From the book
Lysis
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordGennaios means noble, well-born, fine; used of lineage, love, and physique.
- In LysisSocrates calls Hippothales’ love γενναῖον after learning whose son Lysis is.
- Reading contextThe opening question about nobility also remains distinct from the subsequently attempted questions about justice and wisdom.
- A place to readThe Greek example means “which of the two is nobler-born.”
- English renderings
- Noble, well-born, fine; used of lineage, love, and physique
Meaning
Noble, well-born, fine; used of lineage, love, and physique.
Grammatical category: adjective.
Use in the book
Socrates calls Hippothales’ love γενναῖον after learning whose son Lysis is. He later suggests that the boys might dispute which is γενναιότερος, “nobler-born,” and calls Lysis’ body noble or fine.
The adjective’s social coloring matters: attractive appearance, distinguished descent, and wealth surround the boy before his understanding is tested. Its application to the body should not be flattened into a claim about ancestry alone. The opening question about nobility also remains distinct from the subsequently attempted questions about justice and wisdom.