A proverb is a short, pithy saying that expresses a traditionally held truth or piece of advice, based on common sense or experience. Nothing defines a culture as distinctly as its language, and the element of language that best encapsulates a society's values and beliefs is its proverbs.


“People suffer less because of their enemies than their friends. For they guard against their enemies because they fear them while they remain open to their friends. They too are slippery and likely to conspire.” [Arsenius 7.7a]

“An Iliad of Evils”: this proverb is uses for great evils. This is because there were myriad evils in Ilium” [Zenobius 4.43]

“You ate some lotus”: [this proverb is applied to those] who are forgetful of things in the household and are slow in matters of hospitality. It is based on the lotus which imbues one who eats it with forgetfulness.” [Michael Apostolios, 11.15]

“When I fled the smoke, I fell into the fire”:  [this proverb is applied] to those who flee rather minor troubles only to fall upon greater ones. [Diogenianus, 8.45]

“The doors of the muses are open”: a proverb applied to those readily acquiring the best things in their education.” [Zenobius 1.89]

“Teaching dolphins to swim: [this proverb] is applied to those who are teaching something among people who are already well versed in it.” [Zenobius 3.30]

“A fool laughs even when nothing is funny.” [Arsenius, 5.29b]

“A Fox can’t be bribed” this is applied to those who are not easily captured by gifts." [Zenobius 1.71]

“The Graces are Naked”: [a phrase asserting that] it is right to give thanks for a gift without envy or vanity.” [Michael Apostolios 1.82]

“If you are able to give thanks, don’t tarry, but give it—since you know that these acts are not everlasting.” [Arsenius, 6.38b]

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