Isaeus the orator was dissolute as a young man, but later was sensible. Someone asked him: what is the best of the fishes and of the birds for eating? 'I have stopped', said Isaeus, 'being keen on such things; for I realised I was picking fruit in Tantalus' gardens'. No doubt by this he was showing the questioner that all pleasures are shadows and dreams.[1]
And elsewhere [sc. is attested the phrase]: 'to think that Tantalus' stone has been hung over one's head on fine strings'.[2]
In reference to the hapless.