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[*] 404. This form of condition may be used even when the supposition is notoriously contrary to fact, if the speaker does not wish to imply this by the construction; as in DEM. xviii. 12, τῶν μέντοι κατηγοριῶν, . . . εἴπερ ἦσαν ἀληθεῖς, οὐκ ἔνι τῇ πόλει δίκην ἀξίαν λαβεῖν, but if the charges were true (=erant, not essent), the state cannot obtain adequate satisfaction. So in English, we can say if three times six are twenty as well as if three times six were twenty, or if all men are liars as well as if all men were liars,—from different points of view.
Macmillan. London, Melbourne, Toronto. 1889. reprint edition:. St. Martin's Press. New York. 1965.
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