Ancient Wisdom Atlas

Motif

losing a real possession while seeking an illusory greater gain

losing_a_real_possession_while_seeking_an_illusory_greater_gain

A motif of the Pride, Hubris, and Downfall family, within the sub-family Wealth, Luxury, and Greed. 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 BLACKSMITH AND HIS DOG / THE STAG AT THE POOL / THE DOG AND THE SHADOW / MERCURY AND THE TRADESMEN; lines 2390-2411 confidence: high

    The dog lets go of his own meat and rushes at the perceived other dog to get the larger piece.

    The dog releases his own meat to seize a supposed larger piece and ends with neither.

    read in the book