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. I'm getting ready for what's going to be a summer of proverb adventures (just two weeks until the end of the semester), and I'll be shifting my focus to 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 nonum Kalendas Maias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Polyxena at the Well; 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 Lege, sapere aude (English: Read; dare to be wise).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Adeunt etiam optima (English: The best things are yet to be).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: In vestimentis non est sapientia mentis (English: A man's clothing does not reveal the wisdom of his mind).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Stultorum infinitus est numerus (Ecc. 1:15). 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: Quam quisque norit artem, in hac se exerceat: Let every man exercise him selfe, in the facultie that he knoweth. Let the cobler medle with cloutinge his neighbours shoes, and not be a Capitaine in fielde, or meddell with matters concerning a comon welth. Let them iudge of controversies in the christen religion, that be learned in the same, and not every Jacke plowman.

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Crimina Nostra. 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 Apes, Fur, et Mellarius, a story about angry but not very discerning bees.

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Prometheus, Leo, et Elephantus, a great little story about Prometheus in his role as a creator god (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: Ἀετὸς μυίας οὐ θηρεύει. Aquila non venatur muscas. An eagle doesn't hunt flies.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: April 21

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 undecimum Kalendas Maias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Apollo and Marsyas; 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: Optimum pati (English: To endure is best).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Fides, spes, caritas (English: Faith, hope, and charity).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Canis sine dentibus vehementius latrat (English: A dog without teeth barks the more fiercely).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Ut pisces hamo, ita homines beneficio capiuntur (English: As fish with the hook, so are men captured by favors).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Iapeto antiquior (English: Older than Iapetus; from Adagia 5.2.51 - the ancient Titan Iapetus was a distant ancestor of the human race, being as he was the father of Prometheus).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Τὸν καπνὸν φεύγων, εἰς τὸ πῦρ ἔπεσον (English: Fleeing the smoke, I fell into the fire).

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Vita Aliena Magistra. 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 AND SONGS:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Avarus et Poma Marcescentia, a wonderful story about a greedy old man and his rotten apples (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Cornicula et Ovis, a story about a crow who is both wicked and sly.

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: εἶδον βιβλίον κατεσφραγισμένον σφραγῖσιν ἑπτά. Vidi librum signatum sigillis septem. I saw a book sealed with seven seals.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: April 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 tertium decimum Kalendas Maias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows The Abduction of Ganymede; 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: 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 Nemo non formosus filius matri (English: No one fails to be a beautiful son for his mother). 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: Deliberando discitur sapientia (English: By pondering, wisdom is learned).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is A fronte praecipitium, a tergo lupi (English: A cliff ahead, wolves behind; from Adagia 3.4.94 - something like "between a rock and a hard place," but with wolves! ).

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Sapiens Patiens. 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 AND SONGS:

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Iuppiter et Apollo, a story of father-son rivalry (this fable has a vocabulary list).

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Iuppiter et Agricola, a fable about the importance of moderation in all things.

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: κατέβη δὲ ἡ θυγάτηρ Φαραω. Ecce descendebat filia Pharaonis.The daughter of Pharaoh came down.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: April 17

Here is a round-up of today's proverbs and fables - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. I'm getting ready for what's going to be a summer of proverb adventures, shifting my focus to 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 quintum decimum Kalendas Maias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows The Judgment of 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 Aetate prudentiores reddimur (English: We turn out wiser with age).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word proverb is Litteris absentes videmus (English: We see people who are absent through letters).

RHYMING PROVERBS: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Ex lingua stulta veniunt incommoda multa (English: From a fool's tongue come forth many annoying words).

VULGATE VERSES: Today's verse is Solem suum oriri facit super bonos et malos et pluit super iustos et iniustos (Matt. 5:45). 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: Summum ius, summa iniuria: Extreme lawe is extreme wrong. This is to say, then most of all men swarve from right and equitie whan they most supersticiouslye sticke to the letters of lawes, not regarding th'intent of the makers. For this is called, Summum ius, that is to say, the extremitie or rigoure of the lawe, whan all the strife and contencion is upon the wordes of the law without any respecte to the meaning and purpose of the lawe makers..

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Mortalia Cura. 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 AND SONGS:

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Ursae Catuli et Leaena, a story of a mean-spirited lioness mocking the bear and her cubs.

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Puer et Paedagogus, a story about the worst sort of pedagogue (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: Ἄτλας τὸν οὐρανόν. Atlas caelum. Atlas holds the sky.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: April 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): ante diem septimum decimum Kalendas Maias.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows Achilles and Penthesilea; 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: Patientia vinces. (English: By means of patience, you will triumph).

3-WORD MOTTOES: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is In libris libertas (English: In books, freedom).

ANIMAL PROVERBS: Today's animal proverb is Canis vivens potior est leone mortuo (English: A living dog is better than a dead lion).

POLYDORUS: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Qui ambulat in tenebris, nescit quo vadat (English: He who walks in the shadows knows not where he goes).

PROPER NAME PROVERBS: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Saguntina fames (English: The hunger of Sagentum; from Adagia 1.9.67 - This refers to a terrible hunger, from the infamous Siege of Sagentum, when Hannibal was able to capture Saguntum, thanks to the failure of Rome to come to the city's aid.).

GREEK PROVERBS: Today's proverb is Ἥν ἔλαχες Σπάρτην, ταύτην κόσμει (English: Since you have been allotted Sparta, adorn her, presumably the words of Agamemnon to his brother Menelaus, who was made king of Sparta).

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Multa Adhuc Latent Homines. 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 AND SONGS:

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Cicada et Noctua, a story about a noisy neighbor.

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Equus Superbus et Asinus, a story about a boastful horse who was humbled (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: φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ. Vox clamantis in deserto. The voice of one crying in the wilderness.

Latin Proverbs and Fables Round-Up: April 13

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): Idus Apriles, the Ides of April.

MYTHS and LEGENDS: The art image for today's legend shows The Slain Patroclus; 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: Scienter utor (English: I enjoy things wisely).

3-WORD PROVERBS: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Omnium rerum vicissitudo (English: There is change in all things)

AUDIO PROVERBS: Today's audio Latin proverb is XXX (English: The leopard does not set aside his spots). 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: Heu, quam miserum est discere servire, ubi dominari doctus es (English: Oh, how wretched it is to learn to serve, when you were schooled in rule).

ERASMUS' ANIMALS: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Sub omni lapide scorpius dormit (English: Under every rock sleeps a scorpion; from Adagia 1.4.34).

BREVISSIMA: The distich poster for today is Rerum Sapientia Custos. 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 AND SONGS:

MILLE FABULAE: The fable from the Mille Fabulae et Una widget is Cornix et Urna, the story of a wise crow.

FABULAE FACILES: The fable from the Fabulae Faciles widget is Crocodilus et Canis, the story of the hypocritical crocodile and the discerning dog (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: Ἀλκυονίτιδας ἡμέρας ἄγεις. Alcyonis dies agis. You are enjoying Halcyon days.