Zenobius 4.18
Either a lily or a gourd
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English
Proverb
Either a lily or a gourd
Explanation
the gourd's flower is called a lily; but it is uncertain whether it will bear fruit. The ancients used "lily" of the dead, "gourd" of the living. Diphilus mentions it, saying: "Within seven days, old man, I will make of you either a gourd or a lily."
Greek
Proverb
Ἢ κρίνον ἢ κολοκύντην
Explanation
τὸ τῆς κολοκύντης ἄνθος καλεῖται κρίνον· ἄδηλον δὲ, εἰ οἴσει καρπόν. Ἔταττον οὖν τὸ μὲν κρίνον οἱ ἀρχαῖοι ἐπὶ τοῦ τεθνηκότος, τὴν δὲ κολοκύντην ἐπὶ τοῦ ὑγιοῦς. Μέμνηται ταύτης Δίφιλος λέγων· Ἐν ἡμέραισιν αὐτὸν ἑπτά σοι, γέρον, θέλω παρασχεῖν ἢ κολοκύντην ἢ κρίνον.
urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0098.tlg001.1st1K-grc1:4.18