Ἀθηναίων δυσβουλία
Athenians' ill-counsel
Translated by Jennifer Benedict5 Nov 2000Vetting: high9 revisions
Translation
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who prosper against expectations and undeservedly.1
For taking decisions badly is practiced by Athenians; Athena offers to turn that which has been decided badly to good; and this was a local saying. Also Eupolis [writes]: "better to be prosperous than to think well."2 And Aristophanes in Clouds [writes]: "for they say that ill counsel comes to this city, but in whatever things you err, the gods will turn them for the better".3
The Athenians are said to be autochthonous, [as are] Arcadians and Aeginetans and Thebans, either since they were the first to work the soil [chthon], namely the earth, or on account of their not being incomers.4
For taking decisions badly is practiced by Athenians; Athena offers to turn that which has been decided badly to good; and this was a local saying. Also Eupolis [writes]: "better to be prosperous than to think well."2 And Aristophanes in Clouds [writes]: "for they say that ill counsel comes to this city, but in whatever things you err, the gods will turn them for the better".3
The Athenians are said to be autochthonous, [as are] Arcadians and Aeginetans and Thebans, either since they were the first to work the soil [chthon], namely the earth, or on account of their not being incomers.4