Alciato's Book of Emblems

Emblem 164

Against detractors

Dolts brandishing whips and stupid schoolteachers dare to vomit the bile of their impure hearts against me. What should I do? Return the favour? But will I not be said to have seized the clamorous cricket by one wing? What use is it to banish insects with busy flapping? More satisfactory to ignore what you can't destroy.