Skip to content

Browse Topics Random About

Searching…

After Suda On Line, the collaborative English translation of the Suda. Texts are © their translators and SOL, licensed CC BY-NC-SA. A non-commercial project.

About & credits Browse Topics Original SOL

⌕Search ΑLetters ⤨Random

Keyboard shortcuts

j: Next entry
k: Previous entry
g: Toggle Greek
/: Search
?: Show shortcuts

Search

Search the Suda

All Headwords Translation Greek Notes

Keyword

philosophy28
proverbs26
daily life24
definition16
religion11
ethics10
dialects, grammar, and etymology9
poetry7
biography6
imagery6
mythology4
zoology4

23 more

botany3
comedy3
military affairs3
rhetoric3
science and technology3
tragedy3
constitution2
food2
gender and sexuality2
geography2
historiography2
history

Letter

Α alpha17
Δ delta4
Ε epsilon4
ΑΙ alphaiota3

Vetting status

high28

Length

Short28

Translator

Jennifer Benedict9
William Hutton6
David Whitehead5
Catharine Roth3
Robert Dyer2
Carl Widstrand1

2 more

Phiroze Vasunia1
Ross Scaife ✝1

Filters (2)

Keyword

philosophy28
proverbs26
daily life24
definition16
religion11
ethics10
dialects, grammar, and etymology9
poetry7
biography6
imagery6
mythology4
zoology4

23 more

botany3
comedy3
military affairs3
rhetoric3
science and technology3
tragedy3
constitution2
food2
gender and sexuality2
geography2
historiography2
history

Letter

Α alpha17
Δ delta4
Ε epsilon4
ΑΙ alphaiota3

Vetting status

high28

Length

Short28

Translator

Jennifer Benedict9
William Hutton6
David Whitehead5
Catharine Roth3
Robert Dyer2
Carl Widstrand1

2 more

Phiroze Vasunia1
Ross Scaife ✝1

28 entries for proverbs

Relevance Adler order Longest first

philosophy ×
Length: short ×
Clear all

ε1505Ἐν φρέατι κυσὶ μάχεσθαιto fight with dogs in a well[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those fighting against some horrible thing and unable to get away from it. "What could one do, not bound together in a well with the proverbial dog, …Matched in translationhighshort
αι76Αἰγυπτία κληματίςEgyptian vine-branch.[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to lean and fairly tall men; such a man was Zeno of Citium. It is said that he consulted the oracle to learn how he might live the …Matched in translationhighshort
ε1426Ἐν πίθῳ τὴν κεραμίαν μανθάνειν

ε1505

Ἐν φρέατι κυσὶ μάχεσθαι

to fight with dogs in a well

[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those fighting against some horrible thing and unable to get away from it. "What could one do, not bound together in a well with the proverbial dog, but rather in some depth of…

Ἐν φρέατι κυσὶ μάχεσθαι· ἐπὶ τῶν μοχθηρῷ τινι προσμαχομένων καὶ ἀποφυγεῖν μὴ δυναμένων. τί δὲ ἄν τις ἔχοι ποιεῖν οὐκ ἐν φρέατι συνεχόμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ παροιμιαζομένου κυνός, ἀλλ' ἐν…

2

2

meter and music2

meter and music2

trade and manufacture1

trade and manufacture1

to learn the potter's craft on a wine-jar

A proverbial saying in reference to those going beyond their first lessons and clutching at greater things. That is, disregarding their first lessons and striving for the final ones.

Matched in translationhighshort

αι165Αἴ κε πάθοι τά κ' ἔρεξε δίκη δ' ἰθεῖα γένοιτοif he should endure the sufferings which he has inflicted, the punishment would be just… di/kh k'), and attributed to Rhadamanthys (rho 12, rho 13); proverbial in Appendix Proverbiorum 2.12. An anonymous commentator on the Ethics quotes this as two verses -- the first one is ei) kaka/ tis …Matched in noteshighshort

α3459Ἀπ' ὄνου καταπεσώνhaving fallen from a donkeyA proverb [deriving] from those who attempt horsemanship when they are not even able to handle donkeys. Aristophanes in Clouds [writes]: "why, pray, are you talking nonsense, as if you had fallen from a …Matched in translationhighshort

α853Ἀκέφαλοςheadless[Meaning] one who is rightless. And [there is] a proverb: Headless story. The proverb is spoken in reference to those speaking unfinished things.Matched in translationhighshort

ε1377Ἐν Καρὶ τὸν κίνδυνονthe risk in a Carian[A proverb] in reference to those selling their own woes for a wage. Because of the fact that the Carians were the first men to serve as mercenary soldiers. So the proverb is said …Matched in translationhighshort

α1052Ἀλλὰ γάρbut for all that… that, despondent men never yet set up a trophy." The proverb [is used] in reference to those who because of despondency are unable to accomplish anything noble.Matched in translationhighshort

α4091Ἀρχήauthority, rule… authority alone, nor [was it] half of everything as the proverb says. [It was] itself the whole of everything."Matched in translationhighshort

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 …Matched in translationhighshort

α434Ἀδεέςfearless, fright-free[Meaning something] safe, not frightening. As the proverb: "you fear a fear-free fear." It is something said about those who fear things that are not frightening.Matched in translationhighshort

α517Ἀδώνιδος κῆποιAdonis' gardens… they used to sow in earthenware pots. They apply the proverb to the superficial and shallow. Adonis' gardens: in reference to things that are untimely and transitory and have not taken root.Matched in translationhighshort

α607Ἀείalways… illnesses". Such was Apollonius of Tyana. And [there is] a proverb: "for the dice of Zeus always fall well." Fittingly equivalent to: the dice of Zeus always [fall] to the six. In reference to …Matched in translationhighshort

α888Ἀκίνητα κινεῖνto move the unmoveable[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to things [being done] to excess. Because one should not even move altars, or tombs.Matched in translationhighshort

α4252Ἀστραπήlightning… together or broken by a wind. And [there is] a proverb: "lightning out of a little vat"; in reference to to nothingness. Inasmuch as flashings in no way are able [to come] out of …Matched in translationhighshort

α4478Αὐτὴ νῦν ἡ σοφία ζῇnow wisdom herself lives[sc. A proverbial saying] in reference to someone with a lofty reputation. Also [sc. attested is the variant] 'now the Muse herself blooms': similar to the previous one and more colloquial.Matched in translationhighshort

α4479Αὐτίκαforthwith, in a moment… later. But au)ti/ka ma/la means immediately. And [there is] a proverb: "and immediately the plants which are going to be fruitful [are] clear," in reference to things that have prospects for a good end …Matched in translationhighshort

α4490Αὐτὸ δείξειwill show itselfA proverb. 'The deed' is left out.Matched in translationhighshort

α4523Αὐτὸς ἔφαhe himself said; ipse dixit"This proverbial [phrase], in reference to Pythagoras the philosopher, entered into [usage in everyday] life." For this man, glorifying his own word and life in his lectures, used to say "he said himself"; meaning …Matched in translationhighshort

α4652ἈφροδίσιονAphrodision, Aphrodisium… particularly extraordinary." Aelian [sc. says this]. And [there is] a proverb: "an Aphrodisian oath may be violated with impunity", in reference to those who because of passion swear [oaths] often and swear falsely.Matched in translationhighshort

δ110Δαιδάλου ποιήματαDaidalos' creations, Daedalus' creations[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those pursuing skills with exactitude. [It arose] because the old craftsmen used to make the eyes closed, but Daidalos opened them, and spread the feet. And Homer …Matched in translationhighshort

δ334Δεινῆς ἀνάγκης οὐδὲν ἰσχυρότερονnothing is mightier than terrible necessity[sc. This proverb is used] because necessity compels even the gods. And Plato says that not even the gods compel necessity.Matched in translationhighshort

δ1233Διωλύγιονenormous[Meaning something] big. And [there is] a proverb: *diwlu/gion kako/n ["enormous evil"], referring to those who undertake something big and terrible. For diwlu/gion is something big and extending far. "Thus an enormous nonsense ... …Matched in translationhighshort

ε1489Ἐν τριόδῳ εἰμὶ λογισμῶνI am at a crossroads in my calculationsA proverbial saying in reference to matters which are unclear and uncertain. For he who has reached a crossroads does not know which road to take.Matched in translationhighshort

α537Ἀδύνατα εἶναιto be impossibles… is cast'), kappa 2591 and phi 5 (end); also the proverb "Triple six or three aces" (eta 635, tau 934, tau 1006).Matched in noteshighshort

α1352Ἀλλ' οὐ διὰ τὴν ἐν τῷ ποδὶ πρὸς τὴν λύραν ἀμετρίαν τρίανbut not through the disproportion in the foot for the lyre… headword phrase comes from Plato (or ps-Plato), Clitopho 407C. Its proverbial status, implied by the present gloss, is not borne out by inclusion in the paroemiographic collections, but see Plutarch, Moralia 439C and 534C.Matched in noteshighshort

αι73Αἰγῶν ὀνόματαnanny-goats' names[1] Also, thus far, in Appendix Proverbiorum 1.8.Matched in noteshighshort

δ849Διαψεύδονταιthey are cheated, they are deceived, they are disappointed… the Suda and Constantine makes for a better maxim or proverb, because of its paradox, and fits better with the following context. The text in the mss, however, applies only to the immedite result …Matched in noteshighshort