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The Kitchen Table

Phrase of the day 4/16

jim_1 (Zone 5B)

3 years ago

Sword of Damocles

This is a peril or danger hanging over one. The reference is to the legend that Damocles, a courtier of ancient Syracuse, used to try to curry favor with his king by talking about the wondrous ease of the kingly life. In order to teach him the lesson that perils and responsibilities also accompany the privileges of kingship, King Dionysius invited Damocles to a banquet, where he was seated under a sword hanging by a single thread, Damocles was so distraught that he could not enjoy any of the sumptuous repast set before him.

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Comments (3)

chisue
3 years ago
"Uneasy lies the head"...and all that! Give me the life of 'commoner', thanks.
Fun2BHere
3 years ago
Like
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That phrase now reminds me of the scene in Chinatown when Jack Nicholson has his nose slit. I've read several books about Irish history and a few mentioned that when the Danes controlled Ireland they did a 'nose' count and levied taxes accordingly. If you didn't pay on time they would 'slit your nose.' Most of the authors discounted the historical accuracy but it's still a part of Irish lore.
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Thanks. I loved that movie.
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Lars
3 years ago

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