Entries 5.1-5.100

5.1 The Lydian plays the shopkeeper they say Cyrus, having got the better of the Lydians, ordered them to play shopkeeper, to possess no weapons, and to wear long robes down to the feet; and so the Lydians, refash... Image pending

5.2 A Lycus ten proverbial. Since Lycus the hero was set up by the law-courts at Athens in the shape of a wolf (his name), where bribers and informers used to gather in tens. A three-obol fee p... Image pending

5.3 Lydian karykai proverb: "Give me neither Lydian karykai nor the cracking of whips." The karykē is a Lydian dish made of many seasonings and blood; as Pherecrates says, "Mash up an abyrtakē and... Image pending

5.4 The Locrians and the contracts among the Epizephyrian Locrians, they say, was Zaleucus the lawgiver, who laid down a law that there should be no written bonds for loans. Hence many denied their contracts, and... Image pending

5.5 A Locrian ox set down for cheap things. For the Locrians, once at a loss for an ox for a public sacrifice, set small sticks under cucumbers — four for legs and two for horns — fashioning thu... Image pending

5.6 Hermodorus was a hearer of Plato, and used to bring his master's compositions to Sicily and sell them. Hence the proverb. Hermodorus was a hearer of Plato, and used to bring his master's compositions to Sicily and sell them. Hence the proverb. Image pending

5.7 To raise the armpit equivalent to drinking deep and tippling. Cratinus: "How they raise the armpit aloft, mocking with their hands." Like the Homeric phrase, "Lifting up their hands." Image pending

5.8 Megarian tears set down for those who weep by force, and not from any genuine feeling. They say a certain Bacchius the Corinthian married the daughter of Clytius, king of the Megarians; and on... Image pending

5.9 After the Lesbian singer proverb set down for those who carry off second place, from this cause: when the Lacedaemonians were torn by faction, by an oracle from the god they sent for Terpander the music... Image pending

5.10 May you not fall in with a black-bottomed man that is, may you not fall in with some manful and mighty fellow. The proverb is from this. Theia, daughter of Oceanus, had two sons; these used to wrong all who passed by. Their... Image pending

5.11 One thicket does not feed two robins of those who eagerly try to gain from some small thing. The robin is a solitary and lone-living bird. Image pending

5.12 One swallow does not make a spring proverbially: "One swallow does not make spring." It means that one day does not suffice to bring a man into knowledge or into folly. Image pending

5.13 Sillier than Morychus this proverb is used among the Sicilians of those doing some foolish thing, as Polemon says in his Letter to Diophilus. It runs thus: "Sillier than Morychus, who, leaving the in... Image pending

5.14 Myllus hears everything set down for those who pretend to be deaf yet hear everything. Cratinus mentions it in his Cleobulinae. Myllus is also a comic poet. Image pending

5.15 Mysian booty proverb of those wretchedly plundered. For the surrounding peoples plundered the Mysians at that time, while they were without a ruler. Hence "Mysian booty" was said. Image pending

5.16 The Phrygian, rather Croesus, they say, having gathered the wise men, asked which they thought the most fortunate man. Each naming someone different, Aesop the Phrygian, the fable-maker, said that C... Image pending

5.17 One Mykonos Neleus instructed his sons Hegetor and Hippocles to subdue the islands. Hegetor took many; Hippocles took only one, Mykonos. Hippocles wanting his share of all, they sent and as... Image pending

5.18 Stir not Camarina 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." T... Image pending

5.19 Drinking water by measure, but eating barley-cake unmeasured this verse passed into a proverb from a certain oracle which the god gave to the Sybarites; for being insolent and immoderate drinkers, they were destroyed by the Crotoniates. T... Image pending

5.20 Prouder than Peleus over his sword Anacreon mentions it, and Pindar in the Nemean Odes. They say it was given by Hephaestus as a gift to Peleus from the gods on account of his temperance, and using it he succeede... Image pending

5.21 A Myconian neighbour set down for those reproached for stinginess and meanness, from the smallness of the island of Mykonos and its meanness. Image pending

5.22 An apple as Heracles Apollodorus, in his On the Gods, says that at Athens a peculiar sacrifice is offered to Heracles "Alexikakos." For when once the bull they were going to bring as a sacrifice to... Image pending

5.23 A portion does not choke Dicaearchus says in his On Greece that it was not the ancients' custom at dinners to distribute portions; but for various reasons, when victuals fell short, the custom of portio... Image pending

5.24 Naera and Charmion of these two, the one took care of Queen Cleopatra's hair, and the other of her nails. They remained with her even unto death, and after their death received splendid burial and... Image pending

5.25 Custom and country this proverb is said because each people uses its own customs. The Persians deliberate when drunk, and worship their kings as gods; equals kiss one another, but inferiors only a... Image pending

5.26 Let some stranger come to do me good Theopompus says this was first said by Philip. For having reduced a city of the Thessalians and sold the foreigners there, he said in mockery, "Let some stranger come to do me g... Image pending

5.27 You comb wool into the fire said of those suffering hardship in vain. Image pending

5.28 May you not be praised even at a funeral feast said of the exceedingly wicked, not worthy even of common praise. For the ancients were wont to praise the deceased at the funeral feast, even if he had been a worthless fellow. Image pending

5.29 Oenoe and the torrent the proverb is said of those who draw some evil down upon themselves. Oenoe is an Attic deme, and its inhabitants diverted into their own land a torrent running above them. The... Image pending

5.30 The Cretan and the sea the proverb is of those who pretend to shun things in which they themselves excel; since the Cretans were the greatest seafarers. Alcaeus mentions it. Image pending

5.31 Hippocleides doesn't care Hippocleides, with many others, sought as bride the daughter of Cleisthenes the Sicyonian. Cleisthenes was testing the suitors over a whole year, when Hippocleides, at a banquet... Image pending

5.32 You don't sail by night of those doing nothing accurately. For night is more reliable than day for those crossing the open sea, on account of the signs given by the stars. Chrysippus drops the negative... Image pending

5.33 Not without Theseus, at least Theseus shared exploits with many heroes. He helped Meleager in the hunt for the Calydonian boar, fought with Pirithous against the Centaurs, and with Heracles against the Amazo... Image pending

5.34 Not even the fire-bearer was left proverb said of great calamities; since in front of every military force the seer used to march, holding a laurel-branch and fillets and a torch; and it was the rule that the en... Image pending

5.35 The wood-louse in his place the proverb is said of those who quickly leap from spot to spot. For the wood-louse is a little wood-eating creature that hops from place to place. Strattis mentions it. Image pending

5.36 Pylaea knows these things, and Tyttygias too Tyttygias was a kidnapper, and he sold others' goods at Pylaea. The proverb is set down for those who steal and sell others' property. Image pending

5.37 The voyage to Corinth is not for every man Corinth had many costly courtesans, who collected taxes from the foreigners coming there, stripping them of their travelling-money. For this reason, the proverb is said of [poor... Image pending

5.38 You seek wool from an ass of those seeking insubstantial things; inasmuch as one cannot comb or shear an ass. Also "You shear an ass," of those undertaking impossible things. Image pending

5.39 An ass's peeping-in Menander mentions it in his Priestess. They say that a certain potter kept many birds in his workshop; an ass passing by, the ass-driver carelessly following, peeped in through... Image pending

5.40 Nothing to do with Dionysus proverb of those saying things unsuited to their subject. Since the choruses originally were wont to sing the dithyramb to Dionysus, but the poets later, departing from this cus... Image pending

5.41 I know Simon, and Simon knows me the Telchines being malicious by nature (for sprinkling the earth with the water of Styx they made it barren), there were two of their leaders, Simon and Nicon. Simon prevailed,... Image pending

5.42 He told a tale to an ass; and the ass wagged his ears the proverb is said of insensitivity in either direction. For the creature is sluggish at his work, and waggles his ears as if he had heard everything before anyone has spoken —... Image pending

5.43 The curse of Oedipus Aeschylus mentions it in the Seven against Thebes. The story is that Eteocles and Polynices, accustomed to send Oedipus the shoulder of every sacrificial victim, forgetting once... Image pending

5.44 An Oetaean spirit Clearchus says a certain divinity was named "Oetaean" who hated insolence and arrogance utterly. Image pending

5.45 With what a monster has the god shut me up! said of those distressed at some grievous matter. For there is a play Cyclops by the poet Philoxenus, in which Odysseus, being shut in the Cyclops' cave, says: "With what a mons... Image pending

5.46 As much as Mys at Pisa [or "a mouse in tar"] said of those who have defeated their adversaries with much toil. For Mys of Tarentum, a boxer, when contesting at Pisa with many opponents, took many blows, and barely won. Image pending

5.47 You are nothing sacred Clearchus says that Heracles, seeing the statue of Adonis set up, said, "Nothing sacred." The proverb is said of the utterly cheap and useless. Image pending

5.48 Here's another Heracles Clearchus, expounding the proverb, says that Heracles called Briareos came to Delphi, and taking, by some ancient custom, one of the treasures lying there, set out for the so-ca... Image pending

5.49 Not even Heracles against two they say that Heracles, having instituted the Olympic games, and trusting his own strength, in the second penteteric contest boxed against two and was beaten. Some say these wer... Image pending

5.50 The Cretans at the sacrifice Agamemnon, they say, driven by storm to Crete, went up to the Polyrrhenium and was performing a sacrifice. Meanwhile his prisoners burned the ships; word of this being brought t... Image pending

5.51 The Sicilian and the sea a Sicilian merchant carrying figs, they say, was shipwrecked. Then, sitting on a rock and seeing the sea calm again, he said, "I know what she wants — she wants figs." Image pending

5.52 Where the deer cast their horns Demon says that in rough and impassable places the deer rub their antlers against bushes and shed them. Whence the proverb is said of those who have toilsome occupations. Image pending

5.53 He's neither rained on nor sunburnt said of those standing apart from every care; that is, "neither soaked nor scorched." Image pending

5.54 Not even gru from Dion this Dion was an Alexandrian by birth, famed for his philosophy, with a brother who was a wrestler, surnamed Topsius. Being abused by one of his brother's opponents and hearing... Image pending

5.55 Not even within striking distance iktar signifies "near"; that is, "not even near." It is said as a foreign word, just as diolygion "evil" means "great." Plato mentions both — diolygion in the Theaetetus, iktar... Image pending

5.56 A quail saved sturdy Heracles this is in none of the ancients. It is said of those saved beyond hope. Eudoxus says that the Tyrian Heracles was destroyed by Typhon, and Iolaus, doing all he could to bring ba... Image pending

5.57 Show your Milesian wares at home set down for those parading luxury where it is unfit. For Aristagoras the Milesian, coming once to Sparta, was urging them to help the Ionians being warred upon by the Persians;... Image pending

5.58 The boy and the icicle proverb of those neither able to keep nor willing to let go. Sophocles mentions it in The Lovers of Achilles. Image pending

5.59 The Scythian and the horse said of those secretly desirous of something but openly rejecting it and spitting upon it. Pindar witnesses, saying: "Certain affected Scythian men loathe in word a slain horse... Image pending

5.60 I am not of those heroes set down for those who wish to do good. For the heroes are readier to harm than to benefit, as Menander says in Synephebi. Image pending

5.61 I am Pitane this is in Alcaeus. It is said of those falling into both frequent calamities and prosperities; inasmuch as such fortunes befell Pitane too, which Hellanicus mentions; for he sa... Image pending

5.62 Shake out every reef proverb of those showing every eagerness; transferred from those slackening sail. Image pending

5.63 Stir every stone proverb. For when Xerxes marched against the Greeks, defeated at Salamis, he himself withdrew, but left Mardonius behind to make war on the Greeks. He too being defeated in the... Image pending

5.64 Polycrates is allotting a mother Duris mentions it. He says that Polycrates the Samian, having gathered the mothers of those who had died in the war, gave them to the rich citizens to support, saying to each: "... Image pending

5.65 Piped out in his wits having one's wits, through old age, "piped out" — dim and ruined. Transferred from the reeds of flutes; for those that are worn through are said to be "piped out." Image pending

5.66 The beggar's pouch is never full this is in Callimachus, said of insatiable beggars. Image pending

5.67 To play "cities" Cratinus mentions it in his Female Runaways. The "city" was a kind of board-game with counters. It seems to have been transferred from those playing with pebbles, on what are no... Image pending

5.68 Many things the fox knows, but the hedgehog one big thing Archilochus mentions this in an epode. Homer too writes the line. Ion the tragic poet says: "But I praise on dry land the lion's ways, and even more the hedgehog's bitter craft,... Image pending

5.69 Fire upon fire proverb mentioned by Plato. Also, "evil upon evil." Image pending

5.70 To kick against the goad proverb mentioned by Euripides: "I, a mortal, would kick against god's goad." Aeschylus too mentions it. Image pending

5.71 Many things lie between the cup and the lip's edge proverb said for the following reason. Ancaeus son of Poseidon, planting a vineyard, was being harsh with his servants. One of them said that the master would never taste the fr... Image pending

5.72 Poverty was allotted wisdom this verse, drawn from Euripides, means that the poor pursue many crafts. Image pending

5.73 All are knick-knacks they call the broken bits of cakes and pastries chnaumata. So "every chnauma" means "every kind of thing." Image pending

5.74 Every land is fatherland this is part of an oracle which the god gave to Meleus the Pelasgian when he was inquiring about a settlement. Mnaseas mentions the oracle, and Dionysius the Chalcidian. Image pending

5.75 Many pebble-tossers, but few prophets Philochorus says that three Nymphs, nurses of Apollo, possessed Parnassus, called the Thriae; from them the divining-pebbles are called thriai, and divining is called thriasthai... Image pending

5.76 Like a pine set down for those utterly destroyed; inasmuch as a pine, once cut, no longer grows again. Staphylus of Naucratis mentions it. Image pending

5.77 Many bear the wand, but few are Bacchants proverb of those holding a false reputation. Image pending

5.78 All things are eight Evander said that the gods who rule all are eight: Fire, Water, Earth, Heaven, Moon, Sun, Mithras, and Night. Others say that all the contests at Olympia are eight: stade, dolic... Image pending

5.79 The fate of the moth 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... Image pending

5.80 Once upon a time the Milesians were strong they say that the Carians, being warred upon by Darius the Persian, in accordance with an old prophecy bidding them attach the strongest as allies, came to Branchidae and asked... Image pending

5.81 An oath by Rhadamanthys Cratinus says they swear by goose, by dog, and by such things as an oath of Rhadamanthys; as Sosicrates too in book two of his Cretan Affairs; in order not to swear by the gods. Image pending

5.82 Rhamnusian Nemesis at Rhamnus is set up a statue of Nemesis ten cubits high, all of stone, the work of Phidias, holding in her hand a branch of an apple-tree; from which Antigonus of Carystus says... Image pending

5.83 More cowardly than the Rhegines they used to call cowards "Rhegines." For Xenarchus son of Sophron lampooned the Rhegines for cowardice in comedy. Image pending

5.84 The Sicilian eats unripe grapes said of those who steal worthless things. Transferred from the Sicilians, who steal inedible unripe grapes. Epicharmus mentions it. Image pending

5.85 Sardonic laughter Aeschylus, in his On Proverbs, says of this thus: "Those inhabiting Sardinia, being colonists of the Carthaginians, used to sacrifice to Cronus those who had passed seventy year... Image pending

5.86 The Sarpedonian shore this is a place in Thrace, ever stormy and surf-beaten, sacred to Poseidon. There is also another Sarpedonia about Cilicia; and another by the Ocean, the dwelling of the Gorgons. Image pending

5.87 A Sybaritic table meaning, set in luxury. For the Sybarites were given to luxury. Image pending

5.88 Sybarites along the broad street proverb of those walking pompously. Image pending

5.89 A Sicilian soldier proverbial. Since those under Hieron used foreign soldiers for the most part. Image pending

5.90 To "to-the-crows" (Σκορακίζειν) equivalent to "send to the crows," to despise utterly. Image pending

5.91 You are asking for a fig 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. Image pending

5.92 A fig for Hermes proverb of things lying open for the use of any who wish. For if ever a fig appeared, they would dedicate it to Hermes; and any who wished took it. Image pending

5.93 Together with Athena, move your own hand too proverb advising one not to sit idle on hopes from the gods. The proverb is set down particularly for women, who ought to work; for Athena is "the worker." It is said from an as... Image pending

5.94 A Syracusan table the lavish table. The Sicilians were thought more given to dainty fare than all others. Image pending

5.95 Tighter-mouthed than a skaphē proverb of those resident-aliens carrying skaphai, because they had no right of free speech and were not even allowed to gape. Set down for those unable to speak freely; inasmuc... Image pending

5.96 To chew mastic those who beautified themselves used to chew mastic for the whitening of their teeth; whence such persons are called schinotrōktai ("mastich-chewers"). Image pending

5.97 The Siren announces a friend, the bee a stranger by "Siren" he means not one of the singing maidens, but a winged creature like a bee, as Aristotle says. Image pending

5.98 Tyrants are wise from converse with the wise this is from Sophocles' Locrian Ajax; but Plato says the iambic line is from Euripides. There is no wonder: poets fall into the same expressions. Image pending

5.99 And the blessed gods withal this the rhapsodes append; as the citharodes too: "But hail thou greatly, lord." Image pending

5.100 You praise yourself this is one of the elliptical sayings; the full form runs: "You praise yourself, lady, like Astydamas." For Astydamas son of Morsimus, having succeeded in playing Parthenopaeus,... Image pending