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 • Jul. 21, 2016
Dionysius had three children by Doris, and by Aristomache four, two of which were daughters, Sophrosyne and Arete.
From Plutarch: Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans by Clough, Arthur Hugh
His son by Doris, Dionysius, married Sophrosyne, his daughter by Aristomache.
From Folkways A Study of the Sociological Importance of Usages, Manners, Customs, Mores, and Morals by Sumner, William Graham
The poetic expression of this refining process, this striving towards the classic ideal, towards Sophrosyne, was Iphigenia.
From The Development of the Feeling for Nature in the Middle Ages and Modern Times by Biese, Alfred
If a new word should be introduced to express this function, the Greek word Sophrosyne would be a very good one, as it signifies a self-controlled and reasonable nature.
From Buchanan's Journal of Man, December 1887 Volume 1, Number 11 by Buchanan, Joseph R. (Joseph Rodes)
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.
