Another Epigram 3

Question

"El leon en su jaula parece vivir de renta." It seems that" vivir de renta" is a slang phrase but I can't figure it out in reference to the epigram.

I nearly think I understand it, for once. - annierats, Aug 14, 2012

Answer 1

A caged lion pays no rent.

(In other words, although he needs no money, he also - cue the cruel-irony music - has no freedom.) There is also something here about how lack of movement is directly contrary to the 'nature of the lion'.

I think of the wish for immortality, and once that wish is granted, one is put in jail. One gets exactly what he wanted, and exactly what he didn't want, so he cannot take advantage of the wish coming to fruition. (Or more generally, this aphorism could be said to indicate - 'there are plusses and minuses to every situation', but I don't read it quite this way.)

Was it Ulysses in Homer who said, nearing the end of his life, "Breathing is not living"? - yahvey_hoffman, Aug 14, 2012

Answer 2

I finally came up with:" The lion in his cage doesn’t have to pay any rent."

That is perfect!!!! - silvia61, Aug 14, 2012

Answer 3

Esto es una gregueria, a short text or aphorism, is not slang, it just mean, in a short, funny way the lion in the cage lives in a very small place (like opposite to its habitat) (renta. alquiler= rent) and does not need "to work" for his living (rentas=funds, savings)

Answer 4

El leon en su jaula parece vivir de renta.

Is this the idea?

The lion lives like a cuckoo (in someone else's nest for free)

Answer 5

Como la palabra escribiendo en ingles

Answer 6

Escribiendo

Answer 7

El leon en su jaula parece vivir de renta

The lion, in his cage, seems to live off unearned income?

i.e, he doesn't have to hunt for his living..

Answer 8

So how would you translate it into English then?

The lion in his cage lives an small life :) - silvia61, Aug 13, 2012