σῴζω + φρόνησις

Validation

Yes

Word-form

σωφροσύνην

Transliteration (Word)

sōphrosunē

English translation (word)

soundness of mind

Transliteration (Etymon)

sōzō + phronēsis

English translation (etymon)

to preserve sound thinking

Author

Aristotle

Century

4 BC

Source

Idem

Ref.

Nichomachean Ethics 1140b11-12

Ed.

I. Bywater, Aristotle's Ethica Nicomachea, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1894

Other translation(s)

Modern Greek: από όπου και ονομάζουμε τη "σωφροσύνη" με τη συγκεκριμένη λέξη, εφόσον διατηρεί τη σωστή σκέψη

Comment

The etymology identifies a verb-initial compound sōzō-phrosunē with the usual dropping of a few elements. It is not correct in the detail, but is not so remote from the true etymology: sōzō "to save" is derived from sōs "safe" and phronēsis from phrēn "spirit", which are the building pieces of sōphrōn "wise, moderate", on which sōphrosunē is built

Parallels

Etym. Magnum, Kallierges p. 742 (σωφροσύνη: παρὰ τὸ σῴζειν τὸ φρονεῖν)

Modern etymology

Derivative from σώφρων "wise", from σῶς (σάος) "safe and sound" + φρήν

Persistence in Modern Greek

The word is still used in Modern Greek with the meaning 'prudence'

Entry By

Maria Chriti