From the book
Charmides
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordHermaion is a lucky find or windfall, associated in its name with Hermes.
- In the CharmidesCritias responds to the treatment story by welcoming an unexpected benefit from the bodily complaint.
- In this edition“Godsend” conveys the favorable surprise of the Greek.
- A place to readCritias calls the head complaint a potential godsend because it may lead to mental improvement.
Meaning
Hermaion is a lucky find or windfall, associated in its name with Hermes. It is used predicatively: the trouble in Charmides' head would turn out to be a godsend. Hermes is not separately named as an acting character.
Use in the book
Critias responds to the treatment story by welcoming an unexpected benefit from the bodily complaint. If the headache forces Charmides to become better in mind as well, the apparent misfortune has provided a fortunate opening for education. The humor depends on the turn from head to dianoia, the young man's mind or understanding.
The remark is conditional. No improvement has yet been demonstrated, and Critias immediately complicates the need for it by insisting that Charmides is already exceptionally temperate. The apparent godsend therefore introduces the question of whether the treatment is needed at all. It does not settle whether the subsequent inconclusive conversation has made the boy better or predict his later political choices.
Places to read
- 157c–dCritias calls the head complaint a potential godsend because it may lead to mental improvement
Translation in this edition
“Godsend” conveys the favorable surprise of the Greek. A flat “advantage” would lose both the unexpectedness and the divine association; a claim that Hermes personally caused the headache would add more than the sentence says.
Ἕρμαιον
Attested: Ἕρμαιον (hermaion). A lucky find or godsend; Charmides’ head complaint would unexpectedly provide the occasion for care of his soul. References: 157c. Lexical identification: lemma: Ἕρμαιον. See Godsend.