Do you want a Latin tattoo? To your attention - Aphorisms with translation and comments.
Latin tattoo
A contrario
On the contrary
In logic, a method of proof that consists in proving the impossibility of a proposition that contradicts what is being proved.
Ab ovo usque ad mala
"From eggs to apples", that is, from beginning to end
The dinner of the ancient Romans usually began with an egg and ended with fruit.
Abyssus abyssum invocat
The abyss calls to the abyss
Like entails like, or one calamity entails another calamity.
ad note
"Note"
Aditum nocendi perfido praestat fides ("In Latin")
The trust placed in the perfidious makes it possible for him to harm
Seneca, "Oedipus"
Advocatus diaboli ("In Latin")
Devil's Advocate
In an extended sense, the devil's advocate is the advocate of a lost cause that the defender himself does not believe in.
Alea jacta est ("About Latin")
"The die is cast", there is no way back, all bridges are burned
In 44 BC. e. Julius Caesar decided to seize sole power and crossed the Rubicon River with his troops, thereby breaking the law and starting a war with the Roman Senate.
Aliis inserviendo consumer
Serving others is wasting myself
The inscription under the candle as a symbol of self-sacrifice, cited in numerous editions of collections of symbols and emblems.
Amicus Socrates, sed magis amica veritas
Socrates is my friend, but the truth is dearer
The expression goes back to Plato and Aristotle.
Amor non est medicabilis herbis
Love is not treated with herbs, i.e. there is no cure for love
Ovid, Heroes
Annie currentis
Current year
Anno Domini
From the birth of Christ, in the year of the Lord
Form of designation of the date in the Christian chronology.
Ante annum
Last year
Aquila non captat muscas
The eagle does not catch flies, Latin proverb
Asinus Buridani inter duo prata
Buridan's donkey
A person who hesitates between two equal possibilities. It is believed that the philosopher Buridan, proving the failure of determinism, gave the following example: a hungry donkey, on both sides of which there are two identical and equidistant armfuls of hay, will not be able to prefer any of them and will eventually die of hunger. This image was not found in the writings of Buridan.
Aurea mediocritas
Golden mean
The formula of practical morality, one of the main provisions of the worldly philosophy of Horace, which found expression in his lyrics; It is also used to characterize mediocre people. Horace
Auribus tento lupum
I hold the wolf by the ears
I am in a hopeless situation. , Latin proverb
Aut Caesar, aut nihil
Or Caesar or nothing
Wed Russian Either hit or miss. The source of the motto was the words of the Roman emperor Caligula, who explained his immoderate extravagance by the fact that “one must live either by denying oneself in everything, or in Caesar's way”.
Ave Caesar, imperator, morituri te salutant
Hail, Caesar, emperor, those who are about to die greet you
Greetings from Roman gladiators addressed to the emperor.
Beati pauperes spiritu, quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, Matthew 5:3
Benefacta male locata malefacta arbitror
Benefits rendered to the unworthy, I consider atrocities
Cicero
Cadmea victoria
"Kadm's victory", a victory won at an excessively high price and tantamount to defeat, or a victory disastrous for both sides
The expression arose on the basis of a legend about a duel in the struggle for Thebes, founded by Cadmus, the sons of Oedipus - Eteocles and Polynices. This duel ended in the death of both warring brothers.
Caesarem Decet Stanem Mori
Caesar befits to die standing, Report of Suetonius on the last words of the emperor Vespasian
Calamitas virtutis occasio
Calamity is the touchstone of valor
Seneca
Cantus cycneus
a swan song
“He says that just as the swans, having sensed the gift of prophecy from Apollo, to whom they are dedicated, foresee what a gift death will be for them, and die singing and with joy, so should all the good and wise.”
Cicero, Tusculan Discourses, I, 30, 73
Castigat ridento mores
"Laughter castigates morals"
The motto of the comedy theater (Opera Comique) in Paris. Originally - the motto of the Italian troupe of the comic actor Dominic (Dominico Brancolelli) in Paris, composed for her by the New Latin poet Santel (XVII century).
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem delendam esse
And besides, I maintain that Carthage must be destroyed
A persistent reminder, a relentless call to something. The Roman Senator Marcus Porcius Cato, no matter what he had to express his opinion in the Senate, added: "Besides, I believe that Carthage should not exist."
Charta (epistula) non erubescit
Paper (letter) does not blush
Citius, altius, fortius!
Faster, higher, stronger!
The motto of the Olympic Games, adopted in 1913 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Clipeum post vulnera sumere
Take up a shield after being wounded
Wed Russian They don't wave their fists after a fight.
Cloaca maxima
Great sewer, great cesspool
In ancient Rome - a large channel for the removal of urban sewage.
Cogitations poenam nemo patitur
No one is punished for thoughts, One of the provisions of Roman law (Digesta)
Cogito, ergo sum
I think, therefore I am
The position on the basis of which the French philosopher and mathematician Descartes tried to build a system of philosophy, free from elements of faith and based entirely on the activity of the mind.
Rene Descartes, Elements of Philosophy, I, 7, 9
Concordia parvae res crescunt, discordia maximae dilabuntur
With agreement (and) small states (or affairs) grow, with discord (and) great ones are destroyed
Sallust, "Jugurtin's War"
Conscientia mille testes
Conscience is a thousand witnesses, Latin proverb
Consuetudo est altera natura
Habit is second nature
Habit creates a kind of second nature
Cicero, "On the Supreme Good and the Supreme Evil", V, 25, 74 (in the presentation of the views of the philosophers of the Epicurean school)
Cornucopiae
Cornucopia
The origin of the expression is associated with the Greek myth of the goddess Amalthea, who nursed the baby Zeus with goat's milk. The goat broke her horn on a tree, and Amalthea, filling it with fruits, offered it to Zeus. Subsequently, Zeus, having overthrown his father, Kronos, turned the goat that fed him into a constellation and its horn into a wonderful "horn of plenty".
Ovid, Fasti
Corruptio optimi pessima
The fall of the good is the most evil fall
Credat Judaeus Apella
“Let the Jew Apella believe this,” that is, let anyone believe, but not me
Horace, "Satires"
Credo, quia verum
I believe because it's ridiculous
A formula that clearly reflects the fundamental opposition between religious faith and scientific knowledge of the world and is used to characterize a blind faith that does not reason.
De gustibus non disputandum est
Tastes could not be discussed
Wed Russian There is no comrade for the taste and color.
De mortuis aut bene, aut nihil
About dead or good or nothing
A probable source is the saying of Chilo “about the dead do not slander”.
Decies repetita placebit
And ten times repeated will please
Horace, "The Science of Poetry"
Decipimur specie recti
We are deceived by the appearance of the right
Horace, "The Science of Poetry"
Deest remedii locus, ubi, quae vitia fuerunt, mores fiunt
There is no place for drugs where what was considered a vice becomes a custom
Seneca, "Letters"
Delirium tremens
"Trembling delirium", delirium tremens
Acute mental illness resulting from prolonged alcohol abuse.
Desipère in loco
Crazy where appropriate
Horace, "Odes"
Deus ex machina
god from the machine
The reception of an ancient tragedy, when a tangled intrigue received an unexpected denouement through the intervention of a god who appeared through a mechanical device.
In modern literature, the expression is used to indicate an unexpected resolution of a difficult situation.
Dies diem docet
The day teaches the day
A brief formulation of the thought expressed in the verse Publication Sira: "The next day is the student of the previous day."
Dies irae, dies illa
That day, the day of wrath
The beginning of the medieval church hymn is the second part of the funeral mass, the requiem. The hymn is based on the biblical prophecy of the Day of Judgment, "The Prophecy of Zephaniah", 1, 15.
Diluvi testes
Witnesses of the Flood (i.e., ancient times)
About people with outdated, archaic views.
Divide and impera
Divide and rule
Latin formulation of the principle of imperialist policy, which arose already in modern times.
Dolus an virtus quis in hoste requirat?
Who will decide between cunning and valor when dealing with an enemy?
Virgil, "Aeneid", II, 390
Ducunt volentem fata, nolentem trahunt
Fate leads the one who wants to go, the unwilling one drags
The saying of Cleanthes, translated into Latin by Seneca.
Dura lex, sed lex
The law is harsh, but it is the law
No matter how harsh the law, it must be observed.
Ecce spectaculum dignum, ad quod respiciat intentus operi suo deus
Here is a spectacle worthy of God looking back at him, contemplating his creation
Seneca, "On Providence"
Edite, bibite, post mortem nulla voluptas!
Eat, drink, there is no pleasure after death!
From an old student song. A common motif of ancient inscriptions on tombstones and tableware.
Ego sum rex Romanus et supra grammaticos
I am a Roman emperor and I am above grammarians
The words said, according to legend, at the Council of Constance by Emperor Sigismund in response to an indication made to him that by using the word schisma in the feminine gender, he violated Latin grammar.
Ergo bibamus
So let's have a drink
Title and salutation of Goethe's drinking song.
Esse oportet ut vivas, non vivere ut edas
You have to eat to live, not live to eat
A medieval maxim paraphrasing the ancient sayings of Quintilian: "I eat to live, not live to eat" and Socrates: "Some people live to eat, but I eat to live."
Et tu quoque, Brute!
And you Brute!
Words, as if uttered before his death by Caesar, stabbed with twenty-three swords of conspirators.
Etiam innocentes cogit mentiri dolor
Pain makes even the innocent lie
Publius, "Sentences"
Ex ipso fonte bibere
Drink from the source itself, i.e. refer to the original source
Cicero, "On Duties"
Ex malis eligere minima
Choose the least of evils
ex nihilo nihil fit
Nothing comes from nothing; nothing comes out of nothing
Paraphrase of the main position of Epicurean philosophy in Lucretius
Fac-simile(from fac+simile "do like this")
Exact copy
Peren. display of one phenomenon in another.
Facilis descensus Avernis
The path through Avernus is easy, that is, the path to the underworld
Lake Avernus near the city of Kuma in Campania was considered the threshold of the underworld.
Feci quod potui, faciant meliora potentes
I did my best, who can, let him do better
A paraphrase of the formula with which the Roman consuls concluded their reporting speech, transferring authority to the successor.
fiat lux
Let there be light
And God said: let there be light. And there was light. , Bible, Genesis, I, 3
Hoc est vivere bis, vita posse priore frui
To be able to enjoy the life lived means to live twice
Martial, "Epigrams"
Homo homini lupus est
Man to man is a wolf
Plautus, "Donkeys"
Homo proponit, sed deus disponit
Man proposes, God disposes
It goes back to Thomas the Kempis, the source for which was the Bible, Proverbs of Solomon "The heart of a man directs his way, but it depends on the Lord to direct his steps."
Igni et ferro
Fire and iron
The original source of the expression goes back to the first aphorism of Hippocrates: "What medicines do not cure, iron heals; what iron does not cure, fire heals." Cicero, Livy used the expression "to destroy with fire and sword." Bismarck proclaimed the policy of German unification with iron and blood. The expression gained wide popularity after the publication of the novel "With Fire and Sword" by Henryk Sienkiewicz.
Ignoscito saepe alteri, nunquam tibi
Forgive others often, never yourself
Publius, Maxims
Imperitia pro culpa habetur
Ignorance is imputed, Formula of Roman law
In pace leones, in proelio cervi
In time of peace - lions, in battle - deer
Tertullian, "On the wreath"
In sensu strictiori
In a narrower sense
In silvam non ligna feras insanius
Less madness would be to carry firewood into the forest
Horace, "Satires"
In vino veritas
Truth in wine
Wed Pliny the Elder: "It is generally accepted to attribute truthfulness to guilt."
In vitium ducit culpae fuga
The desire to avoid a mistake involves another
Horace, "The Science of Poetry"
Infelicissimum genus infortunii est fuisse felicem
The greatest misfortune is to be happy in the past
Boethius
Intelligent pauca
For those who understand, a little is enough
Ira furor brevis est
Anger is a momentary insanity
Horace, "Messages"
Is fecit cui prodest
Made by the one who benefits
Jus primae noctis
Right of the first night
The custom according to which a feudal lord or landowner could spend his wedding night with the bride of his beloved vassal or serf.
Leve fit, quod bene fertus onus
A load becomes light when you carry it with humility.
Ovid, Love Elegies
Lucri bonus est odor ex re qualibet
The smell of profit is pleasant, no matter where it comes from
Juvenal, "Satires"
Manus manum lavat
hand washes hand
A proverb that goes back to the Greek comedian Epicharmus.
Margaritas ante porcos
Cast pearls before swine
“Do not give the shrine to dogs; and do not cast pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn, they will not tear you apart. , Gospel of Matthew, 7, 6
memento mori
memento Mori
A form of greeting exchanged upon meeting by the monks of the Trappist Order, founded in 1664. It is used both as a reminder of the inevitability of death, and in a figurative sense - of imminent danger.
Nigra in candida vertere
turn black into white
Juvenal, "Satires"
Nihil est ab omni parte beatum
“There is nothing prosperous in all respects,” that is, there is no complete well-being
Horace, "Odes"
Nihil habeo, nihil curo
I don't have anything - I don't care about anything
Nitinur in vetitum semper, cupimusque negata
We always strive for the forbidden and desire the unlawful
Ovid, Love Elegies
Non cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum
“Not every person manages to get to Corinth”, which is not dear to everyone The Corinthian hetaera * Laida, famous for her beauty, was available only to the rich who came to her from all over Greece, which is why a common saying among the Greeks arose: “not everyone can swim in Corinth brought." Once Demosthenes secretly came to Laida, but when she asked him to give ten thousand drachmas **, he turned away with the words: "I do not pay ten thousand drachmas for repentance."
* - in Dr. Greece, an educated unmarried woman leading a free, independent lifestyle.
** - approximately the price of four kilograms of gold.
Nunc est bibendum
Now I gotta drink
Horace, "Odes"
O imitatores, servum pecus!
O imitators, slave herd!
Horace, "Messages"
O sancta simplicitas!
Oh holy simplicity
The phrase attributed to the Czech reformer, the hero of the national liberation movement Jan Hus. According to legend, Gus, who was being burned at the stake, uttered these words when some old woman, out of pious motives, threw an armful of brushwood into the fire.
O tempora! About mores!
O times! Oh manners!
“Speech against Catiline”, “O times! Oh manners! The Senate understands this, the consul sees it, and he [Catiline] lives.”
Cicero
Oderint dum metuant
Let them hate, if only they were afraid
The words of Atreus from the tragedy Aktion named after him. According to Suetonius, this was the favorite saying of the emperor Caligula.
Omne ignotum pro magnifico est
Everything unknown appears majestic
Tacitus, "Agricola"
Omnia mea mecum porto
I carry everything with me
When the city of Priene was taken by the enemy and the inhabitants on the run tried to capture more of their belongings, someone advised the sage Biantu to do the same. “That's what I do, because I carry everything of mine with me,” he replied, referring to his spiritual wealth.
Optimum medicamentum quies est
The best medicine is peace
A medical aphorism, authored by the Roman physician Aulus Cornelius Celsus.
Panem and circles
Meal'n'Real
An exclamation expressing the basic demands of the Roman crowd in the era of the Empire.
Per aspera ad astra
"Through hardship to the stars"; through difficulties to a high goal
Per risum multum debes cognoscere stultum
By frequent laughter you should recognize a fool, Medieval proverb
Periculum in mora
"Danger in procrastination", i.e., procrastination is dangerous
Titus Livy, "History", "When there was already more danger in delay than in violation of military order, everyone randomly fled."
persona grata
Desired person or trusted person
Post scriptum (postscriptum) (abbr. P.S.)
After what was written
Postscript at the end of the letter.
Primus inter pares
First among equals
A formula characterizing the position of the monarch in a feudal state.
Pro et contra
Pros and cons
Quae sunt Caesaris Caesari
Caesar's to Caesar
“Render the things of Caesar to Caesar and the God of God,” Jesus' response to the Pharisees who asked whether Caesar (i.e., the Roman emperor) should be paid the fee he demanded. , Gospel of Luke, 20, 25
Qui alphabet aures audiendi, audiat
He who has ears to hear, let him hear, Matthew 11:15
Qui tacet – consentire videtur
Who is silent is considered as having agreed
Wed Russian Silent means consent.
Quid brevi fortes jaculamur aevo multa?
Why should we strive for so much in a fleeting life?
Horace, "Odes"
Quot capita, tot sensus
How many heads, so many minds
Wed Terence, Formion: So many people, so many opinions.
Rideamus!
Let's laugh!
Risus sardonicus
sardonic laughter
According to the explanation of the ancients - laughter, reminiscent of a convulsive grimace caused by poisoning of poisonous grass growing on the island of Sardinia.
Salus reipublicae - suprema lex
The welfare of the state is the supreme law
Paraphrase from "Let the good of the people be the highest law."
Salve, maris stella
Hello star of the sea
A variant of the initial words of the Catholic church hymn “Ave, maris stella” (IX century) - Mary was considered a guide for sailors due to the erroneous convergence of her name (ancient Hebrew Mirjam) with the Latin word mare “sea”.
Scio me nihil scire
I know that I know nothing
Latin translation of loosely interpreted words of Socrates.
Wed Russian Learn forever, you'll die a fool.
Si vis pacem, para bellum
If you want peace, prepare for war
Source - Vegetius. Also cf. Cicero: "If we want to enjoy the world, we have to fight" and Cornelius Nepos: "The world is created by war."
Solitudinem faciunt, pacem appelant
They create a desert and call it peace
From the speech of the British leader Kalgak, urging his fellow tribesmen to resolutely oppose the Romans who invaded their country.
Tacitus, "Agricola"
Summa summarum
"Sum of sums", i.e. the final total or in the grand total
In ancient times, the phrase was used in the meaning of "a set of things" or "universe".
Suum cuique
To each his own, that is, to each what belongs to him by right, to each according to his merits, Regulation of Roman law
Tarde venientibus ossa
Who comes late - the bones, Latin proverb
Tempus edax rerum
Devouring Time
Ovid, "Metamorphoses"
Terra incognita
Unknown land; trans. something completely unknown or inaccessible area
On ancient geographical maps, unexplored parts of the earth's surface were designated in this way.
Tertium non datur
There is no third; there is no third
In formal logic, this is how one of the four laws of thinking is formulated - the law of the excluded middle. According to this law, if two diametrically opposed propositions are given, of which one affirms something, and the other, on the contrary, denies, then there can be no third, middle judgment between them.
Tibi et igni
“To you and the fire”, i.e. read and burn
Timeo Danaos and dona ferentes
Be afraid of the Danes, even those who bring gifts
The words of the priest Laocoön, referring to a huge wooden horse built by the Greeks (Danaans) allegedly as a gift to Minerva.
Tranquillas etiam naufragus horret aquas
The shipwrecked and still water fears
Wed Russian Burnt child dreads the fire.
Ovid, "Messages from Pontus"
Urbi et orbi
"City and the world"; to the whole world, to everyone and everyone
Usus tyrannus
Custom is a tyrant
Varietas delectat
Variety is fun
Phaedrus, "Fables"
Veni, vidi vici
I came, I saw, I conquered
According to Plutarch, with this phrase, Julius Caesar reported in a letter to his friend Amintius about the victory in the battle of Zela in August 47 BC. e. over the Pontic king Farnak.
Victoria nulla est, Quam quae confessos animo quoque subjugat hostes
The real victory is only when the enemies themselves recognize themselves as defeated.
Claudian, "On the Sixth Consulate of Honorius"
Viva vox alit plenius
“Live speech nourishes more abundantly”, that is, what is orally stated is more successfully absorbed than what is written
There are moments in a conversation when ordinary words are no longer enough, or they seem inconspicuous in front of the deep meaning that you want to convey, and then winged sayings come to the rescue - Latin of them are the most powerful in terms of thought and conciseness.
alive!
A great many words and phrases in different languages of the world are borrowed from Latin. They are so deeply rooted that they are used all the time.
For example, the well-known aqua (water), alibi (proof of innocence), index (pointer), veto (prohibition), persona non grata (a person whom they did not want to see and did not expect), alter Ego (my second self), alma mater (mother-nurse), capre diem (seize the moment), as well as the well-known postscriptum (P.S.), used as a postscript to the main text, and a priori (relying on experience and faith).
Based on the frequency of use of these words, it is too early to say that the Latin language has died a long time ago. It will live on in Latin sayings, words and aphorisms for a long time to come.
The most famous sayings
A small list of the most popular works on history and philosophical conversations known to many lovers over a cup of tea. Many of them are practically native in terms of frequency of use:
Doom spiro, spero. - While I breathe I hope. This phrase is first found in Cicero's Letters and also in Seneca.
De mortus out bene, out nihil. - About the dead is good, or nothing. The phrase is believed to have been used by Chilo as early as the fourth century BC.
Vox populi, vox Dia. - The voice of the people is the voice of God. A phrase that sounded in the poem of Hesiod, but for some reason it is attributed to the historian William of Malmesbury, which is fundamentally erroneous. In the modern world, fame for this saying was brought by the film "V for Vendetta".
Memento mori. - Memento Mori. This expression was once used as a greeting by the Trapist monks.
Bene note! - A call to pay attention. Often written on the margins of the texts of great philosophers.
Oh tempora, oh mores! - About times, about customs. from Cicero's Oration Against Catiline.
Post hoc. - Often used in denoting an action after a fait accompli.
About this contra. - Pros and cons.
In bono veritas (in bono veritas). - The truth is good.
Volens, nolens. - Willy-nilly. It can also be translated as "if you want, if you don't want"
Truth in wine
One of the most famous Latin sayings sounds like "in vino veritas", in which the truth is veritas, in vino is the wine itself. This is a favorite expression of people who often take a glass, in such a cunning way they justify their craving for alcohol. Authorship is attributed to the Roman writer Pliny the Elder, who died during the eruption of Vesuvius. At the same time, its authentic version sounds a little different: “The truth has drowned in wine more than once,” and the implication is that a drunk person is always more truthful than a sober one. The great thinker was often quoted in his works by the poet Blok (in the poem "The Stranger"), the writer Dostoevsky in the novel "The Teenager" and some other authors. Some historians argue that the authorship of this Latin proverb belongs to a completely different Greek poet Alcaeus. There is also a similar Russian proverb: “What a sober man has on his mind, a drunkard has on his tongue.”
Bible quotes translated from Latin into Russian
Many idioms used now are taken from the greatest book of the world and are grains of great wisdom, passing from century to century.
He who does not work does not eat (from the second Paul). Russian analogue: who does not work, he does not eat. The meaning and sound are almost identical.
Let this cup pass me by. - This is taken from the Gospel of Matthew. And from the same source - The student does not stand above his teacher.
Remember that you are dust. - Taken from the book of Genesis, this phrase reminds everyone who is proud of their greatness that all people are made of the same “dough”.
The abyss calls the abyss (Psalter.) The phrase in Russian has an analogue: trouble does not come alone.
Do what you have planned (Gospel of John). - These are the words spoken by Jesus to Judas before the betrayal.
Phrases for every day
Latin sayings with transcription in Russian (for easier reading and memorization) can be used in ordinary conversation, decorating your speech with wise aphorisms, giving it a special poignancy and uniqueness. Many of them are also familiar to most:
Dies diem dots. - Every previous day teaches a new one. Authorship is attributed to someone who lived in the first century BC.
Ekze homo! - Se Man! The expression is taken from the Gospel of John, the words of Pontius Pilate about Jesus Christ.
Elephanthem ex muska facis. You make an elephant out of a fly.
Errare humanum est. - To err is human (these are also the words of Cicero)..
Essay kvam videri. - Be, not seem to be.
Ex anime. - From a pure heart, from the heart.
Exitus of the act of probat. - The result justifies the means (action, act, deed).
Look for who benefits
Quid bono and quid prodest. - The words of the Roman consul, who was often quoted by Cicero, who in turn is widely quoted by detectives in modern films: "Who benefits, or look for who benefits."
Researchers of ancient treatises on history believe that these words belong to the lawyer Cassian Raville, who in the first century of our century investigated a crime and addressed the judges with such words.
Cicero's words
Mark Tullius Cicero is a great and political figure who played a leading role in exposing the Catiline conspiracy. He was executed, but many of the thinker's sayings continue to live among us for a long time, like Latin sayings, and few people know that it is he who owns the authorship.
For example, well-known:
Ab igne ignam. - Fire from the fire (Russian: from the fire and into the frying pan).
A true friend is known in a wrong deed (in a treatise on friendship)
To live is to think (Vivere eats a koguitar).
Either let him drink or leave (out bibat, out abeat) - the phrase was often used at Roman feasts. In the modern world, it has an analogue: they don’t go to someone else’s barracks with their own charter.
Habit is second nature (treatise "On the Highest Good"). This statement was also picked up by the poet Pushkin:
Habit from above is given to us ...
The letter does not blush (epistula non erubescite). From a letter from Cicero to the Roman historian, in which he expressed his contentment that he could express much more on paper than in words.
Everyone makes mistakes, but only a fool persists. Taken from "Philippi"
About love
This subsection contains Latin sayings (with translation) about the highest feeling - love. Reflecting on their deep meaning, one can trace the thread that connects all times: Trahit sua quemque voluptas.
Love is not cured by herbs. Ovid's words, later paraphrased by Alexander Pushkin:
The disease of love is incurable.
Femina nihil pestilentius. - There is nothing more destructive than a woman. Words belonging to the great Homer.
Amor omnibus let's go. - Part of Virgil's saying, "love is one for all." There is another variation: all ages are submissive to love.
Old love must be beaten out with love, like a stake with a stake. Cicero's words.
Analogues of Latin expressions and Russian
A lot of Latin sayings have identical meanings to proverbs in our culture.
The eagle does not catch flies. - Each bird has its own pole. It hints at the fact that you need to adhere to your moral principles and rules of life, not falling below your level.
Too much food hinders the sharpness of the mind. - Words that have a related proverb among Russians: a well-fed belly is deaf to science. Perhaps that is why many great thinkers lived in poverty and hunger.
There is no bad without good. Absolutely identical there is a saying in our country. Or maybe some Russian fellow borrowed it from the Latins, and since then it has become a tradition?
What a king - such is the crowd. Analogue - what is the pop, such is the parish. And about the same:
What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull. About the same thing: to Caesar - Caesar's.
Whoever has done half the work has already begun (they attribute to Horace: "Dimidium facti, quitsopite, habet"). With the same meaning, Plato has: “The beginning is half the battle,” as well as the old Russian saying: “A good start pumped out half the battle.”
Patrie Fumus igne Alieno Luculentior. - The smoke of the fatherland is brighter than the fire of a foreign land (Russian - The smoke of the fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us).
Mottos of great people
Latin sayings have also been used as mottos of famous people, communities and brotherhoods. For example, "to the eternal glory of God" is the motto of the Jesuits. The motto of the Templars is “non nobis, Domina, gray nomini tuo da gloriam”, which in translation: “Not to us, Lord, but to your name, give glory.” And also the famous "Kapre diem" (seize the moment) is the motto of the Epicureans, taken from the opus of Horace.
"Either Caesar, or nothing" - the motto of Cardinal Borgia, who took the words of Caligula, the Roman emperor, famous for his exorbitant appetites and desires.
"Faster, higher, stronger!" - Since 1913 it has been a symbol of the Olympic Games.
"De omnibus dubito" (I doubt everything) is the motto of René Descartes, the scientist-philosopher.
Fluctuat nec mergitur (floats but does not sink) - on the coat of arms of Paris there is this inscription under the boat.
Vita blue libertate, nihil (life without freedom is nothing) - with these words, Romain Rolland, a famous French writer, walked through life.
Vivere eats militare (to live means to fight) - the motto of the great Lucius Seneca the Younger, and philosopher.
How useful it is to be a polyglot
A story is circulating on the Internet about a resourceful student of the medical faculty who witnessed how a gypsy became attached to an unfamiliar girl with calls to “gild her pen and tell fortunes.” The girl was quiet and modest and could not correctly refuse a beggar. The guy, sympathizing with the girl, came up and began to shout out the names of diseases in Latin, waving his arms around the gypsy. The latter hastily retreated. After a while, the guy and the girl happily got married, remembering the comical moment of their acquaintance.
The origins of the language
The Latin language got its name from the Lanites who lived in Latium, a small area in the center of Italy. The center of Latium was Rome, which grew from a city to the capital of the Great Empire, and the Latin language was recognized as the state language in a vast territory from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in parts of Asia, North Africa and the Euphrates River Valley.
In the second century BC, Rome conquered Greece, the ancient Greek and Latin languages \u200b\u200bare mixed, giving rise to many Romance languages \u200b\u200b(French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, among which Sardinian is considered the closest in sound to Latin).
In the modern world, medicine is unthinkable without Latin, because almost all diagnoses and medicines are heard in this language, and the philosophical works of ancient thinkers in Latin are still an example of the epistolary genre and cultural heritage of the highest quality.
Latin is a language in which you can talk about anything, and always sound somehow especially smart and sublime. If you have ever studied it, it was hardly the brightest and most fun time in your life, but in any case it was useful.
But if you have not had a chance to study such a subject, then catch the 25 most famous Latin sayings. Remember at least a few of them, and then, having successfully screwed one or two phrases into a conversation, you will pass for a very intelligent and well-read person. And do not forget to languidly cover your eyes, quoting great philosophers.
25. "Ex nihilo nihil fit."
Nothing comes from nothing.
24. "Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur."
The world wants to be deceived, let it be deceived.
Photo: pixabay
23. Memento mori.
Remember that you are mortal.
Photo: pixabay
22. "Etiam si omnes, ego non."
Even if everything, then I - no.
Photo: shutterstock
21. Audiatur et altera pars.
Let the other side be heard.
Photo: B Rosen / flickr
20. Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses.
If you were silent, you would remain a philosopher.
Photo: Maik Meid / wikimedia commons
19. Invictus maneo.
I remain undefeated.
Photo: naveenmendi / wikimedia commons
18. Fortes fortuna adiuvat.
Fate favors the brave.
Photo: pixabay
17. Dolor hic tibi proderit olim.
Endure and be firm, this pain will someday benefit you.
Photo: Steven Depolo / flickr
16. "Cogito Ergo Sum".
I think, therefore I exist.
Photo: pixabay
15. "Oderint dum metuant".
Let them hate, as long as they are afraid.
Photo: K-Screen shots / flickr
14. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Who will guard the watchmen themselves?
Photo: John Kees / flickr
13. "Sic transit gloria".
This is how worldly glory passes.
Photo: pixabay
12. "Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus".
Never tickle a sleeping dragon.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
11. "Utinam barbari spacium proprium tuum invadant."
Let the barbarians invade your personal space.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
10. In vino veritas.
The truth is in the wine.
Photo: Quinn Dombrowski / flickr
9. "Si vis pacem, para bellum."
If you want peace, prepare for war.
Photo: Σταύρος / flickr
8. "Pacta sunt servanda."
Treaties must be respected.
Photo: pixabay
7. "Non ducor, duco."
I am not led, I lead myself.
Photo: nist6dh / flickr
6. "Quando omni flunkus moritati".
If everyone is down, pretend to be dead too.
Photo: Pete Markham / flickr
5. Quid quid latine dictum sit, altum viditur.
Whoever speaks Latin sees the highest peaks.
Photo: Tfioreze / wikimedia commons
4. "Dum Spiro, Spero".
While I breathe I hope.
Photo: pixabay
3. Tua mater latior quam Rubicon est.
Your mother is wider than the Rubicon (Italian river).
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
2. Carpe diem.
Seize the moment.
Photo: pixabay
1. "Aut viam inveniam, aut faciam."
Either I'll find a way, or I'll pave it myself.
Photo: www.publicdomainpictures.net
latin sayings
a priori. "From the previous", on the basis of the previously known. In logic, a conclusion based on general propositions taken as true.
Ab altero expectes, alteri quod feceris. Expect from the other what you yourself did to another (cf. As it comes around, it will respond).
Ab ovo usque ad mala. "From eggs to apples", from beginning to end. The dinner of the ancient Romans usually began with an egg and ended with fruit.
Ab urbe condita. From the foundation of the city (i.e. Rome; the foundation of Rome is attributed to 754-753 BC). Era of the Roman chronology. This was the name of the historical work of Titus Livius, who outlined the history of Rome from its legendary foundation to 9 AD.
Abi et vome! - Get out and vomit! (instruction at Roman feasts)
Abusus in Baccho - Misuse of wine, abuse in the realm of Bacchus, hence the expression "worshipers of Bacchus"...
ad hoc. “For this”, “in relation to this”, especially for this occasion.
ad libitum. On request, on<своему>discretion (in music - the tempo of a piece of music, provided at the discretion of the performer).
Ad majorem dei gloriam. "To the greater glory of God"; often in paraphrases for glorification, glory, in the name of the triumph of someone or something. The motto of the Jesuit order, founded in 1534 by Ignatius Loyola.
Alea jacta est. “The die is cast” is about an irrevocable decision, about a step that does not allow retreat, a return to the past. The words of Julius Caesar, who decided to seize sole power, spoken before crossing the Rubicon River, which served as the beginning of the war with the Senate.
Alma mater. "Nourishing mother" (the traditional figurative name of educational institutions, more often higher ones).
alter ego. The other me, the second me (about friends). attributed to Pythagoras.
Amicitia inter pocula contracta plerumque vitrea est - Friendship established over a glass of wine is usually fragile (literally: glass).
Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur. “A true friend is known in a wrong deed”, i.e. a true friend is known in trouble (Cicero, Treatise on Friendship).
Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas. Plato is my friend, but truth is an even greater friend. The expression goes back to Plato and Aristotle.
Amorem canat aetas prima. Let youth sing about love (Sextus Propertius, "Elegies").
Aquila non captat muscas. The eagle does not catch flies (Latin proverb).
Ars longa, vita brevis (also Vita brevis, ars longa) - The path of science is long, life is short.
Audiatur et altera pars. The other (or opposing) side should also be heard. On the impartial consideration of disputes. The expression goes back to the judicial oath in Athens.
Aurea mediocritas. Golden mean. The formula of practical morality, one of the main provisions of the worldly philosophy of Horace ("Odes").
Auri sacra fames. Damned thirst for gold. Virgil, Aeneid.
Aut bibat, aut abeat! Either let him drink or leave! (rule of Roman feasts)
Aut Caesar, aut nihil. Or Caesar, or nothing (cf. Russian. Either pan or disappeared). Motto of Cesare Borgia, Italian cardinal and military adventurer. The source for this motto was the words attributed to the Roman emperor Caligula (12-41), known for his extravagance.
ave Caesar,
Bellum omnium contra omnes. War of all against all. T. Hobbes, "Leviathan", about the natural state of people before the formation of society.
Bibere ad numerum ... - Drink according to the number of [desired years of life] (the rule of Roman feasts)
carpe diem. "seize the day", i.e. enjoy today, seize the moment. Epicurean motto. Horace, "Odes".
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam. And besides, I maintain that Carthage must be destroyed. Persistent reminder; the expression is the words of Marcus Porcius Cato the Elder, which he added at the end of every speech in the Senate, no matter what he had to say.
Chirurgia fructuosior ars nulla - Surgery is more fruitful than all the arts.
Chirurgiae effectus inter omnes medicinae partes evidentissimus - The effectiveness of surgery among other branches of medicine is the most obvious.
Chirurgus curat manu armata - The surgeon heals with an armed hand.
Chirurgus mente prius et oculis agat, quam armata manu - Let the surgeon act first with the mind and eyes than with the armed hand.
Cibi, potus, somni, venus omnia moderata sint. Food, drink, sleep, love - let everything be moderate (saying of the Greek physician Hippocrates).
Citius, altius, fortius! Faster, higher, stronger! The motto of the Olympic Games, adopted in 1913
Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. R. Descartes, "Principles of Philosophy".
Consequitur gravitas membrorum, praepediuntur
Consuetudo est altera natura. Habit is second nature. Cicero, On the Supreme Good and the Supreme Evil.
Contra spem spero! I hope against hope.
Contra vim mortis non est medicamen in hortis - There are no medicines against death in the gardens (From the Salerno Code of Health).
Credo. "I believe." The so-called "creed" is a prayer that begins with this word, which is a short set of dogmas of Christianity. In a figurative sense: the basic provisions, the foundations of someone's worldview, the basic principles of someone.
Crura vacillanti, tardescit lingua, madet mens.
Cujusvis hominis est errare; nullius, sine insipientis, in irrore perseverare. It is natural for every person to err, but it is not for anyone but a fool to persist in error. Marcus Tullius Cicero, Philippi.
Curriculum vitae. "The Way of Life", a short biography.
De gustibus non est disputandum. They do not argue about tastes (cf. There are no comrades for taste and color).
De jure. de facto. Rightfully, legally. In fact, actually.
Difficile est proprie communia dicere - It is difficult to express commonly known truths in one's own way.
Divide et impera. Divide and rule. Latin formulation of the principle of imperialist policy.
Divinum opus sedare dolorem - Divine work to soothe pains.
docendo discimus. By teaching, we learn ourselves. Seneca, Letters.
Ducunt volentem fata, nolentem trahunt. Fate leads the one who wants to go, drags the one who does not want to go. The saying of the Greek Stoic philosopher Cleanthes, translated into Latin by Lucius Annaeus Seneca in his Letters.
Dum spiro, spero. While I breathe I hope. A modern formulation of a thought found in Cicero in the Letters to Atticus and in Seneca in the Letters.
Dum vitant stulti vitia, in contraria currunt. Stupid, avoiding vices, fall into opposite vices (Quintus Horace Flaccus).
Dura lex, sed lex. “The law is harsh, but the law”, i.e. no matter how severe the law, it must be observed.
Ebrietas certe parit insaniam - Drunkenness definitely breeds madness
Ebrietas est voluntaria insania - Intoxication is voluntary insanity (attributed to Aristotle).
Ebrii ebrios gignunt - Drunks give birth to drunks
Edite, bibite, post mortem nulla voluptas! - Eat, drink, after death there is no pleasure!
Epistula non erubescit. The letter does not blush. In a letter, you can express what you are ashamed to say in person.
Errare humanum est. "To err is a human property", it is human nature to err. Marc Annaeus Seneca the Elder, "Controversions".
Eruditio aspera optima est. Rigorous training is the best.
est modus in rebus. There is a measure in things, i.e. everything has a measure. Horace, "Satires".
Et semel emissum volat irrevocabile verbum - And as soon as you utter it, the irrevocable word flies away.
Et vini bonitas et - quaelibet altera causa
Exempli gratia (e.g.). For the sake of example, for example.
Feci, quod potui, faciant meliora potentes. I did my best, who can, let him do better. A poetic paraphrase of the formula with which the Roman consuls concluded their reporting speech, transferring authority to the successor.
Fecundi calices quem non fecere disertum? - Full goblets who did not make eloquent?
Festina lente. “Hurry slowly”, do everything slowly. Latin translation of a Greek proverb (speude bradeos) which Suetonius quotes in Greek form as one of the common sayings of Augustus ("Divine Augustus").
Fiat lux. Let there be light. Genesis 1:3.
Finis coronat opus. End crowns the work; the end is the crown.
Genus irritabile vatum - An irritable tribe of poets.
Grandis et, ut ita dicam, pudica oratio non est maculosa, nec turgida, sed naturali pulchritudine exsurgit - High and, so to speak, chaste eloquence is beautiful for its natural beauty, and not for variegation and pretentiousness.
Gravia graviorem curam exigunt pericula - Serious dangers require even more serious treatment.
Gutta cavat lapidem non vi sed saepe cadendo. A drop hollows out a stone not by force, but by a frequent fall. Ovid, "Messages from Pontus".
Homines soli animantium non sitientes bibimus - Only humans drink without being thirsty.
Homo novus. New person. A person of humble origin who has reached a high position in society.
Homo sum: humani nihil a me alienum puto. I am human and I believe that nothing human is alien to me. It is used if you wish to emphasize the depth and breadth of interests, involvement in everything human, or in the meaning: I am a person and I am not immune from any human delusions and weaknesses. Terence, "Punishing Himself".
Honores mutant mores. Honors change morals. Plutarch, Life of Sulla.
Hospitis adventus, praesens sitis atque futura,
Ignorantia non est argumentum. Ignorance is not an excuse. Benedict Spinoza, Ethics.
In dubitantibus et ignorantibus suspice cancer - in doubtful and unclear cases, suspect cancer.
In vino feritas - Wildness in wine (consonant with In vino veritas)
In vino veritas - Truth in wine (partly corresponds to the expression "What a sober man has on his mind, a drunk on his tongue").
In vino veritas, in aqua sanitas - Truth is in wine, and health is in water.
Inter pocula - Over the cup (of wine).
Licentia poetica - Poetic liberty.
Lingua est hostis hominum amicusque diaboli et feminarum - The tongue is the enemy of men and the friend of the devil and women.
Littera occidit, spiritus autem vivificat - The letter kills, but the spirit gives life.
Loco dolenti - at the painful point.
Locus minoris resistencia - the place of least resistance.
Magister bibendi - Master of drinking
Malum nullum est sine aliquo bono. There is no bad without good. Latin proverb.
Manus manum lavat. The hand washes the hand.
Medice, cura te ipsum! - Doctor, heal yourself! (Gospel of Luke, ch.IV).
Memento mori! - Memento Mori!
Memento vivere! (memento vitae) - Remember life!
Mens sana in corpore sano. In a healthy body healthy mind. Juvenal, "Satires".
Meum est propositum in taberna mori,
Molestia igitur est, o, amici viri, ebrietas! - How painful drunkenness, oh, friends of a man!
Multos timere debet, quem multi time. The one who is afraid of many should be afraid of many. Publius Sir.
Multum vinum bibere, non diu vivere - To drink a lot of wine - not to live long.
Mutatis mutandis. By changing what needs to be changed; with the corresponding changes.
Natura non facit saltus - Nature does not make jumps (leaps).
Natura non nisi parendo vincitur (a variant of Natura non imperatur nisi parendo) - Nature cannot be defeated otherwise than by obeying it.
Ne gladium tollas, mulier! - Don't take up the sword, woman!
Ne noceas, si juvare non potes - do no harm if you cannot help.
Ne tentas aut perfice - Don't try or leave.
Noli me tangere - do not touch me.
Non est culpa vini, sed culpa bibentis - It is not the wine that is to blame, but the drinker is to blame.
Non est discipulus super magistrum. The student is not higher than his teacher. Gospel of Matthew.
Non olet. "does not smell"<деньги>don't smell. Suetonius, "The Divine Vespasian".
Nosce te ipsum and "Cogito, ergo sum" are the two famous slogans of the two sciences, ancient and new. The new one fulfilled the advice of the ancient one, and "Cogito, ergo sum" is the answer to "Nosce te ipsum"... How does man differ from animals? - Self-knowledge, thinking. "Cogito, ergo sum" - says the progenitor of the new philosophy. This is how important thinking is: it is the main purpose of a person ... "
Nosce te ipsum. Know yourself. Latin translation of the Greek saying gnothi seauton, attributed to Thales and inscribed on the pediment of the temple at Delphi.
Nota bene! (NB!). "Notice well, pay attention." A mark that serves to draw attention to some special noteworthy part of the text.
Nulla dies sine linea. Not a day without a stroke; not a day without a line (used in the "Natural History" by Gaius Pliny Caecilius the Elder in relation to the ancient Greek painter Apelles).
Nunc est bibendum - Now we have to drink.
O imitatores, servum pecus! - O imitators, slave herd!
O tempora! About mores! O times! Oh manners! Cicero, Oration Against Catiline.
Oderunt poetas - Poets are hated.
Odi profanum vulgus et arceo - I despise and drive away the ignorant crowd.
Omnia mea mecum porto. I carry everything with me. Words attributed by Cicero to Biantus, one of the seven wise men.
Omnis ars imitatio est naturae. All art is an imitation of nature. Seneca, "Messages".
Optimum medicamentum quies est. The best medicine is rest. Statement of Aulus Cornelius Celsus, Roman physician.
Ora et labora - Pray and work.
Oratio pedestris - lit.: Walking speech, prose
Panem et circles. Meal'n'Real. An exclamation expressing the basic demands of the Roman crowd, which lost political rights in the era of the Empire and was content with the free distribution of bread and free circus spectacles.
Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Mountains give birth, and a funny mouse will be born; the mountain gave birth to a mouse (Quintus Horace Flaccus in The Science of Poetry ridicules writers who begin their works with grandiloquent promises that are not justified in the future).
Periculum in moro. "Danger in delay", i.e. delay is dangerous. Titus Livius, "History".
Persona (non)grata. (Un)desirable person (term of international law). In a broad sense - a person who (not) enjoys confidence.
Plure crapula, quam gladius perdidit - Drunkenness (cups) killed more people than the sword.
Poema loguens pictura, pictura tacitum poema debet esse - A poem should be a talking picture, and a picture should be a silent poem.
Poeta semper tiro - A poet is always a simpleton.
Poetae nascuntur, oratores fiunt - Poets are born, speakers become.
post factum. "After the fact", i.e. after the event has happened; retrospectively, belatedly.
Post scriptum (P.S.). "After written" or "After written", postscript at the end of the letter.
Prima cratera ad sitim pertinet, secunda - ad hilaritatem, tertia - ad voluptatem, quarta - ad insaniam. - The first bowl promotes thirst, the second - fun, the third - pleasure, the fourth - madness.
Principles obsta! - Resist the beginnings!
Pro et contra. Pros and cons.
Ask! To health! Cheers!
Pulchre sedens, melius agens = Measure seven times, cut once (lit.: well sat - better acting).
Quae medicamenta non sanat, ferrum sanat; quae ferrum non sanat, ignis sanat. Quae vero ignis non sanat, insanabilia reputari oportet - What medicines do not cure, iron heals; what iron does not cure, fire heals. That even fire does not heal, it should be recognized as incurable.
Qualis rex, talis grex. What is the king, such is the crowd. Latin proverb. Wed What a pop, such is the arrival.
Qui in animo sobrii, id est in lingua ebrii - What is in the soul of a sober person is on the tongue of a drunkard.
Qui non laborat, non manducet. Whoever does not work, let him not eat. 2nd Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians 3:10.
Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem - Whatever you do, do it wisely and foresee the end.
Quod erat demonstrandum (q.e.d.). Q.E.D. The traditional formula that completes the proof.
Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi. What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull. Latin proverb.
Repetitio est mater studiorum. Repetition is the mother of learning. Latin proverb.
Salus populi -- suprema lex. The good of the people is the highest law. Cicero, On the Laws.
Salus revolutionis suprema lex - The good of the revolution is the highest law.
Sapienti sat. enough for those who understand<того, что уже было сказано>. Titus Maccius Plautus, The Persian.
Scientia est potentia. Knowledge is power. Aphorism based on the statement of F. Bacon in the New Organon.
Scio me nihil scire. I know that I know nothing. Translation into Latin of the words of Socrates, cited in Plato's work "Apology of Socrates".
Semper homo bonus tiro est. A decent person is always a simpleton. Martial.
Sero venientibus ossa. Whoever comes late (i.e., late), to that - the bones. Latin proverb.
Si vis pacem, para bellum - if you want peace - prepare for war is attributed to the Roman historian Cornelius Nepos (94-24 BC). According to other sources, the phrase belongs to the Roman writer Vegetius
Sic transit gloria mundi. This is how worldly glory passes. A phrase with which they address the future Pope of Rome during his elevation to this rank, while burning a piece of cloth in front of him as a sign of the illusory nature of earthly existence.
Simia quantum similis turpissima bestia nobis! - How similar to us is the vile creature - a monkey!
Sine Cerere et Libero friget Venus - Without Ceres and Liber, love is cold.
Sine prece, sine pretio, sine poculo. - Without asking, without bribery, without drinking.
Sirecte memini, sunt causae quinque bibendi:
Suum cuique. To each his own, i.e. to each what belongs to him by right, to each according to his deserts. position of Roman law.
Temeritas est florentis aetatis. Frivolity is characteristic of the flowering age. Mark Tullius Cicero.
Terra incognita. Unknown land. Translation: something completely unknown or inaccessible, incomprehensible area.
Tertium non datur. The third is not given; there is no third. The formulation of one of the four laws of thought - the law of the excluded middle - in formal logic.
Ubi pus, ibi evacua - Where there is pus, cleanse it.
Ultima ratio - Last resort.
Ut sit vinum proximum morientis ori...
Vae victis. Woe to the vanquished. During the siege of Rome by the Gauls, the inhabitants of the city had to pay a ransom of a thousand pounds of gold. On the scales, where the weights stood, one Gaul put his heavy sword, saying: "Woe to the vanquished." Titus Livius, "History".
Veni, vidi, vici. I came, I saw, I conquered. According to Plutarch in his Comparative Biography, with this phrase Julius Caesar reported in a letter to his friend Amintius about the victory in the battle of Zela.
Verba volant, scripta manent - Words fly away, writing remains.
Vina bibunt homines, animalia cetera fontes - Only people drink wine, and the rest of the animals drink pure water (from the source).
Vinum apostatare facit etiam sapientes - Wine brings even the wise to sin.
Vinum enim multum potatum irritationem et iram et ruinas multas facit - However, wine drunk in large quantities causes irritation, anger and many troubles.
Vinum locutum est - The wine spoke.
Vinum moderatum debilem stomachum reficit, vires reparat, algentem frigore caleficit, tristitiam etiam removet, laetitiam infundit - Wine in moderation strengthens a weak stomach, restores strength, warms those suffering from cold, it also drives away sorrow, fills with joy.
Vita sine libertate nihil. Life without freedom is nothing (original source not established; found in R. Roland, "Against Italian Fascism").
Vivere est cogitare. To live is to think. Cicero, The Tusculan Discourses. Motto of Voltaire
Vivere est military. To live is to fight. Seneca, Letters.
Volens nolens. Like it or not, willy-nilly.
The poor man is defeated everywhere - Pauper ubique jacet (Ovid, "Fasty");
Beads in front of pigs - Margaritas ante porcos (Gospel of Matthew);
More ringing than meaning - Plus sonat, quam valet (Seneca, "Letters");
To be close to wine is dearer to me than anything.
A snake is hiding in the grass - Latet anguis in herba (Virgil, Bucoliki);
People see more in someone else's work than in their own - Homines plus in alieno negotio videre quam in suo (Seneca, "Letters");
Doubly gives the one who gives quickly - Bis dat, qui cito dat (Publius Sir);
A cheerful companion on the road replaces the crew - Comes facundus in via pro vehiculo est (Publius Syr "Sentences");
In appearance there is nothing that would be trustworthy - Frontis nulla fides (Juvenal, "Satires");
During peace - lions, in battle - deer - In pace leones, in proelio cervi (Tertullian "About the wreath");
Doctor, heal yourself! - Medice, cura te ipsum (Gospel of Luke);
Where there is smoke, there is fire nearby - Flamma fumo est proxima (Plavt "Curculion");
Drive nature with a pitchfork, it will return anyway - Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret (Horace, "Messages");
Twice boiled cabbage - Crambe bis cocta (Juvenal, "Satires");
Good fame - the same inheritance - Honestus rumor alterum est patrimonium (Publius Syr "Sentences");
Enough eloquence, little wisdom - Satis eloquentiae, sapientiae parum (Sallust, Catiline's Conspiracy);
A worthy couple - Par nobile fratrum (Horace, "Satires");
Evil intent turns against the one who planned evil - Malum consilium consultori pessimum est (Aulus Gellius, "Attic Nights");
Smoke after lightning - Fumus ex fulgore (Horace, "The Science of Poetry");
If broken, the heavens collapsed - Si fractus illabatur orbis (Horace, "Odes");
If the Lord does not guard the house, the guards keep vigil in vain - Nisi Dominus custodierit domum, in vanum vigilant qui custodiunt eum (Psalter, Psalm -126);
If you break off one branch, another immediately appears - Uno avulso, non deficit alter (Virgil, "Aeneid");
Expect from another what you yourself did to another - Ab altero expectes, alteri quod feceris (Publius Sir "Sentences");
I know you both under the skin and outside - Ego te intus et in cute novi (Persius, "Satires");
And the smoke of the fatherland is sweet - Et fumus patriae est dulcis (Ovid, "Letters from Pontus");
And as soon as you uttered it, an irrevocable word flies - Et semel emissum volat irrevocabile verbum (Horace, "Messages");
Of the evils, choose the smallest - Ex malis eligere minima (Cicero, "On Duties");
Excess food interferes with the subtleties of the mind - Copia ciborum subtilitas animi impeditur (Seneca, "Letters");
Either do not take it, or bring it to the end - Aut non tentaris, aut perfice (Ovid, "The Science of Love");
Others think that old love must be beaten out with new love, like a stake with a stake - Novo quidam amore veterem amorem, tanquam clavo clavum, ejiciendum putant (Cicero, "Tusculan Conversations");
Execution of the above material - Materiam superabat opus (Ovid's "Metamorphoses");
The outcome of the case is the mentor of the unreasonable - Eventus stultorum magister est (Titus Livius);
Everyone is the blacksmith of his own destiny - Faber est suae quisque fortunae (Appius Claudius);
A drop hammers a stone not by force, but by a frequent fall - Gutta cavat lapidem non vi, sed saepe cadendo (Ovid, "Letters from Pontus");
The hood does not make a monk - Cucullus non facit monachum (Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure");
A non-warlike spear, without a blow - Tellum imbelle, sine ictu (Virgil, "Aeneid");
Who is everywhere is nowhere - Nusquam est qui ubique est (Seneca, "Letters");
Whoever does not work, let him not eat - Qui non laborat, non manducet (New Testament, Epistle of St. Paul to the Thessalonians);
Who will decide between cunning and valor when dealing with an enemy? Dolus an virtus quis in hoste requirat? (Virgil, "Aeneid");
Better late than never - Potius sero quam nunquam (Titus Livius, "History");
Better to lose a friend than a sharp word - Potius amicum quam dictum perdere (Quintilian, Orator's Teachings);
Better to die than be dishonored - Potius mori quam foedari (James of Portugal);
Everyone has the same love - Amor omnibus idem (Virgil, "Georgics");
People trust their eyes more than their ears - Homines amplius oculis, quam auribus credunt (Seneca, "Letters");
You will not sin - you will not repent - Peccando promeremur (Tertullian);
Neither to oneself, nor to others - Nec sibi, nec alteri (Cicero, "On Duties");
Remoteness increases charm - Major e longinquo reverentia (Tacitus, "Annals");
Write on the water - In aqua scribere (Catullus);
The letter does not blush - Epistula non erubescit (Cicero, "Letters to relatives");
By the claw of a lion - Ex ungue leonem (Lucian, "Germotimus");
Win or die - Vincere aut mori (William Thackeray, "Virginians");
Like is cured by like - Similia similibus curantur (S. Hahnemann, "Organon of Medical Art");
Useful with pleasant - Utile dulci (Horace, "The Science of Poetry");
Full goblets who did not make eloquent? - Fecundi calices quem non fecere disertum? (Horace, "Messages");
The shipwrecked and still water is afraid - Tranquillas etiam naufragus horret aquas (Ovid, "Messages from Pontus");
A traveler who has nothing with him can sing in the presence of a robber - Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator (Juvenal, "Satires");
The miser always needs - Semper avarus eget (Horace, "Messages");
Fate helps the brave - Fortes fortuna adjuvat (Simonides of Keos);
The vessel will keep the smell for a long time - Servabit odorem testa diu (Horace, "Messages");
Quarrels of lovers - renewal of love - Amantium irae amoris integratio est (Terentius, "Girl from Andros");
Man proposes, but God disposes - Homo proponit, sed deus disponit (Thomas the Kempis);
Aliena vitia in oculis habemus, a tergo nostra sunt (Seneca, "On Anger");
Alien to us, but others like ours better - Aliena nobis, nostra plus aliis placent (Seneca, "On Anger");
Latin is the noblest language in existence. Maybe because he's dead? Knowing Latin is not a utilitarian skill, it is a luxury. You will not speak it, but you will shine in society ... There is no language that helps to impress so much!
1.
Scio me nihil scire
[scio me nikhil scire]
“I know that I don’t know anything,” according to Plato, Socrates spoke of himself this way. And he explained this idea: people usually believe that they know something, but it turns out that they do not know anything. Thus, it turns out that, knowing about my ignorance, I know more than everyone else. A phrase for those who like to fill in the fog and reflective persons.
2. Cogito ergo sum
[kogito, ergo sum]
“I think, therefore I am” is the philosophical statement of René Descartes, a fundamental element of modern Western rationalism.
"Cogito ergo sum" is not the only formulation of Descartes' idea. More precisely, the phrase sounds like “Dubito ergo cogito, cogito ergo sum” - “I doubt, then I think; I think, therefore I am." Doubt is, according to Descartes, one of the modes of thinking. Therefore, the phrase can also be translated as "I doubt, therefore I exist."
3. Omnia mea mecum porto
[omnia mea mecum porto]
“I carry everything with me.” Roman historians say that in the days of the conquest of the Greek city of Priene by the Persians, the sage Byant calmly walked lightly behind a crowd of fugitives, barely carrying heavy property. When asked where his things were, he grinned and said: “Everything I have, I always carry with me.” He spoke in Greek, but these words have come down to us in a Latin translation.
It turned out, historians add, that he was a real sage; along the way, all the refugees lost their property, and soon Biant fed them on the gifts that he received, leading instructive conversations with their inhabitants in cities and villages.
This means that the inner wealth of a person, his knowledge and mind are more important and more valuable than any property.
4. Dum spiro, spero
[dum spiro, spero]
By the way, this phrase is also the slogan of the underwater special forces - combat swimmers of the Russian Navy.
5. Errare humanum est
[errare humanum est]
"To err is human" - the aphorism of Seneca Sr. In fact, this is just part of the aphorism, in its entirety it sounds like this: “Errare humanum est, stultum est in errore perseverare” - “It is human nature to err, but it is foolish to persist in your mistakes.”
6. O tempora! About mores!
[about tempora, about mores]
"O times! Oh manners! - the most famous expression of Cicero from the "First speech against Catiline", which is considered the pinnacle of Roman oratory. Revealing the details of the conspiracy at a meeting of the Senate, Cicero with this phrase expresses indignation at the impudence of the conspirator, who dared to appear in the Senate as if nothing had happened, and the inaction of the authorities.
Usually the expression is used, stating the decline of morals, condemning an entire generation. However, this expression may well become a funny joke.
7. In vino veritas, in aqua sanitas
[in vino veritas, in aqua sanitas]
“Truth is in wine, health is in water” - almost everyone knows the first part of the saying, but the second part is not so widely known.
8. Homo homini lupus est
[homo hominy lupus est]
"Man is a wolf to man" is a proverbial expression from Plautus' comedy "Donkeys". They use it when they want to say that human relations are sheer selfishness and enmity.
In Soviet times, this phrase characterized the capitalist system, in contrast to which, in the society of the builders of communism, man is a friend, comrade and brother to man.
9. Per aspera ad astra
[per aspera ed astra]
"Through hardship to the stars". The variant "Ad astra per aspera" - "To the stars through thorns" is also used. Perhaps the most poetic Latin saying. Its authorship is attributed to Lucius Annaeus Seneca, an ancient Roman philosopher, poet and statesman.
10. Veni, vidi, vici
[veni, see, vichi]
“I came, I saw, I conquered,” Gaius Julius Caesar wrote in a letter to his friend Aminty about the victory over one of the Black Sea fortresses. According to Suetonius, it was these words that were written on the board that was carried during the triumph of Caesar in honor of this victory.
11. Gaudeamus igitur
[gaudeamus igitur]
"So, let's have fun" - the first line of the student anthem of all times and peoples. The hymn was created in the Middle Ages in Western Europe and, contrary to church-ascetic morality, praised life with its joys, youth and science. This song goes back to the genre of drinking songs of vagants - medieval wandering poets and singers, among whom were students.
12.
Dura lex, sed lex
[stupid lex, sad lex]
There are two translations of this phrase: "The law is harsh, but it is the law" and "The law is the law." Many people think that this phrase refers to the times of Roman law, but it is not. The maxim dates back to the Middle Ages. In Roman law, there was just a flexible, allowing to soften the letter of the law, the rule of law.
13. Si vis pacem, para bellum
[se vis packem para bellum]
14. Repetitio est mater studiorum
[repetition est mater studio]
One of the proverbs most beloved by the Latins, is also translated into Russian by the proverb "Repetition is the mother of learning."
15. Amor tussisque non celantur
[amor tusisque non tselantur]
“You can’t hide love and cough” - in fact, there are a lot of sayings about love in Latin, but this one seems to us the most touching. And relevant in anticipation of autumn.
Fall in love, but be healthy!
