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proverbs
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α
554
Ἀέρα δαίρειν
to thrash air
[no gloss]
high
short
α
573
Ἀετὸν ἵπτασθαι διδάσκεις
you are teaching an eagle to fly
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those attempting to teach certain people things that they understand better than [do] those wishing to teach.
high
short
α
574
Ἀετὸν κάνθαρος μαιεύσομαι
I a dung-beetle will hatch an eagle
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those avenging themselves on their betters, with whom the bad thing started. For it is said that the dung-beetle steals the eggs of the eagle.
high
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short
α
575
Ἀετὸς ἐν νεφέλαις
eagle in clouds
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who are hard to catch; inasmuch as an eagle is not caught when in clouds.
high
short
α
577
Ἀετοῦ γῆρας κορύδου νεότης
eagle's old age, lark's youth
Inasmuch as the eagle, even when old, is better than every [other] bird.
high
short
α
597
Ἀζησία
Azesia
[Another name for] the maiden [Persephone], whereas Amaia [is] Demeter. And [there is] a proverb: Amaia looked for Azesia. In reference to those taking a long time in searches.
high
short
α
607
Ἀεί
always
Of this [there are] 11 meanings. "The wise man must always be the same, in sharp pains, in the loss of a child, or in serious illnesses". Such was Apollonius of Tyana. And [there …
high
short
α
608
Ἀεὶ γεωργὸς ἐς νέωτα πλούσιος
a farmer is always rich tomorrow
[sc. A proverbial saying] in reference to those always nurturing a hope of escaping terrors, but falling into the same ones again.
high
short
α
629
Ἀεί με τοιοῦτοι πολέμιοι διώκοιεν
always might such enemies pursue me
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who are cowardly and worth no account.
high
short
α
642
Ἀεί τις ἐν Κύδωνος
always someone at Kydon's
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who are hospitable and ready to receive [guests]; inasmuch as Kydon the Corinthian was very hospitable.
high
short
α
651
Ἀηδών καὶ ἀηδοῦς
nightingale, songstress
And [in the genitive singular] a)hdou=s; such [was] Sappho according to Mytilenians. Sophocles [writes]: "ill-starred, she will not sing the lament of the piteous nightingale, but she will sing shrill dirges and the thuds …
high
medium
α
675
Ἄϊδος κυνῆ
Hades' dog-skin [helmet]
A proverb [directed] toward those concealing themselves with certain devices. For such was the dog-skin [helmet] of Hades, which Perseus used when he cut the throat of the Gorgon.
high
short
α
676
Ἄϊδος κυνῆ
Hades' dog-skin [helmet]
Aristophanes [writes]: "take for my sake the shadow-shaggy Hades helmet from Hieronymos." The proverb was [sc. originally] said about those who are invisible. But now about those who grow their hair exceedingly long. For …
high
medium
α
726
Ἀθηνᾷ τὸν αἴλουρον
(to compare) the cat to Athena
The proverb is applied to those badly equating major things with minor on account of a small similarity; as if someone were to compare the cat to Athena because of the greyness [sc. of …
high
short
α
731
Ἀθήναιος
Athenaios, Athenaeus
Of Naucratis. Grammarian. Lived in the time of Marcus. He wrote a book with the title Deipnosophists, in which he records how many of the ancients had a reputation for munificence in giving banquets. …
high
medium
α
732
Ἀθηναίων δυσβουλία
Athenians' ill-counsel
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who prosper against expectations and undeservedly. For taking decisions badly is practiced by Athenians; Athena offers to turn that which has been decided badly to good; …
high
medium
α
749
Ἄθως καλύπτει πλευρὰ Λημνίας βοός
Athos conceals the flank of a Lemnian cow
A proverb in reference to those paining or harming anyone; since Mount Athos overshadows the cow, made of white stone, in Lemnos.
high
short
α
795
Ἀκαμπίας
bendless, unbending
[Meaning] straight-coursed. Also [sc. attested is the phrase] a)ka/mpios dro/mos ["bendless course"], a long and straight walk.
high
short
α
796
Ἄκανθα
prickle, thorn, spike
[Meaning] the plant, and the sea-monster's spine. Also the [fact that] a caltrop [takes its design] from this. "The wild beast in violent onslaught strikes against his bonds with his spike and cuts through …
high
short
α
806
Ἀκαρπότερος ἀγρίππου
more barren than a wild olive
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those completely poverty-stricken. For Laconians call the wild olive "agrippos".
high
short
α
807
Ἀκαρπότερος Ἀδώνιδος κήπου
more barren than a garden of Adonis
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those unable to give birth to anything productive. Things grown in pots are described [in these terms].
high
short
α
827
Ἄκαιρος
ill-timed, inopportune
[Meaning] he who/that which which lacks good timing. Also [sc. attested is the proverbial phrase] "ill-timed goodwill is no different from enmity"; they say that Hippolytus said this to Phaedra when she maintained she …
high
short
α
842
Ἀκεσίας ἰάσατο
Akesias healed
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who heal for the worse. It seems that Akesias treated someone for the worse.
high
short
α
853
Ἀκέφαλος
headless
[Meaning] one who is rightless. And [there is] a proverb: Headless story. The proverb is spoken in reference to those speaking unfinished things.
high
short
α
878
Ἀκκιζόμενος
acting coyly, being prudish, toying
[Meaning one who is] dissembling, acting female, or pretending, from some stupid woman who was named Akko. It also signifies the man saying something but pretending not to want to. And Aelian [writes]: "she …
high
medium
α
888
Ἀκίνητα κινεῖν
to move the unmoveable
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to things [being done] to excess. Because one should not even move altars, or tombs.
high
short
α
898
Ἀκλητί
unbidden, uninvited, unsummoned
[Meaning] without invitation. And [there is] a proverb: "friends party at friends' [houses] uninvited". Similar to this: "good men go to good men's feasts of their own volition".
high
short
α
905
Ἀκμὴ καλεῖ
a moment is calling
[Meaning] an opportunity is calling. So Aelian said [this] about urgency: "At the instant of his pain and suffering, he did not know the road that would take him there [sc. to the god]. …
high
medium
α
915
Ἀκόλαστον καὶ ὑβριστὸν πρᾶγμα ἡ ἄνθρωπος
an uncontrollable and wanton thing is woman
One could also say insolent.
high
short
α
920
Ἀκόλῳ τὰ χείλη οὐ σύκῳ βῦσαι
to stuff the lips with a crumb (and) not with a fig
The saying advises dealing with problems vigorously.
high
short
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