CONCERNING PROVERBS.

These are αἶνοι fables/apologues, that is, moral tales; then there are apophthegmata apophthegms/witty sayings, and furthermore scommata sarcasms, that is, false or stinging remarks. It will be easy to distinguish these from an adage if you recur to the definition. But since these individual things can be non-proverbial, it is sufficiently clear that they are distinct from a proverb. Although, there are some things in this category so fittingly said that they could easily be admitted into the order of adages.

A commendation of proverbs based on their dignity.

I consider it sufficient proof that the knowledge of proverbs is not held in low regard, that authors of the first rank have not disdained to compose volumes about them. The first of these was Aristotle the philosopher, as Laërtius testifies, followed by Chrysippus to Zenodotus, and likewise Cleanthes. Some collections of proverbs are found under the name of Plutarch. Clearchus of Soli and Aristides are cited among the collectors of proverbs by Athenaeus. Then Zenodotus, who reduced the proverbs of Didymus and Tharræus into a compendium.