From the book
Stobaeus, Volume I
John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordIschys is strength, the ability to exert force or withstand opposition.
- In StobaeusThe Hermetic narrative describes the strong using their superiority to burn and kill the powerless.
- In this edition“Strength” preserves the capacity; distinguish it from the permission named exousia later in the same unit.
- A place to beginStrength used against weakness produces destructive domination.
- English renderings
- strength; forcefulness
Meaning
Ischys is strength, the ability to exert force or withstand opposition. Its possession does not by itself constitute virtue.
Use in the book
The Hermetic narrative describes the strong using their superiority to burn and kill the powerless. Strength is therefore morally distinguished from its exercise: the violence provokes the elements’ appeal for divine ordering. The abstract contrast with weakness explains a social imbalance in the story.
Places to read
- I.49.44.65Strength used against weakness produces destructive domination.
Translation in this edition
“Strength” preserves the capacity; distinguish it from the permission named exousia later in the same unit.
Source note
Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 403. The elements become speaking petitioners after witnessing this violence, establishing the transition to their requests for law.