Μικρὸν κακόν μέγα ἀγαθόν
a small evil (but) a great good
Translated by David Whitehead12 Dec 2002Vetting: high4 revisions
Translation
[sc. A proverbial saying said] because sometimes a small evil is the cause of great goods, and vice versa.
Greek original · Adler’s text
Μικρὸν κακόν, μέγα ἀγαθόν· ἐνίοτε γὰρ τὸ μικρὸν κακὸν μεγάλων αἴτιον γίνεται ἀγαθῶν, ὥσπερ καὶ τὸ ἀνάπαλιν.
Betacode
*mikro\n kako/n, me/ga a)gaqo/n: e)ni/ote ga\r to\ mikro\n kako\n mega/lwn ai)/tion gi/netai a)gaqw=n, w(/sper kai\ to\ a)na/palin.
Notes
- cf. Diogenianus 6.62, more flowerily:
polla/kis mikro\s po/nos kai\ kako/n ti dokou=n mega/lwn gi/netai pro/cenon kalw=n . ('often a small problem and something that seems evil becomes the ambassador of great goods').
Neighbouring entries
Revision history4 revisions · last 22 May 2013
- Revised — David Whitehead
- another keyword — David Whitehead
- cosmetics — David Whitehead
- augmented note, set status — William Hutton
- Translated — David Whitehead