Zenobius 5.18

Stir not Camarina

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English

Proverb

Stir not Camarina

Explanation

they say there is a marsh by the city of Camarina, of the same name; the Camarinaeans, wishing to drain it off into the plain, consulted the god. He said, "Stir not Camarina." They disregarded the oracle and were harmed. Whence the proverb is said of those about to do something harmful to themselves. Some say kamarina is also a foul-smelling plant whose branches when shaken give off an unpleasant smell.

Greek

Proverb

Μὴ κίνει Καμάριναν

Explanation

φασὶν εἶναι λίμνην τῇ πόλει τῇ Καμαρίνῃ, ὁμώνυμον ταύτῃ, ἣν οἱ Καμαριναῖοι, μετοχετεῦσαι εἰς τὸ πεδίον βουλόμενοι, ἐχρήσαντο τῷ θεῷ· ὁ δὲ εἶπε, Μὴ κίνει Καμάριναν. Οἱ δὲ παρακούσαντες τοῦ χρησμοῦ ἐβλάβησαν. Κἀκεῖθεν ἡ παροιμία εἴρηται ἐπὶ τῶν βλαβερῶς τι ποιεῖν ἑαυτοῖς μελλόντων. Τινὲς δέ φασι φυτὸν δυςῶδες εἶναι τὴν καμάριναν, οὗ τοὺς κλάδους διασειομένους ἀηδέστερον ὄζειν.

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0098.tlg001.1st1K-grc1:5.18