Legenda: Proverbia de Capra

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Proverbia de Capra

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These proverbs about the Goat (Capra) show aspects of the goat that are still proverbial in our culture, as well as some culturally specific references to goats in the ancient world, such as their use as sacrificial animals.

For more information about the goat in Latin bestiaries, visit the Capra 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 some additional notes there that you might find helpful!

Use this Study Guide to organize your learning activities.

Etiam capra improbum hominem mordeat.	mordeat: potential subjunctive
Vel capra mordeat nocentem.	mordeat: potential subjunctive
Ne capra contra leonem pugnet.	pugnet: jussive subjunctive, with ne
Capra ad festum.	Note: The goat is sacrificed for feasting at the party, so being a goat on the way to a party is not a good situation to be in.
Capra cultrum.	Note: This proverb refers to someone who devises the means of their own destruction.
Capra contra sese cornua.	Note: This refers to a fable about a goat shot with an arrow who sees that the bow is made from the horn of a goat.
De lana caprina contendunt.
Liberae sunt caprae ab aratris.
Prius iungentur capreae lupis.
Capra nondum peperit, haedus autem ludit in tectis.	autem: postpositive
Capram caelestem exorientem aspexit.	Note: The celestial goat refers to the constellation of Amalthea, the goat who nourished the infant Zeus. To see the goat rising is a sign of good luck.
Aliena capella gerit distentius uber.
Capra Scyria.	Note: The goats on the island of Scyros were reported to kick over the bucket when you were done milking them, so the proverb refers to someone who wrecks something that starts out promising.
Oculos caprearum talpa contemnat.	contemnat: potential subjunctive
Balatu perdit stulta capella bolum.
Capra cinnamomum.
Consultor, capros age!