Zenobius 3.7
The works of Daedalus
English
Proverb
The works of Daedalus
Explanation
some say the proverb is used of marvellous works, others of those finely wrought in their craft. For whereas the old craftsmen fashioned their statues blind, Daedalus opened up their eyes too, so that men even came to think they were alive and moved and spoke. Indeed they say that some of his statues had to be tied by the foot, lest they run off.
Greek
Proverb
Δαιδάλεια ποιήματα
Explanation
οἱ μὲν ἐπὶ τῶν παραδόξων ἔργων, οἱ δὲ ἐπὶ τῶν ἀκριβούντων τὰς τέχνας φασὶν εἰρῆσθαι τὴν παροιμίαν· ἐπειδὴ τῶν παλαιῶν δημιουργῶν πλαττόντων τὰ ζῶα τυφλὰ, ὁ Δαίδαλος καὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῖς ἀνεπέτασεν, ὡς καὶ δόξαν κατασχεῖν ὅτι καὶ ἔμψυχά ἐστι καὶ κινοῦνται καὶ φθέγγονται. Φασὶ γοῦν τινὰ τῶν δαιδαλουργῶν ἀνδριάντων δεδέσθαι τοῦ ποδὸς, ὡς μὴ ἀποδράμοι.
urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0098.tlg001.1st1K-grc1:3.7