Bestiaria Latina Blog: Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: December 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 (Roman Calendar): ante diem undevicesimum Kalendas Ianuarias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Odysseus and Eurycleia, and there are more images here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY PROVERBS: Today's tiny proverb is: Hylam vocat (English: He's shouting for Hylas, which is to say, he's claling out for something that is lost, as Heracles called out for his beloved Hylas, taken by the nymphs).

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Homo totiens moritur, quotiens amittit suos (English: You die every time you lose someone who is dear to you).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Thasium infundis (English: You're pouring in wine from Thasos; from Adagia 3.2.17... This is an ironic proverb, since instead of using water to dilute the wine, the renowned Thasian wine is being used).

ELIZABETHAN PROVERBS: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Conybeare: Aut bibe aut abi: A proverbe signifienge that we shoulde applye oursevels to the manners of men, or elles avoyde there companye.

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Fama Perennis. Click here for a full-sized view.

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

Optimus magister bonus liber.

The best teacher is a good book.

Cavendi nulla est dimittenda occasio.

You should never ignore any chance to act cautiously.

TODAY'S FABLES:

MILLE FABULAE: The English translation for today from the Mille Fabulae et Una book is Leo Amatorius et Silvanus, the sad story of the lion in love.

PHAEDRI FABULAE: The illustrated fable from Phaedrus for today is Cervus ad fontem, a story about body image: Latin text and Smart's translation.

STEINHOWEL: The illustrated fable from Steinhowel for today is de duobus muribus, the famous fable of the city mouse and the country mouse: Latin text and English versions.