Quis
erat
petitor? Fannius. Quis
reus? Flavius. Quis
iudex? Cluvius. —
Cicero, In Defense of Quintus Roscius the Comedian
42
Who was the plaintiff? Fannius. Who was the defendant? Flavius. Who was the judge? Cluvius.
Quis /quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Erat is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Petītor, petītōris (3m): seeker, applicant; claimant, plaintiff. Fannius /Fannia/Fannium (1/2): family name. Reus, reī (2m): defendant. Flāvius /Flāvia/Flāvium (1/2): family name. Iūdex, iūdicis (3m): judge, juror. Cluvius /Cluvia/Cluvium (1/2): family name.
“What then?” or “So what?” or “What follows?”
Quis/quis/ quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Ergō (particle): therefore, then.
Do you ask me where the difference lies?
More literally: You ask what differs (even more literally: what is between (the two things))?
Quis/quis/ quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Intersit is the third person singular subjunctive form of intersum, interesse, interfuī, interfutūrus (irreg.): to be between, lie between; differ, constitute a difference; (impersonally) matter, make a difference (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Quaeris is the second person singular form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to ask; seek.
What man is this?
Quis /quis/quid (interrog. adj.): what? Homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Hic /haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Est: is.
What end will there be of punishments?
Quis /quis/quid (interrog. adj.): what? Fīnis, fīnis (3m): end; limit; purpose. Erit is the third person singular future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Suppliciōrum is the genitive plural form of supplicium, suppliciī (2n): punishment (often capital punishment).
“Whose is it?” you ask. It belongs to Epicurus.
More literally: “Whose?” you say. Epicurus’s.
Cuius is the m/f/n (here m) genitive singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Inquis is the second person singular form of inquam (irreg. and defective): to say. Epicūrus, Epicūrī (2m): Epicurus.
Whose passions will they restrain?
(He’s questioning the value of studying historical facts that don’t make you any wiser.) Cuius is the m/f/n (here m) genitive singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Cupiditātēs is the accusative plural form of cupiditās, cupiditātis (3f): lust, desire, greed. Prement is the third person plural future form of premō, premere, pressī, pressum (3): to press; pursue; suppress, check, subdue.
I understand to whom I am writing.
Cui is the m/f/n dative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Scrībam is the first person singular subjunctive form of scrībō, scrībere, scrīpsī, scrīptum (3): to write (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see; understand.
To whom is it a benefit?
(Cited by Cicero in For Sextus Roscius Amerinus, as a question always asked by a clever judge. In English it’s usually just rendered who benefits? ) Cui is the m/f/n dative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Bonō is the dative singular form of bonum, bonī (2n): good; benefit; (in pl.) possessions. This is a famous example of a “double dative” construction in which both words are in that case. The double dative consists of a dative of reference (here cui = to whom) and a dative of purpose (bonō = for a benefit)—in other words, to X for Y. So a more literal translation of this phrase—awkward in English—might be to whom for benefit? (See Chapter 27.)
Let us see whom he cheated.
Quem is the masculine accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Fraudārit is the third person singular perfect subjunctive form of fraudō, fraudāre, fraudāvī, fraudātum (1): to defraud, cheat (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Videāmus is the first person plural subjunctive form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see (subjunctive because it’s hortatory).
What am I to do?
Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Agam is the first person singular subjunctive form of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, put in motion; do; act (subjunctive because it’s in a deliberative question).
Why do you mention pleasure to me?
Quid (interrog. adv.): why? Mihi is the dative form of ego: I (to me). Voluptātem is the accusative singular form of voluptās, voluptātis (3f): pleasure. Nōminās is the second person singular form of nōminō, nōmināre, nōmināvī, nōminātum (1): to name, mention.
How then have we formed the conception of virtue?
Alt. : From what, then, did we gain the understanding of virtue?
Ex /ē (prep.): from, out of (takes the ablative). Quō is the m/n (here n) ablative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Ergō (particle): therefore, then. Virtūtem is the accusative singular form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): virtue, moral excellence; courage, valor. Intellēximus is the first person plural perfect form of intellegō, intellegere, intellēxī, intellēctum (3): to understand, realize.
Who are you arguing with, Olympio?
Quīcum: with whom? (Quī is an alternative m/f/n ablative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? —joined here to cum (with)). Lītigās is the second person singular form of lītigō, lītigāre, lītigāvī, lītigātum (1): to dispute, quarrel; sue, litigate. Olympiō is the vocative singular form of Olympiō, Olympiōnis (3m): proper name.
Who are those Pindenissitae?
(He’s putting words in the mouth of his friend.) Istī is the masculine nominative plural form of iste/ista/istud (pron.): that (of yours); he, she, it. Pindenissitae, Pindenissitārum (1m): the inhabitants of Pindenissus, a Cilician town taken by Cicero. Quī is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? Sunt: are.
But who are these women?
Sed (conj.): but. Eae is the feminine nominative plural form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Mulierēs is the nominative plural form of mulier, mulieris (3f): woman. Quae is the f/n (here f) nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? Sunt: are.
You ask what they are?
Quae is the f/n (here n) nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.) : which (one)? who? Sint is the third person plural subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Interrogās is the second person singular form of interrogō, interrogāre, interrogāvī, interrogātum (1): to ask; interrogate.
“Whoever of them”? Whom?
(He’s quoting from a statute and asking what it means.) Quī /quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Eōrum is the m/n (here m) genitive plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Quōrum is the m/n (here m) genitive plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? (The words in quotation marks are from a longer sentence in the statute where quī is being used as a relative pronoun. Cicero then questions the identity of the them with the interrogative quōrum? )
What people now are better off on earth?
More literally: For whom now on earth is it better?
Quibus is the m/f/n (here m) dative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? Nunc (adv.): now; as it is now. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Terrā is the ablative singular form of terra, terrae (1f): land, region; earth. Melius (adv.): better—the comparative form of bene (adv.): well. Est: is.
Whom do I honor?
Quōs is the masculine accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? Ego: I. Ōrnō, ōrnāre, ōrnāvī, ōrnātum (1): to equip, furnish; adorn; honor.
You were besieged. By whom?
Circumsessus es is the second person masculine singular perfect passive form of circumsedeō, circumsedēre, circumsēdī, circumsessum (2): to surround; besiege. Ab/ ā (prep.): (away) from; by (takes the ablative). Quibus is the m/f/n (here m) ablative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who?
Think of the men from whom you sprang, not of those with whom you associate.
More literally: Consider from whom you have been born, not with whom you live.
Quibus is the m/f/n (here m) ablative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? Ortus sīs is the second person masculine singular perfect subjunctive form of orior, orīrī, ortus sum (3, –ior/4, deponent): to come into being, be born, arise; rise (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Nōn: not. Quibuscum: with whom? (Quibus is the ablative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.); it’s joined here with cum (prep.): with). Vīvās is the second person singular subjunctive form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Cōnsīderā is the singular imperative form of cōnsīderō, cōnsīderāre, cōnsīderāvī, cōnsīderātum (1): to look at closely; consider, contemplate.
What end will there be to our dissensions?
More literally: What end will there be of dissensions?
Quī /quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Fīnis, fīnis (3m): end; limit; purpose. Erit is the third person singular future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Discordiārum is the genitive plural form of discordia, discordiae (1f): disagreement, dissension. (Compare quī fīnis here with quis fīnis a few sections ago: the phrases are synonynmous.)
What savagery is that?
(Quae could also be read as a pronoun: What is that savagery? ) Quī/ quae /quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Iste/ ista /istud (pron.): that (of yours); he, she, it. Saevitia, saevitiae (1f): savagery; cruelty; rage. Est: is.
What lunch, please?
(After being asked when lunch will be ready.) Quī/quae/ quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Prandium, prandiī (2n): lunch. Obsecrō, obsecrāre, obsecrāvī, obsecrātum (1): to entreat, implore, beg. Tē is the accusative form of tū: you.
What difference does the nationality of the slave make?
More literally: But what does it pertain to the matter which nation the slave was of?
Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Autem (particle): but, however; and, moreover. Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair. Pertinet is the third person singular form of pertineō, pertinēre, pertinuī, — (2): to matter, pertain, apply, affect; belong; reach (forms of pertineō with ad rem mean to be relevant or to the point). Cuius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.). Nātiō, nātiōnis (3f): birth; race, nation. Servus, servī (2m): slave. Fuerit the third person singular perfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).
Which matter shall he cope with first?
More literally: He will run first to which thing?
Cui is the m/f/n dative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Prīmum (adv.): first. Reī is the dative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair. Occurret is the third person singular future form of occurrō, occurrere, occurrī, occursum (3): to run to meet, go to meet; go to oppose; take measures to deal with (takes a dative object).
What place shall I seek out in exile?
Quem is the masculine accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Locum is the accusative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place. Profugus /profuga/profugum (1/2): that flees or has fled; exiled. Petam is the first person singular subjunctive form of petō, petere, petīvī/petiī, petītum (3): to ask; seek; attack (subjunctive because it’s in a deliberative question).
What ship are you telling me about now?
Quam is the feminine accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Tū: you. Mihi is the dative form of ego. Nunc (adv.): now. Nāvem is the accusative singular form of nāvis, nāvis (3f): ship. Nārrās is the second person singular form of nārrō, nārrāre, nārrāvī, nārrātum (1): to narrate, tell.
But what weight have dreams?
Quod is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Autem (particle): but, however; and, moreover. Somnia is the nominative plural form of somnium, somniī (2n): dream; delusion, fantasy. Pondus is the accusative singular form of pondus, ponderis (3n): weight; burden; importance. Habent is the third person plural form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.
With what thought does the wise man retire into leisure?
Quō is the m/n ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Animō is the ablative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit. Ad (prep.): to, toward; according to (takes the accusative). Ōtium is the accusative singular form of ōtium, ōtiī (2n): leisure. Sapiēns, sapientis (3m): wise man, sage. Sēcēdit is the third person singular form of sēcēdō, sēcēdere, sēcessī, sēcessum (3): to withdraw, retire.
How, then, shall we avoid this vacillation?
Alt. : How shall we escape this turmoil?
Quō is the m/n ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Modō is the ablative singular form of modus, modī (2n): quantity; measure; limit; moderation; way, manner (quō modō = in which/what way? How? It’s sometimes written as one word: quōmodo). Effugiēmus is the first person plural future form of effugiō, effugere, effūgī, — (3, –iō): to flee from, escape. Hanc is the feminine accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Volūtātiōnem is the accusative singular form of volūtātiō, volūtātiōnis (3f): wallowing; instability; restlessness.
For what reward?
Quā is the feminine ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Mercēde is the ablative singular form of mercēs, mercēdis (3f): pay, reward.
Where have I left you?
More literally: In what region have I left you behind?
Quā is the feminine ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Tē is the accusative form of tū: you. Regiōne is the ablative singular form of regiō, regiōnis (3f): direction; region, territory. Relinquō, relinquere, relīquī, relictum (3): to relinquish, leave behind.
But which men will own it?
At (conj.): but. Quī is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Hominēs is the nominative plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Possidēbunt is the third person plural future form of possideō, possidēre, possēdī, possessum (2): to own, possess.
I will show what faults must be avoided.
Quae is the f/n nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Vitia is the nominative plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault. Vītandus/ vītanda /vītandum (1/2) is the gerundive of vītō, vītāre, vītāvī, vītātum (1): to avoid. Sint is the third person plural subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Docēbō is the first person singular future form of doceō, docēre, docuī, doctum (2): to teach; show.
(Colonies will be settled there.) How many? Of what kind of men?
Quot (indeclinable interrog. adj.): how many? Quōrum is the m/n genitive plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? . Hominum is the genitive plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human.
I will say later what diseases it cures if taken in drink.
More literally: Which diseases it cures having been drunk, we will say.
Quibus is the m/f/n dative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Morbīs is the dative plural form of morbus, morbī (2m): disease, ailment. Pōtus/ pōta /pōtum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle of pōtō, pōtāre, pōtāvī, pōtātum/pōtum (1): to drink (the participle is feminine because it refers to a herb: herba, herbae (1f)). Medeātur is the third person singular subjunctive form of medeor, medērī, —, — (2, deponent): to heal, cure (takes a dative object; subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Dīcēmus is the first person plural future form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say.
What sufferings, what evils I have endured!
Quōs is the masculine accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Cruciātūs is the accusative plural form of cruciātus, cruciātūs (4m): torture; suffering. Quanta is the neuter accusative plural form of quantus/quanta/quantum (1/2, interrog. adj.): how much? how great? what great? Mala is the neuter accusative plural form of malum, malī (2n): evil; trouble, misfortune; misdeed; disease. Perferō, perferre, pertulī, perlātum (3, irreg.): to bear, endure. (Interrogative adjectives also have exclamatory uses, as this illustration shows.)
So what deceits, clever one, are you preparing?
Quās is the feminine accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Igitur (conj.): therefore, so, then. Fraudēs is the accusative plural form of fraus, fraudis (3f): crime; deceit, fraud; harm; delusion. Ingeniōsa is the feminine vocative singular form of ingeniōsus/ingeniōsa/ingeniōsum (1/2): clever, ingenious. Parās is the second person singular form of parō, parāre, parāvī, parātum (1): to prepare, arrange.
What precepts do we offer?
Quae is the neuter accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Damus is the first person plural form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give; offer. Praecepta is the accusative plural form of praeceptum, praeceptī (2n): precept; teaching, lesson.
In which lands was the business carried out?
Quibus is the ablative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into (it’s common for a preposition to appear between a noun and a relative or interrogative adjective, as shown here). Terrīs is the ablative plural form of terra, terrae (1f): land; region; earth. Gestum (est) is the third person neuter singular perfect passive form of gerō, gerere, gessī, gestum (3): to bear, carry; carry on, transact, conduct, do, accomplish; wage (war). Negōtium, negōtiī (2n): occupation, business, affair; official transaction. Est: part of a phrase with gestum. #(see gestum)%
It is, therefore, not easy to say which is the best.
(Talking about the color—color, colōris (3m)—of pigeons’feathers.) Ideō (adv.): therefore. Quī /quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? Sit is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Optimus /optima/optimum (1/2) is the superlative form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Nōn: not. Facilis/facilis/ facile (3): easy. Dictū is the ablative supine of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say. Est: is.
E
e
Who are you?
(A question directed at a woman.) Quī/ quae /quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? Es: are you.
Both of us have a fault. “What fault?” say you.
More literally: There is a fault of either (of us). “Which?” say you.
Vitium, vitiī (2n): fault, vice. Est: there is. Utrīusque is the m/f/n (here m) genitive singular form of uterque/utraque/utrumque (1/2, irreg.): either, each (of two); sometimes best translated as both. Quī/quae/ quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? Inquis is the second person singular form of inquam (irreg. and defective): to say.
E
e
In the resurrection therefore, whose wife of them shall she be?
Alt. : In the resurrection, therefore, of which of them shall she be the wife?
(For seven brothers had married her successively.) In (prep): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Resurrēctiōne is the ablative singular form of resurrēctiō, resurrēctiōnis (3f): resurrection. Ergō (particle): therefore, then. Cuius is the m/f/n (here m) genitive singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? Eōrum is the m/n (here m) genitive plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Erit is the third person singular future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Uxor, uxōris (3f): wife. Cuius here could be a form of quī/quae/quod or of quis/quis/quid. It’s probably from quī/quae/quod because it's a choice from a set. But either is possible and it would look the same both ways. An ancient Roman might well consider the question pedantic.
It was in the power of their father to bequeath the entire trust to any one of his sons whom he might select.
More literally: The father had in his own power to which of these he would rather leave (it as an inheritance).
In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Potestāte is the ablative singular form of potestās, potestātis (3f): power, control; authority. Suā is the feminine ablative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2): his (own). Habuit is the third person singular perfect form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Pater, patris (3m): father. Cui is the m/f/n (here m) dative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? (to whom, to which). Ex /ē (prep.): out of, from (takes the ablative). Hīs is the m/f/n (here m) ablative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Potius (adv.): rather; preferably; in a manner more to one’s liking. Relinqueret is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of relinquō, relinquere, relīquī, relictum (3): to relinquish, leave behind; leave as an inheritance (the question is both indirect and deliberative). Here again, cui could theoretically be from quis/quis/quid, but we’re assigning it to quī/quae/quod because it’s a choice from a set.
But I killed my enemy. Whom?
Alt: . . . Which? Or: . . . What kind (of enemy/man)?
(A description of the enemy follows. The point is what kind of person he was. That’s why we’re treating the quem here as belonging to quī/quae/quod rather than quis/quis/quid, though the form is of course the same.) Sed (conj.): but. Inimīcum is the accusative singular form of inimīcus, inimīcī (2m): enemy. Occīdō, occīdere, occīdī, occīsum (3): to kill. Quem is the masculine accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who?
They enter into contest and trial to decide which of them he loved the most.
More literally: They come into contest and trial, which he loved the most.
(The widows of a polygamist.) In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Certāmen is the accusative singular form of certāmen, certāminis (3n): contest, struggle, fight. Iūdiciumque: iūdicium is the accusative singular form of iūdicium, iūdiciī (2n): judgment, opinion; trial (the enclitic conjunction – que adds and). Veniunt is the third person plural form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. Quam is the feminine accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? Plūrumum (adv. —also plūrimum): very much; most; generally. Ille /illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it; the former. Dīlēxerit is the third person singular perfect subjunctive form of dīligō, dīligere, dīlēxī, dīlēctum (3): to esteem, love (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).
Which of these do you prefer, to seem stupid or evil?
Hōrum is the m/n (here n) genitive plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Quod is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? Māvīs is the second person singular form of mālō, mālle, māluī, — (irreg.): to prefer. Stultusne: stultusne /stulta/stultum (1/2): foolish, stupid; the enclitic particle –ne turns the word into part of a question (when used to introduce the second part of a question, as with malusne, it means or). Malusne /mala/malum (1/2): bad; evil, wicked. Vidērī is the passive infinitive form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see; (in passive) to seem. The idea of this line would more tyically be expressed not with quod but with utrum: which (of two)?
I availed myself of a kindness from you. What kindness?
More literally: But I have availed myself of your kindness. Which?
At (conj.): but. Beneficiō is the ablative singular form of beneficium, beneficiī (2n): a kindness, service, benefit. Ūtor, ūtī, ūsus sum (3, deponent): to use, enjoy, take advantage of, avail oneself of (takes an ablative object). Tuō is the m/n ablative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Quō is the m/n ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who?
And it doesn’t matter which I tell first.
More literally: And it does not matter from which I begin in preference to all others.
(i.e., which of several stories—fābula, fābulae (1f).) Neque/ nec: (as conj.) and not, nor; (as adv.) neither, not either, not even. Rēfert, rēferre, rētulit, — (3, irreg. , impers.): it matters, it is important, it makes a difference. Ab/ ā (prep.): (away) from; by (takes the ablative). Quā is the feminine ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? who? Potissimum (adv.): especially, above all; preferably, before all, in preference to all others or all else. Incipiam is the third person singular subjunctive form of incipiō, incipere, incēpī, inceptum (3, –iō): to begin (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).
In regard to trades and other means of livelihood, which ones are to be considered becoming to a gentleman and which ones are vulgar, we have been taught, in general, these things.
Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Artificiīs is the ablative plural form of artificium, artificiī (2n): profession, trade; skill, knowledge. Et (conj.): and. Quaestibus is the ablative plural form of quaestus, quaestūs (4m): gain, profit; way of making money, employment. Quī is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? Līberālēs is the is the m/f nominative plural form of līberālis/līberālis/līberāle (3): relating to or typical of a free man; noble, kind, generous. Habendī is the masculine nominative plural form of habendus/habenda/habendum (1/2), the gerundive (to be considered) of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have; hold, consider. Sordidī is the masculine nominative plural form of sordidus/sordida/sordidum (1/2): dirty, foul; low, lowly, vulgar, common. Sint is the third person plural subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Haec is the neuter accusative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Ferē (adv.): usually; nearly, almost; roughly, approximately. Accēpimus is the first person plural perfect form of accipiō, accipere, accēpī, acceptum (3, –iō): to take, accept, receive; learn, be told (about a fact). The masculine words quī, līberālēs, habendī, and sordidī all refer to two nouns: artificiīs and quaestibus, the first of which is neuter and the second masculine. Quī etc. took the gender of the word that was placed closer to them—the masculine quaestibus. “Agreement with the closest” often happens in Latin. An alternative here would have been to use the neuter as a default to cover things of different genders.
You are leading my thoughts towards pleasures. Which? The body’s.
Trādūcis is the second person singular form of trādūcō, trādūcere, trādūxī, trāductum (3): to lead or bring over, transfer. Cōgitātiōnēs is the accusative plural form of cōgitātiō, cōgitātiōnis (3f): thinking, thought, reasoning; plan, project. Meās is the feminine accusative plural form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Ad (prep.): to, toward; according to (takes the accusative). Voluptātēs is the accusative plural form of voluptās, voluptātis (3f): pleasure. Quās is the feminine accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? Corpus, corporis (3n): body.
E
e
He said to him: which ones?
(Jesus had just said keep the commandments, and he’s being asked which; quae is accusative because it’s the direct object of an implied keep.) The Latin word for commandment is neuter: mandātum, mandātī (2n).) Dīcit is the third person singular form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say, speak. Illī is the m/f/n dative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Quae is the neuter accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)?