Latin phrases for each day

You will probably be surprised to notice how much the Latin words you already know. Hundreds of words, for example such as memo, alibi, agenda, census, veto, alias, via, alumni, affidavit and versus, used in the English language as an abbreviation, such as: i.e. (id est, that is) and etc. (et cetera, And the rest). Some Latin phrases are so firmly rooted in the English and Russian languages ​​that we use them without even thinking about what they are taken: bona fide (In good faith - conscientious), Alter ego (Other self - the other me) persona non grata (Unwelcome person - an undesirable person) vice versa (Position turned - on the contrary) carpe diem (Seize the day - catch the moment, enjoy the day) cum laude (With praise - honorably) alma mater (Nourishing mother - a nursing mother) and quid pro quo (This for that - something for it). Many languages ​​borrowed from Latin and other less hackneyed phrases. Remember them and use at every opportunity.

1. AURIBUS TENEO LUPUM

The literal translation of "keep the wolf by the ears." Proverb taken from the works of "Formion" Roman playwright Terence. It means "to be in a desperate situation," "between two fires." English analogue - «Holding a tiger by the tail» (to keep the tiger by the tail).

2. BARBA NON FACIT PHILOSOPHUM

"The beard does not make you a philosopher," "presence of a beard does not mean that you are a philosopher." The Romans were very fond of tying beard with intelligence. For instance, "Barba crescit, caput nescit » (Beard has grown, and there is no mind).

3. BRUTUM FULMEN

Apparently, this aphorism coined Pliny the Elder. Expression "Brutum fulmen » literally means "senseless lightning", ie empty threats.

4. CAESAR NON SUPRA GRAMMATICOS

The phrase was born when one of the Roman emperors made a linguistic mistake in their public speeches. When he pointed out this mistake, the Emperor angrily declared that if he Emperor, from this moment, this error will not be considered a mistake, but the norm. To which one of the members of the Board said: "Caesar non supra grammaticos »Or «The Emperor is not above the grammarians» (Caesar and not above the grammarians). This phrase has become a popular saying, which was used in defense of grammar.

5. CARPE NOCTEM

It is the "night" analogue of the expression "Carpe diem » and translated as "enjoy the night." This phrase can be used to motivate someone (himself included) to finish all the works during the day and evening to leave for vacation.

6. CARTHAGO DELENDA EST

In the midst of the Punic Wars (wars between Rome and Carthage, 264-146 g BC. e.), Roman statesman Cato the Elder ended all his speeches in the Senate (regardless of their subject matter) the phrase "Carthago delenda est », or «Carthage must be destroyed» (Carthage must be destroyed). His words quickly became a popular theme in ancient Rome. The phrase is a strong call to fight against the enemy or obstacle.

7. CASTIGAT RIDENDO MORES

Literally translated means "laughter scourge like that." This motto was coined French poet, Who believed that in order to change the rules, you need to show how much they are absurd.

8. CORVUS OCULUM CORVI NON ERUIT

"Dog does not eat dog." Aphorism means having common interests (often selfish) between people who do not betray each other and act in concert.

9. CUI BONO?

Literal translation: "Who benefits?", "In whose interests it?". The question that often helps to establish who is the culprit of the crime. In general, in the English language, this phrase is used, which call into question the benefits of any action.

Cui prodest scelus Is fecit. Seneca "Medea" To villainy in proc, and He made it. Translation S. Solovyov

10. ET IN ARCADIA EGO

Arcadia was a region in ancient Greece, whose inhabitants are shepherds and farmers are in the majority. They were quiet and measured life away from the hustle and bustle. Latin saying "Et in Arcadia ego » literally means "and I in Arcadia". The painting of the French painter Nicolas Poussin "Arcadian Shepherds" depicts four shepherds who see the old tombstone on which is engraved this Latin saying. "I" in this expression is regarded as a death, which resembles death, as in the quiet, happy and carefree place of people waiting for the inevitable end.

11. EX NIHILO NIHIL FIT

Presumably, this statement belongs to the Roman philosopher Lucretius and the Russian language is translated as "from nothing, nothing comes." This phrase is used as a reminder of the fact that any kind of work a person does in order to achieve something.

12. FELIX CULPA

It was originally a religious term referring to the biblical fall of Adam and Eve. «Felix culpa » (Literally "happy fault") indicates an error, which has since had a favorable outcome.

13. HANNIBAL AD PORTAS

Hannibal was a Carthaginian general who waged war with the Roman Empire is a life-and-death struggle. The Russian language the expression "Hannibal ad portas » literally translated as "Hannibal at the gates," that is, "Enemy at the Gates." The Romans image of Hannibal went on to become something of a bogey, and parents often tell their naughty children to the phrase "Hannibal ad portas »To scare them a little and made to behave properly.

14. HIC MANEBIMUS OPTIME

When in 390 BC. e. Gauls invaded Rome, the Senate met to discuss whether to abandon the city and flee in search of a safe haven. According to the Roman historian Libya, a centurion named Marcus Furius Camillus (Marcus Furius Camillus), referring to the Senate, he said: "Hic manebimus optime! » (Literally "here zazhivom wonderful"). His words soon came to be used metaphorically to express unwavering intention to stand on his own, despite all the difficulties.

15. HOMO SUM HUMANI A ME NIHIL ALIENUM PUTO

"I'm a man and I believe that nothing human is alien to me" — This phrase from the works of the Roman writer Terence. In Terence, this phrase has a certain ironic tone: in a conversation between the two neighbors one accuses another, he intervenes in the affairs of others and gossiping on the other replies: "I'm a man, and nothing human I do not alien. " Since then, the phrase has become almost the motto and can be used, for example, to emphasize that the speaker, like everyone else, is not alien to human weaknesses and errors. As well as the phrase may mean respect for people of other cultures.

16. IGNOTUM PER IGNOTIUS

An analogue of the phrase "Obscurum per obscurius » (The obscure by the more obscure — explain obscure even more unclear). Phrase "Ignotum per ignotius » (The unknown by the more unknown — to explain the unknown even more unknown) refers to the futile explanations that instead of help the person understand the meaning, even more confusing it.

17. IMPERIUM IN IMPERIO

means «an empire within an empire»— "Empire within the empire," "state within a state." Literally it may mean that a structure (the state, city, and so on. D.) Is located inside the other, larger structures, but it is legally autonomous. Allegorically an association of people living by its own laws, which differ from those generally accepted.

18. PANEM ET CIRCENSES

On the Russian translated as "bread and circuses". It means the basic needs (food) and one of the main desires of man (Entertainment). Roman poet and satirist Juvenal opposed the aspirations of the heroic past:

These people long ago forgot all the worries, and Rome, which once distributed Everything: the legions, and the power, and the lictors ligaments, restrained now only two things restless dreams: Bread and circuses! Juvenal "Satire". The book is the fourth. Satire tenth. Translation F. BUT. Petrovsky

19. VELOCIUS QUAM ASPARAGI COQUANTUR

When something was going to happen quickly, the Romans said: "Faster than a bundle of asparagus is cooked." Some sources attribute this phrase to the Roman Emperor Augustus, but the evidence that it is true, unfortunately, no.

20. VOX NIHILI

While the phrase "Vox populi » means "voice of the people", the phrase "Vox nihili » means "empty words." This phrase can be used to refer to the senseless statements.

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And what interesting Latin expression familiar to you? Share them in the comments.