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Excursus 4: Polystrophon Gnoman (Findar and Hölderin)
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e x c u r s u s 4 : p o l y s t r o p h o n g n o m a n ( p i n d a r a n d h ö l d e r l i n ) Pindar’s fragment 169, the source of the nomos basileus (discussed in the context of Herodotus), has been always an object of much discussion and interpretation , most recently and prominently in Giorgio Agamben’s Homo Sacer.1 My reading of Herodotus’ conception may complement existing readings, including Agamben’s, but at present I want to address another Pindar fragment of nearly equal fame, which pertains to the concept of opinion in the sense of gnomae (also discussed the Herodotus Excursus). This other Pindar fragment is cited in Book I of Plato’s Republic, its only known source.2 Plato quotes Pindar in a discussion of old age—specifically, of the value of having led a virtuous life—in comparison to the importance (or even necessity) of material wealth for a comfortable old age. Like the nomos basileus fragment, in the first decade of the nineteenth century Hölderlin singled out this fragment preserved in Plato, making it into an object of translation and commentary. He gave the nomos fragment the title of ‘‘The Highest’’ (das Höchste), whereas the ‘‘opinion’’ fragment from the Republic is called ‘‘Age’’ (das Alter), a title that clearly indicates Hölderlin’s awareness of the fragment’s origin in Book I of the Republic.3 He translates and comments as follows: Das Alter Wer recht und heilig Das Leben zubringt, Süß ihm das Herz ernährend, Lang Leben machend, Begleitet die Hoffnung, die Am meisten Sterblichen Die vielgewandte Meinung regiert. PAGE 179 179 ................. 16924$ $EX4 08-13-08 08:15:09 PS 180 Polystrophon Gnoman (Pindar and Hölderlin) Eines der schönsten Bilder des Lebens, wie schuldlose Sitte das lebendige Herz erhält, woraus Hoffnung kommet; die der Einfalt dann auch eine Blüthe giebt, mit ihren mannigfaltigen Versuchen und den Sinn gewandt und so lang Leben machet, mit ihrer eilenden Weile. (op. cit., II:382) In English, in my own translation (with alternatives marked in brackets): [The] Age. Whoever right and holy Spends his life, [and who], His heart sweetly nourishing him [and] Bringing [him] long life, Hope accompanies—which [among] Mortals most of all The ingenious [multitalented, well versed] opinion governs. [which is governed in most mortals by the ingenious opinion.] [which governs, among mortals above all, the ingenious opinion.] One of the most beautiful images of life, how faultless morals sustain the living heart [how the living heart receives/sustains faultless morals, how faultless morals receive/sustain the living heart], from which hope emerges; to which simplicity also gives its blossom, with its manifold efforts [experiments, attempts], and makes the sense [mind, meaning] adept and life so long, with their [their ⳱ life and meaning, its ⳱ simplicity] hasty whiling. This context of Plato’s Republic makes it possible to consult a large number of translations of this fragment, a sampling that quickly (and unsurprisingly) reveals Hölderlin’s translation to be rather exceptional. Of particular interest for the question of opinion are the words ‘‘polystrophon gnoman,’’ Hölderlin ’s ‘‘die vielgewandte Meinung’’ (the manifold opinion, the adaptable opinion). My analysis will focus on the possible significances of these words. One of the earliest German translations of this Pindar fragment is contained in sketches for a translation of Plato’s Republic by Moses Mendelssohn .4 He translates: Wer gerecht und heilig hinieden gelebt, den begleitet eine süsse erquickende und alterpflegende Hofnung die den Wankelmuth der Sterblichen am meisten regieret.5 Whoever has lived justly and piously in this world is accompanied by a sweet and refreshing caretaker in his old age: Hope, which mostly governs the inconstancy of mortals. (my translation) PAGE 180 ................. 16924$ $EX4 08-13-08 08:15:12 PS [3.215.183.194] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 19:18 GMT) polystrophon gnoman in Hölderin’s Pindar-Fragments 181 Rather than speaking of mortals with their ‘‘versatile opinion’’ (vielgewandte Meinung), Mendelssohn extrapolates in a Hobbesian direction—‘‘fear and hope’’—and arrives at ‘‘inconstancy’’ (Wankelmut). Mendelssohn reads a clear moral injunction in Pindar’s line, which may also be supportable based on the context in Plato: hope is the force that mostly governs the misguided and inconstant behavior of men; the beliefs, opinions, and behaviors of men are usually motivated by...