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- κ497Καταγηρᾶσαι Τιθωνοῦ βαθύτερον καὶ τοῦ Κινύρου πλουσιώτερον καὶ Σαρδαναπάλου τρυφερώτερον ὅπως τὸ τῆς παροιμίας ἐπὶ σοὶ πληρωθῇ δὶς παῖδες οἱ γέροντεςto grow old deeper than Tithonus and richer than Kinyras and daintier than Sardanapalus so that in your case the proverb would be fulfilled: the old are children again… a Letter of the emperor Julian (no.82 Bidez-Cumont); cf. Appendix Proverbiorum 4.68. For 'the old are children again' see under delta 1267; for Kinyras, kappa 1651; for Sardanapalus, sigma 121, sigma 122; for Tithonus, …
- κ2052Κόντῳ πλεῖνto sail with a punting-poleA proverb; i.e. to live appropriately.
- μ392Μέγα τοι ἄγγελος ἐσθλόςa good messenger [is] a great thing[Said proverbially] in reference to those announcing good news.
- ν378Νικᾷ τὸν ὀνηλάτηνhe is defeating the donkey-driver[sc. A proverbial phrase directed] towards the man not listening to warnings, but propelling himself into destruction.
- μ1365Μυίας δάκρυονMuia's tear[A proverbial phrase which originated] because of the Thebans' criminality towards the oracle at Dodona -- from which there also arose the [proverb] "may you consult the oracle among Boiotians". For they too behaved …
- ε3248Ἔσχατα ἐσχάτων κακὰ διαπέπρακταιevils ultimate of ultimates have been perpetrated… than Deinias' and '[ones] more shameful [kuntera] than Kunton'. The proverb [is used] in reference to the heights of evil.
- ι500Ἰωρόςioros[Meaning] doorkeeper, guard. And [there is] a proverb: "nor inside the ioros". And the law in force amongst Athenians used to stipulate that murderers stay "outside the ioros." So the proverb was applied to …
- χ115ΧαρινάδηςCharinades… name. This man was sluggish. And [sc. thereby arose] a proverb: 'Charinades is better than you at walking'. In reference to those making slow progress.
- ε690Ἐκ τριχὸς κρέματαιit is hanging by a hairA proverb in reference to those taking excessive risks.
- ει321Εἰς τὸν τετρημένονinto the perforatedIt leaves out 'to draw water' [and] 'jar'. [The proverb] is applied to those putting effort into something empty. For a myth has it that in the underworld the impious draw water into a …
- λ327Λευκὴ ψῆφοςwhite pebble, white voteA proverb in reference to those living happily or miserably.
- ν72Ναῦς ἱκετεύει πέτραςa ship beseeches rocksThe proverb [is used] in reference to those who are very unfeeling.
- δ1076Δικαιότερον σταχάνηςmore just than a stachane[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who love justice; for stachane is what the Dorians call a pair of scales, perhaps by a link with stasis. And [there is] another [version of …
- ει334Εἶτ' ἐφ' ὕδωρ κακόςthen a wretch on water-dutyThe proverb is applied to those down on their luck. For in the [sc. Athenian] jurycourts the most menial task was to measure out the water for the [sc. speeches of the] litigants. This …
- μ1475Μῦς λευκόςwhite mouse… mate, and especially the white ones; these are females. The proverb is applied to those who lack self-control when it comes to sex.
- κ2549Κοινὰ τὰ τῶν φίλωνthe property of friends is common propertyTimaeus says in his 9th [book] that this [proverb] originated in Magna Graecia, in the period when Pythagoras persuaded those settling there to hold property undistributed [to private owners]. Menander uses the proverb in …
- λ128Λάρος ἐν ἕλεσιa gull in the marshesA proverb in reference to those quick to pay back [sc. what they owe].
- μ742Μετάφερε σαυτόνchange yourself[sc. The injunction/proverb arises] because men ought to change themselves and take their affairs in hand.
- κ2438Κριοῦ διακονίαram's serviceFrom the proverb, a ram [repays] its upkeep; for it butts those who are raising [it].
- ε3196Ἐς πῦρ ξαίνειςyou are carding wool into the fire[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to impossible things.
- κ2729Κύων ἐπὶ φάτνηνa dog at a mangerA proverb in reference to those neither using [something] nor allowing others [to do so].
- α4096Ἀρχὴ ἄνδρα δείκνυσινoffice exposes a man[sc. A proverb] applied to those who are decent men before holding office but become violent in the post itself. They say that this a dictum of Solon's, though Aristotle and Theophrastus [says it …
- λ324Λευκὴν μᾶζαν φυρῶ σοιI am mixing you a white barley-cakeA proverb in reference to those promising great things.
- μ1400Μυκώνιος γείτωνa neighbour from MykonosThis [sc. proverbial phrase] is deployed against those with a bad name for niggardliness and pettiness; it arises from the small size and insignificance of the island of Mykonos. And [there is] another proverb: …
- λ787Λυδὸς ἐν μεσημβρίᾳ παίζειa Lydian is playing at noon[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to licentious men; those being the times for licentious behaviour. For the Lydians are a comic target because they satisfy their genital urges with their own hands. This …
- μ818Μέτρῳ ὕδωρ πίνοντες ἀμετρίαν δὲ μᾶζον ἔδοντεςdrinking water within limits but eating unlimited barley-breadThis line became a proverb, originating in a certain oracle which the god [Apollo] gave to the men of Sybaris; for outragers and intemperate drinkers as they were, they were destroyed by the men …
- λ668Λοκρῷ ξυνθήματαagreements with a Lokrian; agreements with a LocrianA proverb. It is applied to those being deceived.
- δ1096Δίκης ὀφθαλμόςeye of justice"[...] with the result that everyone acknowledged that, as the proverb says, 'there is an eye of justice', which mere mortals [must] never despise".
- κ2691Κύνα δέρειν δεδαρμένηνto flay flayed skin… Pherekrates says. A licentious figure [relating] to the genitals. The proverb is [also] said of those suffering afresh what they have already suffered.
- κ1968Κολοιὸς ποτὶ κολοιὸν ἱζάνειjackdaw settles to jackdaw… creature likes its own kind and flocks together. [sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who mix with those who are similar.