[22]
And that which has cost much labor and expense, for
it at once is seen to be an apparent good, and such a thing is regarded as an
end, and an end of many efforts; now, an end is a good. Wherefore it was said: “
And they would [leave Argive Helen for Priam and the
Trojans] to boast of,1
” and, “
It is disgraceful to tarry long,2
” and the proverb, “[to break] the pitcher at
the door.”3
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1 Hom. Il. 2.160. Addressed by Hera to Athene, begging her to prevent the Greeks departing from Troy and leaving Helen behind.
2 Hom. Il. 2.298. Spoken by Odysseus. While sympathizing with the desire of the army to leave, he points out that it would be “disgraceful after waiting so long” to return unsuccessful, and exhorts them to hold out.
3 Proverbial for “lost labor.” Cf. French “faire naufrage au port,” and the English “there's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip.”
Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 22, translated by J. H. Freese. Aristotle. Cambridge and London. Harvard University Press; William Heinemann Ltd. 1926.
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