Legenda: Proverbia de Asino Stulto

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Proverbia de Asino Stulto

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These proverbs about the foolishness of the Donkey (Asinus) constitute just one group of the large body of proverbs about donkeys in Latin! As in the English tradition, the Latin donkey is proverbially stupid.

For more information about the donkey in Latin bestiaries, visit the Asinus in the Zoo. If you find some of the proverbs below difficult to understand, you will find some English translations at the Zoo page, along with many other proverbs!

Use this Study Guide to organize your learning activities.

Asello stolidior.	.
Asino non opus est verbis sed fustibus.
In asini aures canis.
Asino fabulam narras.
Asino narrabas fabulam, at ille auriculas movebat.
Asinus lyram audit, auriculas movens.	audit...movens: participle plus verb (the donkey listens... and moves...)
Asinus lyrae cantum audit, et non intellegit.
Asinus lyram auscultavit, et porcus tubam.
Asinus ad lyram.
Asinus ad tibiam.
Lutetiam si quis asinum mittat, equus non redit.	si quis = si aliquis mittat: subjunctive with si
Asinus stramenta mavult quam aurum.
Asinus compluitur.	Note: This proverb is used when someone is not aware of what is happening, just as a thick-skinned donkey does not notice the rain.
Plus potest negare asinus quam probare philosophus.	negare...probare: complementary infinitives with potest
Rex aut asinus.
Asinus in cathedra.
Sunt asini solum bino pede fulti.