Friday, February 3, 2012

Greek proverb: Αἲξ μάχαιραν

Here's a saying from Apostolius, C1.60, with a Latin version from Clavis Homerica. The image is from NikCorn at Flickr. Here are some more Apostolius proverbs.

Αἲξ δοῦσα τὴν μάχαιραν.
Capra gladium praebens.
The goat is proffering the knife.

This alludes to a foolish goat who with her own hooves uncovered the knife that was used to offer her up in sacrifice (see Erasmus 1.1.57).