
A minimis quoque timendum.
Beware of even the weakest foe
LIIII.
Bella gerit Scarabaeus, & hostem provocat ultrò.
Robore & inferior, consilio superat.
Link to an image of this page [f7r p93]Nam plumis Aquilae clàm se neque cognitus abdit,
Hostilem ut nidum summa per astra petat:
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.
COMMENTARIA.
Scarabeus (insectorum genus ex equorum
putridis carnibus nasci creditur, de quo Plinius
lib. 11. cap. 28.) inimicus Aquilae: quapropter
eam ad bellum atque certamen provocare au-
sus fuit, qui licet robore & viribus longè in-
ferior. Consilio tamen & astutia superior est,
secretè nanque & Aquila minime sentiente,
pennis eius sese abscondens ad nidum unà
advectus est, ibi omnia Aquilae ova perfora-
vit ac fregit, ut nullus inde pullus nasci potuit
hoc pacto ultus inimicum superbum deri-
dens aufugit, ut etiam pulchrè legitur in apo-
logo Aesopico de Scarabeo & Aquila.
Docemur autem inimicum quan-
tumvis exiguum & pusillum
non contemnendum:
nam ut dicitur, inest
& formicae
sua bilis.
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:
- groups of birds (+ flying animal(s)) [25F31(+5262)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- 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
- insects (with NAME) (+ postures, positions of animal(s)) [25F711(SCARABEUS)(+53)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- mountains [25H11] Search | Browse Iconclass
- prospect of city, town panorama, silhouette of city [25I12] Search | Browse Iconclass
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- feathers [25F(+352)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- nest, den, burrow [25F(+421)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- egg [25F(+91)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Ingenuity; 'Ingegno' (Ripa) [52A43] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Secrecy, Latency, Concealment; 'Secretezza' (Ripa) [52DD1] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Fear, Dread; 'Paura', 'Timidità 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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Prudentes vino abstinent.
The wise abstain from wine
Quid me vexatis rami? sum Palladis arbor[1],
Auferte hinc botros, virgo fugit Bromium[2].
Branching vine, why do you trouble me? I am the tree of Pallas. Take your grapes away - this maiden shrinks from Bromius.

Les prudens se abstiennent de vin.
Quand a moy ton ramage arrive,
Je men fasche, entends tu bien vigne:
Larbre de Pallas suis Lolive,
Qui me veulx rendre a vierge digne:
Laisse donc mon estat insigne,
Me ostant tes raisins & sarment.
Fille aymant de vertus la ligne,
Fuyt le vin, & vit sobrement.
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- bunch of grapes [47I4222] Search | Browse Iconclass
- vine [47I422:25G(+39)(CLIMBING)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- attributes of Minerva (with NAME) [92C28(OLIVE-TREE)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- attributes of Bacchus: vine [92L18(VINE)] Search | Browse Iconclass
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- Prudence, 'Prudentia'; 'Prudenza' (Ripa) ~ one of the Four Cardinal Virtues [11M41] Search | Browse Iconclass
- fasting, abstinence from food ~ ascetic life [11Q311] Search | Browse Iconclass
- sobriety; 'Sobrietà', 'Astinenza' (Ripa) [31B59] Search | Browse Iconclass
- wise man [31B70] Search | Browse Iconclass
- adolescent, young woman, maiden [31D13] Search | Browse Iconclass
- wine ~ alcoholic drinks [41C7110] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Temperance, Moderation; 'Misura' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [54A43(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
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