Jim Morrison's Epitaph

Bert | 15:57 Sun 21st Dec 2003 | Phrases & Sayings

3 Answers

What does 'Kata ton Daimonai' mean? Is it a quotation? If so, where from?

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Jansy

As Taken from: http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palladium/140
9/quietday.htm KATA TON DAIMONA EAYTOY ("To the divine spirit within himself"; different translations could be made from Old Greek "The devil within himself" and Modem Greek "The genius in his mind", but also "He caused his own demons").

Bert

Question Author

Jansy's answer is really exactly why I asked the question. How can four (simple) words mean so many different things? How can anyone decide what is the best, or likeliest meaning?

DMorris486

At risk of increasing Bert's confusion, can I suggest an alternative to Jansy's translation? The Greek word 'kata' often has the meaning of 'according to'; 'ton daimonai eautou' can also mean literally 'the spirit of you' - in other words, 'according to your own spirit'. As we might say it, 'do your own thing'.

DMorris486

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