Single Emblem View

« Previous EmblemNext Emblem »
Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [M8r f83r]

EMBLEMA CXXVII.

A minimis quoque timendum.

Beware of even the weakest foe

Scarab beetle fighting an eagle
[Click on image to enlarge]

Bella gerit Scarabaeus, & hostem provocat ultrò,
Robore & inferior, consilio superat.
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.

Das CXXVII.

Die kleinen seind auch zu förchten.

Der Schröter führt ein hefftigen streit
Wider den Adler alle zeit
Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [M8v f83v] Den Feind er hrauß heischt auff den plan
Mit ligstigkeit er sigt im an
Und nit mit sterck, dann heimlich er
Versteckt sich unders Feinds Feder
Den also der Adler mit sich
Fürt in sein Nest hoch ubersich
Darinnen er die Eyr zerkluckt
Verhindert in an sein jungen fluckt
Daß er deren beraubt wirt zhand
Also recht er sein zugfügt schand.

Notes:

1.  For the feud between the eagle and the beetle, see Aesop, Fables 4; Erasmus, Adagia 2601, Scarabaeus aquilam quaerit.

« Previous EmblemNext Emblem »

Related Emblems

Show related emblems Show related emblems

Hint: You can set whether related emblems are displayed by default on the preferences page

Iconclass Keywords

Relating to the image:

Relating to the text:

Hint: You can turn translations and name underlining on or off using the preferences page.

Single Emblem View

« Previous EmblemNext Emblem »

Section: VINDICTA (Retribution). View all emblems in this section.

Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [M6v p188]

Alius peccat, alius plectitur.

One sins and another is punished

A dog playing with a stone a man has thrown at it.
[Click on image to enlarge]

Arripit ut lapidem catulus, morsuque fatigat,
Nec percussori mutua damna facit.
Sic plerique sinunt veros elabier hosteis.
Et quos nulla gravat noxia, dente petunt.[1]

A puppy seizes the stone and worries it with his teeth and does not bite back at the one who threw it. Even so, most people allow the true enemy to escape and bite those who carry no burden of guilt.

Notes:

1.  Cf. Aesop, Fables 235, where bees sting the wrong person. See Erasmus, Adagia 153, Cum larvis luctari, where the ‘puppy’ comparison is quoted from Aristotle (Rhetoric 3, 4). See also Plato, Republic 5.469E.

« Previous EmblemNext Emblem »

Related Emblems

Show related emblems Show related emblems

Hint: You can set whether related emblems are displayed by default on the preferences page

Iconclass Keywords

Relating to the image:

Relating to the text:

Hint: You can turn translations and name underlining on or off using the preferences page.

 

Back to top