sophrosyne
Americannoun
Usage
What does sophrosyne mean? Sophrosyne is the virtue of being reasonable and moderate and having self-control.A virtue is a good quality that a person has, like honesty. Sophrosyne is closely associated with Ancient Greek philosophy. It is considered the opposite of hubris, which is excessive pride or arrogance, especially that which clouds judgment.Example: Though some of his initial ideas were unrealistic, he maintained his sophrosyne that prevented him from pitching anything too wild.
Etymology
Origin of sophrosyne
< Greek sōphrosýnē, derivative of sṓphrōn prudent
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
II. A Modern Mantra Wisdom, judgment, wit and sense; Sophrosyne, intelligence; Keep these close and you will live a life without regret.
From Washington Post
III. How can we put a person forth to be the nation’s boss, and he Be utterly devoid of any semblance of sophrosyne?
From Washington Post
In The Laws, Plato discusses the concept of sophrosyne, the moderation of one’s desires in order to achieve full mastery of the self and true masculinity.
From Time
Sophrosyne, sō-fros′i-nē, n. soundness of mind.
From Project Gutenberg
The qualities necessary to the artist do no harm to those which make the thinker and good citizen—every where, as in the literary laws of ancient Greece, consonance, sophrosyne, moderation.
From Project Gutenberg
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
