I haven't had luck yet in finding that particular quote,
but as to the owl representing wisdom in the European
world, Chaucer called the owl "That prophete...of wo & of
myschaunce" in _Philomene_
>
> >The owl is a beast associated with the possession of wisdom, hence its
> >frequent use in heraldry to this end. In legend, the owl is associated with
> >the Roman goddess Minerva, goddess of wisdom. The owl is also the emblem of
> >Athens, where owls abound, according to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and
> >Fable, hence the owl is associated with the goddess Athena, the Athenian
> >version of Minerva.
> >
> >The phrase you mention is actually used to describe hindsight. "The owl of
> >Minerva spreads its wings only with the coming of dusk.", i.e., too late to
> >be useful. I do not know the origin of the expression.
> >
> >Harry
> >

----------------------
Vincent Lyon
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