Round-Up: August 31

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. It's not a Latin thing, but if anyone is interested in my real job (teaching online courses for the University of Oklahoma), I did a podcast interview with the Ed. School at the University of British Columbia about my experience teaching online (for ten years now, which is a long time in the online teaching world) - the interview was a lot of fun! You can hear the podcast embedded in this blog post; my interview starts about 9 minutes into the podcast.

HODIE: pridie Kalendas Septembres, the day before the Kalends of September.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Diana and Endymion; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word motto is Laboranti numen adest (English: Divine power attends the person who works hard).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Quae legeris, memento (English: What you read, remember).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Ostia cur claudis, si vocem pauperis audis? (English: Why do you close the door if you hear the voice of a poor man?).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Multos perdidit aurum atque argentum (Sirach 8:2). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

ELIZABETHAN PROVERBS: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Conybeare: Equinae caudae pilos vellere: To plucke the heares of an horsse tayle. A proverbe spoken of hem that by litle and litle atchieveth that he coulde not doe immediatly altogeather.

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Spes et Fides: Nulla foret, nisi certa fides foret, unaque semper; / At si certa foret spes mea, nulla foret.

TODAY'S FABLES:

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Married Mouse, the story of the mouse who made the big mistake of marrying a lion.

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Lupus et Pastor, Compatres, the story of the man who foolishly entrusted his sheep to the wolf (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Apollo et Vir Facinorosus, the story of the wicked man who thought he could fool the god Apollo.

Round-Up: August 29

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. If you have not downloaded a free PDF copy of Brevissima: 1001 Tiny Latin Poems, it's ready and waiting, and you can also get a free PDF copy of Mille Fabulae et Una: 1001 Aesop's Fables in Latin. If you prefer the heft of a book in your hand, you can get the books in printed form from Lulu.com.

HODIE: ante diem quartum Kalendas Septembres.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Cupid and Psyche ; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY PROVERBS: Today's tiny proverb is: Iuventus ventus (English: Youth is wind).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Libertas optima rerum (English: Freedom is the best of things).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Pardus maculas non deponit (English: The leopard does not set aside its spots).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Ubi est thesaurus tuus, ibi est et cor tuum (English: Where is your treasure, there is your heart also).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Archytae crepitaculum (English: The rattle of Archytas; from Adagia 2.7.44 - Archytas invented a rattle for children, and it came to stand proverbially for any noisy thing that makes noise with no meaning).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Μία χελιδὼν ἐὰρ οὐ ποιεῖ (English: One swallow does not make a spring).

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Dicere et Facere Sunt Diversa: Multum inter sese praestare et dicere pugnant: / Illud difficile est; hoc nihil est levius.

TODAY'S FABLES:

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Man and the Goose, the famous story of the golden eggs.

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Leo, Vacca, Capra, et Ovis, the famous story of the lion's share (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Lupus Ovis Pelle Indutus , a story about a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Round-Up: August 27

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - 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 sextum Kalendas Septembres.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows The Death of Procris; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY MOTTOES: Today's tiny motto is: Tenax propositi (English: Firm of purpose).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Omne initium difficile (English: Every beginning is difficult)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Auream mediocritatem diligo (English: I cherish the golden mean). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Necessitas ab homine, quae vult, impetrat (English: What necessity wants from you, she takes).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Bubo canit lusciniae (English: The owl is singing to the nightingale - a very foolish state of affairs indeed; from Adagia 4.4.12).

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Vita Malis Libera: Nec cupio nec opes opto mihi: sit mihi parvo / Laeta, sed a duris libera vita malis.

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Ranae et Puer, a story about the difference between fun & games for the boys and life & death for the frogs (this fable has a vocabulary list).

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Man and the Dogs, a story which features an appearance by Aesop himself.

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Lupus et Persona Tragoedi, a variation on the famous fable of the fox and the actor's mask - but this time with a wolf.

Round-Up: August 25

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. The first week of classes was a whirlwind, as always - I am so glad the weekend is here. For those of you who had your first week of classes last week, and for those of you who are starting this Monday, Happy New School Year! STUDEAMUS SAPIENTIAE!

HODIE: ante diem octavum Kalendas Septembres.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Orpheus and Eurydice; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word motto is Dum vivo, spero (English: So long as I live, I hope).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Appetitus rationi pareat (English: Let your appetite obey reason).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Quid iuvat adspectus, si non conceditur usus? (English: What is the good of looking at something, if you're not allowed to use it?).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Mitte panem tuum super transeuntes aquas et post multa tempora invenies illum (Ecc. 11:1). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

ELIZABETHAN PROVERBS: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Taurum tollet, qui vitulum sustulerit: He that hath borne a calfe, that also beare a bull, he that accustomed him selfe to litle thinges, by litle and litle shal be able to goe awaye with greater thinges. One named Milo, was wont every day to beare a certaine way on his shoulders a calf. At length the calfe grew to a great oxe, his daily exercise made him still able to beare the oxe, when the oxe was now of an exceding great quantitie, ye see what maistries use worketh..

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Amat Victoria Curam: Vincere vis? Labor adsit; amat victoria curam: / Vinces, si vincet non tua terga labor.

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Ranae et Iuppiter, the story of the frogs and their kings - a wonderful fable to keep in mind around election-time (this fable has a vocabulary list).

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Housewife and her Hen, a wise little fable about greed - the moral of this fable could be the proverb above, Appetitus rationi pareat.

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Astrologus Stellas Contemplans, about the man who is looking up at the sky and doesn't see what is right in front of him.

Round-Up: August 22

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I'm almost making good progress on my latest project - you can see the growing collection of Latin-vocabulary-via-proverbs at the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

HODIE: ante diem undecimum Kalendas Septembres.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows The Birth of Heracles; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY PROVERBS: Today's tiny proverb is: Errando discitur (English: You learn by making mistakes).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Ex unitate incrementum (English: From unity, increase).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Igne semel tactus timet ignem postmodo cattus (English: The cat who has been touched once by fire, fears the fire thereafter).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Medice cura teipsum (English: Physician, heal yourself).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Mylus omnia audiens (English: Mylus listening to everything; from Adagia 2.7.52 - this refers to someone who pretends to be deaf or not listening, but who is actually listening to everything).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is : Ἁμαρτεῖν οὐκ ἔνεστι δὶς ἐν πολέμῳ (English: One cannot err twice in war... contrast the proverb about learning above: school is one thing, war is another!).

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Consilium Non Post Facta, Sed Ante: Non dare consilium prodest post facta, sed ante / Facta bonum quidquam consuluisse iuvat.

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Satyrus et Viator, the wonderful story of the satyr and the man who was lost in the snow (this fable has a vocabulary list).

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Frog and The Bull, the story of a very puffed-up frog.

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Lupi et Pastores, a story about an alliance between the shepherds and the wolves which proved fatal for the sheep.

Round-Up: August 20

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for those of you who are starting school today, as I am, here's a good motto for the year: STUDETE SAPIENTIAE.

I've also started my academic year project, getting ready for next summer. You may remember my vocabulary-driven proverb project from a couple years ago. Now, thanks to the Latin vocabulary resources provided by Christopher Francese and the Dickinson College Commentaries, I am ready to revive that project, using the 1000-word Latin Core Vocabulary List. You can see the beginnings of that new project at my Latin Via Proverbs blog; I hope to be able to keep working on that, at least in fits and starts, even during the school year.

HODIE: ante diem tertium decimum Kalendas Septembres.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows The Flight of Aeneas; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY MOTTOES: Today's tiny motto is: Ditat virtus (English: Virtue bestows wealth).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Vestigia nulla retrorsum (English: No steps leading back out - an allusion to the famous Aesop's fable about the fox and the lion in the cave)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Non scholae sed vitae discimus (English: We learn, not for school, but for life). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Animo imperabit sapiens, stultus serviet (English: The wise man will rule his thoughts; the fool will be their slave).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Bos adversus se ipsum pulverem movet (English: The ox stirs up the dust in its own face; from Adagia 2.5.78).

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Opera: Qui bene fecerunt, illi sua facta sequentur; / Qui male fecerunt, facta sequentur eos.

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Scarabaeus et Stercus, a funny story about a dung-beetle and how there's no place like home (this fable has a vocabulary list).

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Fox and the Tragic Mask, a story about beauty, not brains.

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Leo et Vulpes Territa, a story about how familiarity overcomes fear.

Special Edition: Pig Latin

A friend of mine at Google+ just shared this wonderful cartoon with me and I thought it was worthy of a special edition of the Bestiaria Latina! :-)

Round-Up: August 18

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. If you have not downloaded a free PDF copy of Brevissima: 1001 Tiny Latin Poems, it's ready and waiting, and you can also get a free PDF copy of Mille Fabulae et Una: 1001 Aesop's Fables in Latin. If you prefer the heft of a book in your hand, you can get the books in printed form from Lulu.com.

HODIE: ante diem quintum decimum Kalendas Septembres.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Orestes and the Furies; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word motto is Tempus omnia monstrat (English: Time reveals all things).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Misericordia temperet gladium (English: Let mercy make mild the sword).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Quos vult, sors ditat; quos non vult, sub pede tritat (English: Fortune enriches those whom she wants; the others she grinds under her foot).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Pulsate, et aperietur vobis (Matt. 7:7). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

ELIZABETHAN PROVERBS: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Serere ne dubites: Doubt not to plant. By this we be taught, not to wery nor slouthful to acheve some such thinges, wherof no losse commeth, but muche profit may procede, though not presently, yet in time comming, though not for our selves, yet at leste way for our posteritie.

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Malum Minus: Si duo proponas mala, quaelibet ut faciamus, / Unum sumamus minus, ut maius caveamus (call it a rhyming proverb for election season).

TODAY'S FABLES:

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Hirundo et Iuvenis, in which one swallow does not a summer make.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Fox and the Leopard, a story about the beauty of the mind.

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Minerva et Naufragus, a wonderful story about how the gods help them that help themselves (this fable has a vocabulary list).

Round-Up: August 16

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I'm using Google+ a lot these days - highly recommended as a thought-provoking place to hang out online!

HODIE: ante diem septimum decimum Kalendas Septembres.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Theseus and the Minotaur; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY PROVERBS: Today's tiny proverb is: Aspiciendo senescis (English: You grow old as you watch).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Spe labor levis (English: With hope, hard work becomes easy).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Sola apis mel conficit (English: The bee alone makes honey).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Sero sapiunt Phryges (English: The Phrygians are wise too late - in other words, they should have wised up before bringing the wooden horse within their walls).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Non est cuiuslibet Corinthum appellere (English: It's not for every man to make a trip to Corinth; from Adagia 1.4.1).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Ὁ δύο πτῶκας διώκων, οὐδέτερον καταλαμβάνει (English: He who pursues two rabbits catches neither).

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Nocitura: Si mala quis faciat, sibimet solet ipse nocere; / Eius in exemplo debes nocitura timere.

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Porcellus et Testamentum, a hilarious little story about a bereaved pig (this fable has a vocabulary list).

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Fox and The Grapes, the famous story of the supposedly sour grapes.

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Pastor, Vestis Eius, et Oves, the story of the shepherd and his ungrateful sheep.

Round-Up: August 14

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - 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 undevicesimum Kalendas Septembres

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Hylas and the Nymphs; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY MOTTOES: Today's tiny motto is: Animose certavi (English: I have contended courageously).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Diluculo surgere saluberrimum (English: It is most healthy to rise at dawn)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Amici nec multi nec nulli (English: Friends: not many, not none). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Cito ignominia fit superbi gloria (English: The glory of a boastful man soon turns to disgrace).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Rana gyrina sapientior (English: The frog is wiser than the tadpole; from Adagia 2.1.34).

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Quod Paravit Virtus, Retinebis: Et Natura suum repetit, Fortunaque tollit / Quando libet; Virtus quae dedit, illa manent.

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Serpens et Filius Eius, the story of how a serpent becomes a dragon (this fable has a vocabulary list).

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Famished Dogs, the story of the foolish dogs who tried to drink a river.

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Haedus in Tecto et Lupus, the story of a little kid who insults the wolf from the rooftop.

Round-Up: August 12

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. If you have not downloaded a free PDF copy of Brevissima: 1001 Tiny Latin Poems, it's ready and waiting, and you can also get a free PDF copy of Mille Fabulae et Una: 1001 Aesop's Fables in Latin. If you prefer the heft of a book in your hand, you can get the books in printed form from Lulu.com.

HODIE: pridie Idus Augustas.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Odysseus and Circe; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word motto is Tempera te tempori (English: Adapt yourself to the time).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Cura angit animum (English: Worry squeezes the mind).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Se minus afflictum sentit, qui providet ictum (English: The person who sees the blow coming, feels himself less shattered).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Unus introitus est omnibus ad vitam, et similis exitus (Wisdom 7:6). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

ELIZABETHAN PROVERBS: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Currus bovem trahit: Ye set the cart before the horse. This Proverbe hath place in thinges done preposteriously, cleane contrarilye, and arsy versy as they say. As for exemple, if a wife would rule her husbande, if the scolar woulde teache his maister, if the commons would tel theyr Prince what he had to do, finallie if the affection or sensualite would guide reason, as alake for pitie in these cases, and in many other more, it is oft seene.

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Legisse Parum Est: Quod legis in scriptis, hoc tu virtutibus imple; / Qui bona scit nec agit, quam miser ille perit!

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Pisces e Sartagine Exsilientes, a fable about "out of the frying pan, into the fire" (this fable has a vocabulary list).

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Dog in the Manger, a famous story about a spiteful and selfish bully.

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Simius et Circulator, a fable about a monkey who was sorely deceived and lost his freedom - a warning to us all!

Round-Up: August 10

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I'm using Google+ a lot these days - highly recommended as a thought-provoking place to hang out online!

HODIE: ante diem quartum Idus Augustas.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Deucalion and Pyrrha; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY PROVERBS: Today's tiny proverb is: Impelle obstantia (English: Push obstacles aside).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Labor ipse voluptas (English: Work itself is a pleasure).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Oportet vulpinari cum vulpibus (English: You've got to play the fox with the foxes).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Qui seminat ventum, turbinem metet (English: He who sows the wind will reap the whirlwind).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Bocchyris iudicium (English: The judgment of Bocchyris; from Adagia - 2.7.65 - the story goes that a man had a sexual dream about a prostitute, and the prostitute demanded he pay her for dream services; King Bocchyris of Egypt ruled that the money be put into a basin and shaken around so that the prostitute could enjoy the look of the coin and thus be satisfied appropriately).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Δρυὸς πεσούσης, πᾶς ἀνὴρ ξυλεύεται (English: When the oak tree has fallen, any man can gather wood).

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Dulcis Amice, Tene!: Qui dare vult aliis non debet dicere: Vultis? / Sed dicat plene: Dulcis amice, tene!

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Ceres et Rusticus, a wonderful story about the goddess Demeter and a reckless farmer (this fable has a vocabulary list).

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Crow and the Pitcher, the famous story of the crow who ingeniously raised the water level of a pitcher in order to take a drink.

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Coclea et Iuppiter, the story of the how the snail got her shell.

Round-Up: August 8

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - 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 sextum Idus Augustas.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Orpheus and the Animals; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY MOTTOES: Today's tiny motto is: Spe expecto (English: In hope I wait).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Dux vivendi natura (English: Nature is the guide of how to live)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Sub pallio sordido sapientia (English: Beneath a filthy cloak, wisdom). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Fortuna vitrea est: tum, cum splendet, frangitur (English: Fortune is like glass: when it glitters, it shatters).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Indus elephantus haud curat culicem (English: The Indian elephant doesn't worry about a gnat; from Adagia 1.10.66 - in other words, don't sweat the small stuff).

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Amicitia: Cur similis similem sibi quaerit, amicus amicum? / Uno nemo potest in pede stare diu.

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Pavo Deplumatus, the sad story of the peacock who gave away all his feathers (this fable has a vocabulary list).

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Bulls and the Lion, a story about the strategy of "divide and conquer."

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Mors et Senex, the story of the warnings that death is giving us all.

Round-Up: August 6

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. If you have not downloaded a free PDF copy of Brevissima: 1001 Tiny Latin Poems, it's ready and waiting, and you can also get a free PDF copy of Mille Fabulae et Una: 1001 Aesop's Fables in Latin. If you prefer the heft of a book in your hand, you can get the books in printed form from Lulu.com.

HODIE: ante diem octavum Idus Augustas.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Aeneas and Turnus; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word motto is Rem omnem considera (English: Consider the whole business).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Diem vesper commendat (English: The evening commends the day).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Mortis linque metus, si tu vis vivere laetus (English: Put aside any fears of death, if you want to live happily).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Usque ad mortem certa pro iustitia (Sirach 4:28). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

ELIZABETHAN PROVERBS: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Satius est recurrere, quam currere male: Better it is to runne backe againe, than to runne forth amisse. Many be eyther so shamefast, or els so stricte in theyr own opinion, that they had lever runne forth still in errour and out of the way, than to apply them selves to better and more holsome counsailes.

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Nil Amicitia Gratius: Ad bene vivendum quidquid natura paravit, / Nil datum amicitia gratius est homini.

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Ollae Duae, the story of a friendship between two mismatched pots (this fable has a vocabulary list).

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is The Ass and the Shepherd, a story about political change... this will be a good one to look at again come November!

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Pater, Filii, et Agrorum Cultura, the story of how an ingenious father taught his sons the value of hard work.

Round-Up: August 4

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I'm using Google+ a lot these days - highly recommended as a thought-provoking place to hang out online!

HODIE: pridie Nonas Augustas.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Solon and Croesus; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY PROVERBS: Today's tiny proverb is: Scientia nobilitat (English: Knowledge ennobles).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Pauci sed boni (English: Few men, but good ones).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Humana sub cute plurimae latent ferae (English: Beneath a person's skin lurk many wild beasts).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Qui festinat ditescere, non erit innocens (English: He who is in a hurry to get rich will not stay innocent).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Fato Metelli Romae fiunt consules (English: By sheer luck the Metelli have become consuls at Rome; from Adagia 4.10.62 - These words, attributed to the poet Naevius, did not please the Metelli whatsoever; the proverb refers to those who attain their high social status through dumb luck, rather than talent).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Ἀνάγκῃ οὐδὲ θεοὶ μάχονται (English: Not even the gods can do battle with necessity).

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Hora Nulla Sine Fructu, Sic fac ut nulla sine fructu transeat hora: / Sic fit hora brevis et labor ipse levis. (Note the nice rhyme: brevis-levis!)

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Culex et Leo, the story of the ups and downs of the life of gnat (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Vulpes in Puteum Delapsa et Lupus, the story of a fox who needed help from a wolf.

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is Jupiter and the Cat, the hilarious story of the cat who became a woman.

Round-Up: August 2

As I announced yesterday, the Brevissima book is done! If you have not downloaded a free PDF copy of Brevissima: 1001 Tiny Latin Poems, it's ready and waiting, and you can also get a free PDF copy of Mille Fabulae et Una: 1001 Aesop's Fables in Latin (the book from summer before last). If you prefer the heft of a book in your hand, you can get the printed books from Lulu.com.

I've reorganized the layout of the Round-Up a bit. Each round-up will have a distich poem in it, and I'm gradually going to be working through all the distich blog posts (some of them are a year or two old), fixing them up so that they match the book presentation. All the distich poems have blog posts and by the end of the year I should be able to get them revised, with navigation leading from poem to poem in the same sequence as the book. :-)

HODIE: ante diem quartum Nonas Augustas.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Psyche and Cupid; you can also see the legends for the current week listed together here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY MOTTOES: Today's tiny motto is: Deo duce (English: With God as my guide).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Amici fures temporis (English: Friends are thieves of time)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Manus digiti coaequales non sunt, omnes tamen usui (English: The fingers of the hand are not equal, but all are useful). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Crudelis lacrimis pascitur, non frangitur (English: The cruel man feeds on tears; he is not swayed by them).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Plaustrum bovem trahit (English: The cart is pulling the ox - as in the English phrase, "putting the cart before the horse"; from Adagia 1.7.28).

BREVISSIMA: The distich for today is Scire Futura, an elegiac couplet: Cursus fatorum nescit mens ulla virorum; / Solius est proprium scire futura Dei.

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES WIDGET: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Talpa et Olitor, the story of the gardener who is not fooled by the mole (this fable has a vocabulary list).

AESOP IN ENGLISH VERSE: Today's fable from the English verse widget is Fortune and the Boy, a story about how Fortune does not like being blamed for our own foolishness.

MILLE FABULAE WIDGET: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Anguis et Milvus, a story of unexpected consequences - in which the kite gets more than he bargained for.