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proverbs
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Jennifer Benedict
263
263 entries
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α
292
Ἀγόμενος διὰ φρατέρων κύων μαστιγοῦται
a dog led through phratry-members is whipped
[no gloss]
high
short
α
328
Ἀγωνάρχαι
contest-judges
Sophocles [writes]: "and lest any contest-judges or he who is my destroyer should give my arms to the Achaeans." Also [sc. attested is] a proverb: "a contest does not accept excuses." It is applied …
high
medium
α
442
Ἀδελφὸς παρείη
may a brother be at hand
Because it is preferable [to have] relatives [coming] to help in a time of crisis.
medicine
medicine
19
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18
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high
short
α
455
ᾌδεις ὥσπερ εἰς Δῆλον πλέων
you sing as if sailing into Delos
In reference to someone carefree and enjoying himself.
high
short
α
493
Ἀδμήτου μέλος καὶ Ἁρμοδίου
Admetos' song and Harmodios'
[A proverbial phrase] in reference to things which are easy and simple: for drinking-songs were said to be of this kind.
high
short
α
517
Ἀδώνιδος κῆποι
Adonis' gardens
[Made] out of lettuce and fennel, which 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 …
high
short
α
518
Ἄδων τὴν σπιθαμὴν τοῦ βίου πρὸς ἄνηθον
singing of the span of life to a dill-plant
In reference to parsimonious and mean-spirited men.
high
short
α
523
Ἀδράστεια Νέμεσις
Adrasteian Nemesis, Nemesis of Adrastos
[sc. So called because] from her, someone could not run away [a)podra/seien]. "Adrasteian Nemesis follows him, avenging haughty and unrestrained words." So Adrasteian Nemesis [is named] from Adrastos. [sc. It is a proverbial phrase] …
high
short
α
538
Ἀδύνατα θηρᾷς
you are hunting impossible things
[sc. A proverbial saying] in reference to those who undertake things too great for them.
high
short
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
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
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
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
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
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