Zenobius 5.79

The fate of the moth

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English

Proverb

The fate of the moth

Explanation

there is a winged little creature which, flying at the lamps and seeming to grasp the fire, is consumed. Aeschylus too mentions it: "I greatly fear the foolish moth's fate." The proverb is said of those who bring destruction on themselves.

Greek

Proverb

Πυραύστου μόρος

Explanation

πτηνόν ἐστι ζωΰφιον, ὃ προςιπτάμενον τοῖς λύχνοις καὶ δοκοῦν ἅπτεσθαι τοῦ πυρὸς κατακαίεται. Μέμνηται καὶ αὐτοῦ Αἰσχύλος εἰπών· Δέδοικα μωρὸν κάρτα πυραύστου μόρον. Εἴρηται δὲ ἡ παροιμία ἐπὶ τῶν ἑαυτοῖς προξενούντων ἀπώλειαν.

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0098.tlg001.1st1K-grc1:5.79