πρῶτον μέν: corresponds to ἐσκόπει δέ in 15.
αὐτῶν ἐσκόπει πότερα: he would raise the question in regard to them, whether. αὐτῶν (regarded as attrib. gen.) may be referred to the general rule given in G. 1084; H. 728, the other subst. in this case being the interr. sent. πότερα κτλ. Cf. ἐνενόησε δὲ αὐτῶν καὶ ὡς ἐπηρώτων ἀλλήλους τοιαῦτα Cyr. v. 2. 18.
ποτέ: adds intensity to the question, as in 1 and 2. Cf. πότερά ποτε πόλεμος, ἢ εἰρήνη εἴη Hell. v.4.16
τἀνθρώπινα, ἀνθρώπεια: without perceptible difference in meaning. Cf. ἀνθρωπίνοις πράγμασι iv. 1. 2, with ἀνθρώπεια πράγματα iv. 6. 5.
τὸ φροντίζειν: for the articular inf., see G. 1546; H. 959.
παρέντες (παρίημι): in ignoring.
