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[164] ἐλαφρότεροι ἢ ἀφνειότεροι. In this use of the double comparative, where two qualities are contrasted in the same subject, the latter adjective is assimilated in degree of comparison to the former: or we may say that the idea of comparison is spread over the whole sentence; cp. the converse of this in Eur. Alc.182“σώφρων μὲν οὐκ ἂν μᾶλλον, εὐτυχὴς δ᾽ ἴσως”, where we should expect “μᾶλλον εὐτυχής” or “εὐτυ-” “χεστέρα”. For similar constructions cp. Hdt.3. 65“ἐποίησα ταχύτερα ἢ σοφώτερα”, Plut. de Audit. 2 “ἔστι δὲ λογικώτερα μᾶλλον ἢ παθητικώτερα”, Cic. pro Mil. 29 “libentius quam verius.”

Homer's Odyssey. W. Walter Merry. James Riddell. D. B. Monro. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1886-1901.

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hide References (3 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (3):
    • Euripides, Alcestis, 182
    • Herodotus, Histories, 3.65
    • Cicero, For Milo, 29
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