History of Monsters. 173

To deliver with a long hand or a short hand. Those who deal in promises and offer only hope are said to give with a long hand. Conversely, those who immediately hand over what they promise are said to deliver with a short hand. "You ask for a hand and offer a foot." Saint Jerome used this adage against Rufinus; it can be applied to people of a perverse disposition who, when asked for one thing, respond with something else entirely. "I wouldn't turn my hand" means "it matters nothing to me," since nothing is easier than turning one's hand. This is similar to the saying, "I wouldn't lift a finger." Today, we commonly say, "I wouldn't move from my seat." "This is not in our hand" is used when we indicate that a matter is not within our power or jurisdiction.

"Lazy in hand, but ready in mind" is said of a man excellent in counsel but hardly vigorous in action. It was cited by the grammarian Hephaestion to show that wisdom and talent work in vain without the support of the hands, and conversely, that strength devoid of talent and wisdom is worthless. But when these are joined, they make a man invincible. Thus, the epitaph of Mithridates of Pontus alluded to this, describing him as: A LEADER IN COUNSEL, A SOLDIER IN DEED. "To hold in the fist" relates to that which is perceived. Plato used this when describing the opinion of those who believed nothing existed in nature except corporeal things exposed to the senses; they dismissed "second intentions" as empty, even though things gathered by reason are more certain than those handled by the hands, for the judgment of the senses is often entangled in fallacy.

"Between the hand and the chin" refers to a brief span of time, since there is a minimal space between the hand holding a cup and the chin. Nevertheless, many things can happen in such a short interval; it is consistent with the saying, "many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip." "Hand scratches hand" arises from the mutual service people perform for one another, or rather from a verse by the comic poet Epicharmus, which goes: *Hade cheir ten cheira knizei, dos ti kai labois ti.* That is: "Hand rubs hand; give something and you shall receive something." It warns that no one is found who wishes to bestow a benefit upon another from whom they do not expect some advantage to return. Service is invited by service, and benefit is provoked by benefit. It is a mutual advantage when hand washes hand; thus, this couplet circulates among the Greeks: *Aner gar andra, kai polis sozei polin, Cheir cheira niptei, daktylos te daktylon.* That is: "For man saves man, and city saves city; hand washes hand, and finger washes finger."

"To add a hand" is found in Plautus and means nothing other than to mock; the adage is taken from those who, by putting a hand to their ear, mock someone. "To add the final hand" is said of the perfection of a work. This is transferred from the craftsman who first forms a rough likeness of the work, called the "first hand," and when it is polished with the greatest diligence, it is called the "final hand." Among the ancient Greeks, we read *ten cheira epiballein*, namely, "to apply the hand," whenever a business requires our effort. Conversely, we read in Pythagoras "not to extend the right hand to everyone," by which we are warned that not just anyone should be admitted into friendship or intimacy.

"To move the hand" was said simply of those who involved themselves in the work of some excellent thing. The adage was transferred from sacrifices, where it sometimes happened that while others were performing the divine rite, a newcomer would approach, place a hand on the victim, and thus become a participant in the sacrifice. "Fortune should be implored by one who moves the hand" warns that while one should trust in divine aid, one's own industry must then be applied. Suidas traces the origin of this adage to a certain fable: for when a certain rustic, following oxen pulling a wagon, saw that the cart had fallen into a ditch, he idly implored the help of Hercules. Meanwhile, a voice was heard saying: "Apply your hand to the wheel, prick the oxen, and call upon God."

"The law in the hands" is said when things are done not according to laws but by force. Perhaps this is taken from Plautus, where a certain slave threatened to settle a lawsuit by hand. "To draw with both hands" is what they used to say of those who do something with their utmost effort.