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μ35Μᾶζαbarley-cakeProperly the food, the one made of milk and grain, from the [verb] to be kneaded. It is properispomenon. In reference to the dung-beetle Aristophanes has used it by misapplication. For he does not …highmedium
μ45Μαθώνhaving learned[Meaning he] having seen. "Having learned [this], the Celt laughed and mocked, as if he were a man about to do combat with a boy." And elsewhere: "as [he/she] learned that he also was …highshort
μ51Μακαρίαblessedness, Makaria[A way of referring to] death. [Makaria was] a daughter of Hades. And [there is] a proverb: "be gone into blessedness", meaning into misery and utter destruction. Or "begone into blessedness" [is said] by …highshort
μ107Μαλθακόνgentle, soft, feeble, weak, luxuriant[Meaning] dissolute, soft. "But he took himself out of life by the weakness of his wisdom." And [there is] a proverb: "[sc. they are] tender from warm baths, delicate from soft beds;" in reference …highshort
μ116Μᾶλλον ὁ Φρύξrather the PhrygianThe proverb [arose] from the following: when the Seven Sages were asked by Croesus which living thing was happiest, some of them replied "wild beasts, for they die in defence of their independence"; others …highmedium
μ125Μὰ μήκωνος χλόηνby a poppy's sprout"Yes yes by a poppy's sprout."highshort
μ138ΜάνδρωνMandronA proper name. See a proverb about him in the [entry] 'even Mandron got'.highshort
μ151Μανίαι δ' οὐ πᾶσιν ὁμοῖαιmadnesses are not the same for everyoneSome madnesses are odd, such as those of the delirious, but others are deliberate and praiseworthy; for instance those of poets and soothsayers.highshort
μ177ΜαραθώνMarathonA place in Athens; [named] from Marathos, a son of Apollo. Callimachus calls this [place] moist, that is, watery. Also [sc. attested is the phrase] "Marathonian task". Also [sc. attested is] "Marathon-fighters, stout-hearted". Look, …highshort
μ181ΜάραςMarasFrom Beroea the city in Syria, one of the richest men, but nevertheless satiety begot no insolence in him; for no satiety of money was evident, but he made it a means for justice …highmedium
μ185ΜαργίτηςMargitesAeschines in the [speech] Against Ktesiphon [writes]: "he gave Alexander the nickname Margites". This is what they used to call witless people.highshort
μ187ΜαργίτηςMargitesA man made fun of for stupidity. [It is he] who they say was unable to count beyond 5; who took his bride home but did not touch her, instead being frightened and saying …highshort
μ273Μασχάλην αἴρειςyou are lifting an armpitMeaning you are drunk. For drinkers use to lift their armpits in mockery. "And the suitors raised up their hands [and] were dying with laughter." Also [sc. attested is the phrase], "raising up their …highshort
μ380Μεγάνορος πλούτου[more than] lordly wealthPindar [sc. says this]. ['Lordly' meaning] strong, powerful, giving of manliness; since gold is very powerful. For it is said to be the sinews of war, as Pindar says.highshort
μ382Μεγαρέων ἄξιοι μερίδοςworthy of a Megarians' portion; worthy of a Megarians' shareMeaning [those who are] dishonorable. For that is what the Megarians [are] like. "That such is the matter [sc. involved here] the witnesses [are] notable and clear, not some obscure people, nor [worthy] of …highshort
μ383Μεγαρέων δάκρυαMegarians' tearsBecause a great deal of garlic grows in the Megarid, it led to a proverb in reference to those pretending to weep, or forced to, and not at something they had actually suffered. Megareus …highshort
μ385Μεγαρικαὶ ΣφίγγεςMegarian SphinxesWhores have been called this. And perhaps that is why softies were named sfi/gktai. Or even from Maia being called this in Megara. "But we have some Megarian contrivance." Meaning a rascally one. For …highshort
μ391Μέγα τὸ στόμα τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦgreat [is] the mouth of the yearIn effect, there is much frank speaking from everyone at a time of productivity.highshort
μ392Μέγα τοι ἄγγελος ἐσθλόςa good messenger [is] a great thing[Said proverbially] in reference to those announcing good news.highshort
μ393Μέγα φρονεῖ μᾶλλον ἢ Πηλεὺς ἐπὶ τῇ μαχαίρᾳhe is prouder than Peleus was at the knifeThey say that this [knife] was made by Hephaestus, and given by Hephaestus as a gift to Peleus for his restraint; by using it he put everything to rights both in his battles and …highshort
μ403ΜέδιμνονbushelA measure of 48 choinikes. And [there is] a proverb: 'I am measuring out from my father's money by a bushel'; in reference to people expecting great and substantive benefit.highshort
μ449Μελαμπύγου τύχοιςmay you meet a black-bottomBlack-bottoms were braggarts, sons of Limne. When they were behaving most disgracefully, their mother said they should watch out in case they fell in with a hairy-arse. So when they had fallen in with …highmedium
μ481Μέλειis an object of care[Meaning it] seems. It is used so in Homer. And [there is] a proverb: 'I care for such things no less than [sc. I do for] the frogs in the swamps'.highshort
μ519Μελιταῖον κυνίδιονMaltese lap-dog"For some dogs are trackers, others go head-to-head with beasts; some watch the house on guard over possessions, others [are kept] for pleasure, for instance Maltese lap-dogs. Also [sc. attested are] Honey-pie dogs, ones …highshort
μ525Μέλιτος μυελόςhoney's marrow[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to excessively sweet things.highshort
μ548Μεμαγμένη μᾶζαkneaded barley-cake[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to good things close at hand.highshort
μ549Μεμαγμένηνkneaded[Meaning one which has been] prepared, and brought to readiness. Hence also a saying: having kneaded a barley-cake, the one [already] kneaded by me.highshort
μ607Μενετοὶ θεοὶ καὶ μὴ ἀποδιδῶσι μισητίᾳlong-suffering are the gods and (if) he does not pay back out of insatiabilityMeaning [they are] patient in suffering and not quick to punish, steadfast and firm and not easily deceived. 'Insatiability' [is] lack of restraint in sexual matters. But [sc. here] it is perhaps, more generically, …highshort
μ630Μερὶς οὐ πνίξa portion (and) not a chokerWith the stronger seizing food from the weaker and choking on it, since they were not able to help themselves, apportioning was thought of; and each man, taking the same as each, used to …highmedium
μ685Μετὰ γὰρ νοσούντων μαίνεσθαι καλόνfor [it is] fine to be mad with those who are sick[sc. A proverbial saying arising] because one should conform to current circumstances. Similar to 'he who does not join the mad in their madness is the madman'.highshort