Δὶς ἑπτὰ πληγαῖς πολύπους πιλούμενος

[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who deserve punishment, inasmuch as when the octopus has been caught it is beaten many times to make it tender.¹ And [there is] another proverb: "twice and thrice the good," [said because] thus one ought to say "good" many times.² Also "old men [are] twice children;" in reference to those who seem to be rather simple-minded in old age.³ Also "[it is] shameful to stumble twice on the same rock;" in reference to those who succumb a second time to the same stupidity.⁴