Doubtful Assertion.—The present subjunctive with μή may express a doubtful assertion, with μὴ οὐ a doubtful negation. The idea of apprehension or anxiety (real or assumed) is due to the situation. A touch of irony often marks this use, which is chiefly Platonic. With μή (of what may be true): μὴ ἀγροικότερον ᾖ τὸ ἀληθὲς εἰπεῖν I suspect it's rather bad form (lit. too rude) to tell the truth G. 462e. With μὴ οὐ (of what may not be true): ἀλλὰ μὴ οὐχ οὕτως ἔχῃ
but I rather think this may not be so Crat. 436b, μὴ οὐκ ᾖ διδακτὸν ἀρετή
virtue is perhaps not a thing to be taught Men. 94e.
Topic · from the English index · as printed
Doubtful
assertion, expressed by present subjunctive with μή
§1801SUBJUNCTIVE WITHOUT ἄν
negation, expressed by present subjunctive with μὴ οὐ
§1801SUBJUNCTIVE WITHOUT ἄν
Doubtful Assertion.—The present subjunctive with μή may express a doubtful assertion, with μὴ οὐ a doubtful negation. The idea of apprehension or anxiety (real or assumed) is due to the situation. A touch of irony often marks this use, which is chiefly Platonic. With μή (of what may be true): μὴ ἀγροικότερον ᾖ τὸ ἀληθὲς εἰπεῖν I suspect it's rather bad form (lit. too rude) to tell the truth G. 462e. With μὴ οὐ (of what may not be true): ἀλλὰ μὴ οὐχ οὕτως ἔχῃ
but I rather think this may not be so Crat. 436b, μὴ οὐκ ᾖ διδακτὸν ἀρετή
virtue is perhaps not a thing to be taught Men. 94e.