Mater
negat. —
Cicero, In Defense of Flaccus
92
His mother denies it.
Māter, mātris (3f): mother. Negat is the third person singular form of negō, negāre, negāvī, negātum (1): to deny; refuse.
The law of the place of the wrong.
(A choice-of-law rule: when deciding whether an act was wrongful, apply the law of the place where the act was done.) Lēx, lēgis (3f): law, rule. Locus, locī (2m): place. Dēlictum, dēlictī (2n): crime, offense, fault.
You ask what freedom is?
Quī/ quae /quod (interrog. pron.): which? what? Sit is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Lībertās, lībertātis (3f): liberty, freedom. Quaeris is the second person singular form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to ask; seek.
The mind sees, the mind hears.
(Discussed by Aristotle to explain why we hear better at night than during the day: hearing happens in the mind, and the mind is less distracted at night.) Mēns, mentis (3f): mind. Videt is the third person singular form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see. Audit is the third person singular form of audiō, audīre, audīvī/audiī, audītum (4): to hear.
The stiffness of death.
Rigor, rigōris (3m): stiffness. Mors, mortis (3f): death. (So the death of rigor would be mors rigōris.)
The law of retaliation.
(An eye for an eye.) Lēx, lēgis (3f): law. Tāliō, tāliōnis (3f): punishment (equal to the injury caused); retaliation.
Not of sound mind.
More literally: Not having control of the mind.
(Refers to a party who’s mentally incapacitated and so can’t testify, be held responsible for acts taken, etc.) Nōn: not. Compos, compotis (3, adj.): having control over something (with genitive). Mēns, mentis (3f): mind; intention.
In place of a parent.
(Refers to the role of a person or institution (typically a school) with parental responsibilities and obligations.) In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Locō is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place. Parēns, parentis (3m/f): parent.
The characters of the play.
Drāma, drāmatis (3n): drama, play. Persōnae is the nominative plural form of persōna, persōnae (1f): mask; character.
It rejects the nature of man.
(He’s talking about anger, which he says turns people against each other in ways contrary to their natures.) Nātūram is the accusative singular form of nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature. Homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Ēiūrat is the third person singular form of ēiūrō, ēiūrāre, ēiūrāvī, ēiūrātum (1—also ēierō): to disown, reject, renounce.
Philosophy is the study of virtue.
Philosophia, philosophiae (1f): philosophy. Studium, studiī (2n): zeal; eagerness; pursuit; study. Virtūs, virtūtis (3f): virtue, moral excellence; courage, valor. Est: is.
Man is a wolf to man.
(Adapted from Plautus, The Comedy of Asses 495, where the verb (est) was made explicit: lupus est homo homini.) Homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Hominī is the dative singular form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Lupus, lupī (2m): wolf.
Do not add fire to fire.
Ignem is the accusative singular form of ignis, ignis (3m): fire. Ignī is the dative singular form of ignis, ignis (3m): fire. Nē (adv.): not (in a command or wish, with the subjunctive mood). Addās is the second person singular subjunctive form of addō, addere, addidī, additum (3): to add. Second-person negative commands with nē classically take the perfect subjunctive when they’re directed at a specific person; but advice addressed generally (to no one in particular) often uses the present subjunctive. (Negative commands to a specific person often do so too in later texts and occasionally earlier.)
What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the ox.
(The important or exceptional can get away with things that others can’t.) Quī/quae/ quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Licet, licēre, licuit/licitum est (2): it is allowed (impersonal). Iovī is the dative singular form of Iuppiter, Iovis (3m): Jupiter. Nōn: not. Bovī is the dative singular form of bōs, bovis (3m/f): ox; bull; cow.
Human character matches habitat.
More literally: The morals of men conform to territory.
Mōrēs is the nominative plural form of mōs, mōris (3m): habit, custom; (in the plural) morals, character. Hominum is the genitive plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Regiōnī is the dative singular form of regiō, regiōnis (3f): region, territory. Respondent is the third person plural form of respondeō, respondēre, respondī, respōnsum (2): to respond, answer; conform to, be consistent with.
One is a slave to lust, another to greed, another to ambition, all to fear.
Alius /alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): another, other; different (alius. . . alius = one. . . another). Libīdinī is the dative singular form of libīdō, libīdinis (3f): desire; lust. Servit is the third person singular form of serviō, servīre, servīvī/serviī, servītum (4): to serve; be a slave. Alius /alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): another, other; different. Avāritiae is the dative singular form of avāritia, avāritiae (1f): avarice, greed. Ambitiōnī is the dative singular form of ambitiō, ambitiōnis (3f): ambition, desire for favor. Omnēs is the m/f nominative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): every; all; (m. pl. used substantively) all people, everyone. Timōrī is the dative singular form of timor, timōris (3m): fear, dread.
A drop of water hollows out a stone.
(Slow persistence can overcome anything. Also an Erasmus, Adagia (1536).) Gutta, guttae (1f): drop (of a liquid). Cavat is the third person singular form of cavō, cavāre, cavāvī, cavātum (1): to hollow out. Lapidem is the accusative singular form of lapis, lapidis (3m): stone.
If you want peace, prepare for war.
More literally: If you want peace, prepare war.
(Adapted from Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus, De Re Militari.) Sī (conj.): if. Vīs is the second person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to wish, want. Pācem is the accusative singular form of pāx, pācis (3f): peace. Parā is the singular imperative form of parō, parāre, parāvī, parātum (1): to prepare, arrange. Bellum is the accusative singular form of bellum, bellī (2n): war.
You see that thirst can be endured.
More literally: You see thirst to be able to be endured.
Vidēs is the second person singular form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see. Possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Tolerārī is the passive infinitive form of tolerō, tolerāre, tolerāvī, tolerātum (1): to tolerate, endure. Sitim is the accusative singular form of sitis, sitis (3f): thirst.
To the man/against the man.
(Attacking the maker of an argument—or the maker’s motives, etc. —rather than the merits of the argument itself; in more philosophical usage, refuting an argument by showing that it’s inconsistent with other things the speaker believes.) Ad (prep.): to, toward (takes the accusative). Hominem is the accusative singular form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human.
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Confess before death.
Ante (prep.): before (takes the accusative). Mortem is the accusative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Cōnfitēre is the singular imperative form of cōnfiteor, cōnfitērī, cōnfessus sum (2, deponent): to confess.
To look into the anus of a dog.
(An insult adapted from Aristophanes, A Parliament of Women 253. Erasmus has the complete version as I told him to go look into a dog’s anus; the original has been rendered as go squint up a dog’s butt, perhaps addressed to someone who doesn’t see well.) In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Canis, canis (3m/f): dog. (This noun has the same number of syllables in all the singular forms, but it’s not i-stem—the genitive plural is canum, not canium.) Pōdicem is the accusative singular form of pōdex, pōdicis (3m, vulgar): anus. Īnspiciō, īnspicere, īnspexī, īnspectum (3, –iō): to look into; inspect.
You seek the way.
Quaeris is the second person singular form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to ask; seek. Iter is the accusative singular form of iter, itineris (3n): journey; route, way.
He summoned the girl to court.
Vocat is the third person singular form of vocō, vocāre, vocāvī, vocātum (1): to call, summon (a historical present verb; hence the past-tense translation summoned). Puellam is the accusative singular form of puella, puellae (1f): girl. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Iūs is the accusative singular form of iūs, iūris (3n): law, right, authority; court.
If you are a vulture, wait for your carcass.
(Adapted from Seneca, who was arguing that different intentions make the same act honorable or dishonorable—i.e., one who waits on a sick friend out of kindness vs. one who hopes for an inheritance; he compared this last character to a vulture.) Sī (conj.): if. Vultur, vulturis (3m): vulture. Es: you are. Cadāver is the accusative singular form of cadāver, cadāveris (3n): cadaver, corpse, carcass. Expectā is the singular imperative form of expectō, expectāre, expectāvī, expectātum (1—also exspectō): to wait (for); expect; look forward to.
We never think of death!
Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Morte is the ablative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Nōn: not. Cōgitāmus is the first person plural form of cōgitō, cōgitāre, cōgitāvī, cōgitātum (1): to think, reflect; plan, intend.
No punishment without law.
(The principle that no one is to be punished except for violating a rule laid down in advance.) Nūllus/ nūlla /nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Poena, poenae (1f): punishment. Sine (prep.): without (takes the ablative). Lēge is the ablative singular form of lēx, lēgis (3f): law.
I live on bread and water.
Pāne is the ablative singular form of pānis, pānis (3m): bread. Et (conj.): and. Aquā is the ablative singular form of aqua, aquae (1f): water. Vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live.
Do I spend much time in the brothel?
More literally: Do I mostly live in a brothel?
Plūrimum (adv.): very much; most; generally. Vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Lupānārī is the ablative singular form of lupānar, lupānāris (3n): brothel.
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For they were fishermen.
Erant is the third person plural imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Enim (particle): for; indeed. Piscātōrēs is the nominative plural form of piscātor, piscātōris (3m): fisherman.
Here be dragons.
(Written on the Hunt-Lenox globe, one of the first European globes, in 1510. The words referred to southeast Asia.) Hīc (adv.): here. Sunt: (there) are. Dracōnēs is the nominative plural form of dracō, dracōnis (3m): dragon.
The springs themselves are thirsty.
Alt. : Even the fountains complain of being thirsty.
(As when someone who produces plenty clamors for more from others.) Fontēs is the nominative plural form of fōns, fontis (3m): spring, fountain. Ipsī is the masculine nominative plural form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/oneself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very; the actual. Sitiunt is the third person plural form of sitiō, sitīre, sitīvī/sitiī, — (4): to thirst, be thirsty.
They are our introductory curriculum, not our real work.
More literally: They are our beginnings, not our works.
(He’s talking about the study of liberal arts, as distinct from philosophy.) Rudīmenta is the nominative plural form of rudīmentum, rudīmentī (2n, most common in pl.): early training, beginnings, first lessons, first attempts. Sunt: they are. Nostra is the neuter nominative plural form of noster/nostra/nostrum (1/2): our, ours. Nōn: not. Opera is the nominative plural form of opus, operis (3n): work; need.
Crimes are no longer covert.
Alt. : Nor are crimes now kept secret.
Neque/ nec: (as conj.) and not, nor; (as adv.) neither, not either, not even. Fūrtīva is the neuter nominative plural form of fūrtīvus/fūrtīva/fūrtīvum (1/2): stealthy, secret, hidden. Iam (adv.): already; now; soon; with a negative word (such as nōn), it can mean no longer or not anymore. Scelera is the nominative plural form of scelus, sceleris (3n): crime. Sunt: (they) are.
By now the seas are still.
Maria is the nominative plural form of mare, maris (3n): sea. Iam (adv.): already; now; soon. Quiēscunt is the third person plural form of quiēscō, quiēscere, quiēvī, quiētum (3): to rest, sleep, be still.
The final argument of kings.
(Thus the expression ultima ratio: the final argument, the last resort.) Ultimus/ ultima /ultimum (1/2): last, final; furthest. Ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): reason; argument. Rēgum is the genitive plural form of rēx, rēgis (3m): king.
To pierce the eyes of the crow.
More literally: . . . of crows.
(Describes cases where one deceives another despite the other being wary; derived from the notion that crows themselves attack the eyes.) Cornīcum is the genitive plural form of cornīx, cornīcis (3f): crow. Oculōs is the accusative plural form of oculus, oculī (2m): eye. Cōnfīgō, cōnfīgere, cōnfīxī, cōnfīxum (3): to pierce through.
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Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
Vānitās, vānitātis (3f): nothingness; vanity. Vānitātum is the genitive plural form of vānitās, vānitātis (3f): nothingness; vanity. Omnia is the neuter nominative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): every; all. Vānitās, vānitātis (3f): nothingness; vanity.
Let them be crushed by animals of monstrous bulk!
More literally: Let them be crushed by a huge mass of animals!
(Mocking the attitude of spectators who watch gladiators.) Ingentī is the m/f/n ablative singular form of ingēns, ingentis (3, adj.): huge, enormous. Mōle is the ablative singular form of mōlēs, mōlis (3f): mass; heap; massive structure. Animālium is the genitive plural form of animal, animālis (3n): animal, living thing. Exterantur is the third person plural passive subjunctive form of exterō, exterere, extrīvī, extrītum (3): to rub away; tread down, crush (a jussive subjunctive).
He sells himself to pleasures.
Sē is the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Voluptātibus is the dative plural form of voluptās, voluptātis (3f): pleasure. Vēndit is the third person singular form of vēndō, vēndere, vēndidī, vēnditum (3): to sell.
To throw lambs to the dogs.
(As when an inexperienced person is thrust into litigation.) Obiciō, obicere, obiēcī, obiectum (3, –iō): to throw in the way, throw (to). Canibus is the dative plural form of canis, canis (3m/f): dog. Agnōs is the accusative plural form of agnus, agnī (2m): lamb.
Apply reason to difficulties.
Adhibē is the singular imperative form of adhibeō, adhibēre, adhibuī, adhibitum (2): to extend; apply; use. Ratiōnem is the accusative singular form of ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): reason; method; calculation. Difficultātibus is the dative plural form of difficultās, difficultātis (3f): difficulty.
In the morning, humans are thrown to the lions or to the bears; at noon, they are thrown to their own spectators!
Māne (adv.): in the morning. Leōnibus is the dative plural form of leō, leōnis (3m): lion. Et (conj.): and. Ursīs is the dative plural form of ursus, ursī (2m): bear. Hominēs is the nominative plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being. Merīdiē (adv.): at midday. Spectātōribus is the dative plural form of spectātor, spectātōris (3m): spectator. Suīs is the m/f/n dative plural form of suus/sua/suum (1/2): their (own). Obiciuntur is the third person plural passive form of obiciō, obicere, obiēcī, obiectum (3, –iō): to throw in the way, throw (to).
I know the fellow’s tricks.
Alt. : I know the man’s tricks.
Nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): to come to know, know; recognize (the perfect-tense forms commonly translate with the present tense of know in English—the meaning of nōvī evolved from I have gotten to know into I know). Homō, hominis (3m): man, human being. Fraudēs is the accusative plural form of fraus, fraudis (3f): harm; deceit, fraud, trick, stratagem.
He knows his own strength.
Vīrēs is the accusative plural form of vīs, vīs (3f): power, force; violence; strength (in that last meaning, it’s often plural in Latin but translated as singular in English). Suās is the feminine accusative plural form of suus/sua/suum (1/2): his (own). Nōvit is the third person singular perfect form of nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): to come to know, know; recognize (as noted a moment ago, the perfect corresponds in meaning to the present tense of know).
He had two wives.
(Discussing Passienus Crispus. The wives were consecutive, not at the same time.) Uxōrēs is the accusative plural form of uxor, uxōris (3f): wife. Habuit is the third person singular perfect form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Duās is the feminine accusative plural form of duo/duae/duo (irreg.): two.
The prince is not above the laws, but the laws above the prince.
Nōn: not. Est: is. Prīnceps, prīncipis (3m): prince, leader, ruler, emperor. Super (prep.): (with acc.) above, over; (with abl.) about, concerning. Lēgēs is the accusative plural form of lēx, lēgis (3f): law. Sed (conj.): but. Lēgēs is the nominative plural form of lēx, lēgis (3f): law. Prīncipem is the accusative singular form of prīnceps, prīncipis (3m): prince, etc. Observe how lēgēs stays the same when used in the nominative and accusative cases, while prīnceps changes to prīncipem (because that’s the way this declension works on the singular side).
God comes to men.
Deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god, deity. Ad (prep.): to, toward (takes the accusative). Hominēs is the accusative plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human being. Venit is the third person singular form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
You are treading on hot ashes (i.e., be careful).
More literally: You are walking through fires.
Incēdis is the second person singular form of incēdō, incēdere, incessī, incessum (3): to step, walk, advance, march. Per (prep.): through (takes the accusative). Ignīs is the accusative plural form of ignis, ignis (3m): fire.
You have seen their bodies.
Corpora is the accusative plural form of corpus, corporis (3n): body. Vīdistī is the second person singular perfect form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see.
The court knows the laws.
This example shows the importance of knowing which rules apply in which declensions. Iura and curia both end with –a; but the first is accusative plural and the second is nominative singular—something you would only know by familiarity with the endings of the first declension vs. the third, and by knowing which words belong to which.
(Expresses the idea that a court is to apply the correct law to a dispute, whether or not the parties have presented it accurately.) Iūra is the accusative plural form of iūs, iūris (3n): law; right. Nōvit is the third person singular perfect form of nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): to come to know, know; recognize (as noted earlier, the perfect form has a present-tense meaning). Cūria, cūriae (1f): court.
It will drink up seas.
With prepositions.
(He’s talking about time, and saying that it consumes everything in the end.) Maria is the accusative plural form of mare, maris (3n): sea. Sorbēbit is the third person singular future form of sorbeō, sorbēre, sorbuī, sorbitum (2): to suck in, swallow up.
He is accused of misconduct.
More literally: He is being accused concerning (his) morals.
Accūsātur is the third person singular passive form of accūsō, accūsāre, accūsāvī, accūsātum (1): to accuse; blame, reproach. Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Mōribus is the ablative plural form of mōs, mōris (3m): habit, practice, custom, behavior; (in the plural) morals, character.
An ass among bees.
(Spoken of those who suffer misfortune.) Asinus, asinī (2m): ass, donkey. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on—sometimes transl. among; (with acc.) into. Apibus is the ablative plural form of apis, apis (3f): bee.
To group foxes with lions.
(Recorded as an adage by Erasmus for occasions when unlike and unequal things have been put together.) Congregō, congregāre, congregāvī, congregātum (1): to gather, assemble. Cum (prep.): with (takes the ablative). Leōnibus is the ablative plural form of leō, leōnis (3m): lion. Vulpēs is the accusative plural form of vulpēs, vulpis (3f): fox.
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I do not accept glory from men.
Clāritātem is the accusative singular form of clāritās, clāritātis (3f): brightness; clearness; renown, fame, reputation. Ab /ā (prep.): from; by (takes the ablative). Hominibus is the ablative plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Nōn: not. Accipiō, accipere, accēpī, acceptum (3, –iō): to receive, accept, take.
To lead e.
More literally: To drag by the nostrils.
(For cases when one is moved at someone else’s direction and pleasure.) Nāribus is the ablative plural form of nāris, nāris (3f): nostril; (in pl.) nose. Trahō, trahere, trāxī, tractum (3): to drag, pull.
I hold a wolf by the ears.
(A situation where either course—holding on or letting go—is dangerous. Acknowledged as a proverb by Terence.) Auribus is the ablative plural form of auris, auris (3f): ear. Teneō, tenēre, tenuī, tentum (2): to hold. Lupum is the accusative singular form of lupus, lupī (2m): wolf.
Her body is broken by lashings.
Verberibus is the ablative plural form of verber, verberis (3n): lash, whip; lashing, flogging (often in pl.). Corpus, corporis (3n): body. Abrumpitur is the third person singular passive form of abrumpō, abrumpere, abrūpī, abruptum (3): to break off; break, rupture; cut short.
To enter with unwashed feet.
(That is, to so enter a shrine; to treat sacred things disrespectfully.) Illōtīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of illōtus/illōta/illōtum (1/2): unwashed. Pedibus is the ablative plural form of pēs, pedis (3m): foot. Ingredior, ingredī, ingressus sum (3, –ior, deponent): to go into, enter.