From the book
Stobaeus, Volume II
John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordThese social virtues govern responses to reproach, interpersonal bearing and humor, with distinct extremes; the Stoic definition of modesty additionally specifies knowledge that guards against reproach that is justified.
- In StobaeusThe Peripatetic account gives each virtue its own contrasting failures, so modesty, dignity and wit cannot be reduced to one general preference for restraint or conformity in social life.
- In this editionPreserve justified where modesty concerns reproach, and keep the supplied a mean in wit’s definition visible rather than claiming that all three formulations are transmitted in exactly the same form.
- A place to readChapter 7 · Excerpt 25 · Passage 7 Compare the three pairs of extremes before returning to modesty’s knowledge definition; the account distinguishes being appropriately responsive to others from either shamelessness or excessive intimidation.
- English renderings
- modesty; sense of shame; dignity; wit
Meaning
These social virtues concern fitting self-presentation and response to others. Their definitions do not reduce moral conduct to social approval or abstention from every joke.
Use in the book
The Stoic subordinate list defines modesty as knowledge guarding against justified reproach. The Peripatetic account makes dignity a mean between self-will and obsequiousness, modesty between shamelessness and being overawed, and wit between buffoonery and boorishness. Its supplied word for the mean in the wit clause remains identified. The contrasts make appropriate responsiveness central: dignity is not stubbornness, modesty not paralysis, and wit not indiscriminate mockery. The distinct names and local definitions remain visible.
The three means concern different failures in social conduct. Dignity avoids both self-will and obsequiousness, modesty both shamelessness and being overawed, and wit both buffoonery and boorishness. None is defined merely by being quiet, compliant or pleasing to everyone. The separate Stoic definition of modesty guards against justified reproach, which prevents fear of every criticism from serving as an adequate substitute. Keeping the lists together reveals a concern with discriminating social response, while their different definitions and the supplied words in the wit entry remain visible.
“Dignity is a mean between self-will and obsequiousness” (Chapter 7 · Excerpt 25 · Passage 7).
Places to read
- Chapter 7 · Excerpt 5b2 · Passage 42Modesty guards against justified reproach.
- Chapter 7 · Excerpt 25 · Passage 72Three social means are distinguished.
Translation in this edition
“Sense of shame” explains aidōs where “modesty” might suggest only shyness.
αἰδημοσύνην
Attested. Chapter 7 · Excerpt 5b2 · Passage 4; Wachsmuth II, printed p. 61.
δὲ ⟨ἐπιστήμην⟩ πρεπουσῶν καὶ ἀπρεπῶν κινήσεων· αἰδημοσύνην δὲ ἐπιστήμην εὐλαβητικὴν ὀρθοῦ ψόγου· ἐγκράτειαν δὲ ἐπιστήμην
αἰδὼ
Attested. Chapter 7 · Excerpt 25 · Passage 7; Wachsmuth II, printed p. 146.
σεμνότητα δὲ μεσότητα αὐθαδείας καὶ ἀρεσκείας· αἰδὼ δὲ μεσότητα ἀναισχυντίας καὶ καταπλήξεως· εὐτραπελίαν δὲ ⟨μεσότητα⟩
σεμνότητα
Attested. Chapter 7 · Excerpt 25 · Passage 7; Wachsmuth II, printed p. 146.
σεμνότητα δὲ μεσότητα αὐθαδείας καὶ ἀρεσκείας· αἰδὼ δὲ μεσότητα ἀναισχυντίας
εὐτραπελίαν
Attested. Chapter 7 · Excerpt 25 · Passage 7; Wachsmuth II, printed p. 146.
αἰδὼ δὲ μεσότητα ἀναισχυντίας καὶ καταπλήξεως· εὐτραπελίαν δὲ ⟨μεσότητα⟩ βωμολοχίας καὶ ἀγροικίας·
Source note
Wachsmuth, volume II, printed pp. 61, 146. Aidōs and aidēmosynē form a related family; the other virtues are grouped by social context.