Pindar, Olympian 2.86-89
“Wise is the one who knows
Many things on their own–
But once the foolish learn
They squawk like the crows
Opposing Zeus’ sacred bird.”
…σοφὸς ὁ πολλὰ εἰδὼς φυᾷ·
μαθόντες δὲ λάβροι
παγγλωσσίᾳ κόρακες ὣς ἄκραντα γαρύετον
Διὸς πρὸς ὄρνιχα θεῖον·
Schol. Ad Pin. Ol. 86
“This is aimed at Bacchylides. For he was Pindar’s rival in a way and competed in the same matters.”
ἀποτείνεται δὲ πρὸς τὸν Βακχυλίδην· γέγονε γὰρ αὐτῷ ἀνταγωνιστὴς τρόπον τινὰ καὶ εἰς τὰ αὐτὰ καθῆκεν.
“He is referring indirectly to Bacchylides and Simonides, calling himself an eagle, and his rivals crows.”
αἰνίττεται Βακχυλίδην καὶ Σιμωνίδην, ἑαυτὸν λέγων ἀετόν, κόρακας δὲ τοὺς ἀντιτέχνους.
“If he is somehow indirectly talking about Bacchylides and Simonides, then the dual form garueton has been well selected.”
εἰ δέ πως εἰς Βακχυλίδην καὶ Σιμωνίδην αἰνίττεται, καλῶς ἄρα ἐξείληπται τὸ γαρύετον δυικῶς.
“Just as crows like to start shit with an eagle, so too do students enjoy making trouble with those who have learned many things on their own. He is throwing shade on Simonides.”
ὥσπερ κόρακες πρὸς ἀετὸν φιλονεικοῦσιν, οἱ διδακτοὶ πρὸς τοὺς φύσει αὐτοδιδάκτους. αἰνίττεται δὲ εἰς Σιμωνίδην.
