Zenobius 5.91

You are asking for a fig

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English

Proverb

You are asking for a fig

Explanation

said of flatterers. The Athenians used to flatter the farmers, wishing to take from them the early figs; and they augured well that the like would come again next year.

Greek

Proverb

Σῦκον αἰτεῖς

Explanation

αὕτη λέγεται κατὰ τῶν κολακευόντων. Οἱ γὰρ Ἀθηναῖοι ἐκολάκευον τοὺς γεωργοὺς, βουλόμενοι παρ’ αὐτῶν λαμβάνειν τὰ πρώϊμα σῦκα· οἰωνίζοντο γὰρ αὐτοῖς καὶ πάλιν ἐλθεῖν εἰς νέωτα.

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0098.tlg001.1st1K-grc1:5.91