"Not only the bull attacks his enemies with curved horn, but also the sheep, when harmed fights back"

The words from Sextus Propertius invite a reflection on nature and the hidden capacities for resistance that dwell even in those perceived as meek or gentle. The bull, a universal symbol of strength and aggression, is expected to attack its enemies with its powerful, curved horns. This image aligns with conventional notions of power: those with obvious armament and force assert dominance and confront threats directly. The bull’s aggression is anticipated and even respected; its behavior fits a narrative in which strength is acknowledged and seldom challenged lightly.

However, the poet’s focus shifts when he mentions the sheep. Traditionally seen as passive, timid, and vulnerable, the sheep embodies innocence and nonviolence. Yet, when harmed, even the sheep will fight back. The comparison is striking because it asks the reader to reconsider assumptions about strength, agency, and survival. The sheep’s defensive response is born of necessity, driven by the instinct to preserve itself when threatened. This recognition disrupts any easy dichotomy between aggressor and victim, strong and weak, bold and meek.

Propertius subtly emphasizes that adversity and threat can reveal unexpected courage or resistance. No creature is entirely defenseless; perceived gentleness should not be mistaken for incapacity or surrender. To harm or provoke the vulnerable is to ignore the latent power of self-preservation and dignity that lies within every living being. The bull and the sheep, though different in disposition and weaponry, share the vital instinct to resist harm. This observation reaches beyond animal behavior into social and personal realms, alluding to the resilience often masked beneath an unassuming exterior.

The passage ultimately speaks to universal experience: when injustice or harm is inflicted, even those least expected to resist may rise with a surprising, determined force. It champions the value of respecting all, including the gentlest, lest their quiet strength be underestimated.