Zenobius 2.23

You are un-caprified

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English

Proverb

You are un-caprified

Explanation

the proverb is found in Hermippus' Soldiers. They say that in the fruit of the wild fig that bears the early figs, certain little creatures are produced called psēnes (gall-wasps). Farmers take these and tie them to the branches of cultivated figs, so that the fruit may not drop off; for the little creature, entering the unripe figs, hardens them and ripens them. Hence the proverb is used of those who do not keep hold of what they receive.

Greek

Proverb

Ἀνερίναστος εἶ

Explanation

τάττεται ἡ παροιμία παρ’ Ἑρμίππῳ ἐν Στρατιώταις. Φασὶ δὲ ὅτι ἐρινεοῦ τῆς ὀλυνθηφόρου ἐν τῷ καρπῷ φύεται θηρία, ἃ προςαγορεύουσι ψῆνας. Τούτων οἱ γεωργοὶ λαβόντες ἀφάπτουσι τῶν κλάδων ταῖς συκαῖς, ὅπως αὐτῶν ὁ καρπὸς μὴ ἀποῤῥέῃ. Ἐνδυόμενον γὰρ εἰς τοὺς φήληκας τὸ θηρίδιον στερεοῖ τούτους καὶ πεπαίνει, Διόπερ ἐπὶ τῶν ἅπερ ἂν λάβωσι μὴ διακρατούντων εἰρῆσθαι τὴν παροιμίαν.

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0098.tlg001.1st1K-grc1:2.23