Letter 60

To Kalandion. "The words of cunning knaves are soft, yet they strike into the inner chambers of the belly" [Proverbs 18:8 LXX]. By "cunning knaves" [kerkopes, a byword for trickster-rogues] Solomon names those who act foxily and deal deceitfully. Therefore David says: "Do not destroy me, O God, together with those who speak peace to their neighbor, but evil is in their hearts" [Psalm 27:3 LXX]. "For their words were made softer than oil, yet they themselves are darts that wound" [Psalm 54:22 LXX].

«Λόγοι κερκώπων μαλακοί, πίπτουσι δὲ εἰς τὰ ταμεῖα κοιλίας.» Κέρκωπας ὀνομάζει ὁ Σολομὼν τοὺς ἀλωπεκίζοντας καὶ δολιευομένους. Διό φησιν ὁ Δαυΐδ· «Μή με συναπολέσῃς, ὁ Θεός, μετὰ τῶν λαλούντων εἰρήνην πρὸς τὸν πλησίον, κακὰ δὲ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν.» — «Ἠπαλύνθησαν γὰρ λόγοι ὑπὲρ ἔλαιον, καὶ αὐτοὶ βολίδες ὑπάρχουσι τιτρώσκαι.»