ἀνάγκᾳ δ' οὐδὲ θεοὶ μάχονται → but not even gods fight necessity (Simonides, fr. 37.1.29)
a little: P. and V. ὀλίγον, μικρόν, σμικρόν; see a little.
somewhat deaf: Ar. and P. ὑπόκωφος.
With adj. and adv.: use P. and V. comparative.
though it be somewhat laughable to say so: P. εἰ καὶ γελοιότερον εἰπεῖν (Plato, Ap. 30E).