Λύκος περὶ φρέαρ χορεύει
a wolf is dancing round a well
Translated by David Whitehead1 Dec 2005Vetting: high4 revisions
Translation
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those toiling about something in vain. And because it circles ineffectually, whenever it is thirsty, not being able to drink -- since as it pursues something the quarry falls into the well.
Greek original · Adler’s text
Λύκος περὶ φρέαρ χορεύει· ἐπὶ τῶν πονούντων περί τι μάτην. καὶ ὅτι ἄπρακτος περίεισιν, ὅταν διψήσῃ, μὴ δυνάμενος πιεῖν, ἐπὰν διώκοντος αὐτοῦ τι τὸ διωκόμενον ἐμπέσῃ εἰς φρέαρ.
Betacode
*lu/kos peri\ fre/ar xoreu/ei: e)pi\ tw=n ponou/ntwn peri/ ti ma/thn. kai\ o(/ti a)/praktos peri/eisin, o(/tan diyh/sh|, mh\ duna/menos piei=n, e)pa\n diw/kontos au)tou= ti to\ diwko/menon e)mpe/sh| ei)s fre/ar.
Notes
- Likewise in Photius lambda453 Theodoridis; also in Apostolius 10.86, etc.
For another proverb about dancing see gamma 432.
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Revision history4 revisions · last 24 Jun 2020
- another keyword — Catharine Roth
- Revised — David Whitehead
- augmented notes — David Whitehead
- set status — Catharine Roth
- Translated — David Whitehead