Multae regum aures atque oculi

«An nescis longas regibus esse manus?» «Kings», we say, «have long arms», they have also many eyes and ears, that is, they use the ministry of their many servants and dependents, both to discover what is done that may be prejudicial to their interest, and to punish the delinquents, whose crimes may by these means have been detected, though seated at the extremities of their dominions. Hence we say, by way of caution, to persons speaking too freely, on subjects that may give offence, do you not know that Les murs ont des oreilles? "Walls have ears." This sentiment is beautifully expressed in the Ecclesiastes "Curse not the king, no not in thy thought, and curse not the rich, in thy bedchamber, for a bird of the air shall carry thy voice, and that which hath wings, shall tell the matter." The number of spies and emissaries employed by Midas, king of Phrygia, who was a cruel tyrant, gave occasion to the fable of that prince's having asses ears. Antoninus Caracalla, a monster in wickedness, and therefore full of suspicion, not only was frequent in his application to augurs, and soothsayers, in the hope that by their means he might discover whether any designs were hatching against his life, but he made it a serious complaint against Providence, that he was not endowed with the faculty of hearing with his own ears, whatever was said of him: so impotent is the influence of wealth or eminence, in imparting happiness to the possessor, unless, like Titus, he employs them in diffusing blessings among the people. Paredes tienen oydos, et Tras pared, ni tras seto no digas tu secreto. Walls have ears, and behind a wall or a hedge do not tell a secret.