Abominandus
scarabaeus. —
Erasmus, Adagia
(1536)
An abominable dung-beetle.
More literally: A dung-beetle to be abominated.
(A way to speak of the worst sort of person.) Abōminandus /abōminanda/abōminandum is the gerundive (to be abominated) of abōminor, abōminārī, abōminātus sum (1, deponent): to seek to avert (an omen); abominate, detest, loathe. Scarabaeus is the nominative singular form of scarabaeus, scarabaeī (2m): dung-beetle.
Carthage must be destroyed.
More literally: Carthage is to be destroyed.
(Cato the Elder is said to have ended every speech, no matter what the topic, with some version of this line.) Carthāgō, Carthāginis (3f—also spelled Karthāgō: the letter k is rarely used in Latin, but occasionally appears as an alternative to c before the vowel a): Carthage. Dēlendus/ dēlenda /dēlendum is the gerundive (to be destroyed) of dēleō, dēlēre, dēlēvī, dēlētum (2): to destroy. Est: is.
Everything has to be committed to fortune.
More literally: All things are to be entrusted to fortune.
Fortūnae is the dative singular form of fortūna, fortūnae (1f): fortune. Sunt: are. Committenda is the neuter nominative plural form of committendus/committenda/committendum, the gerundive (to be committed or entrusted) of committō, committere, commīsī, commissum (3): to commit, entrust. Omnia is the neuter nominative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): every; all; (n. pl. used substantively) all things, everything.
Just now a dreadful crash descended from the stars to your world.
More literally: Indeed, just now a crash to-be-shuddered-at descended from the stars all the way to you.
Modo (adv.): only, just; just now, just lately, recently. Nempe (particle): indeed, certainly, of course. Horrendus /horrenda/horrendum is the gerundive (to be shuddered at) of horreō, horrēre, horruī, — (2): to tremble or shudder at; be frightened at. Ab /ā (prep.): (away) from; by (takes the ablative). Astrīs is the ablative plural form of astrum, astrī (2n): star. Dēscendit is the third person singular perfect form of dēscendō, dēscendere, dēscendī, dēscēnsum (3): to descend. Vōs is the accusative form of vōs: you (pl.). Ūsque (more often adv. , but here prep.): all the way (to); right up to; until. Fragor, fragōris (3m): a breaking; crash.
There is no such thing as a very small and despicable good.
Alt. : There is no tiny and contemptible good.
More literally: There is no very little, to-be-despised good.
Nūllus/nūlla/ nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Est: there is. Minimus/minima/ minimum (1/2): smallest, least; very little—the superlative form of parvus/parva/parvum (1/2): small, little. Contemnendus/contemnenda/ contemnendum is the gerundive (to be despised) of contemnō, contemnere, contempsī, contemptum (3): to despise, hold in contempt, regard as unimportant. Bonum, bonī (2n): good; benefit; (in pl.) possessions.
You must guard against deception.
More literally: Deception is to be guarded against.
Cavendus /cavenda/cavendum is the gerundive (to be guarded against) of caveō, cavēre, cāvī, cautum (2): to beware, guard against. Dolus, dolī (2m): deception, trickery. Est: is.
My course must be altered.
More literally: The location is to be changed.
(He’s trying to pick a resort, and is saying that he shouldn’t go to the usual one.) Mūtandus /mūtanda/mūtandum is the gerundive (to be changed) of mūtō, mūtāre, mūtāvī, mūtātum (1): to change. Locus, locī (2m): place, location. Est: is.
The soul is not to be pampered.
Nōn: not. Est: is. Ēmolliendus /ēmollienda/ēmolliendum is the gerundive (to be softened or weakened) of ēmolliō, ēmollīre, ēmollīvī/ēmolliī, ēmollītum (4): to soften, weaken, enervate. Animus, animī (2m): mind, soul.
He had to make his plea to Sejanus.
More literally: Sejanus was to be asked.
(Sejanus was an influential praetorian prefect under the Emperor Tiberius, and one of the colorful villains of early Imperial history. Here Seneca is describing someone honorable—Marcia’s father—who refused to make appeals to Sejanus and preferred to starve himself to death.) Seiānus, Seiānī (2m): Sejanus. Rogandus /roganda/rogandum is the gerundive (to be asked, to be begged) of rogō, rogāre, rogāvī, rogātum (1): to ask, beg, inquire. Erat is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
You will have to praise Antony.
More literally: Antony will be to be praised by you.
Laudandus /laudanda/laudandum is the gerundive (to be praised) of laudō, laudāre, laudāvī, laudātum (1): to praise. Erit is the third person singular future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Tibi is the dative form of tū: you (the dative of agent). Antōnius /Antōnia/Antōnium (1/2): a family name, here referring to the famous Mark Antony.
Old age should be feared more than death.
More literally: Old age (is) to be feared more than death.
(He’s talking about what should be feared by people who live extravagantly and squander their wealth early.) Morte is the ablative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Magis (adv.): more; rather. Metuendus/ metuenda /metuendum is the gerundive (to be feared) of metuō, metuere, metuī, metūtum (3): to fear. Senectūs, senectūtis (3f): old age. This is another case where the verb (est) has to be inferred—an especially common pattern in poetry, of which this is a specimen.
It must be arraigned before us and condemned.
More literally: It is to be accused before us, (it is) to be condemned.
(The it is anger: īra, īrae (1f).) Accūsandus/ accūsanda /accūsandum is the gerundive (to be blamed, to be accused, to be called to account) of accūsō, accūsāre, accūsāvī, accūsātum (1): to blame; accuse. Est: it is. Apud (prep.): at, near; with, among; in front of, in the presence of; at the house of (takes the accusative). Nōs is the accusative form of nōs: we. Damnandus/ damnanda /damnandum is the gerundive (to be condemned, convicted, sentenced) of damnō, damnāre, damnāvī, damnātum (1): to condemn, convict; disapprove.
Now is the time to drink.
More literally: Now one must drink; now drinking needs to happen.
Nunc (adv.): now. Est: it is. Bibendus/bibenda/ bibendum is the gerundive (to be drunk) of bibō, bibere, bibī, bibitum (3): to drink.
There should be no argument about matters of taste.
More literally: About tastes it is not to be disputed.
(The expression is probably of medieval origin. It’s sometimes reordered as de gustibus non disputandum est.) Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Gustibus is the ablative plural form of gustus, gustūs (4m): taste (the figurative sense found here is non-classical). Nōn: not. Est: it is. Disputandus/disputanda/ disputandum is the gerundive (to be disputed) of disputō, disputāre, disputāvī, disputātum (1): to argue, debate, dispute.
If you would have me weep, you must first feel grief yourself.
More literally: If you wish me to weep, it is first to be suffered by you yourself.
(Advice for poets.) Sī (conj.): if. Vīs is the second person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to wish, want. Mē is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Fleō, flēre, flēvī, flētum (2): to weep. Dolendus/dolenda/ dolendum is the gerundive (to be suffered) of doleō, dolēre, doluī, dolitum (2): to hurt, suffer, feel pain; grieve for. Est: it is. Prīmum (adv.): first. Ipsī is the m/f/n dative singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/oneself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very. Tibi is the dative form of tū (ipsī tibi is an example of the dative of agent, so it can be translated with by): you.
That which was to be proven.
(Abbreviated Q. E. D. , and traditionally put at the end of a mathematical proof or philosophical argument to state that it is complete.) Quī/quae/ quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Erat is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Dēmōnstrandus/dēmōnstranda/ dēmōnstrandum is the gerundive (to be proven) of dēmōnstrō, dēmōnstrāre, dēmōnstrāvī, dēmōnstrātum (1): to show, demonstrate, prove.
I could not refuse.
More literally: It was not to be refused.
Nōn: not. Fuit is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Negandus/neganda/ negandum is the gerundive (to be denied, to be refused) of negō, negāre, negāvī, negātum (1): to deny; refuse.
This will have to be admitted.
Fatendus/fatenda/ fatendum is the gerundive (to be admitted) of fateor, fatērī, fassus sum (2, deponent): to admit, confess. Erit is the third person singular future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
There is no other way of conducting the war.
More literally: There is no other way of war-to-be-waged.
Alius/ alia /aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another. Bellum, bellī (2n): war. Gerendī is the m/n genitive singular form of gerendus/gerenda/gerendum, the gerundive (to be waged) of gerō, gerere, gessī, gestum (3): to bear, carry; carry on, transact, conduct, do, accomplish; wage (war). Via, viae (1f): way, road. Nūllus/ nūlla /nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, not any. Est: there is. Note three points about the gerundive phrase bellī gerendī. First, the gerundive— gerendī —formally modifies the noun bellī. (War-to-be-waged. ) But practically speaking, bellī is translated as if it were the object of the verb from which the gerundive is made: waging (gerundive). . . war. In other words, the action in the sentence is waging, but that action is embedded in an adjective (the gerundive— gerendī). Second, observe that the noun modified by the gerundive (or, in any event, paired with it) goes into the case that would be that of the gerund if a gerund were being used. So while war might seem to be an object that could be put into the accusative case (which it would be if a gerund were used instead of a gerundive) it stays in the genitive case with the gerundive to which it’s matched. Finally, the gerundive is expressed in English most naturally not as to be conducted but as if it were simply the gerund conducting: a noun made from the same verb.
I often entertained the impulse of ending my life.
More literally: I often entertained the impulse of life-to-be-broken-off.
Abrumpendae is a gerundive, but it gets translated like a gerund (ending, rather than to be ended).
Saepe (adv.): often. Impetum is the accusative singular form of impetus, impetūs (4m): impulse; attack, assault. Capiō, capere, cēpī, captum (3, –iō): to take, seize, capture; of mental operations: to form, entertain, conceive. Abrumpendae is the feminine genitive singular form of abrumpendus/abrumpenda/abrumpendum, the gerundive (to be broken off) of abrumpō, abrumpere, abrūpī, abruptum (3): to break off; break, rupture; cut short. Vīta, vītae (1f): life.
The Menapians send envoys to him for the sake of seeking peace.
More literally: The Menapians send envoys to him for the sake of peace-to-be-sought.
Menapiī, Menapiōrum (2m): the Menapians (a people of northern Gaul). Lēgātōs is the accusative plural form of lēgātus, lēgātī (2m): ambassador, envoy. Ad (prep.): to, toward; according to (takes the accusative). Eum is the masculine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Pāx, pācis (3f): peace. Petendae is the feminine genitive singular form of petendus/petenda/petendum, the gerundive (to be sought) of petō, petere, petīvī/petiī, petītum (3): to ask; seek; attack. Causā is the ablative singular form of causa, causae (1f): cause, reason; in abl. causā preceded by gen. : for the sake (of). Mittunt is the third person plural form of mittō, mittere, mīsī, missum (3): to send.
They send ambassadors to Caesar in order to clear themselves.
More literally: They send ambassadors to Caesar for the sake of themselves-to-be-cleared (clearing themselves).
Lēgātōs is the accusative plural form of lēgātus, lēgātī (2m): ambassador, envoy. Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Caesarem is the accusative singular form of Caesar, Caesaris (3m): Caesar. Suī is the genitive form of the reflexive pronoun (originally the m/n genitive singular form of suus, repurposed). Pūrgandī is the m/n genitive singular form of pūrgandus/pūrganda/pūrgandum, the gerundive (to be cleared) of pūrgō, pūrgāre, pūrgāvī, pūrgātum (1): to clean, cleanse, purge, clear (the genitive forms of personal pronouns—including the reflexive—are combined with m/n singular forms of the gerundive no matter the gender and number of the people referred to). Grātiā is the ablative singular form of grātia, grātiae (1f): favor; goodwill; popularity; grace; in abl. grātiā preceded by gen. : for the sake (of). Mittunt is the third person plural form of mittō, mittere, mīsī, missum (3): to send.
He appointed a day for doing the work.
More literally: He appointed a day for the work-to-be-done.
Diem is the accusative singular form of diēs, diēī (5m/f): day. Praestituit is the third person singular perfect form of praestituō, praestituere, praestituī, praestitūtum (3): to determine, appoint. Operī is the dative singular form of opus, operis (3n): work; need. Faciundō is the m/n dative singular form of faciundus/faciunda/faciundum (also faciendus), the gerundive (to be done) of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Triumvirate for Organizing the Republic.
More literally: Triumvirs for the Republic-to-be-Organized.
(The alliance between Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Lepidus, 43 bc.) Triumvirī is the nominative plural form of triumvir, triumvirī (2m): triumvir, member of a triumvirate (literally a man (out) of three: trium —the m/f/n genitive form of trēs/trēs/tria (3): three—and vir fused into one word). Reī Pūblicae is the dative singular form of rēs pūblica: republic, state. Cōnstituendae is the feminine dative singular form of cōnstituendus/cōnstituenda/cōnstituendum, the gerundive (to be established or organized) of cōnstituō, cōnstituere, cōnstituī, cōnstitūtum (3): to establish, organize.
He knows he can bear the burden.
More literally: He knows himself to be (suitable) for carrying the burden/(up) to carrying the burden (even more literally: for/to the burden-to-be-carried).
Scit is the third person singular form of sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know. Sē is the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Esse: to be. Onerī is the dative singular form of onus, oneris (3n): burden. Ferendō is the m/n dative singular form of ferendus/ferenda/ferendum, the gerundive (to be carried or borne) of ferō, ferre, tulī, lātum (3, irreg.): to carry, bear; bring forth, produce. We have an idiomatic construction here: esse with a gerundive phrase (or gerund) in the dative means to be able to. . . (do whatever action is conveyed by the gerundive), be up to. . . , be capable of. . .
He thought we should curtail the sources of our luxury.
More literally: He added the source of luxury to be to be curtailed (i.e., he added that the source of luxury was to be curtailed).
Adiciēbat is the third person singular imperfect form of adiciō, adicere, adiēcī, adiectum (3, –iō): to throw (at); attach; add. Contrahendam is the feminine accusative singular form of contrahendus/contrahenda/contrahendum, the gerundive (to be restrained or lessened) of contrahō, contrahere, contrāxī, contractum (3): to draw together, draw in, contract; restrict, restrain, curtail, lessen; collect. Māteriam is the accusative singular form of māteria, māteriae (1f): material, matter; source. Esse: to be. Luxuria, luxuriae (1f): luxury, extravagance, excess.
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Know that thou shalt be put to death.
More literally: Know you(rself to be) to be killed.
Scītō is the singular future imperative form of sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know (the future imperative of this verb is generally used instead of the present one, which rarely occurs). Tē is the accusative form of tū: you. Interficiendum is the m/n accusative singular form of interficiendus/interficienda/interficiendum, the gerundive (to be killed) of interficiō, interficere, interfēcī, interfectum (3, –iō): to kill.
He decided he must wait for the fleet.
A little more literally: He decided the fleet was to be awaited.
Yet more literally: He decided the fleet (to be) to be awaited.
Statuit is the third person singular perfect form of statuō, statuere, statuī, statūtum (3): to set up; decide. Expectandam is the feminine accusative singular form of expectandus/expectanda/expectandum, the gerundive (to be awaited) of expectō, expectāre, expectāvī, expectātum (1—also exspectō): to wait (for), await; expect; look forward to. Classem is the accusative singular form of classis, classis (3f): fleet.
My view is that they should be granted pardon and immunity.
A little more literally: I think pardon and immunity are to be given.
Yet more literally: I think pardon and immunity (to be) to be given.
Veniam isn’t a verb here; it means pardon: the accusative singular form of venia, veniae (1f). Et (conj.): and. Inpūnitātem is the accusative singular form of inpūnitās, inpūnitātis (3f—also impūnitās): impunity, immunity. Dandam is the feminine accusative singular form of dandus/danda/dandum, the gerundive (to be given) of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Putō, putāre, putāvī, putātum (1): to think, regard, suppose.
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Who shall stand to see him?
Quis /quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Stābit is the third person singular future form of stō, stāre, stetī, statum (1): to stand. Ad (prep.): to, toward. Videndum is the m/n accusative singular form of videndus/videnda/videndum, the gerundive (to be seen) of video, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see. Eum is the masculine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that.
They sent Hannibal to attack Rome.
Hannibalem is the accusative singular form of Hannibal, Hannibalis (3m): Hannibal. Ad (prep.): to; toward. Oppugnandam is the feminine accusative singular form of oppugnandus/oppugnanda/oppugnandum, the gerundive (to be attacked) of oppugnō, oppugnāre, oppugnāvī, oppugnātum (1): to attack. Rōmam is the accusative singular form of Rōma, Rōmae (1f): Rome. Mīsērunt is the third person plural perfect form of mittō, mittere, mīsī, missum (3): to send; throw.
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Thou shalt not follow the multitude to do evil.
Nōn: not. Sequēris is the second person singular future form of sequor, sequī, secūtus sum (3, deponent): to follow. Turbam is the accusative singular form of turba, turbae (1f): crowd. Ad (prep.): to. Faciendum is the m/n accusative singular form of faciendus/facienda/faciendum, the gerundive (to be done) of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Malum is the accusative singular form of malum, malī (2n): evil; trouble, misfortune; misdeed; disease.
Did we gather merely to learn what greed was?
A little more literally: Did we gather to learn greed?
Ad (prep.): to. Discendam is the feminine accusative singular form of discendus/discenda/discendum, the gerundive (to be learned) of discō, discere, didicī, discitūrus (3): to learn. Avāritiam is the accusative singular form of avāritia, avāritiae (1f): greed. Convēnimus is the first person plural perfect form of conveniō, convenīre, convēnī, conventum (4): to come together, meet, gather, assemble.
You have been defeated by a son who deserves disinheriting.
More literally: You have been defeated by a son to-be-disinherited (or a disinheritable son).
Ab/ ā (prep.): from; by (takes the ablative). Fīliō is the ablative singular form of fīlius, fīliī (2m): son. Abdicandō is the m/n ablative singular form of abdicandus/abdicanda/abdicandum, the gerundive (to be disinherited) of abdicō, abdicāre, abdicāvī, abdicātum (1): to reject; abdicate; disinherit. Victus es is the second person masculine singular perfect passive form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, defeat; win, be victorious.
The conclusion is difficult in the matter of handing over the province.
More literally: The conclusion is difficult in the province-to-be-handed-over.
Clausula, clausulae (1f): conclusion. Est: is. Difficilis/ difficilis /difficile (3): difficult. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Trādendā is the feminine ablative singular form of trādendus/trādenda/trādendum, the gerundive (to be handed over) of trādō, trādere, trādidī, trāditum (3): to hand over; surrender; deliver; hand down; relate. Prōvinciā is the ablative singular form of prōvincia, prōvinciae (1f): province.
Men are thrifty in guarding their private property.
More literally: They are restrained in family-property-to-be-held-together.
(. . . but less so in guarding their time.) Adstrictī is the masculine nominative plural form of adstrictus/adstricta/adstrictum (1/2), the perfect passive participle (restrained, tightened) of astringō, astringere, astrīnxī, astrictum (3): to tie up, bind; restrain; tighten. Sunt: they are. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Continendō is the m/n ablative singular form of continendus/continenda/continendum, the gerundive (to be held together) of contineō, continēre, continuī, contentum (2): to hold together; keep; restrain; contain. Patrimōniō is the ablative singular form of patrimōnium, patrimōniī (2n): estate, inheritable assets.
You saw how much I disliked the idea of abandoning the capital.
More literally: You saw how I shuddered away from the city-to-be-abandoned.
Vīdistī is the second person singular perfect form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see. Quam (interrog. adv.): how (much)? Abhorrērem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of abhorreō, abhorrēre, abhorruī, — (2): to abhor, shudder at; it often takes the preposition ab as the link to what is abhorred. Ab /ā (prep.): (away) from; by (takes the ablative). Urbe is the ablative singular form of urbs, urbis (3f): city. Relinquendā is the feminine ablative singular form of relinquendus/relinquenda/relinquendum, the gerundive (to be abandoned) of relinquō, relinquere, relīquī, relictum (3): to abandon, relinquish, leave behind.
We must make ready for death before we make ready for life.
More literally: We are to be prepared for death earlier than for life.
Ante (adv.): before, earlier, previously (ante. . . quam = before, earlier than). Ad (prep.): to; for (takes the accusative). Mortem is the accusative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Quam (rel. adv.): as; than. Vītam is the accusative singular form of vīta, vītae (1f): life. Praeparandī is the masculine nominative plural form of praeparandus/praeparanda/praeparandum, the gerundive (to be prepared) of praeparō, praeparāre, praeparāvī, praeparātum (1): to prepare. Sumus: we are.
They should be shut out.
More literally: They are to be shut out.
(He’s talking about trivial occupations—occupātiō, occupātiōnis (3f)—that gobble up our time.) Exclūdendae is the feminine nominative plural form of exclūdendus/exclūdenda/exclūdendum, the gerundive (to be shut out) of exclūdō, exclūdere, exclūsī, exclūsum (3): to shut out; exclude. Sunt: they are.
For crimes must be safeguarded by crimes.
Scelera is the nominative plural form of scelus, sceleris (3n): crime. Enim (particle): for; indeed. Sceleribus is the ablative plural form of scelus, sceleris (3n): crime. Tuenda is the neuter nominative plural form of tuendus/tuenda/tuendum, the gerundive (to be defended, kept up) of tueor, tuērī, tuitus sum (2, deponent): to look at; watch over, protect, preserve, defend. Sunt: are.
Bravery is a scorner of things which inspire fear.
More literally: Bravery is a scorner of things-to-be-feared.
Fortitūdō, fortitūdinis (3f): bravery; strength. Contemptrīx, contemptrīcis (3f): despiser, scorner (female). Timendōrum is the m/n (here n) genitive plural form of timendus/timenda/timendum, the gerundive (to be feared) of timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to fear, be afraid. Est: is.
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Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for.
Alt. : Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about.
Est: is. Autem (particle): on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover, now. Fidēs, fideī (5f): faith (in Christian contexts); loyalty, trustworthiness (in other settings). Spērandārum is the feminine genitive plural form of spērandus/spēranda/spērandum, the gerundive (to be hoped for) of spērō, spērāre, spērāvī, spērātum (1): to hope (for). Substantia, substantiae (1f): substance; essence; that of which a thing consists. Rērum is the genitive plural form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair.
This they did to recover their kith and kin.
More literally: They do these things for the sake of recovering their own.
Haec is the neuter accusative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Faciunt is the third person plural form of facio, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Reciperandōrum is the m/n (here m) genitive plural form of reciperandus/reciperanda/reciperandum, the gerundive (to be recovered) of reciperō, reciperāre, reciperāvī, reciperātum (1): to regain, recover. Suōrum is the m/n (here m) genitive plural form of suus/sua/suum (1/2): their (own) (the reflexive possessive pronoun); on its own in the masculine plural, the word commonly indicates one’s family or friends, followers, men, slaves, etc. —people connected with one in one way or another. Causā is the ablative singular form of causa, causae (1f): cause, reason; in the ablative causā preceded by a genitive: for the sake (of).
Fabius proceeded with elections for appointing censors.
More literally: Fabius held assemblies for creating censors.
Fabius, Fabiī (2m): Roman family name (gens), here of a Roman consul. Comitia is the accusative plural form of comitium, comitiī (2n): (in singular) place of assembly for legislative and judicial purposes; (in plural only) assembly for elections, election. Cēnsōribus is the dative plural form of cēnsor, cēnsōris (3m): censor. Creandīs is the m/f/n dative plural form of creandus/creanda/creandum, the gerundive (to be created or appointed) of creō, creāre, creāvī, creātum (1): to beget; create; cause; appoint, elect. Habuit is the third person singular perfect form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have; hold.
An hour, an instant of time, suffices for the overthrow of empires!
Hōra, hōrae (1f): hour. Mōmentumque: mōmentum, mōmentī (2n): movement; moment; influence, weight, importance (the enclitic conjunction – que adds and). Tempus, temporis (3n): time. Ēvertendīs is the m/f/n dative plural form of ēvertendus/ēvertenda/ēvertendum, the gerundive (to be overturned) of ēvertō, ēvertere, ēvertī, ēversum (3): to overturn; destroy. Imperiīs is the dative plural form of imperium, imperiī (2n): power, authority; command; empire. Sufficit is the third person singular form of sufficiō, sufficere, suffēcī, suffectum (3, –iō): to suffice, be sufficient.
He recommended that all, to the last man, be slain.
More literally: He judged (expressed as his opinion) all (to be) to be killed to a man (to one (man)).
Cēnsuit is the third person singular perfect form of cēnseō, cēnsēre, cēnsuī, cēnsum (2): to express as one’s opinion; judge; recommend. Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Ūnum is the m/n (here m) accusative singular form of ūnus/ūna/ūnum (1/2, irreg.): one. Omnēs is the m/f accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every (ad ūnum omnēs is an expression that means something like every last one —or all to a man). Interficiendōs is the masculine accusative plural form of interficiendus/interficienda/interficiendum, the gerundive (to be killed) of interficiō, interficere, interfēcī, interfectum (3, –iō): to kill.
We seek what should be shunned.
More literally: We seek the things-to-be-fled.
Fugienda is the neuter accusative plural form of fugiendus/fugienda/fugiendum, the gerundive (to be fled) of fugiō, fugere, fūgī, fugitūrus (3, –iō): to flee, run away. Petimus is the first person plural form of petō, petere, petīvī/petiī, petītum (3): to seek; desire; ask.
By all means avoid what is frightening.
More literally: You, by all means, avoid the things-to-be-feared.
Tū: you—it makes the imperative more emphatic: you avoid as an instruction. Vērō (particle): truly, indeed, by all means; on the other hand, but, however; and, moreover. Metuenda is the neuter accusative plural form of metuendus/metuenda/metuendum, the gerundive (to be feared) of metuō, metuere, metuī, metūtum (3): to fear. Dēclīnā is the singular imperative form of dēclīnō, dēclīnāre, dēclīnāvī, dēclīnātum (1): to avoid.
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He standeth to judge the people.
Stat is the third person singular form of stō, stāre, stetī, statum (1): to stand. Ad (prep.): to; toward. Iūdicandōs is the masculine accusative plural form of iūdicandus/iūdicanda/iūdicandum, the gerundive (to be judged) of iūdicō, iūdicāre, iūdicāvī, iūdicātum (1): to judge. Populōs is the accusative plural form of populus, populī (2m): people.
He came to Syracuse for the siege.
More literally: He came in order to besiege Syracuse/for besieging Syracuse.
Ad (prep.): to; toward. Syrācūsās is the accusative form of Syrācūsae, Syrācūsārum (1f, plural only): Syracuse, the foremost Greek city on the island of Sicily. Obsidendās is the feminine accusative plural form of obsidendus/obsidenda/obsidendum, the gerundive (to be besieged) of obsideō, obsidēre, obsēdī, obsessum (2): to besiege. Vēnit is the third person singular perfect form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
(Good diction) is nevertheless increased by reading the orators and poets.
More literally: . . . is nevertheless increased by the orators-and-poets-to-be-read.
Tamen (adv.): nevertheless, yet, still. Augētur is the third person singular passive form of augeō, augēre, auxī, auctum (2): to increase. Legendīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of legendus/legenda/legendum, the gerundive (to be read) of legō, legere, lēgī, lēctum (3): to read. Ōrātōribus is the ablative plural form of ōrātor, ōrātōris (3m): orator. Et (conj.): and. Poētīs is the ablative plural form of poēta, poētae (1m): poet.
He called a meeting to discuss an assault on Argos.
More literally: He calls a meeting about Argos-to-be-attacked.
Advocat is the third person singular form of advocō, advocāre, advocāvī, advocātum (1): to call, summon. Cōnsilium is the accusative singular form of cōnsilium, cōnsiliī (2n): council, meeting; plan, intention; advice, counsel. Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Oppugnandīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of oppugnandus/oppugnanda/oppugnandum, the gerundive (to be attacked) of oppugnō, oppugnāre, oppugnāvī, oppugnātum (1): to attack, assault. Argīs is the ablative form of Argī, Argōrum (2m, often plural): Argos.
The senate approves his proposal about the sending of envoys.
More literally: The senate approves the matter about envoys-to-be-sent.
Probat is the third person singular form of probō, probāre, probāvī, probātum (1): to approve; test; prove. Rem is the accusative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair. Senātus, senātūs (4m): senate. Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Mittendīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of mittendus/mittenda/mittendum, the gerundive (to be sent) of mittō, mittere, mīsī, missum (3): to send. Lēgātīs is the ablative plural form of lēgātus, lēgātī (2m): envoy, ambassador, deputy.
The Egyptians are wonderful at weaving schemes.
More literally: Wonderful in schemes-to-be-woven, the Egyptians.
Admīrābilēs is the m/f nominative plural form of admīrābilis/admīrābilis/admīrābile (3): admirable, wonderful, astonishing. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Nectendīs is the m/f/n ablative plural form of nectendus/nectenda/nectendum, the gerundive (to be woven/devised) of nectō, nectere, nexī, nexum (3): to weave; connect; devise. Māchinīs is the ablative plural form of māchina, māchinae (1f): machine; scheme, plan. Aegyptiī is the masculine nominative plural form of Aegyptius/Aegyptia/Aegyptium (1/2): Egyptian.