Round-Up: May 30

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem tertium Kalendas Iunias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is VENIO - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Ex ovis pravis non bona venit avis, "From bad eggs no good bird comes."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Societas Leonina, the famous Aesop's fable of the lion's share.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Milvus, Rex Electus, the story of the chicks who elected a kite to be their king.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Serpentis Cauda, the story of the snake's body and its tail. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Nanus et Villanus, the hilarious story of a wish-granting dwarf, and Mercurius et Canis, the story of a dog and a statue of Mercury.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Kelsey & Scudder's Carmina Selecta from Ovid and Quin's Collectanea Latina.

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Aufert pannosam vestem ditissimus unam; / Croesus in exiguo linquit regna aurea panno. (from Wegeler) and Litem inferre cave, cum quo tibi gratia iuncta est; / Ira odium generat, concordia nutrit amorem. (from Cato's distichs).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Quam plurimis prodesse (English: To help as many as possible).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Occasio facit furem (English: Opportunity makes the thief).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Quae pro parte nocent, plurima saepe docent (English: Things which do their share of harm often teach many things).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Ad locum unde exeunt, flumina revertuntur ut iterum fluant (Ecc. 1:7). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Canis vindictam: A dogge hath a day. There is none so vile nor simple a person, but at one time or other may avenge him self of wronges done unto him. Wherfore it is a wise mans part to contemne no man.

For an image today, here is the story of the lion's share: Societatem iunxerant leo, iuvenca, capra, ovis. Praeda autem quam ceperant in quattuor partes aequales divisa, leo, "Prima," ait, "mea est; debetur enim haec praestantiae meae. Tollam et secundam, quam meretur robur meum. Tertiam vindicat sibi egregius labor meus. Quartam qui sibi arrogare voluerit, is sciat, se habiturum me inimicum sibi." Quid facerent imbecilles bestiae, aut quae sibi leonem infestum habere vellet? (source)

Round-Up: May 28

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem quintum Kalendas Iunias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is MENS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Scientia sol mentis, "Knowledge is the sun of the mind."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is the Aesop's fable Agricola et Filii Eius, which teaches the virtue of solidarity.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Aquila et Sagitta, the story of the eagle undone by its own feathers.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Asina Aegrota et Lupus , the story of the donkey and the wolf who wanted to be her doctor. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Iuppiter et Dolium, an Aesopic twist on Pandora's box, and Sceleratus et Daemon, the story of a criminal who wore out the devil himself.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Maclardy's Aeneid Book I and Dennison's Aeneid.

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Asper erit victus, labor asper et asper amictus, / Aspera cuncta tibi, si vis super aethera scribi (from Wegeler) and Contra verbosos noli contendere verbis: / Sermo datur cunctis, animi sapientia paucis (from Cato's distichs).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Hydram secas (English: You're slashing at the hydra - an allusion to Hercules's own struggle against that mythical beast!).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Pro mundi beneficio (English: For the good of the world).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Pastor bonus animam suam dat pro ovibus (English: The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Lupum auribus teneo (English: I've got the wolf by the ears - which is to say that it is dangerous to hold on and just as dangerous to let go!).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Iovis sandalium (English: Jupiter's sandal; from Adagia 2.7.76 - this was a proverbial expression for some paltry object that claimed to be associated with a celebrity).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is : Ἄκρον λάβε, καὶ μέσον ἕξεις (English: Grab for the top and you will have the middle).

For an image today, here is an illustration to go with the proverb Hydram secas - it's Hercules solving that proverbial problem in order to accomplish one of his labors, assisted by his nephew Iolaus, with this Latin caption: Hercules Una Cum Iolao Hydram Occidit.

Round-Up: May 26

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem septimum Kalendas Iunias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is the little particle O - you can read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: O nomen dulce libertatis! "O the sweet name of freedom!"

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Simonides et Hiero, about what happened when Hiero asked the wise Simonides to tell him what God is.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Pater, Filius, et Asinus, the hilarious story (Middle Eastern in origin) of what happened when a father and his son took their donkey to the market.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Vultures, Leo, et Aper, the story of the vultures who gladly watched the lion and the boar fighting with one another - although luckily the mighty opponents come to their senses!

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Doctissimi Tres et Tigris, a great story about three would-be wise men and a tiger (if anyone has any information about the origins of this story, let me know!), and Viatores et Pons, a story about a Boeotian, an Athenian and a Corinthian who were on a journey together.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Moore's Histories of Tacitus and Andrews's Agricola and Germania of Tacitus .

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Ah! homo si sciret, quando mors atra veniret, Non sic dormiret, sed caeli regna sitiret. (from Wegeler, as you can tell by all the rhymes) and Dapsilis interdum notis et carus amicis, / Cum fueris felix, semper tibi proximus esto. (from Cato's distichs).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Conanti dabitur (English: To the one who strives, it will be given).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Tempus vitae magister (English: Time is life's teacher)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Repetitio mater memoriae (English: Repetition is the mother of memory). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Metus cum venit, rarum habet somnus locum (English: With the onset of fear, there's little room for sleep).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Habet et musca splenem (English: Even the fly has its spleen; from Adagia 3.5.7).

For an image today, here is that story of the vultures: 459. Vultures, Leo, et Aper. Aestatis tempore, dum ardor animalia siti vexat, ad angustum fontem leo et aper potaturi concurrerant, et uter eorum prior biberet decertare coeperunt. Hinc ad mutuam caedem insurrexere; mox vero, ut paululum respirarent, pugna relicta, nonnullos vultures conspexere, qui longe exspectabant ut victus eorum quis caderet et devorarent. Id animadvertentes, inimicitias solvere, melius sibi esse aientes amicitiam servare quam vulturibus et corvis escam fieri. (source)

Round-Up: May 24

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem nonum Kalendas Iunias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is ANIMAL - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Minimum animal pulex, saltu maximum superat elephantem, "The flea is a teeny-tiny animal; with a leap it surmounts the great elephant."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Scipio de Consulibus, a witty remark attributed to Scipio regarding which is worse: an impoverished politician or a greedy one.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Mercurius, Homo, et Formicae, an outstanding fable about the justice of god and men - this is one of my very favorite fables!

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Avara et Gallina, the story of a woman and her fat chicken. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Simonides et Gemini, the famous story of how Simonides was rescued by Castor and Pollux, and Corvi et Vir Timidus, the story of a cowardly man and a noisy crow.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Clark's Selections from Ovid's Metamorphoses and Heroides (another one of those interlinear books) and Eutropius's Seven Books of the History of Rome (also an interlinear edition).

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are A medico indocto, a cibo bis cocto, / A mala muliere libera nos, Domine! (from Wegeler) and Quem superare potes, interdum vince ferendo; / Maxima enim morum semper patientia virtus. (from Cato's distichs).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Nolo servile capistrum (English: I refuse to wear the slave's halter).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Furor arma ministrat (English: Rage supplies the weapons).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Intima per mores cognoscimus exteriores (English: We know a person's inner being through his external habits).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Nos debemus alterutrum diligere (I John 4:11). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Conybeare: Ex tripode: When we speake of thinges which are veri true, and not to be doubted as it were spoken of goddes owne mouthe.

Today's image is of the greedy women and her fat chicken: 982. Avara et Gallina. Vidua habebat avem, quae ei quotidie unum pareret ovum. Largius ergo istam incepit alere, existimans fore ut, abundantius nutrita, duo pareret ova. Avis contra, nimiis alimentis facta obesior, ne unum quidem, ut antea, eniti potuit ovum. Qui maiora concupiscunt, parva quae possident saepissime solent amittere. (source)

Round-Up: May 22

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem undecimum Kalendas Iunias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is ORIOR - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Cum sol oritur, omnibus oritur, "When the sun rises, it rises for everyone."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for ACCIPITER, the hawk, and LEPUS, the rabbit. Here's a nice one: Annoso leoni vel lepores insultant, "When the lion is old, even the rabbits mock him."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Cyrus Moriens, the words of the dying Cyrus as reported by Xenophon.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Venator Meticulosus, the story of a hunter who finds more than he bargained for.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Vulpes et Vota Eius, the story of a fox who changes her wishes based on circumstances. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Gallina Plumis Spoliata, the sad story of a chicken who was attacked by a fox, and Spica Glorians, the story of a vain ear of wheat.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Hanson & Rolfe's Selections from Ovid and Virgil and Andrews's edition of Caesar .

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Amplius in rebus noli sperare caducis, / Sed capiat tua mens aeternae gaudia lucis (from Wegeler) and Officium alterius multis narrare memento, / Atque aliis cum tu bene feceris ipse, sileto (from Cato's distichs).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Disce docendo (English: Learn by teaching - obviously a motto that rings true for me; that's what these blogs are all about).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Scite, citissime, certe (English: Skillfully, swiftly, and surely).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Post tres saepe dies piscis vilescit et hospes (English: Often after three days the fish begins to stink, as does the houseguest).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Requiesce, comede, bibe, epulare (English: Rest, eat, drink, party!).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Azanaea mala (English: Azanean troubles; from Adagia 2.6.9 - the Azanes in Arcadia in the central Peloponnese inhabited a rough land, hard to farm and with a poor yield, so the proverb refers to any kind of fruitless labor).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Ἤως ὁρῶσα τὰ νυκτὸς ἔργα γελᾷ (English: Dawn looks upon the words of the night and laughs... and most college students will admit that their all-nighters sometimes result in some laughable results).

For an image today, here is the tomb of Cyrus the Great in his capital city, Pasargadae, appx. 30 miles from Persepolis in Iran; here are his dying words as reported by Xenophon: Apud Xenophontem moriens Cyrus maior haec dicit, "Nolite arbitrari, o mei carissimi filii, me, cum a vobis discessero, nusquam aut nullum fore. Nec enim, dum eram vobiscum, animum meum videbatis, sed eum esse in hoc corpore ex iis rebus quas gerebam intellegebatis. Eundem igitur esse creditote, etiam si nullum videbitis." (source)

Round-Up: May 20

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem tertium decimum Kalendas Iunias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is QUISQUAM - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Melius est quidquam possideri quam nihil, "It is better to have something than nothing."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for SCARABAEUS, the beetle, and SIMIA, the monkey. Here's a nice one: Diabolus est Dei simia, "The devil is God's monkey."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Dieneces, the famous words spoken by the Spartan commander before going into battle against the Persians in the Battle of Thermopylae.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Divinator et Latrones, a funny little story about a would-be fortuneteller.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Pastor et Lupus Familiaris, the story of a shepherd who entrusted his flock to the wolf. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Astrologi et Asinus, the story of a donkey who can predict the weather, and Olitor et Plantae Silvestres, a gardening fable about why weeds grow so quickly.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Wall's Elementary Lessons in Latin and Clark's Sallust (another one of those books done by the "Hamilton" method with interlinear texts).

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Antiquus gladius, vetus atque fidelis amicus / Sunt tibi pro muro, cum stas in tempore duro. (from Wegeler) and Ne dubites, cum magna petas, impendere parva: / His etenim rebus coniungit gratia caros. (from Cato's distichs).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Spectemur agendo (English: Let us be regarded as we act).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Vitae sal amicitia (English: Friendship is the salt of life)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Nascimur uno modo, multis morimur (English: We are born one way, we die in many). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Bona opinio hominum tutior pecunia est (English: People's good reputation is safer than money).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Ipsi testudines edite, qui cepistis (English: You who caught the turtles better eat them; from Adagia 1.1.87 - it's the punchline to a fable about Mercury and the fishermen.

For an image today, here is an illustration for the story of the fortuneteller: 890. Divinator et Latrones. Circulator quidam, medio in foro, divinatoriam profitebatur et inspectione manuum cuiuslibet sortes augurabatur, magna plebeculae turba stipatus, quam dum suis praestigiis incautam teneret, quidam ipsi annuntiat effractas fores domus suae et omnia a latronibus direpta et asportata. Quo audito, turbatus, relictis omnibus, ad domum cucurrit. Tunc unusquisque exclamabat, “O illusor et mendax, aliorum sortem divinare et scire te dicis, et tuam nescis.” (source - easy version)

Round-Up: May 18

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem quintum decimum Kalendas Iunias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is VIA - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Omnes viae ad Romam ferunt, "All roads lead to Rome."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for PEDICULUS, the louse, and PISCIS, the fish. Here's a nice one: Vivis piscibus aqua, mortuis vinum, "Water for the living fish; wine for the dead ones" (of course, the wine is for our benefit, not for the benefit of the poor fish!).

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Damon et Pythias, the famous story of loyalty between two friends.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Canis et Umbra, the story of the greedy dog fooled by his own reflection.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Viatores Duo et Latro, the story of two travelers and what happened when they found a sack full of gold. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Cyclops et Homo, the odd little story of a cyclops and his treasure, and Ranae et Ovis, a funny story about a sheep who fell into the mud of a swamp inhabited by frogs.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Hanson & Rolfe's A Handbook of Latin Poetry and Hamilton's Cornelius Nepos (the "Hamilton approach" involves the use of interlinear texts).

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Aures fert paries, oculos nemus: ergo cavere / Debet, qui loquitur, ne possint verba nocere. (from Wegeler) and Servorum culpis cum te dolor urget in iram, / Ipse tibi moderare, tuis ut parcere possis. (from Cato's distichs).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Sape et tace (English: Be wise and keep quiet).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Sol omnia aperit (English: The sun reveals all things).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Nunc est dicendum, nunc cum ratione silendum (English: Sometimes you need to speak, and sometimes you need to wisely keep silent - kind of a rhyming variation on the same idea in today's motto).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Ego dico vobis: non resistere malo (Matt. 5:39). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Conybeare: Nudo vestimenta detrahere: To take rayment from a naked man. Proverbially used, to take or seke a thing of a man that he hath not, to take a brieche from a bare arste man.

Since the story of Damon and Pythias lives on in the "Knights of Pythias" (a fraternal organization founded in 1864 which can boast of several U.S. presidents as members, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt), here is a modern image to accompany the ancient story: Damon et Pythias tam fidelem inter se amicitiam iunxerant ut, cum alterum ex his Dionysius Syracusanus interficere vellet atque is tempus impetravisset, quo res suas ordinaret, alter vadem se pro reditu eius tyranno dare non dubitarit. Omnes igitur et in primis Dionysius novae atque ancipitis rei exitum speculabantur. Appropinquante deinde die, nec illo redeunte, omnes stultitiae tam temerarium sponsorem damnabant. At is, nihil se de amici constantia metuere praedicabat. Eodem autem momento et hora a Dionysio constituta, alter supervenit. Admiratus amborum animum, tyrannus supplicium fidei remisit insuperque eos rogavit ut se tertium in societatem amicitiae reciperent. (source)

Round-Up: May 16

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem septimum decimum Kalendas Iunias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is FERUS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Fera quaevis in sua silva superbit, "Every wild animal is proud in its own forest."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for HAEDUS, the kid, and LUPUS, the wolf. Here's a nice one: Mors lupi agnis vita, "The death of the wolf is life to the lambs."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Alexander Sacrificans, the story of a Macedonian boy's bravery while making a sacrifice in Alexander's presence.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Anguis et Milvus, the story of a kite who thought he would catch a snake and carry it off - but things turned out otherwise.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Bubo et Aves, the story of the owl who was proud of her little owl chicks. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Condemnatus Arbor Eligens, a funny story about a man condemned to hang, and Rusticus in Stercoribus Nutritus, a story about a man who was used to the smell of his barn's manure.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Heidelberg's Lateinische Uebungs und Lesebuecher and Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War (the Bullions edition).

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Aedificare domos multas et pascere multos / Est ad pauperiem semita recta quidem (from Wegeler) and Vincere cum possis, interdum cede sodali; / Obsequio quoniam dulces retinentur amici (from Cato's distichs).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Omnia praetereunt (English: All things pass away).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Veritate et iustitia (English: With truth and justice).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Non missura cutem nisi plena cruoris hirudo (English: The leech will not let go of the skin unless it's full of blood).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Sufficit sua diei malitia (English: Sufficient unto the day are its own troubles).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Κοινὰ τὰ τῶν φίλων (English: Things belonging to friends are held in common).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Oedipi imprecatio (English: The curse of Oedipus - which is famously the subject of the tragic play by Sophocles; from Adagia 1.7.61). Here is a famous vase painting of Oedipus and the Sphinx, a moment of triumph which is only part of Oedipus's fated curse:

Round-Up: May 14

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: pridie Idus Maias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is SIC - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Sicut fecisti, fiet tibi, "As you have done, so it will be done to you."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for PASSER, the sparrow, and VOLUCRES, birds. Here's a nice one: Ostendit nidus volucrem, quae fecerit ipsum, "The nest reveals which bird made it."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Alexander at Canis Indus , a story about Alexander and the dogs he saw in India.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Equus, Lupus, et Hordeum, a story about a horse and a hypocritical wolf.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Vulpecula et Tintinnabulum, the story of a fox who is fooled by the sound of a bell. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Canis, Herus, et Cibus, a fable about a dog and his stingy master, and Draco Beneficii Memor, a story about a good-hearted dragon.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Allen & Fowler's Selections from Ovid and Goffaux's Robinson Crusoëus (a Latin translation of Defoe's Robinson Crusoe).

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Ad veniam curras, ad vindictam pigriteris; / Ad pacem properes, ad iurgia non gradieris. (from Wegeler) and Plus vigila semper nec somno deditus esto; / Nam diuturna quies vitiis alimenta ministrat. (from Cato's distichs).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Veritas vincit (English: Truth triumphs).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Deo nihil impossibile (English: For God, nothing is impossible)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Felix alterius cui sunt documenta flagella (English: Happy is the man for whom another man's lashings are a lesson). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Contra hostem aut fortem oportet esse aut supplicem (English: Against your enemy you must be either bold or humble).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Locrensis bos (English: A Locrian ox; from Adagia 2.8.62 - this refers to a cheap substitution: when the gods expected a sacrificial ox, the Locrians made a tiny ox of wood and sacrificed that instead).

For an image today, here is Robinson Crusoe, a.k.a. Robinson Crusoëus:


Here's the book at Google Books:

Hiatus Aestivus I

I'm going to be out of town for a week, so here are the daily stories and proverbs for while I'll be gone; they won't come through in the email, but just check the blog post to see what's new for the day... automatically updated while I am gone, thanks to the magic of javascript!

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Round-Up: May 7

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: Nonae Maiae, the Nones of May (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is FIO - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Quod tibi vis fieri, fac alteri, "What you want to be done to you, do you to another."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for APES, the bee, and MILVUS, the kite. Here's a nice one: Rete ne tendas accipitri et milvo, "Don't try to catch a hawk or a kite with a bird net."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Sertorius et Cerva Eius, the story of Sertorius and his supernatural white deer.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Ranae Duae et Puteus, the story of two frogs - one who is reckless, and one who is cautious.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Asinus et Canis, a fable about the different tastes of a dog and a donkey. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Rusticus et Torrens, the story of how still waters run deep, and Viator et Lapides, the story of a traveler who confronts a stony path.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Harkness's Preparatory Course in Latin Prose Authors and Allen & Greenough's edition of Cicero's Senectute & de Amicitia.

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Quamvis dura, tamen caprificus marmora findit. / Contemnas hostem, si sapis, ipse cave. (from Camerarius) and Frangere vi mavis, quam lente flectere ramum? / Est tractare homines molliter artis opus. (also from Camerarius).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Ne cede malis (English: Yield not to evils).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Sol omnibus lucet (English: The sun shines on everyone).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Saepe ferox iuvenem mors rapit ante senem (English: Cruel death often snatches the young man before the old).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Dimitte mortuos sepelire mortuos suos (Matt. 8:22). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur: A friend certain is espied in a thing incertaine, that is to say, in adversitie, where a mans matters are inconstant, doubtfull, and full of daunger. And therfore yf thou will do wel, do as the english proverbe biddeth the. Prove thy friend, ere thou have nede.

For an image today, here is Camerarius's emblem to go with the distich about the wild fig tree which shows that even if you are hard as rock you should beware of potential enemies: Quamvis dura, tamen caprificus marmora findit. / Contemnas hostem, si sapis, ipse cave.

Round-Up: May 5

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem tertium Nonas Maias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is SOLEO - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Non solet esse incruenta victoria, "Victory does not usually come without bloodshed."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for ANGUILLA , the eel, and AVIS, the bird. Here's a nice one: Avis matutina vermem capit, "The early bird catches the worm."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Aristoteles et Successor Eius, a story about how Theophrastus was chosen as Aristotle's successor.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Monachi et Abbates, a funny story about things going from bad to worse at a monastery.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Dives et Thesaurus Eius, an ingenious little story about the trickster tricked. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Abbas et Iuvenis, a great wisdom tale from the world of the monks, and Heremita et Mus, a sly story about a hermit and his mouse.

GOOGLE BOOKS: I've finished writing up the books with macrons that I've found at GoogleBooks, which you can see listed here.

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Umbram, non fructum Platanus dat; sic quoque multis / Vana alios specie ludere saepe placet. (from Camerarius) and Ad tua cur taceam dicteria foeda requiris? / Non anagyrin ego, spurce, movere volo. (also from Camerarius).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Omnia transibunt (English: All things will pass).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Vigilantibus, non dormientibus (English: For those who watch, not those who sleep).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Unus lanius non timet multas oves (English: One butcher does not fear many sheep).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Vae terrae, cuius rex puer est (English: Woe to the land whose king is a boy).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Iliensis tragoedos conduxit (English: The man from Troy has hired some tragic actors; from Adagia 2.4.35; this refers to someone who wishes to renew the sad events of his past, like a Trojan who wants to see a tragedy about the fall of Troy).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Ὅστις δὶς ναυαγήσει μάτην μέμφεται Ποσειδῶνα (English: The man who is shipwrecked a second time blames Poseidon in vain).

Here's an image to go with that Poseidon proverb! The statue is located in Virginia Beach, where they hold an annual Neptune Festival. You can find many more views of this wonderful statue with this Google Image Search; this image was taken by Neal Rattican:

Round-Up: May 4

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem quartum Nonas Maias (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is TUNC - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Tunc alios culpa, cum tu sis sine culpa, "You can blame others when you yourself are blameless."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for HIRUNDO, the swallow, and BOS, the ox. Here's a nice one: Optat ephippia bos piger, optat arare caballus, "The lazy ox wants fancy horse trappings, and the horse wants to plow the field."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Mausolus, the story of Artemisia, her husband Mausolus and the first mausoleum.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Vulpes et Mulieres, what happened when the fox saw some women eating roast chickens.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Asinus et Viatores Duo, the story of two men fighting over a stray donkey. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Serapis et Parricida, a great fable about the god Serapis, and Fur et Stultus, a funny little story about a quick-witted thief.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Harkness's Sallust - Catiline and Gardner's Selection from Latin Classic Authors .

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Multorum cum facta senex et dicta recenses, / Fac tibi succurrant, iuvenis quae feceris ipse. (from Cato) and Consilio moderato animos frenato furentes, / Ut rigidas quercus vimina lenta solent. (from Camerarius).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Memor (English: Mindful).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Tempus edax rerum (English: Time is the eater of things)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Echinus partum differt (English: The hedgehog postpones its giving birth). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Nulla hominum maior poena est quam infelicitas (English: There is no great punishment for people than unhappiness).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Bos lassus fortius figit pedem (English: The ox, when tired, fixes his hoof more firmly; from Adagia 1.1.47).

For an image today, here is the god Serapis and a story about how he vindicates the power of divine justice, 801. Serapis et Parricida. Decubuerat ad ruinosum parietem quidam facinoribus parricidii pollutus, ut ibi somnum caperet. Huic oblatus per quietem Serapis, monuit eum ut fugeret atque discederet et alibi obdormisceret. Paruit ille et surrexit atque abiit, cum statim paries ille corruit. Mane gratias agens hic diis ob conservatam ab ipsis vitam suam cum gaudio rem divinam fecit, quasi parricidae numini divino cari essent. Rursum autem Serapis dormienti suam speciem ostendit et “Censesne tu,” inquit, “sceleste, mihi curae esse improbos atque malos? Immo si tu nunc isto pacto obiisses mortem, fuisset ea singularis doloris et infamiae expers. Quam ideo nunc effugisti, quia servaris crucis merito supplicio.” (source)

Round-Up: May 1

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: Kalendae Maiae, the Kalends of May (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is VIS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Plura consilio quam vi perficimus, "We can accomplish more things by planning than by force."

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for ALAUDA, the crested lark, and LEO, the lion. Here's a nice one: Ne capra contra leonem, "The nanny-goat should not [fight] against the lion."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Teanum Sidicinum, a funny little story about a Roman woman who wanted to bathe in the men's baths.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Navigantes in Eadem Navi Inimici, a fable about undying enmity!

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Ranae Duae Vicinae, a story about two frogs, one wise, and one foolish. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.)

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The latest fables with images are Coclea et Gallus, a story about a persistent little snail, and Erucae Duae, a story about a very self-important butterfly.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Allen's Select Orations of Cicero and White's Fables of Phaedrus .

DISTICHA: Today's little poems are Festinare nocet, nocet et cunctatio saepe: / Tempore quaeque suo qui facit, ille sapit. (from Camerarius) and Cautus homo est, et Acerrus habet quot lumina quondam / Argus, at haec dubie cuncta nihilve vident. (from Campion).

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at Schoolhouse Widgets.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Non nobis nascimur (English: We are not born for ourselves alone).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Necessitati parendum est (English: Necessity must be obeyed).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Parcito saepe cibis, et sic annosior ibis (English: Be sparing often with your food, and thus will go on to live a longer life).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Qui seminat iniquitatem, metet mala (Proverbs 22:8). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Omnia idem pulvis: Al is one self dust or asshes. From earth wee came, and to earth wee shall. Yea the scripture saith that asshes wee be, and to asshes we shall reverte. Nowe amongest asshes or dust I pray you, what greate difference is ther? How will ye discerne the asshes of a Kinge, or an Emperour, of a Duke, of a great Bishop, from the asshes of a cobler, yea of a begger..

Today's image is for the story of the two frogs, 610. Ranae Duae Vicinae. Ranae duae vicina loca incolebant, altera paludem profundam, altera lacunulam iuxta viam in qua modicum aquae substiterat. Tum illa paludis inhabitatrix hortabatur alteram ad se ut commigraret, ubi multo tutiorem vitam degere liceret. Haec vero negabat se posse avelli a consueto domicilio atque loco. Paulo post, eam nihil metuentem plaustri rotae contriverunt (source).