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proverbs
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Catharine Roth
54
54 entries
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proverbs
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Translator: Catharine Roth
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Clear all
α
1049
Ἅλα
salt
[Meaning] excrements. In [the] Odyssey: "you would not give even salt out of [your] house to your suppliant."
high
short
α
1052
Ἀλλὰ γάρ
but for all that
Instead of "but". Eupolis [sc. uses the idiom]. "But for all that, despondent men never yet set up a trophy." The proverb [is used] in reference to those who because of despondency are unable …
high
short
α
3137
Ἄπειροι γῦπες
inexperienced vultures, innumerable vultures
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those keeping watch upon someone for inheritance or for profit; as vultures attend upon those who are dying.
economics
economics
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4
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high
short
α
3196
Ἄπις κρατῶν τις ἀστοχεῖ τῶν ἐλπίδων
a certain Apis though prevailing fails in his hopes
[no gloss]
high
short
α
3230
Ἀπληστία
insatiable desire
[Meaning] gluttony. And [there is] a proverb: "Insatiable Jar", the one in Hades, the perforated one. In reference to those who eat a lot; from the myth of the Danaids, inasmuch as they used …
high
short
α
3234
Ἁπλοῦν θύλακον πάτει
treads a single sack
[sc. A proverbial saying] in reference to people/things easily despised.
high
short
α
3975
Ἁρμόδιοι
fitting
[Meaning those who/which are] acceptable. And [there is] a saying: "Harmodios' song", in reference to difficult things. For the songs about Harmodios are like this. Harmodios and Aristogeiton attacked the tyrants, and Athenians killed …
high
short
α
4257
Ἀστρονομία
astronomy, astrology
[Meaning] the arrangement of the stars. Babylonians were the first to discover this through Zoroaster; and with them Ostanes. They established that [events] happen by a heavenly motion around those who are being born. …
high
medium
α
4368
Ἄτλας
Atlas
He of whom myth tells that he holds up earth and heaven. "And iron shoulders of Atlas." And a proverb [sc. is attested]: "Atlas the heaven." It omits "you lifted up." In reference to …
high
short
αι
69
Αἰγὸς τρόπον
goat-fashion, like a goat
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who bring an evil on themselves. From a Corinthian proverb, "The nanny-goat giving the knife."
high
short
αι
98
Αἰετὸς ἐν νεφέλαις
an eagle in clouds
[sc. A proverbial saying] in reference to those who are difficult to catch. Inasmuch as an eagle when it is in the clouds cannot be caught.
high
short
αι
125
Αἰθίοπα σμήχειν
to wash an Ethiopian white
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those exerting vain efforts.
high
short
αι
165
Αἴ κε πάθοι τά κ' ἔρεξε δίκη δ' ἰθεῖα γένοιτο
if he should endure the sufferings which he has inflicted, the punishment would be just
An oracle given concerning the murders and injustices of Aurelian. Aristophanes [writes]: "every one of the Athenians when he goes in yells at the servants and asks: 'Where is my pot? Who gave away …
high
short
αι
235
Αἴξ
goat
[ai)/c], [genitive] ai)go/s. And [there is] a proverb: "the nanny-goat giving the knife." For as the Corinthians were sacrificing to Hera Akraia, [whose cult] Medea is said to have established, the hired men hiding …
high
short
αι
236
Αἲξ
the (nanny-)goat (and) the knife
[no gloss]
high
short
αι
238
Αἲξ Σκυρία
Skyrian nanny-goat
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who ruin good deeds: for they say that [these goats] have plenty of milk, but when they are milked, they overturn the pail.
high
short
αι
281
Αἶρε δάκτυλον
raise a finger
A saying. It is applied to those who give up in the competition. For raising the hand is a sign of having been defeated. And Polybios [writes]: "he who attacks obtains a most fortunate …
high
short
αι
299
Αἴρειν ἔξω πόδα πηλοῦ
to lift one's foot out of the mud
[sc. A saying] in reference to those wishing not to be in difficulties. Another version is "to lift one's foot out of blame." [The verb] ai)/rein also means to bring: "Bring, bring the cake …
high
medium
αι
307
Αἱρήσω τάχα
I will take quickly
Those trying to pursue certain people are accustomed to say this. Also [sc. attested is] ai(rou=ntes h(|rh/meqa ["in taking we have been taken"], in reference to those who expect to defeat some people and …
high
short
αι
359
Αἰσχύνη πόλεως πολίτου ἁμαρτία
the citizen's error (is) the city's disgrace
[no gloss]
high
short
β
55
Βακχεία ποιμαντική
Bacchic herdsmanship
['Bacchic herdmanship']; and [sc. also attested is] *Bakxei=os.
high
short
β
56
Βάκχης τρόπον
in a Bacchant's manner, like a Bacchant
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who are always surly and silent; inasmuch as the Bacchants keep silence.
high
short
β
71
Βάλλ' ἐς κόρακας
go to the crows!
That is, go away to destruction and corruption. From a story found in the proverbs.
high
short
β
145
Βασιλέως ἐγκέφαλος
king's brain, king's morsel
See under Zeus's morsel. Interpretation of a dream: one addressing a lord remains unsuccessful.
high
short
β
460
Βοῦς ἐπὶ γλώττης
an ox on the tongue
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who are not able to speak freely: either because of the strength of the animal, or because there was an ox stamped on the Athenian coin …
high
short
δ
209
Δελφὸς ἀνὴρ στέφανον μὲν ἔχει δίψει δὲ ἀπόλλυται
a Delphian man has a crown but dies of thirst.
[sc. The proverb arises] since these men wear wreaths because they serve as priests for the god, but, lacking the necessities of life, they do not manage.
high
short
δ
212
Δελφῖνα νήχεσθαι διδάσκεις
you are teaching a dolphin to swim.
[sc. A proverbial phrase] in reference to those who train someone in matters in which they are already expert. Also [sc. attested is] "you are tying a dolphin by the tail"; in reference to …
high
short
δ
400
Δηλίου κολυμβητοῦ
Delian diver
This [sc. proverbial phrase] was uttered in reference to a book of Heraclitus, because it was hard to understand, that it needed a Delian diver who would not be drowned in it. Some entitle …
high
medium
δ
1204
Διὸς ἐγκέφαλος
Zeus' brain, Zeus' morsel
[Referring to] the finest food-item. So say the Persians in reference to those who live luxuriously; or "king's morsel."
high
short
δ
1233
Διωλύγιον
enormous
[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 ... …
high
short
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