Sciat
ergo
quam
plurima. —
Quintilian, The Orator’s Education
12.4.2
So let him know as many such things as possible.
Sciat is the third person singular subjunctive form of sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know (a jussive subjunctive). Ergō (particle): therefore, then, so. Quam (rel. adv.): how, how much, as, to what degree; quam + superlative = as (superlative) as possible. Plūrima is the neuter accusative plural form of plūrimus/plūrima/plūrimum (1/2): most abundant or numerous; very much, very many.
E
e
I am the first, and I am the last.
Ego: I. Prīmus /prīma/prīmum (1/2): first (this adjective is an irregular superlative without a positive form). Et (conj.): and. Novissimus /novissima/novissimum (1/2) is the superlative form of novus/nova/novum (1/2): new; young; recent (last, rather than newest, is the usual meaning of the superlative).
To be a slave to one’s self is the most grievous kind of slavery.
Sibi is the dative form of the reflexive pronoun. Serviō, servīre, servīvī/serviī, servītum (4): to serve; be a slave. Gravissimus/ gravissima /gravissimum (1/2) is the superlative form of gravis/gravis/grave (3): heavy; serious; hard, painful, grievous. Est: is. Servitūs, servitūtis (3f): slavery.
This is most agreeable to the people.
Hic/haec/ hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Populō is the dative singular form of populus, populī (2m): the people. Grātissimus/grātissima/ grātissimum (1/2) is the superlative form of grātus/grāta/grātum (1/2): grateful; welcome, pleasing. Est: is.
The present time is very brief.
Praesēns, praesentis (3, adj.): present. Tempus, temporis (3n): time. Brevissimus/brevissima/ brevissimum (1/2) is the superlative form of brevis/brevis/breve (3): brief. Est: is.
So ended this important trial.
More literally: This (was) the end of (this) most important trial.
Hic /haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Fīnis, fīnis (3m): end. Cognitiō, cognitiōnis (3f): trial or inquiry; knowledge. Amplissimae is the feminine genitive singular form of amplissimus/amplissima/amplissimum (1/2), the superlative form of amplus/ampla/amplum (1/2): large, great; important.
Consider how rapidly time speeds along.
More literally: Consider the speed of swiftest time.
Respice is the singular imperative form of respiciō, respicere, respexī, respectum (3, –iō): to look back (at); look to; consider. Celeritātem is the accusative singular form of celeritās, celeritātis (3f): speed, swiftness. Rapidissimī is the m/n genitive singular form of rapidissimus/rapidissima/rapidissimum (1/2), the superlative form of rapidus/rapida/rapidum (1/2): swift. Tempus, temporis (3n): time.
We would give, not to the most worthy, but to the richest, men.
More literally: We would give to each richest (person), not to each worthiest.
(If we made gifts in hopes of getting gifts back in return, then. . .). Locuplētissimō is the m/n (here m) dative singular form of locuplētissimus/locuplētissima/locuplētissimum (1/2), the superlative form of locuplēs, locuplētis (3): rich. Cuique is the m/f/n dative singular form of quisque/quaeque/quidque (pron.): each one, each person, each thing. Nōn: not. Dignissimō is the m/n (here m) dative singular form of dignissimus/dignissima/dignissimum (1/2) is the superlative form of dignus/digna/dignum (1/2). Darēmus is the first person plural imperfect subjunctive form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give (imperfect subjunctive because it’s present contrary to fact). A superlative followed by a form of quisque is common wording. The meaning is literally every most (adjective) person; that is to say, (all) the most (adjective) people or each person according as he is (most) (adjective).
Your wish is thus excellent in every way and will be granted.
More literally: Therefore I indeed comply with your most honorable wish.
Quārē (rel. adv.): why, wherefore, therefore. Ego: I. Vērō (particle): truly, indeed; on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover. Honestissimae is the feminine dative singular form of honestissimus/honestissima/honestissimum (1/2), the superlative form of honestus/honesta/honestum (1/2): honorable. Voluntātī is the dative singular form of voluntās, voluntātis (3f): wish, choice, desire. Tuae is the feminine dative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Pāreō, pārēre, pāruī, pāritum (2): to appear; comply with, obey (with dative).
Suppose a sage to be very fast.
(Then he would win the race because he’s fast, not because he’s wise; the wise do many of the same things that others do.) Putā is the singular imperative form of putō, putāre, putāvī, putātum (1): to suppose, think. Vēlōcissimum is the m/n accusative singular form of vēlōcissimus/vēlōcissima/vēlōcissimum (1/2), the superlative form of vēlōx, vēlōcis (3, adj.): fast. Esse: to be. Sapientem is the accusative singular form of sapiēns, sapientis (3m): wise man, sage.
At this point he spoke a most eloquent epigram.
Alt. : At this point he uttered a very eloquent sentiment.
Hōc is the m/n ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Locō is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place; point. Disertissimam is the feminine accusative singular form of disertissimus/disertissima/disertissimum (1/2), the superlative form of disertus/diserta/disertum (1/2): eloquent. Sententiam is the accusative singular form of sententia, sententiae (1f): thought, opinion, sentiment; meaning; sentence; maxim, epigram. Dīxit is the third person singular perfect form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say, speak, utter.
But they have this very bad thing in them.
(He’s talking about philosophical quibbles.) Hoc is the neuter accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Tamen (adv.): nevertheless, yet, still. Habent is the third person plural form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Sē is the ablative form of the reflexive pronoun. Pessimum is the m/n accusative singular form of pessimus/pessima/pessimum (1/2), the superlative form of malus/mala/malum (1/2): bad.
What starts out extremely similar ends up so extremely different.
More literally: What began from the very similar ends in the very dissimilar.
(He’s talking about rainbows and how gradually the colors in them change.) Quī/quae/ quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Ab/ ā (prep.): (away) from; by (takes the ablative). Simillimō is the m/n ablative singular form of simillimus/simillima/simillimum (1/2), the superlative form of similis/similis/simile (3): similar. Coepit is the third person singular perfect form of coepī, coepisse, coeptum (defective; usually occurs only in the perfect, pluperfect and future perfect tenses): to begin. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Dissimillimō is the m/n ablative singular form of dissimillimus/dissimillima/dissimillimum (1/2) is the superlative form of dissimilis/dissimilis/dissimile (3): dissimilar. Dēsinit is the third person singular form of dēsinō, dēsinere, dēsiī/dēsīvī, dēsitum (3): to cease, stop, end.
For I will speak in the friendliest spirit.
Etenim (conj.): for, indeed. Dīcam is the first person singular future form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say, speak. Animō is the ablative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit. Amīcissimō is the m/n ablative singular form of amīcissimus/amīcissima/amīcissimum (1/2), the superlative form of amīcus/amīca/amīcum (1/2): friendly.
He is an absentee so far as his better self is concerned.
More literally: He is away in (respect to) the best part of himself.
(He’s talking about the relationship of the sage to his body; the sage is mostly off thinking about other things.) Optimā is the feminine ablative singular form of optimus/optima/optimum (1/2), the superlative form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Suī is the genitive form of the reflexive pronoun. Parte is the ablative singular form of pars, partis (3f): part, share. Abest is the third person singular form of absum, abesse, āfuī, āfutūrus (irreg.): to be away, be absent, be distant.
We will be the most fugitive among the brave—and the most tardy among the fugitives.
Erimus is the first person plural future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Inter (prep.): among; between (takes the accusative). Fortēs is the m/f (here m) accusative plural form of fortis/fortis/forte (3): brave; strong (used substantively). Fugācissimī is the masculine nominative plural form of fugācissimus/fugācissima/fugācissimum (1/2), the superlative form of fugāx, fugācis (3, adj.): apt to flee, evasive, fugitive. Fugācēs is the fleeing, the fugitive—the m/f (here m) accusative plural form of fugāx, fugācis (3, adj.): apt to flee, evasive, fugitive. Tardissimī is the masculine nominative plural form of tardissimus/tardissima/tardissimum (1/2) is the superlative form of tardus/tarda/tardum (1/2).
The bitterest quarrels are between brothers.
More literally: The angers of brothers between themselves are bitterest.
Frātrum is the genitive plural form of frāter, frātris (3m): brother. Inter (prep.): among; between (takes the accusative). Sē is the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Īrae is the nominative plural form of īra, īrae (1f): anger. Sunt: are. Acerbissimae is the feminine nominative plural form of acerbissimus/acerbissima/acerbissimum (1/2), the superlative form of acerbus/acerba/acerbum (1/2): bitter, harsh.
Fruit is sweetest just before it spoils.
More literally: Fruits are most pleasing when they flee.
Grātissima is the neuter nominative plural form of grātissimus/grātissima/grātissimum (1/2), the superlative form of grātus/grāta/grātum (1/2): agreeable, pleasing, welcome. Sunt: are. Pōma is the nominative plural form of pōmum, pōmī (2n): fruit. Cum (conj.): when; since; while; although. Fugiunt is the third person plural form of fugiō, fugere, fūgī, fugitūrus (3, –iō): to flee, run away; wilt, go flat, or spoil.
Those are the inventions of the commonest slaves.
(He’s talking about luxurious houses and baths built by people whom he regards as slaves to material improvements.) Vīlissimōrum is the m/n genitive plural form of vīlissimus/vīlissima/vīlissimum (1/2), the superlative form of vīlis/vīlis/vīle (3): cheap, common, worthless contemptible. Mancipiōrum is the genitive plural form of mancipium, mancipiī (2n): slave. Ista is the neuter nominative plural form of iste/ista/istud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Commenta is the nominative plural form of commentum, commentī (2n): invention, scheme. Sunt: are.
She has given a variety of many very pleasing things.
(He’s talking about temptations nature offers to tempt people away from virtue.) Multārum is the feminine genitive plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many. Rērum is the genitive plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair. Iūcundissimārum is the feminine genitive plural form of iūcundissimus/iūcundissima/iūcundissimum (1/2), the superlative form of iūcundus/iūcunda/iūcundum (1/2): pleasant, delightful. Varietātem is the accusative singular form of varietās, varietātis (3f): variety. Dedit is the third person singular perfect form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give.
Turn a deaf ear to those who love you most.
More literally: Show yourself deaf to your most loving ones.
(Because they mean well but will wish things for you that do you no good.) Surdum is the m/n (here m) accusative singular form of surdus/surda/surdum (1/2): deaf. Tē is the accusative form of tū: you (used reflexively: yourself). Amantissimīs is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of amantissimus/amantissima/amantissimum (1/2), the superlative form of amāns, amantis (3, adj.) (originally the present active participle of amō, amāre, amāvī, amātum (1): to love): loving. Tuīs is the m/f/n dative plural form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Praestā is the singular imperative form of praestō, praestāre, praestitī, praestātum (1): to stand in front; stand out, be excellent; be responsible for; fulfill, discharge; make available, give, provide, supply; (with reflexive pronoun) show (oneself in a certain way).
If he has put his trust in very fleeting goods, he is soon abandoned.
Sī (conj.): if. Fugācissimīs is the m/f/n dative plural form of fugācissimus/fugācissima/fugācissimum (1/2), the superlative form of fugāx, fugācis (3): apt to flee, fleeting, fugitive. Bonīs is the dative plural form of bonum, bonī (2n): good; benefit; (in pl.) possessions. Crēdidit is the third person singular perfect form of crēdō, crēdere, crēdidī, crēditum (3): to believe; trust (takes the dative). Cito (adv.): quickly; soon. Dēseritur is the third person singular passive form of dēserō, dēserere, dēseruī, dēsertum (3): to desert, abandon, fail.
For speech is bold even for the most timorous.
Est: is. Enim (particle): for; indeed. Ōrātiō, ōrātiōnis (3f): speech. Etiam (particle): even. Timidissimīs is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of timidissimus/timidissima/timidissimum (1/2), the superlative form of timidus/timida/timidum (1/2): timid. Audāx, audācis (3, adj.): bold.
Illness attacks the most temperate.
Invādit is the third person singular form of invādō, invādere, invāsī, invāsum (3): to enter upon; invade, attack. Temperantissimōs is the masculine accusative plural form of temperantissimus/temperantissima/temperantissimum (1/2), the superlative form of temperāns, temperantis (3, adj.): moderate, temperate. Morbus, morbī (2m): disease, illness.
She has inherited his beautiful country houses.
Accēpit is the third person singular perfect form of accipiō, accipere, accēpī, acceptum (3, –iō): to receive, accept, take. Amoenissimās is the feminine accusative plural form of amoenissimus/amoenissima/amoenissimum (1/2), the superlative form of amoenus/amoena/amoenum (1/2): charming, beautiful. Vīllās is the accusative plural form of vīlla, vīllae (1f): country house.
It has made ugly the most beautiful faces.
Pulcherrima is the neuter accusative plural form of pulcherrimus/pulcherrima/pulcherrimum (1/2), the superlative form of pulcher/pulchra/pulchrum (1/2): beautiful. Ōra is the accusative plural form of ōs, ōris (3n): mouth; face. Foedāvit is the third person singular perfect form of foedō, foedāre, foedāvī, foedātum (1): to make filthy, soil, stain; make ugly, disfigure.
You come from the foulest of upbringings.
More literally: You come out of the most obscene.
Tū: you. Ex /ē (prep.): from, out of (takes the ablative). Obscēnissimīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of obscēnissimus/obscēnissima/obscēnissimum (1/2), the superlative form of obscēnus/obscēna/obscēnum (1/2): obscene (obscēnissimīs is feminine here, referring to a previously mentioned plural form of disciplīna, disciplīnae (1f): teaching, training, upbringing; discipline). Venīs is the second person singular form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
For rising from most trivial things it mounts to monstrous size.
More literally: For out of the most trivial things it ends up at the greatest.
(He’s talking about the rise of anger.) Ex /ē (prep.): from, out of (takes the ablative). Levissimīs is the m/f/n (here n) ablative plural form of levissimus/levissima/levissimum (1/2), the superlative form of levis/levis/leve (3): light, trifling, trivial. Enim (particle): for, indeed. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into (the accusative is used here because there’s a figurative motion into a new state). Maxima is the neuter accusative plural form of maximus/maxima/maximum (1/2), the superlative form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): large, great. Ēvādit is the third person singular form of ēvādō, ēvādere, ēvāsī, ēvāsum (3): to mount up, go forth; escape; turn out, end up (in a certain state) or turn (into something).