρα δείκνυσινoffice exposes a manα4097Ἀρχὴ ἥμισυ παντόςa beginning (is) half of the wholeα4098Ἀρχὴν ἰᾶσθαι πολὺ λώϊον ἠὲ τελευτήνfar better to heal a beginning than an endα4099Ἀρχὴν μὲν μὴ φῦναι ἐπιχθονίοισιν ἄριστονFirst, not to be born is best for earth-bound men, and not to look upon the rays of the sharp sun; but, once born, [best] to drive as quickly as possible through Hades' gatesα4100Ἀρχήσαντοςbeginningα4101Ἀρχὴ ΣκυρίαSkyrian empire, Scyrian empire
Revisions (7)
- Catharine Rothtweaked translation, augmented note
- David Whitehead
- David Whiteheadexpanded note; tweaks
- William Huttonset status
- David Whiteheadsupplied headword; added note and keyword
- David Whiteheadtranslated