Ancient Wisdom Atlas

Motif

borrowed finery exposed

borrowed_finery_exposed

A motif of the Pride, Hubris, and Downfall family, within the sub-family Borrowed Status and Exposed Bravado. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.

1 occurrences

1 traditions


greek

  • Aesop's Fables; a new translation THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE / THE KID ON THE HOUSETOP / THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL / THE VAIN JACKDAW; lines 2249-2266 confidence: high

    The Jackdaw, believing his ugly plumage will prevent his selection, waits until the others leave, picks up gaudy dropped feathers, and fastens them to his body.

    A figure uses adornments taken from others to appear superior, but the borrowed items are removed publicly and the figure is revealed.

    read in the book