Πρὶν ἢ πτίσαι τὰ ἄλευρα

before even having winnowed the wheatmeal

Translated by David Whitehead11 Mar 2010Vetting: high7 revisions

34 words

A proverb. Also: "you are stirring the brine before having caught the fish." In reference to those taking their opportunities too soon. Also: "you are skinning [sc. the animal] before it has been killed".

Greek original · Adler’s text

Πρὶν ἢ πτίσαι τὰ ἄλευρα· παροιμία. καί, πρὶν τοὺς ἰχθῦς ἑλεῖν, σὺ τὴν ἅλμην κυκᾷς. ἐπὶ τῶν τοὺς καιροὺς προλαμβανόντων. καί, πρὶν ἐσφάχθαι, δέρεις.

Betacode

*pri\n h)\ pti/sai ta\ a)/leura: paroimi/a. kai/, pri\n tou\s i)xqu=s e(lei=n, su\ th\n a(/lmhn kuka=|s. e)pi\ tw=n tou\s kairou\s prolambano/ntwn. kai/, pri\n e)sfa/xqai, de/reis.

Notes

Same entry in Photius pi1165 Theodoridis (but without the explanatory clause, for which cf. Macarius 7.33 and other paroemiographers; and see generally Tosi [cited under alpha 378] no.1512). Same or similar in other lexica and grammarians. Cf. pi 2880 and "don't count your chickens before they hatch."

Linked from1 entry

π2880Πρὸ τῆς νίκης τὸ ἐγκώμιον ᾄδειςyou are singing a song of praise before the victory[sc. A proverbial saying] in reference to those anticipating matters.

Neighbouring entries

π2287Πριμολοκάριοςprimolocarius π2288Πριμοπιλάριοςprimipiliarius, primipilus π2289Πρὶν ἢ πτίσαι τὰ ἄλευραbefore even having winnowed the wheatmeal π2290Πρίνινοι ἄνθρακεςoaken coals, holm-oak coals π2291Πρὶν καὶ λύκος ὄϊν ποιμαινεύσειsooner will even a wolf herd a sheep

Revision history7 revisions · last 6 Dec 2021

6 Dec 2021cross-reference — Catharine Roth
31 Oct 2021expanded note — Catharine Roth
14 Oct 2013Revised — David Whitehead
17 Aug 2012Revised — David Whitehead
3 Nov 2011tweaks — David Whitehead
25 Apr 2010expanded note — David Whitehead
24 Apr 2010set status — Catharine Roth
11 Mar 2010Translated — David Whitehead

Translation

Greek original · Adler’s text

Notes

Linked from1 entry

Neighbouring entries

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