Sundial: QUA HORA NON PUTATIS

This is a sundial of the rectory of the Church of the Assumption of Samoëns in Haute-Savoie, France. The motto is from the Gospel of Luke:

QUA HORA NON PUTATIS FILIUS HOMINIS VENIET

At the hour you do not reckon the Son of Man will come.

These two photos are by Tangopaso at Wikimedia, showing the sundial and the rectory wall.

These lovely images by La FoeZ I found at Flickr:

Sundial: DUM SPECTAS FUGIO

This colorful glass sundial was donated to Oxford University, and it is the work of John Carmichael, who uploaded this image to Wikimedia. The motto reads DUM SPECTAS FUGIO, "While you watch, I flee." This is a popular sundial motto; you can read about many more examples in Gatty's Book of Sun-Dials.

Who is speaking? That's up to you: time? the sun? both? You can also find the motto on clocks (for example, here is a lovely clock with this motto) in which case the answer it is certainly time that is speaking.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: February 28

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. In addition to a free PDF copy of Brevissima: 1001 Tiny Latin Poems, you can also get a free PDF copy of Mille Fabulae et Una: 1001 Aesop's Fables in Latin. :-)

HODIE (Roman Calendar): pridie Kalendas Martias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Odysseus and Diomedes; 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 Omnia debeo Deo (English: I owe all things to God).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Delectant alia alios (English: Some things delight some people, and others delight others).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Furtivus potus plenus dulcedine totus (English: The stolen drink is altogether full of sweetness).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is In die bona fruere bonis, et malam diem praecave (Ecc. 7:14). 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: Quique vult dicit, quae non vult audiet: He that speaketh what he will, shal heare what he wil not. Let men beware how they rayle.

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Intra Fortunam Tuam Mane. Click here for a full-sized view; the poem has a vocabulary list and an English translation, too.

And here is today's proverbial lolcat:

TODAY'S FABLES AND SONGS:

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 Cantus Sacerdotis, a wonderful story about a priest who sings, but not very well!

GreekLOLz - and Latin and English, too. Below is one of my GreekLOLz; for the individual Greek, Latin and English versions of the graphic, see the blog post: Ἄφθονοι Μουσῶν θύραι. Invidiae expertes Musarum fores. The doors of the Muses are free of envy.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: February 26

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! If you prefer the heft of a book in your hand, you can get the book in printed form from Lulu.com.

HODIE (Roman Calendar): ante diem quartum Kalendas Martias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Glaucus and Scylla; 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: Sapere aude (English: Dare to be wise).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Virtus sibi praemium (English: Excellent is its own reward).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Equo ne credite, Teucri! (English: Don't trust the horse, O Trojans!).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Spatiosa est via, quae ducit ad perditionem (English: Wide is the way which leads to destruction).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Phaselitarum sacrificium (English: A Phaselite sacrifice; from Adagia 2.7.33 - The Phaselites in Pamphylia were so poor that they would offer the gods just a bit of salt fish, hence this is a proverb for a paltry sacrifice).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Γλυκὺς ἀπείρῳ πόλεμος (English: War is sweet to the one who has not experienced it).

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Vita Malis Libera. Click here for a full-sized view; the poem has a vocabulary list and an English translation, too.

And here is today's proverbial lolcat:

TODAY'S FABLES AND SONGS:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Pisciculus et Piscator, the story of the little fish pleading for its life (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Mures Felem Contemplantes, a fable about how appearances can be deceiving.

Greek Bible Art - and Latin and English, too. Below is one of my Greek Bible Art graphics; for the individual Greek, Latin and English versions of the graphic, see the blog post: ἀνεβόησεν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ Σουσαννα. Exclamavit voce magna Susanna. Susanna cried with a loud voice.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: February 24

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 (Roman Calendar): ante diem sextum Kalendas Martias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Romulus and Remus with the Wolf; 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: Grata quies (English: Repose is welcome).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Iniuriarum remedium oblivio (English: The remedy for injuries you've suffered is to forget about them)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Aqua et panis est vita canis (English: A dog's life is water and bread). 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: Frustra, cum ad senectam ventum est, repetas adulescentiam (English: You seek your youth in vain once old age has arrived).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Piscis primum a capite foetet (English: The fish starts to stink from the head; from Adagia 4.2.97 - metaphorically, this famous saying urges you to look for corruption starting at the top and working its way down).

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Qui Placere Laborat. Click here for a full-sized view; the poem has a vocabulary list and an English translation, too.

And here is today's proverbial lolcat:

TODAY'S FABLES AND SONGS:

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Vulpes et Asinus Pelle Leonis Indutus, the story of how the fox is not fooled by the donkey in lion's clothing.

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Ranae et Iuppiter, the famous story of the frogs who lost their freedom... and their lives (this fable has a vocabulary list).

GreekLOLz - and Latin and English, too. Below is one of my GreekLOLz; for the individual Greek, Latin and English versions of the graphic, see the blog post: Ἄλλοι κάμον, ἄλλοι δ᾽ ὤναντο. Alii laborabant, alii autem fruebantur. Some did the work, but others got the profit.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: February 22

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. In addition to a free PDF copy of Brevissima: 1001 Tiny Latin Poems, you can also get a free PDF copy of Mille Fabulae et Una: 1001 Aesop's Fables in Latin. :-)

HODIE (Roman Calendar): ante diem octavum Kalendas Martias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows The Three Daughters of Cecrops; 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 Quod potes, tenta (English: Try what you are able to do).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Fata viam invenient (English: The Fates will find a way).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Pone gulae metas, ut sit tibi longior aetas (English: Put limits to your gluttony so that you may have a longer life).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Comede in laetitia panem tuum et bibe cum gaudio vinum tuum (Ecc. 9:7). 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: Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit: Flatterie and folowinge of mens mindes getteth friendes, where speaking of trouth gendreth hatred. Such is now and ever had been the fascion of the worlde, that who telleth the trouth is for most part hated, and he that can flatter and say as I say, shal be mine owne whit sonne. Our Englishe Proverbe agreeth with the same, He that will in Court dwell, must needes currie fabel. And ye shall understand that fabel is an olde Englishe worde, and signified as much as favour doth now a dayes.

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Quis Felix Est?. Click here for a full-sized view; the poem has a vocabulary list and an English translation, too.

And here is today's proverbial lolcat:

TODAY'S FABLES AND SONGS:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Cicada et Asinus, the story of the donkey who wanted to learn to sing (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Formica et Columba, a story of animal friendship.

Greek Bible Art - and Latin and English, too. Below is one of my Greek Bible Art graphics; for the individual Greek, Latin and English versions of the graphic, see the blog post: ἦσαν οἱ δύο γυμνοί καὶ οὐκ ᾐσχύνοντο. Erat uterque nudus, et non erubescebant. They were both naked, and were not ashamed.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: February 20

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. In a discussion about grimoires at Google+ today, someone shared with me a link to an online edition of the Liber Iuratus Honorii that has the Latin text (scroll on down at the link to find the Latin). If you're intrigued by this type of thing, there's a marvelous book by Richard Kieckhefer, Forbidden Rites: A Necromancer's Manual of the Fifteenth Century which contains the full - and very lengthy - Latin text of a similar magical handbook.

HODIE (Roman Calendar): ante diem decimum Kalendas Martias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows The Sword of Damocles; 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: Nosce teipsum (English: Know yourself).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is In libertate labor (English: In freedom, hard work).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Asinus balneatoris numquam particeps balnei (English: The bathhouse keeper's donkey never takes part in a bath - kind of like the shoemaker's children who go barefoot!).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Fatuus fatua loquetur (English: The fool will speak foolish things).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Alia Lacon, alia asinus illius portat (English: Lacon is carrying one thing, but his donkey is carrying something else; from Adagia 2.2.86 - Trying to avoid taxes, Lacon hid his honey underneath some barley, but the donkey slipped and fell, revealing the hidden honey).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Γέρων ἀλώπηξ οὐχ ἁλίσχεται πάγῃ (English: The old fox can't be caught in a snare).

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Felix Nemo Suo Iudicio. Click here for a full-sized view; the poem has a vocabulary list and an English translation, too.

And here is today's proverbial lolcat:

TODAY'S FABLES AND SONGS:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Scarabaeus et Stercus, a funny little story about "home, sweet home" (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Leo et Homo, Concertantes, a brilliant debate between a man and lion - one of my all-time favorite fables.

GreekLOLz - and Latin and English, too. Below is one of my GreekLOLz; for the individual Greek, Latin and English versions of the graphic, see the blog post: Ἐκ τῶν αὐτῶν τραγῳδία γίνεται καὶ κωμῳδία γραμμάτων. Ex iisdem tragedia fit et comedia litteris. Tragedy and comedy are composed of the same letters.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: February 18

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 (Roman Calendar): ante diem duodecimum Kalendas Martias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Zeus and Amalthea; 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: Irrideo tempestatem (English: I scoff at the storm).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Dei omnia plena (English: All things are full of God)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Noli irritare leones (English: Do not provoke the lions!). 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: Quem diligis, ni recte moneas, oderis (English: You will come to hate the man you love, unless you admonish him rightly).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is E cantu dignoscitur avis (English: You know the bird by its song; from Adagia 4.2.21).

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Vera Vivendi Ratio. Click here for a full-sized view; the poem has a vocabulary list and an English translation, too.

And here is today's proverbial lolcat:

TODAY'S FABLES AND SONGS:

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Nux Secundum Viam Sata, which tells about the hard life of the nut tree.

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Accipiter Columbam Insequens, a story of bird karma (this fable has a vocabulary list).

Greek Bible Art - and Latin and English, too. Below is one of my Greek Bible Art graphics; for the individual Greek, Latin and English versions of the graphic, see the blog post: μή μου ἅπτου. Noli me tangere. Touch me not.

Clock: TEMPUS VALET VOLAT VELAT

This clock is on the steeple of the Church of Saint Martin in Resiutta, Italy. The motto reads TEMPUS VALET VOLAT VELAT, "Time is Strong - It Flies - It Veils." I wish I could capture the great word-play of the Latin in English.

The photo is by Johann Haritz at Wikimedia:

Sundial: SINE SOLE SILEO

I was researching a sundial in Jarocin, Poland when I found this sundial on the Radolinski Palace there. It reads "sine sole sileo," "without the sun, I am silent." You can see the signs of the zodiac there arranged in a circle. It was created by Richard Munzky in 1910.

Photo by Noaśka at Wikimedia:

This image shows a fuller view of the palace:

Sundial: UMBRA TRANSIT, LUX MANET

This sundial bears the motto Umbra Transit, Lux Manet. It means "The Shadow Passes, The Light Remains." The sundial is located at Saint Marcin's church in Jarocin, Poland, and was installed in 1910. You can see another sundial with an expanded version of this motto on a sundial here: Hora Fugit, Mors Venit, Umbra Transit, Lux Manet, "Time Flies, Death Comes, The Shadow Passes, The Light Remains."

Photo by Klapi at Wikimedia:

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: February 16

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. In addition to a free PDF copy of Brevissima: 1001 Tiny Latin Poems, 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 (Roman Calendar): ante diem quartum decimum Kalendas Martias.

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:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word motto is Fac aut tace (English: Do, or be silent).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Contra stimulum calcas (English: You're kicking again the prick of the spur).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Saepe natatores submerguntur meliores (English: Often swimmers drown, even the best ones).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Qui ambulat in tenebris, nescit quo vadat (John 12:35). 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: Graculo cum fidibus nihil: The Jaye hath nought to doe with the harpe, spoken of them which lacking eloquence or good letters, do skorne them that have good learning.

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Amat Victoria Curam. Click here for a full-sized view; the poem has a vocabulary list and an English translation, too.

And here is today's proverbial lolcat:

TODAY'S FABLES AND SONGS:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Equus Circensis Molae Iugatus, the sad story of broken-down racehorse (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Ursus et Amici Duo, a fable about false friendship.

GreekLOLz - and Latin and English, too. Below is one of my GreekLOLz; for the individual Greek, Latin and English versions of the graphic, see the blog post: Ἄλλοι μὲν σπείρουσι, ἄλλοι δ᾽ ἀμήσονται. Alii serunt, alii metent. There are those who sow, others who will reap.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: February 14

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! Meanwhile, I'm slowly but surely adding poster images and English translations over at the Brevissima blog.

HODIE (Roman Calendar): ante diem sextum decimum Kalendas Martias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows The Head of Medusa; 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: Esto vigilans (English: Be watchful).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Secundis dubiisque rectus (English: In prosperity and uncertainty, upright).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Fele absente, mures choreas ducunt (English: When the cat is away, the mice dance).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Leges bonae ex malis moribus procreantur (English: Good laws are born of bad habits).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Harmodii cantilena (English: The song of Harmodius; from Adagia 2.10.93 - this refers to something utterly sad, such as Aristogeiton sang upon the death of his lover Harmodius, before he, too, died in the famous assassination attempt on the tyrants Hippias and Hipparchus).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Τέφραν φεύγων, εἰς ἀνθρακιὰν ἔπεσον (English: Fleeing the ashes, I fell into the coals).

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Tolle Moras. Click here for a full-sized view; the poem has a vocabulary list and an English translation, too.

And here is today's proverbial lolcat:

TODAY'S FABLES AND SONGS:

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Leo et Equus, the story of how the horse outsmarted the old lion.

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Simia et Gemelli Eius, the story of how the mother monkey treats her twins (this fable has a vocabulary list).

GreekLOLz - and Latin and English, too. Below is one of my GreekLOLz; for the individual Greek, Latin and English versions of the graphic, see the blog post: Ἄλλων ἰατρὸς αὐτὸς ἕλκεσι βρύων. Aliis mederis, ipse plenus ulcerum. You are doctoring others but you yourself are swollen with sores. This one is inspired by an Aesop's fable!

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: February 12

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 (Roman Calendar): pridie Idus Februarias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows The Sacrifice of Polyxena; 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: Suaviter, fortiter (English: Gently and boldly).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Sua cuique hora (English: To each his own time)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Canes timidi vehementius latrant quam mordent (English: Timid dogs bark more fiercely than they bite). 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: Bis interimitur, qui suis armis perit (English: Someone who dies by his own weapons dies twice over).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Non missura cutem, nisi plena cruoris hirudo (English: The leech won't let go of your skin until it's full of blood; from Adagia 2.4.84).

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Sat Cito, Si Sat Bene. Click here for a full-sized view; the poem has a vocabulary list and an English translation, too.

And here is today's proverbial lolcat:

TODAY'S FABLES AND SONGS:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Mus in Cista Natus, a great story about expanding your horizons (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Monedula Liberata, a story about the hazards of freedom.

Greek Bible Art - and Latin and English, too. Below is one of my Greek Bible Art graphics; for the individual Greek, Latin and English versions of the graphic, see the blog post: The verse reads κατελείφθη μόνος Νωε. Remansit autem solus Noë. Noah only remained alive.