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χρυσοχοήσοντας κτλ. Socrates shudders at the swarm of λόγοι to be encountered. ‘Why,’ says Thrasymachus, ‘it was precisely to listen to λόγοι, and not to smelt ore for gold, that we came here.’ χρυσοχοεῖν is a proverbial expression said of those who neglect their proper duty for some more fascinating— if less profitable—pursuit. Cf. Harpocr. s.v. χρυσοχοεῖον: Δείναρχος ἐν τῷ κατὰ Πυθέου: πάλιν παρ᾽ Αἰσχίνην ἀποφοιτήσας παρὰ τούτῳ δῆλον ὅτι χρυσοχοεῖν ἐμάνθανεν, ἀλλ᾽ οὐ τὸ προκείμενον αὐτὸ ποιεῖν ἢ πάσχειν. Here τὸ προκείμενον is λόγων ἀκούειν. The origin of the proverb is thus explained. A heap of gold-dust having been discovered on Hymettus, the Athenian populace deserted their usual avocations, and sallied out to seize it. But as it was guarded ὑπὸ τῶν μαχίμων μυκτήρων (cf. Hdt. III 102 ff. with the parallels cited by Stein), they failed. On returning ἔσκωπτον ἀλλήλους λέγοντες ‘σὺ δὲ ᾤου χρυσοχοήσειν.’ Cf. Suidas s.v. and Leutsch u. Schneidewin Paroem. Gr. I p. 464, II pp. 91, 727. A gloss in Bekker's Anec. Gr. I p. 316 (cited by Schneider) explains χρυσοχοεῖν in Dinarchus as proverbial for πορνεύειν; but it cannot have so offensive a meaning here, for (among other reasons) Thrasymachus and Socrates are now reconciled. Ast's explanation “aurum fundere proverbialiter dicitur, quem magna, quam animo conceperat, spes frustratur” expresses only one side of the proverb: the other—neglecting the duty which lies nearest—is more important and relevant here. “To find an Eldorado” (Warren) may perhaps meet the case. Thomas Gray's explanation is not altogether right: “a proverbial expression used of such as are idly employed or sent (as we say) on a fool's errand.” μέτρον δὲ κτλ. An argumentum ad hominem, for the sentiment is Socratic: cf. VI 504 C. δέ γε=‘yes, but’ helps to bring out this point. ἀκούειν is the common epexegetic infinitive: cf. III 407 B note To insert τοῦ before τοιούτων (with Herwerden and Richards) is both unnecessary and inelegant. τὸ μὲν ἡμἑτερον ἔα: ‘never mind us’: we are equal to a long discourse (so also J. and C.).
The Republic of Plato. James Adam. 1902. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.
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