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[160] ὅ σφιν ἐυφρονέων. Join “σφιν” with the finite verbs. The common interpretation of “ἐυφρονέων” in this formula, which occurs sixteen times, is ‘with well-meant counsel.’ But Nitzsch on Od. 7.73 “οἷσίν τ᾽ εὖ φρονέῃσι”, quotes the Schol. Venet. on Il.1. 105“ὅταν δὲ τό, ὅ σφιν ἐϋφρονέων, φρονίμους προσδεκτέον λόγους: φρόνιμον γὰρ τὸ τὰς αἰτίας τῶν ἐνεστώτων εἰπεῖν καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ἐπάγειν τὰ ποιητέα”, and also compares Soph. Ant.1031“εὖ σοὶ φρονήσας εὖ λέγω”. But this latter passage would rather suggest the construing of “σφιν” with “ἐυφρονέων”, and the context in Hom. Od.7. 73 certainly adds weight to the rendering ‘intending well;’ rather than to that of Nitzsch, ‘understanding well.’

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

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