Kitap 3
11.10
Further, in order that what is said may be true and not superficial, it must always either apply to a particular person or be suitably expressed; for it is possible for it to have one quality and not the other. For instance, One ought to die guiltless of any offence, The worthy man should take a worthy woman to wife. There is no smartness in either of these expressions, but there will be if both conditions are fulfilled: It is worthy for a man to die, when he is not worthy of death. The more special qualities the expression possesses, the smarter it appears; for instance, if the words contain a metaphor, and a metaphor of a special kind, antithesis, and equality of clauses, and actuality.
11.11
Similes also, as said above, are always in a manner approved metaphors;Or, reading αἱ for ἀεὶ, approved similes are . . . since they always consist of two terms, like the proportional metaphor, as when we say, for instance, that the shield is the goblet of Ares, and the bow a lyre without strings. But such an expression is not simple, but when we call the bow a lyre, or the shield a goblet, it is.In the simple metaphor goblet is substituted for shield, but sometimes additions are made to the word as differently applied, such as of Ares and without strings. These additions, besides involving greater detail (a characteristic of the simile), distinctly bring out the contrast of the two terms and make a simile, whereas the metaphor simply transfers the meaning.
11.12
And similes may be formed as follows: a flute-player resembles an ape,In posture. a short-sighted man a spluttering lamp; for in both cases there is contraction.Contraction of eyelids and flame.
