Link to an image of this page [N5r p201]
A minimis quoque timendum.
Beware of even the weakest foe
EMBLEMA CLXVIII.
Bella gerit scarabaeus, & hostem provocat ultrò:
Robore & inferior, consilio superat.
Nam plumis aquilae clam 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.
1. For the feud between the eagle and the beetle, see Aesop, Fables 4; Erasmus, Adagia 2601, Scarabaeus aquilam quaerit.
Related Emblems
Show related emblemsHint: You can set whether related emblems are displayed by default on the preferences page
Iconclass Keywords
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
- insects (with NAME) (+ postures, positions of animal(s)) [25F711(SCARABEUS)(+53)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- groups of trees [25G11] Search | Browse Iconclass
- groups of plants (herbs) [25G13] 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
- 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
Hint: You can turn translations and name underlining on or off using the preferences page.
Link to an image of this page [D7v]
IN EUM QUI TRUCULENTIA
suorum perierit.
On one who perished through the savagery of his own people.
Link to an image of this page [D8r]
Delphinum invitum me in littora compulit estus,
Exemplum infido quanta pericla mari.
Nam si nec propriis Neptunus parcit alumnis,
Quis tutos homines, navibus esse putet?[1]
I am a dolphin whom the tide drove ashore against my will, an example showing what great dangers there are in the treacherous sea. For if Neptune does not spare even his own nurslings, who can think that men are safe in ships?
1. This is based on Anthologia graeca 7.216 (two lines omitted).
Related Emblems
Show related emblemsHint: You can set whether related emblems are displayed by default on the preferences page
Iconclass Keywords
Relating to the image:
- swimming mammals: dolphin (+ dying animal; death of animal; dead animal) [25F27(DOLPHIN)(+63)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- beach [25H133] Search | Browse Iconclass
- sea (seascape) [25H23] Search | Browse Iconclass
- wave [25H2311] Search | Browse Iconclass
- prospect of city, town panorama, silhouette of city [25I12] Search | Browse Iconclass
- storm at sea [26C32] Search | Browse Iconclass
- boat propelled by man or animal [46C23] Search | Browse Iconclass
Relating to the text:
- Betrayal [57AA6142] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Cruelty, Ferocity; 'Crudelt৬ 'Ferocitৠ(Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [57AA91(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Destruction (+ emblematical representation of concept) [58AA1(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- aggressive, unfriendly activities and relationships of Neptune [92H14] Search | Browse Iconclass
Hint: You can turn translations and name underlining on or off using the preferences page.
