Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes

Category
QUOTES AND PHRASES

Language
LATIN

Time? Dana?s et d?na ferent?s, paraphrased in English as "I fear the Greeks even when bearing gifts", is a Latin phrase from Aeneid, a Latin epic poem written by Virgil. The phrase is spoken by Trojan priest Laocoön referring to the Trojan Horse used by the Greeks during the Trojan War. The literal meaning of the phrase is "I fear the Danaans , even those bearing gifts" or "even when they bear gifts". Most printed versions of the text have the variant ferentis instead of ferentes.[1] In modern English, it is used as a proverb to warn against trusting an enemy or adversary, even when they appear to be making an enticing offer.[2]

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