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EMBLEMA CVI.

Quae supra nos, nihil ad nos.[1]

What lies above us is none of our business

Figure chained to a rock being disemboweled by a bird
[Click on image to enlarge]

Caucasia aeternum pendens in rupe Prometheus[2]
Diripitur sacri praepetis ungue iecur.
Et nollet fecisse hominem, figulosque perosus
Accensam rapto damnat ab igne facem.
Roduntur variis prudentum pectora curis,
Qui coeli affectant scire, deûmque vices.

Suspended for ever from the Caucasian rock, Prometheus has his liver torn by the talons of the sacred bird. He could well wish he had not made man. Hating moulders of clay, he curses the torch lit from the stolen fire. - The hearts of the learned are gnawed by various cares, the learned who strive to know the vicissitudes of heaven and the gods.

Das CVI.

Was uber uns ist geht uns nicht an.

Auff dem hohen Berg Caucaso
Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [L3v f70v]Ligt angeschmidt Prometheus do
Dem zerreist und frist die Leber
On underlaß der schnell Adler
Der wölt jetzt daß er gemacht hett nie
Kein Bild und wer müssig gweßn je
Hett auch das Feuwr nie gerürt an
Hetts oben im Himmel lon stahn
Der Klugen Hertzen so da wölln
Ins Himmels lauff seyn Gotts Geselln
Werden mit vil angst sorg und müh
Teglich on underlaß gplagt hie.

Notes:

1.  See Erasmus, Adagia 569, Quae supra nos nihil ad nos.

2.  The Titan Prometheus appears in myth as the champion of men against the ill-will of Zeus. According to one account, he moulded man out of clay (hence the reference to figuli, lit. ‘potters’, in l.3). Again, when Zeus withheld fire from mortals, Prometheus ascended to heaven and stole fire from the chariot of the sun for the benefit of men. As a perpetual punishment, Prometheus was put in chains and suspended from a rock in the Caucasus, where an eagle, the sacred bird of Zeus, in the day-time consumed his liver, which renewed itself every night. See Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.82ff; Hesiod, Theogony 561ff.

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  • (symbolic) representations ~ creation, cosmos, cosmogony, universe, and life (in the broadest sense) [10] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • fire (one of the four elements) [21C] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Things Unknown, the Unknown (+ emblematical representation of concept) [51AA8(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Curiosity, Inquisitiveness, Desire of Knowledge; 'Curiosità' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [52A12(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Punishment; 'Castigo', 'Pena', 'Punitione' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [57BB13(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • geographical names of countries, regions, mountains, rivers, etc. (names of cities and villages excepted) (with NAME) [61D(CAUCASUS)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Prometheus makes man out of clay, usually Minerva present [91E451] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Prometheus steals fire from the chariot of the sun [91E4521] Search | Browse Iconclass

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EMBLEMA CXI.

Temeritas.

Rashness

In praeceps rapitur, frustra quoque tendit habenas
Auriga: effrenis [=effreni] quem vehit oris equus.
Haud facilè huic credas, ratio quem nulla gubernat,
Et temerè proprio ducitur arbitrio.[1]

A driver pulled by a horse whose mouth does not respond to the bridle is rushed headlong and in vain drags on the reins. You cannot readily trust one whom no reason governs, one who is heedlessly taken where his fancy goes.

Das CXI.

Verwegenheit.

Gestürtzt werden muß der Furmann
Und umb sonst leitn beym zaum than
Die Pferdt so seyn unbendig wild
Und die man nit kan halten still
Dem fürwar nit wol ztrauwen ist
Der sich die vernunfft zu keinr frist
Füren last, sonder den da thut
Treiben allein sein eigner muth.

Notes:

1.  In general see Plato’s image of the chariot of the soul, Phaedrus, 246, as indicated in the commentary.

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