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A MINIMIS QUOQUE
timendum.
Beware of even the weakest foe
Bella gerit scarabaeus & hostem provocat ultro,
Robore & inferior consilio superat.
Nam plumis aquilae clam se neque cognitus abdit,
Hostilem ut nidum summa per astra petat.
Quaqua [=Ovaque]
confodiens prohibet spem crescere prolis,
Hocque modo illatum dedecus ultus abit.[1]
The scarab beetle is waging war and takes the challenge to its foe. Though inferior in physical strength, it is superior in strategy. It hides itself secretly in the eagle’s feathers without being felt, in order to attack its enemy’s nest across the lofty skies. It bores into the eggs and prevents the hoped-for offspring from developing. And then it departs, having thus avenged the insult inflicted on it.
1. For the feud between the eagle and the beetle, see Aesop, Fables 4; Erasmus, Adagia 2601, Scarabaeus aquilam quaerit.
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Relating to the image:
- predatory birds: eagle (+ audible means of communication of animal(s): roaring, crying, singing, barking, mewing, neighing, chirping, etc.) [25F33(EAGLE)(+49)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- predatory birds: eagle (+ silent means of communication of animal(s): wagging of tail etc.) [25F33(EAGLE)(+491)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- predatory birds: eagle (+ fighting animals; aggressive relations) [25F33(EAGLE)(+51)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- insects (with NAME) (+ variant) [25F711(SCARABEUS)(+0)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- insects (with NAME) (+ fighting animals; aggressive relations) [25F711(SCARABEUS)(+51)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- trees (+ stem, trunk) [25G3(+21)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- trees (+ bare plant) [25G3(+351)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- plants and herbs [25G4] Search | Browse Iconclass
Relating to the text:
- feathers [25F(+352)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- nest, den, burrow [25F(+421)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- egg [25F(+91)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Youth, Adolescence, 'Iuventus'; 'Adolescenza', 'Gioventł' (Ripa) [31D120] Search | Browse Iconclass
- ruler, sovereign [44B1] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Secrecy, Latency, Concealment; 'Secretezza' (Ripa) [52DD1] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Turn of Fate, Wheel of Fortune [54F121] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Pain, Sorrow, Sadness; 'Dolore', 'Dolore di Zeusi' (Ripa) [56BB1] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Fear, Dread; 'Paura', 'Timiditą o Timore', 'Timore' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [56DD1(+4):51GG1(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Revenge, Requital, Retaliation; 'Vendetta' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [57AA741(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
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