Οὐδὲν λευκῶν ἀνδρῶν ὄφελος ἢ σκυτοτομεῖν

pale men are no use [other] than for shoemaking

Translated by David Whitehead12 Oct 2003Vetting: high7 revisions

20 words

[A proverb] in reference to those who bring no profit. Inasmuch as the dark [are] more profitable than the pale.

Greek original · Adler’s text

Οὐδὲν λευκῶν ἀνδρῶν ὄφελος ἢ σκυτοτομεῖν· ἐπὶ τῶν εἰς μηδὲν λυσιτελούντων. παρ' ὅσον οἱ μέλανες τῶν λευκῶν λυσιτελέστεροι.

Betacode

*ou)de\n leukw=n a)ndrw=n o)/felos h)\ skutotomei=n: e)pi\ tw=n ei)s mhde\n lusitelou/ntwn. par' o(/son oi( me/lanes tw=n leukw=n lusitele/steroi.

Quoted by Erasmus, Adages (under 'Nulla candidorum virorum utilitas'); and cf. Appendix Proverbiorum 4.35.
For the underlying sentiment, note in general Plato, Republic 556D (the sunburnt man's disdain for the pale man); and with specific regard to shoemakers, who work in the shade, see sigma 727.

Revision history7 revisions · last 20 May 2016

20 May 2016Revised — David Whitehead
2 Aug 2013coding — Catharine Roth
31 Jul 2013Revised — David Whitehead
20 Aug 2007typo — Catharine Roth
20 Aug 2007modified headword and tr, augmented notes and keywords -- with thanks to Michael Gilleland — David Whitehead
28 Nov 2005more keywords — David Whitehead
6 Feb 2004set status — Catharine Roth
12 Oct 2003Translated — David Whitehead