Assent

ἀλλά opposing Whole Sentences.—ἀλλά well, well but, nay but, however is often used, especially at the beginning of a speech, in opposition either to something said (or supposed to be meant) by another, or to a latent feeling in the mind of the writer or speaker himself. Thus, ἀλλὰ πρῶτον μὲν μνησθήσομαι . . . ὃ τελευταῖον κατ᾽ ἐμοῦ εἶπε well, I will first allude to the charge against me which he mentioned last X. H. 2.3.35, ἀλλ᾽ ὤφελε μὲν Κῦρος ζῆν· ἐπεὶ δὲ τετελεύτηκεν κτλ. well, I would that Cyrus were alive; but since he is dead, etc. X. A. 2.1.4. Often of remonstrance or protest, as ἀλλ᾽ ἀμήχανον nay, it is impossible E. El. 529. ἀλλά is also especially common when a previous train of thought or remark is impatiently interrupted, as ἀλλὰ ταῦτα μὲν τί δεῖ λέγειν; but what is the need of recounting this? S. Ph. 11. Similarly in

a. Replies (often in quick, abrupt, or decisive answers): ἤρετο ὅ τι εἴη τὸ σύνθημα· ὁ δ᾽ ἀπεκρῑ̔νατο· Ζεὺς σωτὴρ καὶ νῑ̔κη· ὁ δὲ Κῦρος ἀκούσᾱς Ἀλλὰ δέχομαί τε, ἔφη, καὶ τοῦτο ἔστω he asked what the watchword was; and he replied: “Zeus the saviour and Victory;” and Cyrus, on hearing this, said, “Well, I accept it and so let it be” X. A. 1.8.17.

b. Assent, with an adversative sense implied (cp. oh, well): ἀλλ᾽ εἰ δοκεῖ, χωρῶμεν well, if it pleases thee, let us be going S. Ph. 645.

c. Appeals, exhortations, proposals, and commands: ἀλλ᾽ ἴωμεν but let us go P. Pr. 311a, ἀλλ᾽ ἐμοὶ πείθου καὶ μὴ ἄλλως ποίει nay, take my advice and don't refuse P. Cr. 45a. The tone here is often impatient.

d. Wishes and imprecations: ἀλλ᾽ εὐτυχοίης well, my blessings on thee! S. O. T. 1478.

e. Questions, to mark surprise: πῶς εἶπας; ἀλλ᾽ ἦ καὶ σοφὸς λέληθας ὤν; what dost thou mean? can it really be that thou art subtle too and without my knowing it? E. Alc. 58.

In answers γά<*> marks assent, assurance, sometimes dissent. Thus, δεινόν γε τοὐπίσαγμα τοῦ νοσἡματος. δεινὸν γὰρ οὐδὲ ῥητόν dread indeed is the burden of one disease. Aye dread indeed and beyond all words S. Ph. 755, ὁμολογεῖς οὖν περὶ ἐμὲ ἄδικος γεγενῆσθαι; ἦ γὰρ ἀνάγκη do you then confess that you have proved yourself unjust toward me? In truth I must indeed X. A. 1.6.8, μηδ᾽ αἱ μητέρες τὰ παιδία ἐκδειματούντων . . . μὴ γάρ, ἔφη nor let mothers frighten their children. No indeed, said he P. R. 381e, φῂς τάδ᾽ οὖν; ἃ μὴ φρονῶ γὰρ οὐ φιλῶ λέγειν dost thou then consent to this? No, for I am not wont to utter words I do not mean S. O. T. 1520.

a. γάρ is common in brief answers, as after οὐ, δεῖ, ἔοικε, εἰκός, λέγω, ὡμολόγηται. So in the rhetorical questions πῶς γάρ; πῶς γὰρ οὔ; used as answers.

γέ (postpositive and enclitic) is an intensive and restrictive particle with the force of at least, at any rate, even, certainly, indeed; but often to be rendered by intonation. γέ may indicate assent, concession, banter, scorn, deprecation, irony, etc. γέ emphasizes single words or whole phrases or clauses.

a. Single words. So often with pronouns, as ἔγωγε I at least (excluding others), ἐμέ γε cp. mi-ch, ὅ γε even he (Hom.), οὗτός γε, and with a repeated pronoun (S. Ph. 117). Other words, as ὅ τι βούλει γε whatever you like Ar. Ran. 3, πλήθει γε οὐχ ὑπερβαλοίμεθ᾽ ἂν τοὺς πολεμίους in numbers at least we should not surpass the enemy X. C. 2.1.18.

b. With phrases or clauses. Thus, ὡς μή μ᾽ ἄτῑμον, τοῦ θεοῦ γε προστάτην, οὕτως ἀφῇ με that he may not thus send me away in dishonour—who am the suppliant of the god S. O. C. 1278, ἀνθρώπους τῑ́νυσθον, ὅτις γ᾽ ἐπίορκον ὀμόσσῃ ye who punish men who swear falsely Γ 279.

Asseverative μέντοι certainly, surely, of course, in truth is very common in replies, where it expresses positive, eager, or reflective assent. Often with νὴ (μὰ) Δία. Thus, ἐγώ; σὺ μέντοι I? certainly, you Ar. Eq. 168, τί γάρ, ἔφη, . . . μέμνησαι ἐκεῖνα . . . ; ναὶ μὰ Δία . . . μέμνημαι μέντοι τοιαῦτα ἀκούσᾱς σου well then, said he, do you recall those matters; Yes, by Zeus, certainly I do recall that I heard things to that effect from you X. C. 1.6.6, ἀληθέστατα μέντοι λέγεις well, certainly you say what is very true P. Soph. 245b.

μέντοι may strengthen asseverations or emphasize questions; as οὕτω μέντοι χρὴ λέγειν in truth we must speak thus P. Th. 187b; often with demonstrative pronouns, as ὦ τοῦτο μέντοι νὴ Δία αὐτοῖσιν πιθοῦ oh, by Zeus do oblige them in this Ar. Aves 661.

a. Asseverative μέντοι in combinations, e.g.:

ἀλλὰ μέντοι but surely, but in fact (in ἀλλὰ . . . μέντοι, μέντοι refers to the preceding word).

καὶ . . . μέντοι and . . . indeed, and . . . in fact, and . . . moreover, as φιλοθηρότατος ἦν καὶ πρὸς τὰ θηρία μέντοι φιλοκινδῡνότατος he was very fond of hunting and moreover exceedingly fond of danger X. A. 1.9.6.

οὐ μέντοι no indeed (also adversative: yet not).

Combinations of μήν:

ἀλλὰ μήν ( . . . γε) but surely; but yet; nay, indeed; well, in truth. Often used to add something of greater importance, or in transitions when a new idea is opposed to the foregoing. ἀλλὰ μήν is often separated by a negative.

ἦ μήν verily, verily. Often to introduce an oath or a threat.

καὶ μήν and verily or and yet according to the context. καὶ μήν frequently introduces a new fact or thought and hence often denotes transition, sometimes opposition (further, however, and yet). In tragedy this formula is used to mark the beginning of a new scene, as when the arrival of a newcomer is thus signalized (but here comes); as καὶ μὴν ἄναξ ὅδε and lo! here is the king S. O. C. 549. In replies, καὶ μήν usually confirms the last remark, accedes to a request, or denotes hearty assent; sometimes there is an adversative sense (and yet; and (yet) surely; oh, but). In enumerations, καὶ μήν adds a new fact (and besides).

και μὴν . . . γε in transitions or enumerations marks something of still greater importance; but it is not so strong as καὶ μὲν δή. Here γέ emphasizes the word or words with which it is immediately connected. In replies, and indeed, and yet or oh, but; as καὶ μὴν ποιήσω γε and yet I will do it S. El. 1045.

καὶ μὴν καί (neg. καὶ μὴν οὐδέ) and in truth also.

οὐ μήν surely not, οὐ μὴν ἀλλά nevertheless (2767), οὐ μὴν οὐδέ nor again (2768), οὐδὲ μήν and certainly not.

τί μήν; lit. what indeed (quid uero), as ἀλλὰ τί μὴν δοκεῖς; but what in truth is your opinion? P. Th. 162b. τί μήν; standing alone, has the force of naturally, of course. Thus, λέγουσιν ἡμᾶς ὡς ὀλωλότας, τί μήν; they speak of us as dead, and why should they not? A. Ag. 672. Often in Plato to indicate assent. τί μὴν οὔ; (why indeed not=) of course I do.

Combinations of μήν:

ἀλλὰ μήν ( . . . γε) but surely; but yet; nay, indeed; well, in truth. Often used to add something of greater importance, or in transitions when a new idea is opposed to the foregoing. ἀλλὰ μήν is often separated by a negative.

ἦ μήν verily, verily. Often to introduce an oath or a threat.

καὶ μήν and verily or and yet according to the context. καὶ μήν frequently introduces a new fact or thought and hence often denotes transition, sometimes opposition (further, however, and yet). In tragedy this formula is used to mark the beginning of a new scene, as when the arrival of a newcomer is thus signalized (but here comes); as καὶ μὴν ἄναξ ὅδε and lo! here is the king S. O. C. 549. In replies, καὶ μήν usually confirms the last remark, accedes to a request, or denotes hearty assent; sometimes there is an adversative sense (and yet; and (yet) surely; oh, but). In enumerations, καὶ μήν adds a new fact (and besides).

και μὴν . . . γε in transitions or enumerations marks something of still greater importance; but it is not so strong as καὶ μὲν δή. Here γέ emphasizes the word or words with which it is immediately connected. In replies, and indeed, and yet or oh, but; as καὶ μὴν ποιήσω γε and yet I will do it S. El. 1045.

καὶ μὴν καί (neg. καὶ μὴν οὐδέ) and in truth also.

οὐ μήν surely not, οὐ μὴν ἀλλά nevertheless (2767), οὐ μὴν οὐδέ nor again (2768), οὐδὲ μήν and certainly not.

τί μήν; lit. what indeed (quid uero), as ἀλλὰ τί μὴν δοκεῖς; but what in truth is your opinion? P. Th. 162b. τί μήν; standing alone, has the force of naturally, of course. Thus, λέγουσιν ἡμᾶς ὡς ὀλωλότας, τί μήν; they speak of us as dead, and why should they not? A. Ag. 672. Often in Plato to indicate assent. τί μὴν οὔ; (why indeed not=) of course I do.

δ᾽ οὖν but certainly, at all events, anyhow, be that as it may with or without μέν in the preceding clause. Here οὖν shows that an unquestionable fact is to be set forth in its own clause; while the adversative δέ marks opposition to what has preceded and implies that the foregoing statement is uncertain and liable to dispute: ‘be that true or not, at any rate what follows is certainly true.’ δ᾽ οὖν is used (a) to set aside conjecture, surmise, or hearsay; (b) to resume the main argument after long digression, and to cut short further discussion and come to the point; (c), with imperatives, to denote assent marked by unwillingness, impatience, or indifference. Thus, (a) εἰ μὲν δὴ δίκαια ποιήσω, οὐκ οἶδα· αἱρήσομαι δ᾽ οὖν ῡ̔μᾶς whether I shall do what is right (or not), I do not know; be that as it may, I will choose you X. A. 1.3.5, καὶ ἐλέγετο Κῡ́ρω δοῦναι πολλὰ χρήματα. τῇ δ᾽ οὖν στρατιᾷ τότε ἀπέδωκε Κῦρος μισθὸν τεττάρων μηνῶν and she is said to have given Cyrus a large sum; at any rate Cyrus then gave the army four months' pay 1. 2. 12; (b) cp. T. 1.3, 6. 15, 8. 81. Resumptive δ᾽ οὖν may also set aside doubtful statements. (c) σὺ δ᾽ οὖν λέγε, εἴ σοι τῷ λόγῳ τις ἡδονή well speak on then, if thou hast delight in speaking S. El. 891, ἔστω δ᾽ οὖν ὅπως ῡ̔μῖν φίλον however, be it as you wish S. O. C. 1205.

εἰ δ᾽ οὖν = but if indeed, but if in point of fact; as εἰ δ᾽ οὖν τι κᾱ̓κτρέποιτο τοῦ πρόσθεν λόγου but if he should deviate at all from his former statement S. O. T. 851.

Yes and No questions may be answered in various ways, e.g.:

a. By repeating the verb or another emphatic word with or without one or more confirmative adverbs. Thus, φῂς σὺ ἀμείνω πολῑ́την εἶναι, ὃν σὺ ἐπαινεῖς, ἢ ὃν ἐγώ; φημὶ γὰρ οὖν do you assert that the citizen whom you approve is better than the one I approve? I do say so X. M. 4.6.14, οἶσθ᾽ οὖν ἂ λέξαι σοι . . . θέλω; οὐκ οἶδα dost thou know what I fain would tell thee? No. E. Hec. 999.

b. By ἐγώ, ἔγωγε, οὐκ ἐγώ, οὐκ ἔγωγε, sometimes with νὴ Δία or μὰ Δία.

c. Yes may be expressed by ναί, ναὶ μὰ τὸν Δία, μάλιστα, φημί, πάνυ γε, πάνυ μὲν οὖν, εὖ γε, ἔστι ταῦτα, ἔστιν οὕτως, ἀληθῆ λέγεις, ἀληθέστατα, ὀρθῶς γε, κομιδῇ, etc.

No may be expressed by οὔ, οὐκ ἔστιν, οὐ δῆτα, οὐ μὰ Δία, οὐδαμῶς, οὔ φημι, μὴ γάρ, ἥκιστα, ἥκιστά γε, etc.

d. In the form of a question: τί μήν; τί γάρ; ἀλλὰ τί; πῶς; πόθεν; πῶς γὰρ οὔ;