gesture has survived down to our own times, used particularly for those things we consider worthless. "At the snap of a finger" refers to those who wish to signal something with arrogance; indeed, this is said to have been the gesture of masters when commanding servants to some humble task. "With a single little finger" is said to indicate that we can conquer someone with no effort at all. "To raise a finger" was said of one who admitted defeat in a fight; this seems related to "giving the grass" or "handing over hands," which were mentioned shortly before.

"Pressing the thumb" and "turning the thumb" were used to indicate favor. The ancients showed favor with the thumb; those who were supportive pressed it, while those who were less so turned it. Thus Juvenal sang: "with the thumb turned by the crowd, they kill anyone to please the mob." "Showing the middle finger" is an expression of supreme contempt and infamy; indeed, this finger was called "lewd" by Martial and "infamous" by Persius. "To measure with fingers" applies to those who contemplate a matter more accurately than is necessary; the adage seems taken from poets, who are accustomed to count and measure the feet of their poems on their fingers. "The fingers of accountants" is a name for those who are subject to various strokes of fortune; for just as the fingers of mathematicians signify sometimes myriads and sometimes only a single number, so the friends of Princes can provide everything at one moment and nothing the next.

"To touch with the fingertips" means to do so lightly; in another way, we say "with the edge of the lips," used when someone merely feigns or does something with words but not with the heart.

It remains for us to descend to the lower parts, starting with what is said of the belly. "To leap into the belly" is commonly said of one who directs all his care toward food and drink. Another saying is celebrated by Plutarch: *γαστὴρ οὐκ ἔχει ὦτα*, or "the belly has no ears." This signifies that when it comes to feeding, honorable reasons are not admitted; thus even today we say: "A hungry belly does not listen to words gladly."

"Consultation is better with a full belly," because when hunger interrupts, a man cannot deliberate; for consultation requires time and peace of mind. "A fat belly does not produce a fine sense" is cited by Galen against Thrasybulus, signifying that mental sharpness does not reside in an obese man. For this reason, it was considered shameful among the Spartans if someone became excessively fat, for they inferred a stupidity of character from it.

The remaining parts still offer their own proverbs. "As the backside overcomes washing" is cited in the commentaries on Aristophanes regarding those who drive themselves into some evil; since the backside, even if washed, becomes dirty again. Indeed, the proverb could also be twisted to apply to those who undertake a useless task. One reads in Diogenianus of "Saturn’s backside," about which Hesychius warns that this proverb should be used for flesh that is dull due to old age; for Saturn was the most ancient god, and the ancients called whatever was rotten to the intellect "Saturnian."

"Not even with a bent knee" means not even the slightest bit; the proverb is taken from those who wish to find rest, for they first bend their knees. "The knee is closer than the shin" is cited by Aristotle. They say the adage originated from an event in battle where a man, seeing both his brother and his cousin in mortal danger and being unable to help both, saved only his brother; he then uttered this sentiment, which passed into a proverb.

Today we also say with the same meaning: "the shirt touches the skin more than the cloak." "Unless the legs are broken" is aimed at those who are driven to perform some task only by great violence. The proverb was derived from those who, in ancient times, were crucified for their crimes, for death was not hastened for them except by breaking their legs.

Finally, we come to the feet, which have given occasion for many adages. Among the Greeks, the phrase *παρὰ πόδα*, or "by the foot," is circulated, meaning "close by." It is said of a thing that is perfectly fitted, the metaphor being taken from shoes that are properly adjusted to the measure of the feet.

Suidas, citing Aristophanes, records this adage in the following verse: *δεξιὸν εἰς ὑπόδημα ἀριςερὸν εἰς ποδονίπτρον*. That is: "The right foot in the small shoe, the left in the washbasin."