Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: April 30

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 Maias, the day before the Kalends of May.

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

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Caute, nec timide (English: Cautiously, not fearfully).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is In magno magni capiuntur flumine pisces (English: In the big river you can catch big fish).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Hylam vocat (English: He's calling out to Hylas ... and "he" would be Hercules, who will sadly receive no reply because the nymphs have taken Hylas for this own).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Τοῖς σεαυτοῦ πτεροῖς ἥλως (English: You have been caught with your own feathers, like the poor eagle in Aesop's fable).

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Ratio Regina, Natura Mater. Click here for a full-sized view.

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

Bene legere saecla vincere.

To read well is to conquer the centuries.

Crescit scribendo scribendi studium.

A zeal for writing grows by writing.

TODAY'S FABLES:

PHAEDRI FABULAE: The illustrated fable from Phaedrus for today is Aquila et cornix, a story about an unfortunate tortoise: Latin text and Smart's translation.

STEINHOWEL: The illustrated fable from Steinhowel for today is De monte parturiente, a story about fake news: Latin text and English versions.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: April 23

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 nonum Kalendas Maias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Hector's Body Returned to Troy, and there are more images here.

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY MOTTOES: Today's tiny motto is: Paulatim (English: Little by little).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Iustitia virtutum regina (English: Justice is the queen of the virtues)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is Victrix malorum patientia est (English: Patience is the conqueror of evils). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Primum abigendas apes, deinde ac mel subtrahendum (English: You've got to drive the bees away before you can steal the honey; from Adagia 4.9.7).

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Quam Bona Pax. Click here for a full-sized view.

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

Homo bulla est.

Man is but a bubble.

Vos estis lux mundi.

You are the light of the world.

TODAY'S FABLES:

PHAEDRI FABULAE: The illustrated fable from Phaedrus for today is Aquila, feles, et aper, a story about a truly wicked cat: Latin text and Smart's translation.

STEINHOWEL: The illustrated fable from Steinhowel for today is De scrofa et lupo, which is another story about a false friend: Latin text and English versions.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: April 16

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 decimum Kalendas Maias.

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

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY PROVERBS: Today's tiny proverb is: Patientia vinces (English: By means of patience, you will triumph).

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Deliberando discitur sapientia (English: By pondering, wisdom is learned).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Daedali alae (English: The wings of Daedalus... on which he famously made his escape King Minos; from Adagia 3.1.65).

ELIZABETHAN PROVERBS: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Sub omni lapide scorpius dormit: Under every stone sleepeth a Scorpion. This Proverbe admonisheth us, that wee speake not rashely and unadvisedlie amonges captiouse and calumnious persons. For what so ever wee touch, it is to be feared that they will bite it. Now certaine it is, that the Scorpions be wonte in diverse countreyes beyond the sea, to lye lurkinge under stones, whiche stones, so sone as a man uniware, take up, forthwith he receyveth a wounde of the Scorpion.

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

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

Qui nihil audet, nihil gaudet.

He who dares nothing, enjoys nothing.

Audi, multa vide, multa loquare cave.

Listen, observe much; be wary of saying much.

TODAY'S FABLES:

PHAEDRI FABULAE: The illustrated fable from Phaedrus for today is Aesopus ad quendam de successu improborum, a story about unintended consequences: Latin text and Smart's translation.

STEINHOWEL: The illustrated fable from Steinhowel for today is De cane et fure, which is another dog fable, this time about a discerning dog: Latin text and English versions.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: April 9

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 quintum Idus Apriles.

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

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word motto is Fruere tua fortuna (English: Enjoy your good luck).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Amat victoria curam (English: Victory loves careful planning).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Est pax villana melior quam pugna Romana (English: A rustic peace is better than a Roman war).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Qui fodit foveam, incidet in eam (Ecc. 10:8). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

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

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

A deo rex, a rege lex.

From God, the king; from the king, the law.

Ingenium mala saepe movet.

Genius often stirs up trouble.

TODAY'S FABLES:

PHAEDRI FABULAE: The illustrated fable from Phaedrus for today is Anus diligens iuvenem, item puella, a paradoxical love story: Latin text and Smart's translation.

STEINHOWEL: The illustrated fable from Steinhowel for today is De columbis, milvo et accipitre, a story about tyranny: Latin text and English versions.

And some of you may have been hearing about Brazilian politics in the news... so here's Latin LOLBaby:

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: April 2

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 Nonas Apriles.

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

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Rebus angustis, fortis (English: In difficult situations, brave).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Laesa saepius repugnat ovis (English: Wounded once too often, the sheep fights back).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Dignus es, qui in tenebris mices (English: He's a worthy man, with whom you can play "Rock-Paper-Scissors" in the dark; more about the ancient finger game).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Ἁμ' ἕπος, ἅμ' ἔργον (English: No sooner said than done).

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

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

Audentes deus ipse iuvat.

God himself favors the bold ones.

Maiori cede, sed non contemne minorem!

Yield to the greater, but scorn not the lesser!

TODAY'S FABLES:

PHAEDRI FABULAE: The illustrated fable from Phaedrus for today is iuvencus, leo, et praedator, a story about the lion's justice: Latin text and Smart's translation.

STEINHOWEL: The illustrated fable from Steinhowel for today is De ranis et Jove, a story for our times: Latin text and English versions.