
In divites publico malo.
Those who grow rich out of public misfortune
EMBLEMA LXXXIX.
Anguillas quisquis captat, si limpida verrat
Flumina, si illimes ausit adire lacus,
Cassus erit, ludetque operam: multum excitet ergo
Si cretae, & vitreas palmula turbet aquas,
Dives erit: Sic iis res publica turbida lucro est,
Qui pace, arctati legibus, esuriunt.[1]
If anyone hunting eels sweeps clear rivers or thinks to visit unmuddied lakes, he will be unsuccessful and waste his efforts. If he instead stirs up much clay and with his oar churns the crystal waters, he will be rich. Likewise a state in turmoil becomes a source of profit to people who in peace go hungry, because the law cramps their style.
1. Cf. Erasmus, Adagia, 2579 (Anguillas captare).
Related Emblems

- Declaracion magistral sobre las Emblemas de Andres Alciato (1615), Najera: IN DIVITES MALO PUBLICO. | Open in other pane
- Emblematum libellus (1546), Venice: In divites publico malo. | Open in other pane
- Los Emblemas (1549), Lyon: Contra los que enrriqueçen con el mal comun. | Open in other pane
- Emblemata (1550), Lyon: In divites publico malo. | Open in other pane
- Emblemata (1551), Lyon: In divites publico malo. | Open in other pane
- Emblematum libri II (Stockhamer) (1556), Lyon: In divites publico malo. | Open in other pane
- Toutes les emblemes (1558), Lyon: Contre les riches au dommage public. | Open in other pane
- Liber emblematum ... Kunstbuch (1567), Franckfurt am Main: In divites publico malo. Wider die so reich mit andern schaden werden. | Open in other pane
- Emblemata (1591), Leiden: In divites publico malo. | Open in other pane
- Diverse imprese (1551), Lyon: In quegli, che si fanno ricchi con publico danno. | Open in other pane
- Emblemes (1549), Lyons: Contre les riches au dommage public. | Open in other pane
- Emblemata / Les emblemes (1584), Paris: In divites publico malo. De ceux qui s'enrichissent aux despens du public. | Open in other pane
- Les emblemes (1615), Geneva/Cologny: Contre ceux qui s'enrichissent du dommage publique. | Open in other pane
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Iconclass Keywords
Relating to the image:
- groups of birds (+ flying animal(s)) [25F31(+5262)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- eels [25F63] Search | Browse Iconclass
- groups of trees [25G11] Search | Browse Iconclass
- plants and herbs (with NAME) [25G4(REED)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- low hill country [25H114] Search | Browse Iconclass
- fen, Du. 'ven' [25H2142] Search | Browse Iconclass
- prospect of city, town panorama, silhouette of city [25I12] Search | Browse Iconclass
- clouds [26A] Search | Browse Iconclass
- leaning forward [31A2321] Search | Browse Iconclass
- head bent forward; bowing [31A244] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm raised upward (+ holding something) [31A2511(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- one leg in front of the other (+ standing) [31A2621(+51)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- walking on the water (+ variant) [31A2779(+0)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm stretched forward - AA - both arms or hands (+ holding something) [31AA2512(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- adult man (+ two persons) [31D14(+72)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- dress, gown (+ men's clothes) [41D211(+81)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- sports, games and physical performances (+ requirements, necessaries ~ sports and games) [43C(+4)(STICK)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- fisherman [43C128] Search | Browse Iconclass
Relating to the text:
- mud (soil type) [25D26] Search | Browse Iconclass
- 'Seditio'; 'Rebellione', 'Seditione civile' (Ripa) [44F0] Search | Browse Iconclass
- war and peace [45A] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Adversity, Misfortune, Bad Luck; 'Fortuna infelice', 'Infortunio' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [54FF11(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Acquisition, Gain, Profit (+ emblematical representation of concept) [55A1(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Greed, Covetousness, Cupidity; 'Cupidità§ (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [55CC11(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Violation of the Law [59CC1] Search | Browse Iconclass
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