Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—S

Sorites

(Greek). A heaped-up or cumulative syllogism. The following will serve as an example: All men who believe shall be saved.

All who are saved must be free from sin.

All who are free from sin are innocent in the sight of God. All who are innocent in the sight of God are meet for heaven. All who are meet for heaven will be admitted into heaven.

Therefore all who believe will be admitted into heaven.

The famous Sorites of Themistocles
was: That his infant son commanded the whole world, proved thus: My infant son rules his mother.

His mother rules me.

I rule the Athenians.

The Athenians rule the Greeks.

The Greeks rule Europe.

And Europe rules the world.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Sorrows of Werther
Sordello
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