nature does nothing in vain → ἡ φύσις οὐθὲν ποιεῖ μάτην, οὐδὲν γὰρ ἡ φύσις ποιεῖ μάτην, οὐθὲν γὰρ μάτην ἡ φύσις ποιεῖ

[lettucebereality]

Did a search on this earlier, saw multiple translations for this in latin, (natura nihil frustra facit) and another greek translation (nature does nothing uselessly) on another thread.

Just Looking to get the subject topic properly translated, from Aristotle's "Politics"

Thank you for your time. Much Appreciated.

[spiros]

It was already there in a slightly variant form -:)

ἡ φύσις οὐθὲν ποιεῖ μάτην (Αristotle, "De incessu animalium" 704b15)
https://www.translatum.gr/forum/index.php?topic=7438.0

[lettucebereality]

thank you, apparently there are two different ways to translate this if I'm understanding this correctly.

ἡ φύσις οὐθὲν ποιεῖ μάτην
οὐδὲν γὰρ ἡ φύσις ποιεῖ μάτην

the difference between the two?
Sorry just trying to get a clear cut understanding, appreciate the time and help

[spiros]

They both mean the same; the syntax is different, which is not surprising given the variations that are allowed in Greek syntax.
Other than that, "οὐθὲν" is used which is a non-standard (non-Attic that is) form of "οὐδὲν" (nothing). "γὰρ" means "for" (= "because").

[lettucebereality]

Sorry for the revival of a dead thread fellas.

So my understanding out of this is that all sayings of the following translations mean the same "nature does nothing in vain"

ἡ φύσις οὐθὲν ποιεῖ μάτην

οὐδὲν γὰρ ἡ φύσις ποιεῖ μάτην

οὐθὲν γὰρ μάτην ἡ φύσις ποιεῖ

The poster above me tells me that the syntax is different for each one, does that just mean in which context the text is in, (past present future) or the text relating to (me others or the universe?) Kinda confused moving forward

Thank you all for you help and understanding of this.

[billberg23]

Syntax here refers to simple word order and/or word choice for the same meaning;  there are no implications regarding context or addressee.

[lettucebereality]

so essentially they all have the same meaning ?

In word order, which one most similar order to the phrase "nature does nothing in vain"

[spiros]

I am not sure why you keep insisting since it was explained multiple times that they all mean the same. That is the nature of language, there are many ways to say exactly the same thing.