Alciato's Book of Emblems

Emblem 124

On those who praise what is not worthy of praise

Though taken aback, Antiochus had unexpectedly routed the vast hosts of the Galatians with a half-armed soldiery because the savage force, the rage, and the trunks of his Lucarian oxen then for the first time wrought havoc among an enemy's horses. Accordingly, when mounting his trophies he painted them with the image of an elephant, and also spoke thus to his comrades: We had been slaughtered, had not the elephant, most dreadful beast, saved us: while it is pleasing to have won, it is shameful to have won this way.