From the book
Stobaeus, Volume I
John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordArrhētos means inexpressible or not spoken.
- In StobaeusThe Eurysus excerpt contrasts an expressible, ordered, rationally related nature with an inexpressible, disordered, irrational one.
- In this edition“Inexpressible” preserves the opposition to expressible; explain its negative role in this passage.
- A place to beginInexpressibility accompanies disorder and irrationality.
- English renderings
- inexpressible; not expressible
Meaning
Arrhētos means inexpressible or not spoken. Its value is not automatically exalted or mystical.
Use in the book
The Eurysus excerpt contrasts an expressible, ordered, rationally related nature with an inexpressible, disordered, irrational one. Here inexpressibility belongs to the inferior side of the contrast. It must not be interpreted as a direct reference to a supreme divine reality beyond language.
Places to read
- I.6.19.2Inexpressibility accompanies disorder and irrationality.
Translation in this edition
“Inexpressible” preserves the opposition to expressible; explain its negative role in this passage.
Source note
Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 90. The same argument compares beneficent kingship with destructive tyranny; its moral evaluation shapes the whole opposition.