They apply [sc. this proverbial phrase] to a battle and to a pretence and to a deception and to countless other things, for the following reason. When Aratios[1] was returning, the god warned him to beware, in case those consulting the oracle from an opposing standpoint gained an advantage over him by making a larger and more splendid vow. So he vowed that he would sacrifice a hundred men to Apollo. But when he had achieved what he wanted, he kept on postponing the sacrifice as being religiously unsuitable.[2]
The Thessalians are accused of being slave-dealers and faithless men.[3]