# History of Monsters, 183

sleeping; for then fish, entangled in the nets, are easily caught.

The number of people involved provides us with many proverbs. First, it is common to say *One man is like many* when speaking of a man distinguished by great virtues. Conversely, *One man is no man* is used when a significant task cannot be completed by a single person devoid of all help. We say *The matter has been reduced to the Triarii* when no room for hope remains; the *Triarii* were the veteran soldiers stationed in the third line of a battle formation to serve as a final reserve for those in extreme peril. There is also the saying *A banquet of seven, a brawl of nine*, which suggests that only a few guests should be invited to a feast, otherwise it will be full of insults and commotion.

*I come from the sixty men* was a proverb used for ridiculous matters. The Athenians took great delight in those who provoked laughter through words or deeds; to this end, sixty men would regularly gather in a certain part of the city. Thus, if anyone said something worthy of a laugh, he was said to "come from the sixty men." *A hundred men cannot rob one poor man* because, as Chrysostom observes, extreme poverty is its own defense; it is free from all fear and wanders everywhere intrepidly, fearing no thieves, as in the line: "The empty traveler will sing in the face of the robber." Finally, *As many men, so many opinions* is very similar to the sentiment of Terence when he said, "Each has his own custom."

Death and illness have also found a place in our proverbs. Thus, we speak of *Talking to a dead man* when referring to something vain and pointless. *Anointing a dead man with ointment* can refer not only to a useless act but also to extravagant expense, or it may apply to someone who applies a remedy too late. *Dead men do not bite* is used for those who can no longer cause harm. Plutarch, in his *Life of Pompey*, records the origin of this proverb from an aphorism of Theodorus of Chios. When asked whether Pompey should be turned away from Egypt or admitted, Theodorus asserted that he should be received and then killed, saying *nekros ou daknei*—that is, "dead men do not bite."

*While there is life for a sick man, there is hope*—or as it is otherwise said, "while he breathes, he hopes"—warns us that even in extreme calamities and affairs, one must not despair entirely.

Finally, we must consider the proverbs that have arisen concerning women. *A modest woman should never be alone* was noted by Homer regarding Penelope, who was always accompanied by two handmaids. *Silence adorns a woman*, for while a woman is talkative by nature, she is considered honorable when she remains silent, especially among men when serious matters are being discussed. *The girl gives birth, even if the husband is barely present* is used whenever a business matter succeeds easily and according to one's wishes, even if handled negligently; just as a young girl, because of her blooming age, tends to conceive easily. *Seek an equal wife*, or as others read it, *Marry a wife of your own lot*. This is turned against those of the lowest rank who affect dignities and the heavy offices of the city; the proverb is drawn from those commoners who marry wives from the more powerful classes, thereby gaining not in-laws, but masters.

*A woman general* and *a woman soldier* are terms used when a task is entrusted to cowardly men.

*Let a woman not lift a sword* does not differ from the previous proverb; it advises that a task should not be undertaken by those unable to complete it. Either he should not show hope who cannot fulfill it, or he should not provoke an enemy if he cannot defeat the one he has provoked. Not unlike this is the saying *A woman’s mind*, which many use to refer to fools, but it more accurately pertains to weak and fickle men, as in that line from Terence: "I know their nature: they won't when you want them to, but when you don't, they crave it." *Nothing is more pestilential than a woman* refers to wickedness and is cited by Homer in this manner: "Indeed, nothing is more shameless or worse than a woman."

In confirmation of the preceding, the following proverb is added: *Trust neither a woman nor a lap*. Festus Pompeius proves this proverb true because a woman is by nature fickle of mind, and it often happens that things held in a lap, because of forgetfulness