Link to an image of this page [o2r p211] Prudens, sed infacundus.[1]
Wise, but lacking eloquence.
LXXV [=76] .
Noctua Cecropiis[2] insignia praestat Athenis
Inter aves sani noctua consilii.
Armiferae meritò obsequiis sacrata Minervae est,
Garrula quo cornix cesserat antè loco.[3]
The owl provides the symbol for Athens, Cecrops’ city, for among the birds the owl is known for wise counsel. Deservedly was it dedicated to the service of weapon-bearing Minerva, in the place vacated by the chattering crow.
1. In later editions, the motto becomes Prudens, magis quam loquax, ‘wise head, close mouth’.
2. Cecrops was a legendary wise early king of Athens, a city renowned as a place of learning. See above, Emblem 227 ([A56a227]), line 7.
3. garrula quo cornix cesserat, ‘vacated by the chattering crow’. The crow was dismissed from Athena’s service for telling tales, and was replaced by the owl. See Ovid, Metamorphoses, 2.562-5. This story is represented in Aneau, ‘Periculum in terra, periculum in mari’ ([FANa029]).
Related Emblems
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- Prudence, 'Prudentia'; 'Prudenza' (Ripa) ~ one of the Four Cardinal Virtues [11M41] Search | Browse Iconclass
- song-birds (with NAME) [25F32(CROW)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- owls (+ heraldic animals) [25F34(+12)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- coat of arms (as symbol of the state, etc.) (+ city; municipal) [44A1(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Precaution (+ emblematical representation of concept) [52A24(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Wisdom; 'Sapienza', 'Sapienza humana', 'Sapienza vera' (Ripa) [52A51] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Prolixity, Verbosity, Loquacity; 'Loquacità § (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [52D4(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Counsel; 'Consiglio' (Ripa) [52E3] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Carefulness, Diligence; 'Diligenza' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [54A2(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- names of cities and villages (with NAME) [61E(ATHENS)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- attributes of Minerva: owl [92C28(OWL)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Cecrops: half man - half serpent, first king of Attica [95A(CECROPS)] Search | Browse Iconclass
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