[41] In this respect the Latin proverb, Mores amici noveris, non oderis, on which Horace has furnished so exquisite a comment (_Sat._ i. 3, 24-93), and which finds its graceful equivalent in the Italian, Ama l’amico tuo con il difetto suo (Love your friend with his fault), is worthy of all admiration. [42] By Zell, in his slight but graceful treatise, _On the proverbs of the ancient Romans_ (_Ferienschriften_, v. 2, p. 1-96). [43] Thus, Noxa caput sequitur;—Conscientia, mille testes. [44] He has preserved for us that very sensible and at the same time truly characteristic one, Quod non opus est, asse carum est. [45] These are two or three of the most notable—the first against “high farming,” which it is strange if it has not been appealed to in the modern controversy on the subject: Nihil minus expedit quam agrum optime colere. (Pliny, _H. N._, 6. 18.) Over against this, however, we must set another, warning against the attempt to farm with insufficient capital: Oportet agrum imbecilliorem esse quam agricolam; and yet another, on the liberal answer which the land will make to the pains and cost bestowed on it; Qui arat olivetum, rogat fructum; qui stercorat, exorat; qui cædit, cogit. [46] This was the judgment of Salmasius, who says: Inter Europæos Hispani in his excellunt, Itali vix cedunt, Galli proximo sequuntur intervallo. [47] What may have become of this collection I know not; but it was formerly in Richard Heber’s library, (see the _Catalogue_, v. 9. no. 1697.) Juan Yriarte was the collector, and in a note to the _Catalogue_ it is stated that he devoted himself with such eagerness to the bringing of it to the highest possible state of completeness, that he would give his servants a fee for any new proverb they brought him; while to each, as it was inserted in his list, he was careful to attach a memorandum of the quarter from which it came; and if this was not from books but from life, an indication of the name, the rank, and condition in life of the person from whom it was derived. [48] Las manos blancas no ofenden. [49] Bien sabe el asno en cuya cara rebozna. [50] Quando vierás tu casa quemar, llega te á escalentar. [51] El Rey va hasta do puede, y no hasta do quiere. [52] Socorros de España, ó tarde, ó nunca. [53] Matarás, y matarte han, y matarán a quien te matare. [54] _Curiosities of Literature_, p. 391. London: 1838. [55] These may serve as examples: Chi ha sospetto, di rado è in difetto.—Fidarsi è bene, ma non fidarsi è meglio.—Da chi mi fido, mi guardi Iddio; da chi non mi fido, mi guarderò io.—Con arte e con inganno si vive mezzo l’anno; con inganno e con arte si vive l’altra parte. [56] Vendetta, boccon di Dio. [57] Aspetta tempo e loco à far tua vendetta, che la non si fa mai ben in fretta. Compare another: Vuoi far Vendetta del tuo nemico, governati bene ed è bell’e fatta. [58] Vendetta di cent’anni ha ancor i lattaiuoli. [59] Con l’Evangelo si diventa eretico.