Round-Up: October 31

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.

HODIE: pridie Kalendas Novembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Ad Martialem and Dupliciter miser es.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Duo Viatores et Caupo Insidiosus, the famous story of the travelers and the roadside inn at Megara.

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 159 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 159 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Vincit qui se vincit, "He is victorious who is victorious over himself" (a positive perspective on the notion that we are each our own worst enemy).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's NEW word is FUMUS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Fumum fugiens, in ignem incidi, "Fleeing the smoke, I fell into the fire."

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is ARMA - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Sapiens contra omnes arma fert, cum cogitat, "The wise man, when he thinks, bears weapons against all."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Viatores et Pons, a funny story about a Boeotian, a Corinthian and an Athenian crossing over a bridge at night.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Porcellus et Testamentum, a hilarious story about a greedy little pig.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Upupa ab Aquila Honorata, a story about the hoopoe, known as "Stinkvogel," "Stink-Bird" in German, and Apes Duae Involantes, a story about two bees and their differing strategies.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Struthiocamelus et Gallina, a story about an ostrich that wanted to fly.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Gaisford's Paroemiographi Graeci and Hulme's Proverb Lore .

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

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Veritas praevalebit (English: The truth will prevail).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Culmen honoris lubricum (English: The pinnacle of honor is slippery)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is In idem flumen bis non descendimus (English: We do not go down into the same river twice). 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: Patientia animi occultas divitias habet (English: Patience of mind has hidden treasures in store).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Mus non uni fidit antro (English: A mouse cannot entrust itself to just one hole; from Adagia 5.1.4).

For an image today, here is that story about the ostrich: 405. Struthiocamelus et Gallina. Struthiocamelus alas quidem habet quibus in cursu ad pernicitatem adiuvatur, sed in sublime volando non extollitur. Haec sive bestia seu avis, cum forte in ardua rupe constitisset, incitabat sese ad volatum et imitari volebat reliquas volucres. Cui gallina, quae hoc conantem viderat, “Cave,” inquit, “ne volandi cupiditate etiam ingrediendi facultatem amittas.” Gallina derisa, struthiocamelus deiecit se passis alis de rupe atque ad terram pondere suo afflicta crura fregit. Fabula docet contra naturam niti oportere neminem. (source)

Round-Up: October 29

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I'm using Google+ a lot these days - are there any of you I should look for there?

HODIE: ante diem quartum Kalendas Novembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Bene qui latuit, bene vixit and Ad Amicum Pauperem.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Pater et Tres Filii, the story of a father and his three sons who were all athletes.

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 158 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 158 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: E pluribus unum, "Out of many, one" (the Latin motto which appears on the seal of the United States).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's NEW word is RES - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Quam bene vivas refert, non quam diu, "What matters is how well you live, not how long" (note the compound: refert = rē+fert).

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is NOS - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis, "The times change, and we too change with them."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Oves et Lupi, a story about the foolish sheep who made a treaty with the wolves.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Cornix et Canis, the story of a crow who wanted to make a sacrifice to Minerva.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Cicada et Hirundo, a story about "the pot calling the kettle black" - except that it is about a cricket and a swallow, and Bufo et Filius Eius, a hilarious story about how parents love their children above all.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Luna et Mater, the story of the changing moon and her puzzled mother.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Gartner's Proverbialia Dicteria and La Fontaine's Fables (in English).

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

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is In horam vivo (English: I live for the moment).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Nidus testatur, ibi qualis avis dominatur (English: The nest attests what sort of bird rules there).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Quae seminaverit homo, haec et metet (Gal. 6:7). 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: Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit: No man in the world is wise at al houres. It is only belonging to God and properly due unto him never to commit follie. There is, I say, no man, but otherwiles doteth, but is deceived, but plaieth the foole, though he seme never so wise. Whan I say man, I except not the woman.

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Iacta alea est (English: The die is cast - Caesar's famous words supposedly spoken at the Rubicon).

For an image today, here is a 15th-century depiction of Caesar crossing the Rubicon (image source):

Round-Up: October 27

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. There are notices also at Twitter - look for Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem sextum Kalendas Novembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Ad Amicum Divitem and Ad Amicum Avarum.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Quintus Fabius Maximus, a story about a famous Roman consul, whose father had also been a consul before him - and the privileges of rank.

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 154 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 154 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Multum legendum, non multa, "Read much - not many" (in other words, it's not the quantity of things you read, but the quality of your reading!).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's NEW word is IUBEO - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Iubet igitur nos Pythius Apollo noscere nosmet ipsos, "Pythian Apollo therefore commands us to know ourselves."

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is SOL - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Cum sol oritur, omnibus oritur, "When the sun rises, it rises for everyone."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Canes et Corium, a story about unintended consequences!

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Feles et Venus, the story of the cat whom Venus turned into a woman!

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Gallus Vulpinam Pellem Fugiens, one of those "once bitten, twice shy" stories, and Columbae et Nisus, the story of the doves who elected the blustering "Duke bird" as their leader.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Platanus et Viatores , the story of the plane tree and some ungrateful wayfarers.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Fongers' Nova Proverbiorum Farrago and Farrand's Course of Latin Studies.

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

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Disce gaudere (English: Learn to enjoy).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Consilio, non impetu (English: By deliberation, not impulse).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Bos currum trahit, non bovem currus (English: The ox pulls the cart, not the cart the ox).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Melior est mors, quam vita amara (English: Better is death than a life which is bitter).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Μὴ ὢν Σύρος μὴ Σύριζε (English: If you're not a Syrian, don't play the Syrian - in other words: be yourself).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Herculei labores (English: Herculei labores. The labors of Heracles; from Adagia 3.1.1). Below is a famous portrait of Erasmus by Hans Holbein the Younger; along the edge of the book facing the viewer the letters read "The Labors of Heracles" in Greek (ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΟΙ ΠΟΝΟΙ = HERAKLEIOI PONOI), alluding to the amazing feats which Erasmus accomplished in his life as a scholar. I thought this would be a good image to include today, since October 27 (or perhaps October 28...) marks Erasmus' birthday in the year 1466. Happy Birthday, Erasmus!

Round-Up: October 25

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.

HODIE: ante diem octavum Kalendas Novembres.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Plutarchus et Servus Nequam, a very funny story about Plutarch and a slave who might remind people of the servus callidus of a Roman comedy.

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 151 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 151 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Qui nihil amat, quid ei homini opus vita est? "If a person loves nothing, what need has he of life?"

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is RATIO - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Nunc est dicendum, nunc cum ratione silendum, "Sometimes you should speak, and sometimes you should purposefully keep silent."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Asinus Animalia Fugans et Leo , a funny story about a self-important donkey.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Scarabaeus et Stercus, a funny story about a dung-beetle and his "home, sweet home."

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Noctua et Sol, a story about the owl and its eyesight, and Columbae Pullus a Corvo Raptus, a story about a dove whose chick has been seized by a very cruel crow.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Taurus et Culex , the story of a bull and a self-important gnat.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Bland's Proverbs Chiefly Taken from the Adagia of Erasmus and Schottus' Paroimiai Ellenikai .

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

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Nil desperandum (English: We must never despair).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Post acerba prudenter (English: After bitter experiences, act cautiously).

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Tranquillo quilibet gubernator est (English: When it's calm, anybody can be the helmsman). 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: Iracundiam qui vincit, hostem superat maximum (English: If you tame your anger, you defeat your greatest enemy).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Suo ipsius indicio periit sorex (English: The shrew-mouse perished by its own testimony - which is to say that it squeaked when it should have just kept quiet! - from Adagia 1.3.65).

For an image today, here is Cranach's Adam and Eve, accompanied by the Owen epigram which is an anagram about EVA-VAE-AVE (check the Disticha blog post for vocabulary, notes and more information):

Eva, parens mortis, malo te falsa fefellit,
Cumque tuum struet vae, tibi dixit ave.

Special Edition: John Owen

I decided to work on a new little project just for fun this weekend, and it's ready to go! I collected enough distich poems from the Welsh neo-Latin poet, John Owen, to make an Owen Epigram of the Day widget. The widget contains the text of John Owen's poems, along with an English verse rendering by Thomas Harvey (from a 1677 translation). Here's a blog post where you can read more about John Owen and his poetry, along with links to various online editions of his work.

For each of the poems in the widget, I'll try to publish a post at the Disticha Latina blog, including the vocabulary for the Latin poem, along with some notes and an illustration, too, if I can find one. So, for example, the poem of the day on Sunday was A Centro ad Circumferentiam. The poem of the day for Monday is Ad Adamum. If all goes well, you will be able to check the Disticha Latina blog for a new tiny poem each day.

Below is the Owen epigram of the day for today; if you are reading this via email, the widget text won't come through - but you can click on this link to visit the blog post. Meanwhile, the Bestiaria will be back to usual on Tuesday, October 25! :-)

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(1658 edition of the epigrams)

Round-Up: October 22

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I'm using Google+ a lot these days - are there any of you I should look for there?

HODIE: ante diem undecimum Kalendas Novembres.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Socrates et Xanthippe , a funny little story about Socrates and his wife (but it comes with a misogyny warning, ha ha).

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is UBI - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Ubi peccat aetas maior, male discit minor, "When the elder generation errs, it's a bad lesson for the younger generation."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Canis Aquam Timens, a story about "once bitten, twice shy" - but about being burned, not bitten.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Satyrus et Viator, the wonderful story of the satyr and the man he rescued from a snowstorm.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Graculus et Ardeae Pennae, another story about the foolish jackdaw borrowing the feathers of another bird, and Corvus et Avium Reges, a fable about greedy kings of the feathered variety.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Simius Rex et Vulpes, a story about the monkey who wanted to be king and how he was outsmarted by the fox.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Henderson's Latin Proverbs and Quotations and King's Classical and Foreign Quotations.

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

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Exitus acta probat (English: The outcome commends our actions).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Dii omnia possunt (English: The gods can do all things).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Transit, ut unda fluens, tempus et hora ruens (English: Like a wave that flows, time passes by, and so too the rushing hour).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Aedificate alterutrum (I Thess. 5:11). 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 Taverner: Salem et mensam ne praetereas: Passe not over salt and the table, as who should say, neglect not the companie of friendes, or breake not the law of amitie. For with these things in olde time were friendes reconciled, and kept mutuall feastes and bankettes one with another.

For the image today, here is Socrates and his Xanthippe! Xanthippe, Socratis philosophi uxor, morosa admodum fuisse fertur et iurgiosa; irarum et molestiarum muliebrium per diem perque noctem satagebat. Has eius intemperies in maritum Alcibiades, demiratus, interrogavit Socratem quaenam ratio esset cur mulierem tam acerbam domo non exigeret. "Quoniam," inquit Socrates, "cum illam domi talem perpetior, insuesco et exerceor, ut ceterorum quoque foris petulantiam et iniuriam facilius feram." (source)

Round-Up: October 20

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. There are notices also at Twitter - look for Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem tertium decimum Kalendas Novembres.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Lucretia, the story of a very sad episode from Roman history.

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is ERGO - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: the famous declaration by Descartes, Cogito, ergo sum, "I think, therefore I am."

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Ranae et Iuppiter, the story of the frogs who foolishly did not value their democracy!

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Milvus, Perdices, et Sagittarius, the story of a greedy kite and his demise, and Daemon et Anus, a hilarious story about people who claim "the Devil made me do it!"

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Simia et Vulpes, Iter Facientes, the story of a boastful monkey and a quick-witted fox.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Binder's Medulla Proverbiorum Latinorum and Cats and Farlie's Moral Emblems.

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

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Veritas liberabit (English: The truth will set you free).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Ex unitate vires (English: From unity, power).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Felis amat pisces sed aquas intrare recusat (English: The cat loves fish but refuses to enter the water).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Divitiae si affluant, nolite cor apponere (English: Even if riches abound, do not set your heart on them).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Atlas caelum (English: Atlas holds up the sky; from Adagia 1.1.67).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Ἐχῖνος τὸν τόκον ἀναβάλλει (English: The hedgehog puts off giving birth - which is a bad idea, of course, since the baby hedgehogs just keep getting more and more prickly!).

In honor of Atlas holding up the sky - Atlas caelum - here is the famous Farnese Atlas:

Round-Up: October 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.

HODIE: ante diem quintum decimum Kalendas Novembres.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Mors Servii, the sad story of the death of Servius Tullius and the evil doings of his daughter Tullia.

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's NEW word is CAMPUS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Quot campo flores, tot sunt in amore dolores, "As many as are the flowers in the field, so many are the griefs in love" (the Latin rhymes!).

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is FLEO - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Aut ridenda omnia aut flenda sunt, "You've got to either laugh at everything, or cry."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Sorices, Mures, et Feles, a hilarious story about a cat who would be bishop.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Pisciculus et Piscator, the story of a bird in the hand - except that it's a fish.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Naias et Puella, a fable that conveys a message about inner calm, and Pluto et Hercules, a story about Hercules and his scorn for material wealth.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Ursus et Apes, a story about a bear whose temper gets him into trouble.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Hoyt & Ward's Cyclopaedia of Practical Quotations and Wood's Dictionary of Quotations.

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

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Virtute quies (English: By means of virtue, repose - which could be a good motto for the story of the naiad above).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Spes somnium vigilantis (English: Hope is the dream of a waking man)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Corruptissima res publica, plurimae leges (English: The most corrupt state, the most laws). 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: Sero in periclis est consilium quaerere (English: It is too late to seek advice in the midst of dangers).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Midas auriculas asini (English: Midas has the ears of a donkey; from Adagia 1.3.67 - this being a secret the foolish Midas thought he could safely entrust to his barber - ha!). The story of Midas and the golden touch is the more famous story today, but in the ancient world, the story of Midas and his donkey ears was very famous, too. Here is Midas with those ears in the Virgil Solis edition of Ovid's Metamorphoses - you can read the story from Book XI in Tony Kline's English translation online; here's the Latin online.

Round-Up: October 16

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I'm using Google+ a lot these days - are there any of you I should look for there?

HODIE: ante diem septimum decimum Kalendas Novembres (yesterday was the Ides of October, so we are not starting the countdown till November!).

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 146 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 146 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno, "One for all, all for one!"

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Dianae Templum, the story of Servius Tullius and the building of the Temple of Diana in Rome.

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Ranae et Sol, a story about global warming!

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Lupus et Pastor, Compatres, Odo of Cheriton's hilarious story about the man who entrusted his sheep to the wolf when he went on vacation.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Venus et Ancilla, the story of Venus and the unwelcome worship of an ugly slave, and Prometheus et Epimetheus, the different creations of Prometheus and his brother, Epimetheus.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Aquila et Testudo, the story of the turtle who insisted on going flying with eagle.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Bohn's Handbook of Proverbs and Liber proverbiorum Salomonis (the Biblical book of Proverbs rendered in Latin elegiac couplets!).

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

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Memento semper finis (English: Always keep the goal in mind).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Omnia casu fiunt (English: All things happen by chance).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Quamvis sint modica, prosunt tamen omnia lucra (English: Even though they may be small, all profits are profitable).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Omnis qui facit peccatum, servus est peccati (John 8:34). 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: Sui cuique mores fingunt fortunam: A mans owne maners doe shape him his fortune. Men commonlie when anie adversitie chaunce, accuse, or when they see other men to prospere well in theyr matters, they say it is theyr fortune. So they ley all together upon fortune, thinking there is such a thing called fortune that ruleth all. But surely they are highlie deceived. It is their owne maners, their own qualities, touches, condicions, and procedinges that shape them this fortune, that is to say, that cause them, eyther to be sette forwarde or backeward, either to prospere or not to prospere.

For an image today, here is that foolish airborne turtle! 407. Aquila et Testudo. Testudo aquilam magnopere orabat, ut volare sese doceret. “Rem petis,” inquit aquila, “naturae tuae contrariam, nam quomodo poteris volare, cum alas non habeas?” Testudo autem nihilominus aquilam obsecrabat ut se volucrem facere vellet. Itaque eam ungulis arreptam aquila sustulit in sublime ibique demisit, ut per aera ferretur sed, cum in rupes decidisset, comminuta interiit. (source)

Round-Up: October 14

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. There are notices also at Twitter - look for Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: pridie Idus Octobres.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Servius Tullius, the story of how Servius Tullius became a king of Rome.

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is AGO - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Nil agenti dies longus est, "For the person who is not doing anything, the day is long."

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Herinaceus, Vulpes, et Muscae, a story about the fox, the flies, and the hedgehog's unwelcome offer of assistance.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Iuppiter, Bona, et Mala, a fable about why we are besieged by bad things here in our earthly lives, and Mercurius et Mulieres Duae, a story that warns you to be careful what you ask for, especially if the god in question is the trickster Mercury.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Lepores et Ranae, a story about some desperate rabbits and some terrified frogs.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Howitt's New Work of Animals and Holbrook's Dante and the Animal Kingdom.

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

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Paupertas mordet (English: Poverty bites).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Gloria non praeda (English: Glory, not spoils).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Si corvus posset tacitus pasci, haberet plus dapis (English: If the crow could eat quietly, it would enjoy more of a feast).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Grex saginatur ad victimam (English: The flock is fattened for the slaughter).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Naviget Anticyras (English: Let him go to Anticyrae; from Adagia 1.8.52 - You could find hellebore in Anticyrae, which was reputed to be a cure for madness).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Ἀετὸς μυίας οὐ θηρεύει (English: An eagle does not catch flies).

For an image today, here is the story of that fox: 180. Herinaceus, Vulpes, et Muscae. Vulpes, cum flumen traiiceret, in voraginem decidit. Ex qua cum minime posset exire, diu male affecta fuit ipsique multae caninae muscae adhaeserunt. At herinaceus, qui per inde forte vagabatur, ut eam vidit, misericordia captus, interrogavit num ab ipsa caninas muscas abigeret. At illa omnino vetavit. Cuius rei causam cum ille quaereret, ei vulpes respondit, “Quoniam istae quidem plenae mei iam sunt, et parum sanguinis sugunt; si vero has abegeris, aliae venientes famelicae exhaurient mihi reliquum sanguinis.” (source - easy version)

Round-Up: October 12

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.

HODIE: ante diem quartum Idus Octobres.

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 136 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 136 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Nulli malum pro malo, "Return evil for evil to no one."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Tulli Mors, the legendary death of King Tullus Hostilius, struck by lightning.

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's NEW word is FRATER - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Qui diligit fratrem, placat Deo patrem, "He who loves his brother pleases God the father" (in Latin, it rhymes!).

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is MANUS - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Melior est avis in manu quam decem in aere, "Better is a bird in the hand than ten in the air."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Pulex, Homo, et Hercules, a funny little story about Hercules and a foolish follower.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Hercules et Rusticus, another story of Hercules and his lazy human worshiper.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Iuppiter et Piscis Alatus, the sad story of the ill-fated flying fish, and Iuppiter et Vulpes, the story of Jupiter's failed attempt to make the fox into the ruler of all the animals.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Sterquilinium et Poma, the story of some self-satisfied manure.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Franz's Animalium historia sacra and Ulbricht's De animalium nominibus Aesopeis.

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

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Defendendo vinco (English: By defending, I am victorious).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Dubium sapientiae initium (English: Doubt is the beginning of wisdom)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Post nubila Phoebus (English: After clouds, the sun). 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: Fortunam citius reperias quam retineas (English: You can find fortune faster than you can keep it).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Lupo agnum eripere postulant (English: They're hoping to snatch the lamb from the wolf; from Adagia 2.7.80, taken from Plautus).

For an image today, here is the story of the proud manure: 739. Sterquilinium et Poma. Forte sublatum cum pomis sterquilinium subita aquarum eluvione fluitabat in eo loco ubi dudum iacuerat. Tum se illud et in aquis vehi et ferri cum pomis praeclarum existimans, “Quam scite nos,” inquit, “poma natamus.” Sed paulo post, umiditate dissolutum, in aquis evanuit. (source)

Round-Up: October 10

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I'm using Google+ a lot these days - are there any of you I should look for there?

HODIE: ante diem sextum Idus Octobres.

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 131 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 131 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Sumus quod semper facimus, "We are what we always do."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Numa Pompilius, the story of the king who succeeded Romulus, King Numa.

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is VIA - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Elige viam optimam, "Choose the best way."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Lupus et Persona Tragoedi, a story about beauty, not brains.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Vulpes in Puteum Delapsa et Lupus, a funny story about a fox in need of immediate help.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Morus et Latro, the story of a murdering criminal and an indignant mulberry tree, and Iuppiter et Canes, a hilarious story about why dogs sniff each other's butts.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Canis et Umbra, the famous story of the dog crossing the river.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Cheviot's Proverbs of Scotland and Houghton's Moral Significance of Animals in Greek Proverbs.

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

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Dum spiramus, speramus (English: So long as we have breath, we have hope).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Numquam satis discitur (English: You can never get enough learning).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Qui pedit dum vult, pedet dum pedere non vult (English: Someone who farts when he wants to, will fart when he doesn't want to).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Mutare potest pardus varietates suas? (Jer. 13:23). 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: Aegroto dum anima est, spes est: The sicke person while he hath life, hath hope. So swete a thinge is life, that he that is brought never so lowe, yet hopeth to live.

For an image today, here is that story of the wolf and the mask: 106. Lupus et Persona Tragoedi. Personam tragoedi lupus in agro invenit, quam semel et iterum vertit. “O quanta species,” ait, “et cerebrum non habet neque sensum!” Haec fabula de illis dicitur qui gloriam et honorem habent, prudentiam vero nullam. (source - easy version)

Round-Up: October 7

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. There are notices also at Twitter - look for Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: Nonae Octobres, the Nones of October.

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 125 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 125 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Malum quidem nullum sine aliquo bono, "There is, in fact, no bad thing that is without some sort of good quality" (the double negative gets you a positive: every bad thing has at least something good about it!).

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Romulus Remum Interficit, the sad story of the death of Remus.

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is FATUM - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Ducunt volentem fata, nolentem trahunt, "The fates lead the one who is willing; they drag the one who is not willing."

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Graculus et Avarus, a story about a jackdaw who understands perfectly the nature of a miser.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Columbae, Aquila, et Accipiter, a story about the hierarchy of power among the birds, and Capones et Coquus, a story about the fate of the fattened roosters.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Mors et Matrona, a story about Death and the wife of a dying man... the opposite in every way of the Indian tale of Savitri, if you are know that one!

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Phipson's Animal-Lore of Shakespeare's Time and Warner's Proverbiorum et Sententiarum Persicarum Centuria .

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

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Species decipit (English: Appearance deceives).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Auctor ego audendi (English: I am the author of my own daring).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Boni pastoris est tondere pecus, non deglubere (English: A good shepherd shears the sheep, he does not flay them).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Oportet mendacem esse memorem (English: A liar must have a good memory).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Ὀυκ ἀεὶ ποταμὸς ἀξίνας φέρει (English: The river does not always offer up axes - an allusion to the famous fable of Hermes and the axes).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Hylam inclamas (English: You're shouting for Hylas; from Adagia 1.4.72 - in other words, like poor Heracles, you are crying for someone or something in vain).

For an image today, here is the famous painting by Waterhouse that reveals the fate of poor Hylas... You can read the story of Hercules and Hylas here at Wikipedia.

Round-Up: October 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.

HODIE: ante diem tertium Nonas Octobres.

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 121 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 121 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Post mortem nihil est, ipsaque mors nihil, "After death there is nothing, and death itself is nothing."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Mars et Vestalis Virgo, the story of Mars and Rhea Silvia, the mother of Romulus and Remus.

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's NEW word is LONGUS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Longa est vita, si plena est, "Life is long, if it is a full life."

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is NISI - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Perdes maiora, minora nisi servaveris, "You will lose the very big things if you cannot keep the very little things."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Asinus Res Sacras Portans, a great little story about a self-important donkey.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Bos Fimum Evehens, the hilarious story of the ox who is indignant about his own manure.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Anser, Ciconia, et Accipiter, a fable about false friendship, and Delphini et Balaenae, a fable about a little fish trying to make peace among the big sea creatures.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Gallus et Ancillae, a wonderful story about unintended consequences.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Trench's lectures on Proverbs and Their Lessons and Willis & Walker's Phraseologia Anglo-Latina.

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

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Splendeo tritus (English: Worn down, I still shine - although we ladies would need to change the gender: Splendeo trita).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Tempus optimus iudex (English: Time is the best judge - compare the English saying "Time will tell.")

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Asinus asinum fricat (English: One donkey scratches another). 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: Vincere est honestum, opprimere acerbum, pulchrum ignoscere (English: It is admirable to defeat your enemy, harsh to crush him, and a fine thing to forgive).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus (English: The mountains give birth; a ridiculous mouse will be born; from Adagia 1.9.14 - alluding to the Aesop's fable made famous by Horace).

For an image today, let's do the fable of the mountains and the mouse! 214. Mus et Montes. Rumor erat parturire montes. Homines undique accurrunt et circumstant, monstri quidpiam non sine pavore exspectantes. Montes tandem parturiunt; exit ridiculus mus. Tum omnes risu emoriebantur. Reprehendit haec fabula iactantiam illorum qui cum magna profitentur, vix parva faciunt. Vetat etiam inanes timores; plerumque etenim periculi metus est ipso periculo gravior et ridiculum est quod tantum formidamus. (source)

Round-Up: October 3

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I'm using Google+ a lot these days - are there any of you I should look for there?

HODIE: ante diem quintum Nonas Octobres.

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 113 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 113 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Omnes filii Dei estis, "You are all children of God."

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Amulius et Numitor, the story of strife between the brothers, sons of Procas, king of Alba Longa.

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is MAGNUS - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Vive tibi et longe nomina magna fuge, "Live for yourself and flee far from those with big names."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Canes Duo et Os, a wise little story about two dogs fighting over a bone... and what happens to the bone.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Haedus Saltans et Lupus, the story of how the kid tricked the wolf.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Hydrus et Vipera, a story about what it's like to have frogs as your allies, and Cicadae et Musae, a story about the origin of cicadas.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Corvus et Vulpes Adulatrix, the famous story of the crow, the fox and the cheese.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Camerarius' Symbolorum Ac Emblematum Centuriae and Gatti's Sales Poetici, Proverbiales, et Iocosi .

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

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Docete omnes gentes (English: Teach all the peoples).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Nihil contemnit esuriens (English: The hungry man scorns nothing).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Nemo tam gnarus, qui non sit laudis avarus (English: There is no man so wise that he is not greedy for praise - a lesson that the crow needed to learn in the fable above).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Graecis ac barbaris, sapientibus et insipientibus debitor sum (Romans 1:14). 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: Principium dimidium totius: The beginninge is halfe the hole. There be manie greate delayers. Longe they be ere they can be perswaded to set upon an honest act, so manie perils they cast. To morrow, to morrow they say wee will begin, but this to morrow is ever comming but never present, wherfore who so with good courage ventureth uppon his matters, hat alredy half done.

Today's image is not so much an image, but a little clip from the wonderful Sales Poetici, Proverbiales, et Iocosi - this book full of rhyming proverbs, and it also contains some "double rhyme" lines, as you can see here: isn't that cool?

Quos anguis dirus tristi de funere stravit,
hos sanguis mirus Christi de vulnere lavit.

(Those whom the fierce serpent laid low with a sad death
the wonderful blood of Christ washes clean of their wound.)