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This Solonian paradox is discussed by Aristotle (Eth. i. 11). Cf. Soph. O. T. 1528 seq. for an almost verbal repetition and Intr. p. 7; but the idea is a commonplace of Greek thought.

Join μετρίως ἔχοντες βίου (partitive genitive): the contrast between the ‘wealthy unhappy men’ and ‘the lucky men of moderate means’ is forced and not consistent with the omnipotence of chance; if H. meant that wealth is not εὐδαιμονία (as Aristotle, in Eth. x. 8. 9-11, where he refers to this passage), he certainly fails to say so; if he means that a man may be unlucky (ἀτυχής) though wealthy, he is elaborately stating the obvious.

ἄπηρος κτλ.: for some of these conditions (ὧν οὐκ ἄνευ) necessary to happiness cf. Arist. Eth. i. 8. 16; τὸ εὖ ζῆν combined for a Greek the two ideas of ‘good life’ and ‘good living’ (i. e. prosperity).

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