CONCERNING PROVERBS.

Proverbs of Theophrastus are also cited in his commentaries on Demosthenes. The work that circulates under the title of Zenobius will be cited by me under the name of Zenodotus. A certain paroemiographer named Milo is cited by him, as is Dæmon. The collections of Diogenianus also exist. Hesychius reports many, as does Suidas, who also brings forward a certain author named Theœtetus. But why do I mention these, when certain wise Hebrews did not hesitate to publish several books under this title? Nor is it a trivial argument that among good authors, the more learned and eloquent each one was, the more he sprinkled his books with adages: such as Plato, Aristotle, and Plutarch among the Greeks. Now, to come to the Latins, omitting the Grammarians and Poets of both types, and M. Varro, who ascribed certain proverbial titles to his Menippean Satires; Roman leaders, when consulted on great affairs, are sometimes found to have responded with a proverb. Who would not venerate this style of speech, when...