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- λ28Λαγῷ πεινῶντι καὶ πλακοῦντες εἰς σῦκαfor a starving hare even flatcakes [serve] as figsA proverb directed against those reckoning things as valuable in [a situation of] necessity. Interpretation of a dream: a hare appearing makes an unlucky path [of life].
- λ127Λάρος κεχηνώςa gull agape[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to snatchers and thieves. For the gull is a snatching and gluttonous bird.
- λ128Λάρος ἐν ἕλεσιa gull in the marshesA proverb in reference to those quick to pay back [sc. what they owe].
- λ192ΛαίνιλλαLainilla, Laenilla[no gloss]
- λ250Λέοντα ξυρᾷςyou are shaving a lionA proverb said in reference to those attempting the impossible. Interpretation of a dream: to see lions shows battles of enemies. See on a lion in the [entry] 'with hair standing on end'.
- λ283Λέπαργεwhite-coatLook in the [entry] "all these things are on you now, white-coat".
- λ292Λεπτὰ ξαίνειςyou are combing wisps[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those leading a life of penury.
- λ294Λεπτὴν πλέκειhe is weaving a thin oneSomething said in reference to poor people. In effect frugal, narrow, weak. Hence also [sc. comes the term] leptolo/gos ["quibbler"]. Aristophanes in Clouds [writes]: "and having relaxed your subtle mind speculate about the matters …
- λ295Λεπτή τις ἐλπίς ἐστ' ἐφ' ἧς ὀχούμεθαslender is the hope on which we rideThe proverb is said in reference to desperate situations.
- λ302Λέρνη θεατῶνLerna of spectators, Lerne of spectatorsMeaning a theatre of evils. Cratinus [sc. uses the phrase]. Some [sc. say that the phrase arose] because of the Hydra, others because of the fact that the Argives carried away the sacrifice-refuse there; …
- λ324Λευκὴν μᾶζαν φυρῶ σοιI am mixing you a white barley-cakeA proverb in reference to those promising great things.
- λ325Λευκὴ στάθμηwhite measuring-line[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those marking obscurities with obscurities; or in reference to those who understand nothing. Sophocles in Kidalion [writes]: "I do not judge by these words of yours, no …
- λ327Λευκὴ ψῆφοςwhite pebble, white voteA proverb in reference to those living happily or miserably.
- λ336Λευκοὺς λίθους ἔχοντες αὐχοῦσι μέγαhaving white stones they boast greatly[no gloss]
- λ346Λευχηπατίαςlily-livered, white-livered[Meaning] cowardly; for something happens to the liver in certain people, which makes men cowardly. So [the term] is applied to such people.
- λ410Λήθαργος κύωνlazy dog, lethargic dog[Meaning] one which fawns, but bites surreptitiously. With horses too, the careless and feeble and idle ones are called lazy/lethargic. There is also a particular [sc. medical] condition, with fever, [sc. called lethargy].
- λ416Λήθης πεδίονLethe's plain; plain of oblivion[A phrase used] in reference to the impossible.
- λ448Λημνία δίκηLemnian justice[Meaning] the worst [kind].
- λ449Λήμνιον πῦρLemnian fireThere is a particular[ly] harsh exhalation/vapour of fire in Lemnos.
- λ450Λημνίᾳ χειρίwith a Lemnian hand[Meaning] with a cruel and lawless [one]. From the story: for they say that the women in Lemnos were accused of killing their husbands, because they were not having sexual intercourse with them.
- λ494Λιβυκὸν θηρίονLibyan beasti.e. a degenerated one. For they say that Libya has many beasts but is waterless, and when all kinds [of animals] come together at a single drinking-place the result is that they copulate with …
- λ521Λίθον ἕψειςyou are boiling a stone[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those attempting to achieve something impossible; as if [to say] you are trying impossible things.
- λ529Λίθων χοαίstreams of stones, outpourings of stones[Meaning] gold and silver. For Euripides says: "having white stones they boast greatly".
- λ555ΛιμοδωριεῖςFamine-DoriansThose Peloponnesians who because of famine migrated into Rhodes and Knidos.
- λ566Λίνον λίνῳ συνάπτειςyou are joining linen with linen[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who mix similar things, or who are deceived and demand [something] back. Strattis in Rivers [sc. uses the phrase].
- λ661Λόγοισιν Ἑρμόδωρος ἐμπορεύεταιHermodoros is a shipper in speechesHermodoros became a student of Plato, took his collected works and was selling them in Sicily.
- λ668Λοκρῷ ξυνθήματαagreements with a Lokrian; agreements with a LocrianA proverb. It is applied to those being deceived.
- 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 …
- λ803Λυκεῖον ποτόνLykeian drinki.e. from a spring discovered by Apollo, drunk by wolves. [Flowing] from wine and honey. Accented circumflex on the penultimate syllable.
- λ811Λύκον εἶδεςyou saw a wolf[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to sudden astonishing occurrences. "You might not be able to look back at him; instead, there if anywhere, the saying 'you would not speak, you saw a wolf' …