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THE ARTICLE WITH ABSTRACT SUBSTANTIVES

1131. Abstract substantives generally have the article: ““ἡ ἀρετὴ μᾶλλον ἢ ἡ φυγὴ σῴζει τὰ_ς ψυ_χά_ς” valour rather than flight saves men's lives” X. C. 4.1.5.

1132. The names of the virtues, vices, arts, sciences, occupations often omit the article: τί σωφροσύνη, τί μανία_; what is temperance, what is madness? X. M. 1.1.16, ἀρχὴ φιλία_ς μὲν ἔπαινος, ἔχθρα_ς δὲ ψόγος praise is the beginning of friendship, blame of enmity I. 1.33. Similarly μουσική music, γεωργία_ agriculture. So also with δόξα opinion, νοῦς mind, τέχνη art, νόμος law.

1133. The article must be used when reference is made to a definite person or thing or to an object well known: ““ἡ τῶν Ἑλλήνων εὔνοια” the goodwill of the Greeks” Aes. 3.70, (ὑ_μῖν) ““ἡ σχολή” your usual idleness” D. 8.53.

1134. The article may be omitted in designations of space; as βάθος depth, ὕψος height; also μέγεθος size, πλῆθος size, amount. γένος and ὄνομα, used as accusatives of respect (1600), may omit the article.

1135. The article may be omitted with some concrete words conveying a general idea, as ψυ_χή soul, σῶμα body (but the parts of the body regularly have the article).

American Book Company, 1920.

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