Round-Up: November 30

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. Also, I've reorganized things a bit below, grouping the fables together. :-)

HODIE: pridie Kalendas Decembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Fiscus, Ut visco capiuntur aves (fiscus quasi viscus / Dicitur), a fisco sic capiuntur opes; and Filum Ariadnes, Rexit ut errantis Thesei vestigia filum / Virginis, humanum sic genus una fides. (They each come a vocabulary list!)

CAMERARIUS'S EMBLEMS: The two new emblems are De Parvis, Grandis Acervus, Spica fuit primo, quem nunc est cernere fascem: / A parvis facimus munera ad ampla gradum; and Venus Improba, Sic pereat quisquis meretrici turpiter haeret, / Per Venerem ut nimiam vipera morsa perit. (These have vocabulary too!)

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 186 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 186 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Non nova, sed nove, "Not new things, but in a new way" (that is the motto of digitizing the ancient texts: not new texts, but done in a new way!).

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is ETIAM - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Etiam seni est discendum, "Even an old person should keep on learning" (definitely a motto I take to heart!).

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Scutteputaeus' Senecae Sententiae and Merrill's Latin Hymns.

TODAY'S FABLES & STORIES:

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Dionysius et Iuvenes Duo, a great story about the tyrant Dionysius and how he assessed his enemies.

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Membra et Venter, a story about your body - and any metaphorical body, such as the "body politic" (the fable comes with a vocabulary list).

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Corvus et Mercurius, a great little story about an ungrateful crow (this one also has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 101 through Fable 110, including Lupi Bonum Facientes, a hilarious story about two wolves who learn that no good deed goes unpunished... especially if you are a wolf.

NEW MILLE FABULAE: The NEW fables with images are Venditor et Creditor Eius, the story of an Athenian who was desperate to raise some money, and Colonus Expertus et Vir Imperitus, a story about the danger of mindlessly imitating someone whose knowledge far exceeds your own.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Canes et Agricola Penuria, a story about some dogs in a shrinking economy.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is Socrates and his Friends, which explains why Socrates needed only a tiny house - no McMansion for the wise philosopher!

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS:

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Flecti, non frangi (English: To bend, not to break).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Alia aliis placent (English: Some things please some people, other things please others).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Debilis ac fortis veniunt ad limina mortis (English: Tbe weak man and the strong both come to the threshold of death).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Melius est vocare ad holera cum caritate quam ad vitulum saginatum cum odio (15:17). 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: Cibum in matellam ne immittas: Put not meat into a pispot. Plutarche expoudeth this saying thus. Cast not good sentences into the minde of a wicked person. So that it is all one in effecte with that sayeng of Christ. Cast not perles afore swine. For speeche is the meat of the minde. But this meate is corrupted and doth putrifie, if it fal into an unsounde minde.

For an image today, here is Theseus and Ariadne, to go with Owen's epigram (source):

Filum Ariadnes
Rexit ut errantis Thesei vestigia filum
Virginis, humanum sic genus una fides.

Round-Up: November 28

Over our Thanksgiving break here, I came up with a nifty new widget - there is an "Emblem of the Day" from Camerius (along with some Bornitz emblems, too), which each have a two-line Latin poem. I'll be blogging those each day at the Disticha Latina blog, along with the Owen distichs also (yes, can you guess? - my summer project is finally going to be some kind of book of Latin distichs). Meanwhile, to see the first Camerarius emblem, check out the image below!

HODIE: ante diem quartum Kalendas Decembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Dolor, Sola dolenda reor praesentia damna. Dolemus / Praeterita heu nimium sero, futura cito, and Dives et Lazarus, Est in Evangelio, verum sine nomine, dives, / Pauper ubi aeternum, Lazare, nomen habes. (They each come a vocabulary list!)

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Ova Aurea, the famous story of the chicken that laid the golden eggs.

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is TERRA - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay, the famous Latin epitaph: Sit tibi terra levis, "May the earth be light upon you" (commonly abbreviated S.T.T.L.).

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Monedula Liberata, a sad story about a jackdaw who won her freedom, at a terrible price (and the fable comes with a vocabulary list).

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Perdix et Galli, a story about avian intolerance (this one also has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 91 through Fable 100, including Lupus et Canis Saginatus, the story of the wolf who prefers freedom to food.

NEW MILLE FABULAE: The NEW fables with images are Arator et Venator, a story about a hunter who lost his rabbit and a farmer who found it, and Agricola et Arbuscula, a story that could serve as a metaphor for holiday shopping, teaching you to not be too picky about your choices!

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Leo Amatorius et Silvanus, the story of a lion willing to do anything for the woman he loves.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is Opportunity Described, an allegory for seizing opportunity now, without delay.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Philes' De Animalium Proprietate and Tolstoy's Fables for Children.

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

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Mediocria firma (English: The middle things are reliable).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Alteri, si tibi (English: For another as if for yourself).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Simia quicquid agit, simia semper erit (English: Whatever a monkey does, a monkey she'll always be).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Sua cuique ars pro viatico est (English: Each one's skills are like a shortcut along the way).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Croesi pecuniae teruncium addit (English: He's adding a penny to the wealth of Croesus - kind of like a monetary "coals to Newcastle" saying; from Adagia 4.10.48).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Ἕμπροσθεν κρημνὸς, ὄπιθεν λύκοι (English: A cliff in front, wolves behind - the Greek equivalent of "between a rock and a hard place").

For an image today, here is my first Camerarius emblem - it's about bees! Find out more about the poem, including a vocabulary list, at the Camerarius Widget blog post for today - and for more about the widget itself, visit the Schoolhouse Widgets blog post.

Labor Omnibus Unus
Doctus apum et studia et mores et iura revolvat,
Qui bene vult populis dicere iura suis.

Round-Up: November 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 septimum Kalendas Decembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are De Vita et Venere and De Statu Hominum. (They each come a vocabulary list!)

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Cornelia, Gracchorum Mater, the story of Cornelia and her "jewels."

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is VESPER - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Vespere laudatur dies, "The day may be praised in the evening" (which is to say: it's risky to praise the day before it is done!).

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Accipiter Columbam Insequens, the story of a hawk and his request for clemency (and the fable comes with a vocabulary list).

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Aesopus et Arcus, where Aesop teaches us the value of taking a break (a good fable for the holiday weekend!).

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 81 through Fable 90, including Lupus et Pastoris Vestimentum, a story of the wolf in shepherd's clothing (not sheep's clothing this time).

NEW MILLE FABULAE: The NEW fables with images are Agricola Sorte Sua Non Contentus, a story about a farmer trying to better his life but who only makes things worse, and Rusticus et Pons, a story about a foolish man waiting for a river to run dry.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Crocodilus et Canis, the story of a close encounter between a dog and a Nile crocodile.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is Neither Beast Nor Bird, the story of the perfidious ostrich.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Camerarius' Symbola et Emblemata and Caussin's Polyhistor Symbolicus .

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

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Tandem iustitia (English: Justice, at last).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Virtus sibimet merces (English: Excellence is its own reward)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Nutrit et accipiter pullos suos (English: Even a hawk nourishes its chicks). 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: Nec vita nec fortuna hominibus perpes est (English: Neither life nor luck is something that lasts forever).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Cauda tenes anguillam (English: You're trying to hold an eel by the tail - which is to say, you've barely got control of the situation; from Adagia 1.4.94).

For an image today, here is Cornelia, the famous mother of the Gracchi brothers: Cornelia, Gracchorum mater, cum Campana matrona, apud illam hospita, ornamenta sua pulcherrima ipsi ostenderet, traxit eam sermone, donec e schola redirent liberi. Tum, "Et haec," inquit, "mea sunt ornamenta." (source)

Round-Up: November 23

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 nonum Kalendas Decembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are De Somno and De Ortu et Occasu. (They each come with vocabulary lists!)

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Damon et Pythias, that famous story of friendship and honor.

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is ACCIPIO - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Petite, et accepietis, "Ask, and you will receive."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Lupi et Rusticus, a story you will want to read if you have wolves, real or metaphorical, following you.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Mures Duo, the famous story of the country mouse and the city mouse.

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 71 through Fable 80, including Lupus Parvulus et Pastor, the story of a shepherd who recklessly raised a wolf cub, thinking to profit by it.

NEW MILLE FABULAE: The NEW fables with images are Nauta Agriculturam Exercens, the story of a sailor who thought he could use sails for plowing, and Agricola Invidus et Vulpes, a story of a fox with its tail on fire.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Leo Senex et Vulpes, the famous story of the fox looking at the tracks leading into, but not out of, the lion's cave.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is Hercules and Plutus, a story of Hercules and his scorn for the god of wealth.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Davies' Fables of Babrius and Desbillons' Fabulae Aesopiae.

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

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Sub umbra quiescam (English: I will rest in the shade).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Spes dabit auxilium (English: Hope will give help).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Plus valet in dextra munus quam plurima extra (English: One gift in the right hand is worth more than many which are not at hand).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Veritas magna et fortior prae omnibus (I Esdras 4:35). 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: Ignavi vertitur color: The Cowarde chaungeth colours. Where as the wise man and hardy feareth nothing at all of such thinges as the common sort of men dredeth, he feareth not death, but in an honest and iust quarel is most ready constantly to hazarde his life, and all that he hath.

For an image today, here are Damon and Pythius: 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: November 21

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 undecimum Kalendas Decembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are De Die and De Autumno.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Alexander Sacrificans, a story about Alexander and the young men of Macedon.

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is GRATIA - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Gratia gratiam parit, "One favor gives rise to another."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Equus Circensis Molae Iugatus, the story of a racehorse condemned to work in a mill.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Luscinia et Accipiter, the famous fable of the nightingale caught by the hawk.

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 61 through Fable 70, including Vulpes, Lupus, et Puteus, a hilarious story about a fox trapped in a well who traded places with a foolish wolf.

NEW MILLE FABULAE: The NEW fables with images are Agricola et Fur, a story about how both a farmer and the gods were victims of theft, and Rusticus Aratrum Portans, a story about a good-hearted but foolish farmer.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Capra in Rupe Stans et Lupus, the story of a wolf trying to lure a goat down from a cliff.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are A Selection of Aesop's Fables and Thummel's Aesop in Rhyme .

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

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Sciens cavebo (English: Being aware, I will take care).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Deus robur meum (English: God is my unshakable strength).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Dum fugans canis mingit, fugiens lepus evadit (English: When the dog in pursuit stops to pee, the fleeing rabbit gets away).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Acti labores iucundi sunt (English: Work, once done, is pleasant).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Cretensis Cretensem (English: It takes one Cretan to best another; from Adagia 1.2.26; the Cretans were notorious for starting quarrels).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Ὑπὸ παντὶ λίθῳ σκορπίος (English: There's a scorpion under every rock).

For an image today, here is the fable of the how the fox tricked the wolf into trading places: 69. Vulpes, Lupus, et Puteus. Vulpes casu cecidit per unam situlam in puteum. Venit lupus et quaerebat quid faceret ibi. Quae ait, “Bone compater, hic habeo multos pisces et magnos; utinam mecum partem haberes!” Et ait lupus, “Quomodo possem illuc descendere?” Ait vulpecula, “Supra est una situla; pone te intus, et venies deorsum.” Et erant ibi duae situlae; quando una ascendit, alia descendit. Lupus posuit se in situlam et descendit; vulpecula in alia situla ascendit. Et quando obviaverunt sibi, ait lupus, “Bone compater, quo vadis?” Et ait vulpes, “Satis comedi et ascendo. Tu descende et invenies mirabilia.” Descendit miser lupus nec invenit aliquid nisi aquam. Venerunt mane rustici et extraxerunt lupum et usque ad mortem verberaverunt. (source)

Round-Up: November 19

WELCOME TO BLOG POST #1000
at the Bestiaria Latina!

Thanks to all you readers out there for your interest in the fables and proverbs. There are lots more to come, I promise! :-)

HODIE: ante diem tertium decimum Kalendas Decembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Coniuges and Clepsydra.

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 180 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 180 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Quod tibi vis fieri, hoc fac alteri, "That which you want done unto you, do unto another" - the Golden Rule!

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Bucephalus, the wonderful story of Alexander the Great and his famous horse, "Ox-Head."

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is CURA - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Discere ne cessa: cura sapientia crescit, "Do not stop learning: with careful attention, wisdom grows."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Hircus Equitans, a funny story about a goat who tried to ride a donkey.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Tigris et Venatores, a story of how hunters manage to steal a tiger cub.

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 51 through Fable 60, including Vulpes et Vir Fluctus Numerans, a great little story about a fox and a man who thought he could count the saves of the sea.

NEW MILLE FABULAE: The NEW fables with images are Pater et Filius Discipulus, a story about a father who sent his son to study with Zeno the philosopher, and Pater et Filiae Duae, the story of a man baffled by the contradictory desires of his two daughters.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Cervus et Vitis, the story of a stag hiding in a vineyard.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Booth's Epigrams, Ancient and Modern and Alois' Epigrammata .

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

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Veritas vincet (English: The truth will be victorious).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Labor gloriae pater (English: Effort is the father of glory)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Di lanatos pedes habent (English: The gods have woolen feet). 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: Discipulus est prioris posterior dies (English: Tomorrow is the student of yesterday).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Homo homini lupus (English: Man is a wolf to man; from Adagia 1.1.70).

For an image today, here is the hunter stealing the tiger's cub: 139. Tigris et Venatores. Raptis tigris fetibus, dum veloci cursu venatores insequitur, ipsi timentes sibi de crudelitate bestiae, speculum vitreum amplum in via proiiciunt. Tigris vero dum imaginem suam in speculo cernit, a cursu suo subsistit, aestimans fetum suum reperisse. Dum autem imaginem illam amplectitur et ibidem commoratur, venatores evadunt. Ipsa autem, tandem pede fracto speculo, nihil reperit et ita fetus suos amittit. (source - easy version)

Round-Up: November 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 sextum decimum Kalendas Decembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Cessatio Miraculorum and Bombyx.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Chabrias, one of the exploits of the famous Athenian general.

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is VERUS - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Veri amoris nullus est finis, "There is no end to true love."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Simia et Gemelli Eius, a fable about overprotective parenting!

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Vultur Convivium Faciens, the grim story of the vulture's birthday party.

NEW MILLE FABULAE: The NEW fables with images are Milites Duo et Latro, a story about false friends, and Viator et Corvus, a story about a crow who went "caw! caw!" - which to the Romans sounded like "hello! hello!"

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Mures, Feles, et Tintinnabulum, the famous story of belling the cat.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Zuiccaviensis' Selecta Epigrammata Graeca and Cunichius' Epigrammata Anthologiae Graecorum.

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

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Deo fortunaeque committo (English: I trust in God and luck).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Industriam adiuvat deus (English: God helps hard work).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Casus dementis correctio fit sapientis (English: The downfall of the witless person becomes a lesson for the wise man).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Sol non occidat super iracundiam vestram (Eph. 4:26). 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: Leonem radere: Spoken where one attempteth a thinge daungerous and almoste impossible.

For an image today, here is belling the cat! 206. Mures, Feles, et Tintinnabulum. Mures aliquando consultabant quomodo se a fele tueri possent. Multa proponebantur a singulis muribus, sed nihil placebat. Postremo unus dixit, “Tintinnabulum feli annectendum est; tum statim audiemus cum veniet, facileque effugiemus.” Omnes mures laeti praedicant prudentem consilii auctorem. “Iam tu,” inquiunt, “annecte tintinnabulum.” “Ego vero,” respondet ille, “consilium dedi; alius operam sumat.” Irritum consilium fuit, quoniam qui feli annecteret tintinnabulum non reperiebatur. Dictum citius quam factum. (source - if you look closely, you can see the bell there!)

Round-Up: November 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: ante diem duodevicesimum Kalendas Decembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Auditus and Ars Longa, Vita Brevis.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Phocion Bonus, which explains how Phocion got his nickname "the Good."

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 176 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 176 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Nec nulli sis amicus, nec omnibus, "Do not be a friend to no one, and do not be a friend to all" (another one of those sayings about the Golden Mean).

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is FINIS - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Scribendi nullus finis, "There is no end of writing."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Cocleae et Puer, a story about snails which provides an allegory for people who cannot recognize disaster even when it has overtaken them.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Agnus in Templo et Lupus, a great story about a lamb who chooses the temple over the wolf.

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 41 through Fable 50, including Vulpes Pacem Annuntians, the story of the fox bringing what is supposedly a message of peace to the rooster and the chickens.

NEW MILLE FABULAE: The NEW fables with images are Fur et Caupo, a hilarious would-be werewolf story, and Medicus Imperitus, a great joke at the expense of bad doctors.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Rusticus de Arbore Delapsus, a wise little story about a man who fell out of a tree.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Buchler's Thesaurus Proverbialium Sententiarum Uberrimus and Mair's Proverbs and Family Mottoes.

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

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Quaerendo invenietis (English: By seeking, you will find).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Ne quid nimis (English: Not anything in excess).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Fera quaevis in sua silva superbit (English: Every beast exults in its forest).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Nemo potest dominis simul inservire duobus (English: No man can serve two masters at once).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Ne Hercules quidem adversus duos (English: Not even Hercules fights against two at once; from Adagia 1.5.39).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Χαλεπὸν τὸ ἑαυτὸν γνῶναι, ἀλλὰ μακάριον (English: Self-knowledge is difficult, but blessed).

For an image today, here is a story for climbing trees: 823. Rusticus de Arbore Delapsus. Qui in arborem ascenderat rusticus, de illa delapsus, graviter femur dextrum laesit. Huic alius forte praeteriens se consilium daturum dixit, quo usus numquam de arbore caderet. “Utinam,” inquit ille, “ante casum meum dedisses, sed profuerit tamen etiam in posterum; dic igitur.” Tum ille alter “Cave,” inquit, “ne velocius terram repetas unde ascendisti quam in arborem ipsam evaseris.” Fabula docet saepe cunctationem et moram esse laudabile. (source)

Round-Up: November 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: pridie Idus Novembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Apologia Fortunae and Amicitia.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Litterae Occultae, the fabulous story of Histiaeus and ancient cryptography.

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is TALIS - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Talia dicentur tibi, qualia dixeris ipse, "What things you yourself say, such things will be said to you" (the karma of conversation!).

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Asinus et Vitulus, a story about a terrified calf and a cynical donkey.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Feles, Mus, et Caseus, a fable about unintended consequences.

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 31 through Fable 40, including Vulpes et Luna, a funny story about the fox who as fooled by the moon's reflection.

NEW MILLE FABULAE: The NEW fables with images are Rusticus et Sepes, a story about a farmer who scorned the hedge and later regretted it, and Rusticus et Vox Haedi, a fable that mocks the legal profession.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Pulex et Pediculus, the sad story of a louse who got in trouble because of a flea.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Gruterus' Florilegium Ethico-Politicum and Aesop's Fables for the Instruction and Improvement of Youth.

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

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Vigilo (English: I am watchful).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Omnium artifex sapientia (English: Wisdom is the maker of all things)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Nemo ante mortem beatus (English: No one [can be called] happy before his death). 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: Ad paenitendum properat, cito qui iudicat (English: Someone who is quick to judge will soon regret it).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Capra nondum peperit, haedus autem ludit in tectis (English: The goat hasn't given birth yet, but the kid is already playing on the rooftops - kind of "counting your chickens before they hatch," but with goats instead; from Adagia 2.6.10).

For an image today, here is that cynical donkey: 225. Asinus et Vitulus. Asinus et vitulus, in eodem pascentes prato, sonitu campanae hostilem exercitum adventare praesenserant. Tum vitulus “Fugiamus hinc, O sodalis,” inquit, “ne hostes nos captivos abducant.” Cui asinus “Fuge tu,” inquit, “quem hostes occidere et esse consueverunt. Asini nihil interest, cui ubique eadem ferendi oneris est proposita conditio.” (source - easy version)

Round-Up: November 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 quartum Idus Novembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Amator and Agrorum Stercoratio.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Milo Crotonensis, the famous story of Milo the strong-man.

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is REDDO - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Nulli malum pro malo reddete, "To no one return evil for evil."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Mus in Cista Natus, a fantastic fable about "thinking outside the box."

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Ollae Duae, the famous story of the two pots, one metal and one clay, and their misbegotten friendship.

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 21 through Fable 30, including Leo Senex et Vulpes, the famous story of the lion, the fox, and the footprints leading into the cave... but not leading out.

NEW MILLE FABULAE: The NEW fables with images are Rusticus et Dominus Eius, a funny little dispute between a witty farmer and his lord, and Minerva et Hercules, a fable in which the goddess of wisdom teaches Hercules a lesson.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Catus et Gallus, a cat who has no lack of reasons for killing the rooster.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Adagia, collectio absolutissima and Suringar's Glossarium.

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

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Aequo pede propera (English: Hurry at an even pace).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Morsus morsum ducit (English: One bite leads to another).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Nulla valet vita, nisi sit virtute polita (English: No life is worthwhile unless it is polished by virtue).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Ne mittatis margaritas vestras ante porcos (Matt. 7:6). 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: Fortes fortuna iuvat: Fortune favoureth bolde adventurers, nothinge venture, nothing have: spare to speake, spare to spede.

Today's image is for the wonderful story of the mouse who falls out of the box, and thus learns to think outside his box! 200. Mus in Cista Natus. Mus, in cista natus, omnem fere ibi duxerat aetatem, nucibus pastus quae in ea servari solebant. Dum autem circa oras cistae ludens decidisset quaereretque ascensum, reperit epulas lautissime paratas, quas cum gustare coepisset, “Quam stultus,” inquit, “hactenus fui, qui toto in terrarum orbe nihil melius cistula mea esse credebam. Ecce quam suavioribus hic vescor cibis.” (source - easy version)

Round-Up: November 8

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 Idus Novembres.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Mausolus, the story of Mausolus and the first mausoleum!

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Aesopi Lingua and Aequinamitas.

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 172 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 172 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: O tempora, O mores!, "O the times, O the customs!" - you can read more about Cicero's exclamation in Wikipedia.

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is UT - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Doce, ut discas, "Teach in order to learn."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Sol et Stellae, a fable about how brilliance is all relative.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Pavo Deplumatus , the sad story of a generous but reckless peacock.

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 11 through Fable 20, including Leo Amatorius et Silvanus, the sad story of the lion who fell in love with the daughter of a woodsman and Leo et Pastor, the famous story of Androcles and the lion, although with an anonymous shepherd.

NEW MILLE FABULAE: The NEW fables with images are Iuppiter et Hominum Peccata, a story about why the justice is sometimes slow in coming, and Vomeres Duo, a fable about the virtues of staying active!

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Muli et Latrones, a a kind of OWS fable - where the Wall Street mule ends up the big loser.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Sartorius-Schrevelius' Adagiorum chiliades tres and Apostolius' Proverbia Graeco-Latina .

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

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Contemne contemni (English: Scorn to be scorned).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Ne quid nimis (English: Not anything in excess).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Ex verbis fatuos, ex aure tenemus asellos (English: We grasp donkeys by the ear, and fools by their words).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Homo ad laborem nascitur (English: Man is born to labor).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus (English: Without Ceres and Bacchus, Venus grows cold - which is to say, without bread and wine, love grows cold; from Adagia 2.3.97).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Μὴ παντὶ ἐμβάλλειν δεξιάν (English: Don't reach out your right hand to just anybody).

For an image today, here are those two mules - and you can find an English version of this fable over at my new Aesop page at Google+ too! 252. Muli et Latrones. Ibant muli duo sarcinis onusti. Alter fiscos cum pecunia, alter saccos hordei ferebat. Ille, cum onere superbiret, celsam cervicem iactat et clarum tintinnabulum in collo gerit. Comes placido gradu sequitur. Subito latrones ex insidiis advolant et mulum, qui argentum ferebat, ferro vulnerant, homines fugant, nummosque diripiunt. Alterius muli hordeum neglectum est. Cum igitur ille spoliatus et vulneratus casum suum defleret, “Equidem,” inquit alter, “gaudeo, quod contemptus sum. Ego nihil amisi neque vulnere laesus sum.” (source)

Round-Up: November 6

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 Idus Novembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Adverbia Christiana and Adulator et Invidus.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Hannibal et Decem Captivi, a thought-provoking anecdote about prisoners of war in the Second Punic War.

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 166 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 166 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Ne ignem ad ignem, "Don't (add) fire to fire."

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is AMBULO - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Tu dormis, et tempus ambulat, "You are sleeping, and time is on the move."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Vulpes et Uva, the famous fable of the sour grapes.

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Mors et Pauper, the story of the poor man who thought he wanted to die... but he was wrong about that.

MILLE FABULAE: The "chunk" of Mille Fabulae et Una today is Fable 1 through Fable 10, including Leo et Equus, the story of how the horse outwitted Dr. Lion.

NEW MILLE FABULAE: The NEW fables with images are Columba et Lupus, a story about the mutual insults exchanged between the dove and the wolf, and Columbae Duae, Maritus et Uxor, the sad story of a fatal misunderstanding between Mr. and Mrs. Dove.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Vulpes et Vermiculus , a "physician, heal thyself" type of fable.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Ritz's Florilegium Adagiorum et Sententiarum and Ray's Compleat Collection of English Proverbs.

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

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Meliora spero (English: I hope for better things).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Ad Graecas calendas (English: On the Greek calends - which is to say, when hell freezes over!)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Qui gladio ferit, gladio perit (English: He who wounds by the sword, dies by the sword). 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: Improbe Neptunum accusat, qui iterum naufragium facit (English: It's dishonest to blame Neptune for the second shipwreck).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Asinus portans mysteria (English: The donkey carrying the icons; from Adagia 2.2.4).

In honor of that Erasmus proverb, here is the fable version: 249. Asinus Res Sacras Portans. Asinus quidam res sacras portabat, ratus sese venerari homines. Itaque erectus incedebat, tamquam sibi tus illud atque carmina acciperet. Cuius errorem cum mox vidit aliquis, “Mi asine,” inquit, “istam vanitatem tibi excute. Non te, sed istas res sacras caerimoniis colunt; isti divo haec religio debetur.” (source)

Round-Up: November 4

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: pridie Nonas Novembres.

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

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Polus Histrio, a great story about "method acting" in the ancient world.

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is CONSILIUM - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Malum est consilium, quod mutari non potest, "It's a bad plan which cannot be changed."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Psittacus Honoratus, a bird's perspective on the liberal arts education!

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Serpens et Filius Eius, a great story about the "snake-eat-snake" world in which we live.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Fontes Duo, a story about the rewards for those who don't take the easy way out, and Mare et Fluvii, a story about a quarrel between the salty sea and the rivers flowing into it.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Ranae Duae et Puteus, a story about looking before you leap.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Sententiae et Proverbia and Marvin's Antiquity of Proverbs.

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

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Tolerandum et sperandum (English: We must endure and hope).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Qui audet adipiscitur (English: He who dares gets what he aims at).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Modicus cibi medicus sibi (English: Be your own doctor: limit your food!).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Qui tetigerit picem, inquinabitur ab illa (Sirach 13:1). 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: Saepe etiam stultus fuit opportuna locutus: Oftentimes even the foole hitteth the nayle on the head, and speaketh thinges in place. This Proverbe admonisheth us, not to reiecte ne despise an holsome and right sentence, spoken otherwhiles oute of a rude felowes mouth.

Today's image is for the story of the snake who would be a dragon: 615. Serpens et Filius Eius. Serpens filium monebat ut sibi adesset dum in alium serpentem rueret ac mordicus corriperet et glutiret. “Facinus tam nefarium, pater,” inquit, “tune ut perpetres? De gente nostra is unus est.” “Tace, inepte, tace; sic agere expedit. Serpens enim, si serpentem non devoret, draco non fit.” Fabula ad hos potentes pertinet, qui crescere solent ex alienis cladibus. (source - easy version)

Round-Up: November 2

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 quartum Nonas Novembres.

OWEN'S EPIGRAMS: The two new Owen epigrams, with Harvey's English versions, are Ad Parentes and Ad Medicos et Iurisconsultos.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: Today's anecdote is Hannibal et Antiochus, where Hannibal in a few words is able to deflate the ambitions of King Antiochus III, the Seleucid king who went to war with the Romans in 192 BCE.

SCALA SAPIENTIAE: Today you can find sayings that go up to Diederich frequency ranking 160 - so the proverbs contain nothing but words found among the 160 most commonly used words in Latin. Here is one of the items in today's list: Vivimus, non ut volumus, sed ut possumus, "We live, not as we want, but as we can."

VERBUM WIDGET: The word from the daily widget is MAIOR - which also has a brief essay at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in that essay: Ad maiora nati sumus, "We are born for greater things."

FABULAE FACILES: The NEW easy-to-read fable is Formica Transformata, a wonderful story about why ants act the way that they do!

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Gladius in Via Iacens, a story about a talking sword!

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The NEW fables with images are Malus et Rusticus, a story about the perils of transplanting a tree, and Musca et Vir Haereticus, a wonderful story about a fly who knows that she, too, is one of God's creatures.

MILLE FABULAE: ILLUSTRATIONS: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Serpens Calcata et Apollo, a story about a snake who needs to learn a lesson in self-defense.

GOOGLE BOOKS: Today's Google Books are Macdonnel's Dictionary of Quotations and Leutsch & Schneidewin's Corpus Paroemiographorum Graecorum .

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

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Diligamus invicem (English: Let us love one another).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Honesta quam magna (English: Honorable things, rather than big).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Ducito bovem volentem (English: Lead the ox that is willing).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Nihil invita Minerva facies (English: You will not accomplish anything if Minerva is unwilling).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Deo Fortunaeque committo (English: I put my trust in God and Fortune; from Adagia 3.8.96).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Βοῦν ἐπὶ γλώττης φέρει (English: He's carrying an ox on his tongue - and the ox referred to there is the ox that appeared on ancient Greek coins; in other words, the man has been bribed to keep silent!).

For an image today, here is a fierce-looking snake from the Medici Aesop: 614. Serpens Calcata et Apollo. Serpens, cum humi reperet, multorum pedibus calcata erat. Accessit supplex fanum Apollinis; quam simulatque conspexit Deus, “Si primum statim,” inquit, “qui te calcaret, perdidisses, non ausus fuisset alter.” (source: you have to read the image from right to left; on the right, you see the snake being stepped on, and on the left he appeals to Apollo)