Mortuo leoni et lepores insultant.
(Anonymous)

Even rabbits jump on a dead lion.

(pron = MOR-too-oh lay-OH-nee et leh-POH-rays in-SOOL-tahnt)

Comment: Rabbits jump, so taking the more literal meaning of “insultant” seemed
like a fun thing to do. It literally means “to jump on”. Insulting someone is
a kind of jumping on them. But, this verb probably more regularly means to
attack, to make fun of, to insult.

What is more interesting to me here is that this proverb catches another
dynamic—not only the insulting or making fun, but that it is done only when it
is entirely safe for the mocker. Rabbits don’t stand a chance against
lions—unless they are dead.

So, this proverb reminds us that anyone can be critical, derogatory, or
insulting to those who cannot defend themselves. Usually that means making
such remarks about people behind their backs. For a moment such silly rabbits
seem bold, daring and brave—until we notice that the lions are dead.