176 Ulisse Aldrovandi

Suidas writes that this adage is usually used for those who adapt themselves perfectly to the present condition of things, according to the place, time, and business at hand; thus, they are said to have "the right foot in the shoe and the left in the basin." Another saying, "to fit the same shoe to every foot," should be directed at unskilled doctors who, without taking the nature of different diseases into account, prescribe the same remedies to all their patients.

Similarly, "let the shoe not be larger than the foot" teaches us that we should undertake tasks equal to our strength, for no one should conduct themselves beyond what their station requires. "He has his foot in the shoe" is said of one who knows the praise that is due to him; for just as a single shoe does not fit every foot, so too does not every kind of praise suit every man. The phrase "with a silent foot" is used to mean secretly; it was in this sense that Cornelius Gallus sang of men who stir up wars:

"What madness it is to summon dark death through war! It looms over us, and comes secretly with a silent foot."

For those who possess no stable property or land, we say "he has nowhere to place his foot." The adage "measure yourself by your own foot" warns us not to go beyond our own condition, a point Martial captured well when he sang: "He who measures his own burden is able to carry it."

"To stand on every foot" speaks of the highest virtue and seems to be taken from those who stand firmly in the battle line, defending their position without wavering. To "show the hollow of the foot"—a phrase mentioned by Hesychius as *koilon to podos deixai*—is used to signify flight, since those who seek safety with their feet reveal the soles and hollows of them as they run. "He retreats onto his feet" refers to someone who yields his place to a more powerful person out of fear, though it can also apply to those who change their intentions. We read in Plato the term *akropodi*, meaning "on the tip of the foot," which refers to someone who knows something only superficially.

Conversely, "at a full pace" refers to those who have undertaken a task with great zeal. "To walk into an opinion with one's feet" refers to the approval of another person's judgment. This adage is derived from the ancient custom of casting votes in a large crowd, which Livy explains in this way: "When I have finished stating my opinion to you, then those of you who agree with it shall cross over silently to the right side." A little later, he adds: "Those who see these things as beneficial, cross over to the right side on foot." This method of voting was called a "departure made by feet."

"To set foot in another's dance" applies to those who meddle in the affairs of others. The proverb is taken from choral dances, where if an unknown person approaches, they are hissed at by the circle of bystanders. "To have one foot in Charon's boat" is used for a man in extreme old age; indeed, Plautus called such an old man "Acherontic." "With as much as your feet can manage" is said of every effort and endeavor. "I enter on my feet; I have not learned to swim" applies to those who, being unskilled in greater matters, only involve themselves in easy or small affairs. "To flee with two feet" refers to the speed of completing a task; the adage is said to be derived from ships running with a favorable wind, as if one were using two rudders, because they call the steering-oar of a ship a "foot."

"Before the feet" is proclaimed regarding that which is obvious, present, or imminent. "He has his feet out of the mud" is a proverb taken from travelers and is applied to someone who has avoided a danger. "The spirit falls into the feet" is said whenever we are deeply terrified. Finally, "from the feet to the head" is cited by Theocritus to describe an abundance of things.

Lastly, we shall say a few things regarding nails, blood, and skin. "To begin from the nails" is suited to those who start from the most trivial things. "To mark with a nail" is said of something that is displeasing, because it was common to mark such things with a fingernail. "To move a nail's breadth from a place" means to move only the tiniest bit. Stobaeus records the phrase *akma kai tome*, meaning "blood and soul," which is said of a thing that is very pleasing.

"Keep yourself within your own skin" is an admonition that everyone, not forgetting their lot in life, should not try to achieve more than their resources allow. this is similar to the adage mentioned above, "measure yourself by your own foot." They say this adage arose from commanders who used to sleep on animal skins. Thus, Martial, attacking a certain cobbler who had become wealthy only to be reduced back to his former poverty, sang:

"You have played enough, he says; it is finished. But believe me, remember, Cobbler, to keep yourself within your own skin."