Chorus: [We] must look beneath every stone, lest it conceal some orator ready to sting us. (tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus) - Aristophanes

Socrates: So now you won't acknowledge any gods except the ones we do — Chaos, the Clouds, the Tongue — just these three?
Strepsiades: Absolutely — I'd refuse to talk to any other gods,
if I ran into them — and I decline
to sacrifice or pour libations to them.
I'll not provide them any incense...

I want to twist all legal verdicts in my favor,
to evade my creditors.

Chorus Leader: You'll get that, just what you desire. For what you want is nothing special. So be confident — give yourself over to our agents here.

Strepsiades:
I'll do that — I'll place my trust in you. Necessity is weighing me down — the horses, those thoroughbreds, my marriage — all that has worn me out. So now, this body of mine I'll give to them, with no strings attached, to do with as they like — to suffer blows, go without food and drink, live like a pig, to freeze or have my skin flayed for a pouch — if I can just get out of all my debt and make men think of me as bold and glib, as fearless, impudent, detestable, one who cobbles lies together, makes up words, a practiced legal rogue, a statute book, a chattering fox, sly and needle sharp, a slippery fraud, a sticky rascal, foul whipping boy or twisted villain, troublemaker, or idly prattling fool. If they can make those who run into me call me these names, they can do what they want — no questions asked. If, by Demeter, they're keen, they can convert me into sausages and serve me up to men who think deep thoughts.
Chorus: Here's a man whose mind's now smart, no holding back — prepared to start. When you have learned all this from me you know your glory will arise among all men to heaven's skies.
Strepsiades: And what will I get out of this?
Chorus: For all time, you'll live with me a life most people truly envy.
Strepsiades: You mean one day I'll really see that?
Chorus: Hordes will sit outside your door wanting your advice and more — to talk, to place their trust in you for their affairs and lawsuits, too, things which merit your great mind.

Informer: My friend, I am asking you for wings, not for words. Pisthetaerus: It's just my words that gives you wings. Informer: And how can you give a man wings with your words? Pisthetaerus: They all start this way. [...] Informer: So that words give wings? Pisthetaerus: Undoubtedly; words give wings to the mind and make a man soar to heaven. Thus I hope that my wise words will give you wings to fly to some less degrading trade. (tr. O'Neill 1938, Perseus)

There is no beast more stubborn than a woman.
And neither fire nor leopard is more ruthless.