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. 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 Martias.

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

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

TINY PROVERBS: Today's tiny proverb is: Nil time (English: Fear nothing).

PUBLILIUS SYRUS: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Bonum quod est, supprimitur, numquam exstinguitur (English: Something that is good can be beaten down, but never destroyed).

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).

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 Memorandum. Click here for a full-sized view.

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

Alia dantur, alia negantur.

Some things are given; some denied.

Irritare canem noli dormire volentem.

Do not disturb a dog who wants to sleep.

TODAY'S FABLES:

PHAEDRI FABULAE: The illustrated fable from Phaedrus for today is De vulpe et uva, a story about the supposedly sour grapes: Latin text and Smart's translation.

STEINHOWEL: The illustrated fable from Steinhowel for today is De quadrupedibus et avibus, a story about the battle between the beasts and the birds: Latin text and English versions.

And here is another Latin LOLBaby: Ecce, ambulat supra aquas.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: February 11

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 tertium Idus Februarias.

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

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word motto is Honestum praeferre utili (English: To prefer what is honorable to what is useful).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Doce ut discas (English: Teach so that you can learn).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Mane sub aurora res vertitur ad meliora (English: In the morning at dawn, things take a turn for the better).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is In qua mensura mensi fueritis, metietur vobis (Matt. 7:2). 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 Castigare Paratus. Click here for a full-sized view.

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

Parentes cole, atque eorum voluntati pare.

Cherish your parents, and be obedient to their will.

Nolite fieri servi hominum.

Become not slaves of men.

TODAY'S FABLES:

PHAEDRI FABULAE: The illustrated fable from Phaedrus for today is Asinus et Galli, a story about the slave's life: Latin text and Smart's translation.

STEINHOWEL: The illustrated fable from Steinhowel for today is De equo et asino, a lesson about the Fortune's Wheel: Latin text and English versions.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: February 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 Februarias.

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

TODAY'S MOTTOES and PROVERBS:

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Vigilans et audax (English: Watchful and bold).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Fugiens ursum, incidi in leonem (English: Fleeing the bear, I ran into the lion... like "out of the frying pan, into the fire," but with animals).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Expectavimus pacem, et ecce turbatio (English: We expected peace, and behold, the whirlwind).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Σίδηρον πλεῖν διδάσκεις (English: You're teaching iron to swim, which is a proverbial fool's errand).

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Suum Cuique Pulchrum. Click here for a full-sized view.

And here are today's proverbial LOLcats:

Tu dormis et tempus ambulat.

You are sleeping and time walks on.

Claude os, aperi oculos.

Close your mouth; open your eyes.

TODAY'S FABLES:

PHAEDRI FABULAE: The illustrated fable from Phaedrus for today is Aesopus et Garrulus, a story about looking for a real man, as often told about Diogenes also: Latin text and Smart's translation.

STEINHOWEL: The illustrated fable from Steinhowel for today is De equo et leone , a story about the trickster tricked: Latin text and English versions.