From the book
Lysis
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Lyre string
χορδή
chordēChordē means string of the lyre.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordChordē means string of the lyre.
- In LysisThe genitive plural χορδῶν identifies the strings that Lysis may tighten or loosen as he chooses.
- Reading contextSocrates’ point is the boy’s discriminating control of a familiar task, not a generalized freedom from parental oversight.
- A place to readThe Greek example means “whichever of the strings you want.”
- English renderings
- String of the lyre
Meaning
String of the lyre.
Grammatical category: noun, feminine.
Use in the book
The genitive plural χορδῶν identifies the strings that Lysis may tighten or loosen as he chooses. Plucking and striking complete the sequence of permitted musical operations. The concrete noun keeps the example focused on trained handling of an instrument. Socrates’ point is the boy’s discriminating control of a familiar task, not a generalized freedom from parental oversight.
Places to read
- 209bἣν ἂν βούλῃ τῶν χορδῶν — whichever of the strings you want.
From the book
Stobaeus, Volume I
John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →String
χορδή
chordēChordē is a string, including the sounding string of an instrument.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordChordē is a string, including the sounding string of an instrument.
- In StobaeusPorphyry describes a musician moving a string according to a harmony that does not itself undergo the string’s affection.
- In this edition“String” is direct; the language of harmony prescribing an action remains figurative.
- A place to beginThe affected string is distinguished from the harmony governing its movement.
- English renderings
- string; musical string
Meaning
Chordē is a string, including the sounding string of an instrument. In the selected analogy it is the bodily material acted on by the musician.
Use in the book
Porphyry describes a musician moving a string according to a harmony that does not itself undergo the string’s affection. The distinction helps explain how an ordering principle can govern an affected body without sharing the same alteration. Mere willing is not enough: the action is specified by musical order.
Places to read
- I.49.21.3The affected string is distinguished from the harmony governing its movement.
Translation in this edition
“String” is direct; the language of harmony prescribing an action remains figurative.
Source note
Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 345. The personification of harmony as speaking or prescribing should not be silently replaced by a different Greek reading.