From the book
Lysis
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordDiathryptō means pamper, spoil through indulgence.
- In LysisThe participle διαθρύπτοντα describes Hippothales’ way of treating his beloved, paired with puffing him up and opposed to humbling and reducing his self-importance.
- Reading contextThe contrast is between two forms of address and their effects, rather than a simple rule that harshness is good and kindness bad.
- A place to readThe Greek example means “puffing him up and pampering him.”
- English renderings
- Pamper, spoil through indulgence
Meaning
Pamper, spoil through indulgence.
Grammatical category: verb.
Use in the book
The participle διαθρύπτοντα describes Hippothales’ way of treating his beloved, paired with puffing him up and opposed to humbling and reducing his self-importance. Its application is interpersonal: lavish praise indulges the boy’s favorable opinion of himself.
The word does not imply that Socrates denies Lysis all pleasure or affection. His own conversation leaves Lysis eager for more. The contrast is between two forms of address and their effects, rather than a simple rule that harshness is good and kindness bad.
Places to read
- 210eχαυνοῦντα καὶ διαθρύπτοντα — puffing him up and pampering him.