Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes (Leiden, 1586)

Emblem 31

A man cuts out one of his enemy's eye with a stick but gouges out both of his own eyes with his fingers; in the background a man sets fire to a house

A man cuts out one of his enemy's eye with a stick but gouges out both of his own eyes with his fingers; in the background a man sets fire to a house
Engraving · click to enlarge

Caecum odiumLatin

Blind hatred

Interpretation
Neighbour's fire and envious (blind hatred)
Interpretation (German)
Blinder Haß schader sich selbst

Description of the imageAI-generated

A woodcut within an elaborate ornamental border. In the foreground two men in classical robes stride to the left; the man on the right grasps the arm and shoulder of the bearded man beside him and pulls him away, while turning his head aside. Behind them at the right a burning building with flames and smoke pouring from its roof; a small figure runs toward the doorway of the house carrying something. Trees and sky with clouds at the upper left.

Subscriptio

Facsimile page
Facsimile; click the page to enlarge

TranscriptionAI-generated

TH'Enuious man, when neighboures howse dothe flame, Whose chiefe delighte, is in an others harme, Doth shutte his eies, and will not see the same, But pulles awaie, his fellowe by the arme : And sayeth, departe, wee care not for this ill, It is not ours, let others care that will. Too manie liue, that euery wheare are founde Whoe daye and nighte doe languishe in dispite, When that they see, an others wealthe abounde : But, those herein that moste of all delighte, Let them repente, for God whoe knowes theire harts, Will them rewarde, accordinge to deserts.

TranslationAI-generated

The envious man, when his neighbour's house is in flames — he whose chief delight is in another's harm — shuts his eyes and will not see it, but pulls his fellow away by the arm, and says: depart, we care not for this trouble; it is not ours, let others care who will. Too many live, who are found everywhere, who day and night languish in spite when they see another's wealth abound; but those who most of all delight in this, let them repent, for God, who knows their hearts, will reward them according to their deserts.

CommentaryAI-generated

2 passages · original left, translation right (click to fold)

Vixq́; tenet lacrymas quia nil lacrymabile cernit, &c. Inuidus alterius rebus macrescit opimis. Inuidia Siculi non inuenere tyranni Maius tormentum.

And scarcely does she hold back her tears, because she sees nothing worthy of tears, etc. The envious man grows lean at another's rich possessions. The Sicilian tyrants found no greater torment than envy.

Ouid. 1. Metamorph. De inuidia sic. Horatius 1. epist. 2.

Ovid, Metamorphoses book 1 [2]. Thus concerning envy. Horace, Epistles book 1, epistle 2.

Notes and related emblems

Iconclass

Suggested Iconclass codesAI-generated

Additional codes proposed for this emblem, not (yet) part of the indexing.

Relationships to the Adagia of ErasmusAI-generated

Suggested relationships between this emblem and adages in Erasmus’ Adagia.

Sources

Record ID: embstma_1667_emblem031
This emblem on the Iconclass site: https://iconclass.org/view/embstma_1667_emblem031
Copy: University Library, Glasgow, Stirling Maxwell 1667