Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: May 31

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 Kalendas Iunias, the day before the Kalends of June.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Clytie; 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: Unitate fortior (English: Stronger through union).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Sua cuique vitia (English: Each person has their own vices)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Palma non sine pulvere (English: No palm without dust). 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: Lucrum sine damno alterius fieri non potest. (English: There can be no profit but at someone else's loss).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Asinus asino et sus sui pulcher (English: One donkey thinks another is lovely, as one pig does another; from Adagia 4.10.64).

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

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats.

TODAY'S FABLES:

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Milvus Aegrotans, the story of a kite's deathbed repentence.

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Lupus et Persona Tragoedi, the story of a wolf who pondered the meaning of a mask (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: φεῦγε εἰς αἴγυπτον, καὶ ἴσθι ἐκεῖ. Fuge in Aegyptum, et esto ibi. Flee into Egypt and be thou there.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: May 29

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. Now that summer is here, I'm working away on the English-language proverbs. You can see what's going on over there at my new blog, The Proverb Laboratory, if you are interested - including some Latin-English proverb posters.

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

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Hector and Paris; 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 Mirandum naturae opus (English: We should marvel at the works of nature).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Mors omnia aequat (English: Death makes all things equal).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Post res saepe dies piscis vilescit et hospes (English: Often after three days the fish begins to stink, as does the houseguest).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Veritas liberabit vos (John 8:32). 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: Canis vindictam: A dogge hath a day. There is none so vile nor simple a person, but at one time or other may avenge him self of wronges done unto him. Wherfore it is a wise mans part to contemne no man.

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

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats.

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Asinus Res Sacras Portans, the story of a self-important donkey (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Serpentis Cauda, the story of what happened when the snake's tail wanted to be in charge.

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: Ἀετὸν κορώνη ἐρεσχελεῖ. Aquilam cornix lacessit. The crow is taunting the eagle.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: May 27

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, as is 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 sextum Kalendas Iunias.

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 PROVERBS: Today's tiny proverb is: Hydram secas (English: You're slashing at the hydra - which doesn't do a lot of good, of course, since the hydra's heads grow back as soon as you can chop them off).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Pax, copia, sapientia (English: Peace, abundance, and wisdom).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Ut piscis extra aquam (English: Like a fish out of water).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Lupum auribus teneo (English: I've got the wolf by the ears - which means it is dangerous to hold on and also dangerous to let go).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Bellerophontes litteras adfert (English: He's carrying the letters of Bellerophon - which is a fatal thing to do, since Bellerophon's letter carried the orders for Bellerophon's own murder; from Adagia 2.6.82).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Ἄκρον λάβε, καὶ μέσον ἕξεις (English: Seize the top, and you will have the middle).

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

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats.

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Mustela et Lima, the story of a blood-thirsty weasel (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Mors et Cupido, a story of what happened when Death and Love changed places.

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: λάβετε φάγετε, τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ σῶμά μου. Accipite, et comedite: hoc est corpus meum. Take, eat; this is my body.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: May 25

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 octavum Kalendas Iunias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Andromache and Hector; 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: Conanti dabitur (English: To the one who strives, it will be given).

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

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

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Avarus ipse miseriae causa est suae (English: The miser is himself the cause of his own misery).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Habet et musca splenem (English: Even the fly has its spleen; from Adagia 3.5.7 - which is to say, the fly, even though tiny, can still be bad-tempered, "splenetic").

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

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Lupus Monachus, the story of the wolf who became a monk in his old age (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Vultures, Leo, et Aper, a fable about a fight between a lion and a boar in which the vultures also took an interest!

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: Ἄκρον λάβε καὶ μέσον ἕξεις. Ut obtineas medium summum cape. Reach for the top and you'll have the middle.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: May 23

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. Now that summer is here, I'm be working hard on the English-language proverbs. You can see what's going on over there at my new blog, The Proverb Laboratory, if you are interested, including some Latin proverbs there.

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

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows The Death of Hyacinth; 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 Alis aspicio astra (English: Rising on my wings, I gaze at the stars).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Arcus tensus rumpitur (English: The tensed bow snaps).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Qui bibit et rebibit, nec cessat, stultus abibit (English: He who drinks and drinks again and does not stop will depart a fool).

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

ELIZABETHAN PROVERBS: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Sub ipsius iudicio sorex perit: The Rat dieth by utteryng of her self. This Proverbe toke the beginning of the propertie of this vermin for the Rattes be wonte to make a noyse muche more than mice do, and do more rumble about and make a noysom crieng while they gnaw candels endes or such other trifels to whiche noyse many men harkeninge forthwith though it be in the darke night throw at them and to kill them. Semblably many men and women there be which by theyr owne noyse, and be wraying of them selves, seke their owne bande and destruction.

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

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Formica Alata, the sad story of the ant who wanted to fly (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Avara et Gallina, the story of a greedy woman and her overly fat hen.

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: Αἲξ δοῦσα τὴν μάχαιραν. Capra gladium praebens. The goat is proffering the knife.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: May 21

I'm a bit late today getting out the Bestiaria post. Many people have written to ask me if I am okay, so I should explain that while I teach for the University of Oklahoma, I actually am living right now in North Carolina (I teach online courses which allows me to be here in NC for family reasons). The tornado was one of the worst ever to hit the Oklahoma City area, and a good friend of mine who lives in Moore lost her house yesterday (she was out of town, but her husband managed to hide in a closet and was rescued from the rubble by their neighbors). It is a very sad day for Oklahoma.

HODIE (Roman Calendar): ante diem duodecimum Kalendas Iunias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Polyxena and Troilus; 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: Domus optima (English: Home is best).

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

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Ulula cum lupis, cum quibus esse cupis (English: Howl with the wolves if you want to be one of them).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: i quis non vult operari, non manducet (English: If someone does not want to work, let him not eat).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Diomedis et Glauci permutatio (English: The exchange of Diomedes and Glaucus; from Adagia 1.2.1 - the exchange is famously unfair: the two warriors swapped armor, but Diomedes gave Glaucus armor made of bronze, while Glaucus gave Diomedes armor made of gold; more here).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Μηδὲ μέλι, μηδὲ μελίσσας (English: Neither the honey nor the bees).

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

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

TODAY'S FABLES:

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Luscinia, Accipiter, et Auceps, a story of predatory karma in the world of birds.

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Muli et Latrones, the wonderful story of the proud mule and the humble one (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: μὴ φοβοῦ, μαριάμ. Ne timeas, Maria. Fear not, Mary.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: May 19

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 quartum decimum Kalendas Iunias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Perseus Rescuing Andromeda; 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: Semper vigilans (English: Always watchful).

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

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

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Avarus damno potius quam sapiens dolet (English: The miser grieves over a loss more than the wise man does).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Ipsi testudines edite, qui cepistis (English: You who caught the turtles better eat them; from Adagia 1.1.87 - the proverb alludes to the story of Mercury and the fishermen).

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

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

TODAY'S FABLES:

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Pastor et Lupus Familiaris, the story of a shepherd who foolishly trusted a wolf.

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Castor et Venator, the story of a very desperate beaver (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: Ἀγροίκου μὴ καταφρόνει ῥήτορος. Agrestem ne contemnas oratorem. Do not scorn a backwoods speaker. (Such as Daniel Boone!)

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: May 17

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. Now that summer is here, I'm be working hard on the English-language proverbs. You can see what's going on over there at my new blog, The Proverb Laboratory, if you are interested -

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

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Prometheus Bound; 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 Frango dura patientia (English: With patience, I shatter hardships).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Exercitatio potest omnia (English: Practice accomplishes everything).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Nunc est dicendum, nunc cum ratione silendum (English: Sometimes you need to speak, and sometimes you need to wisely keep silent).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Habitabit lupus cum agno (Isaiah 11:6). 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 Conybeare: Crocodili lacrimae: Crocodiles teares. A proverbe applied unto them which hating an other man, whom they woulde destroye or have destroyed, they will seme to be sorye for hem. It ys taken of the propertie of Crocodilus the monstre, who beholding a man comming whom he would devoure weepeth, and after he hath eaten the bodye, he washeth the head with his teares and then eateth it also.

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

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Sanctus Petrus et Rusticus, a story in which Saint Peter plays a role traditionally played by the hero Hercules (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Lupus Monachus, the story of an old wolf and his new career.

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: εἰσελθὼν πρὸς αὐτὴν εἶπεν, χαῖρε. Ingressus angelus ad eam dixit: Ave! The angel came in unto her and said: Hail!

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: May 15

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, as is 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): Idus Maiae, the Ides of May!

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Odysseus and Eurycleia; 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: Omnia praetereunt (English: All things pass away).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Labore et scientia (English: With hard work and knowledge).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Noli irritare crabrones (English: Don't stir up the hornets).

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

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Fuimus Troes (English: We were the Trojans - a sad use of the past tense indeed; from Adagia 1.9.50).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Κοινὰ τὰ τῶν φίλων (English: Friends' things are in common).

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

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

TODAY'S FABLES:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Tubicen Captus, the story of a trumpeter in a time of war (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Vulpecula et Tintinnabulum, the story of a fox deceived by a drum.

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: Αἰσχρόν τοι δῆρόν τε μένειν κενεόν τε νεέσθαι. Turpe est et mansisse diu vacuumque redire. It is a shameful thing to have stayed away a long time and to come back empty.