Daily Latin

Oh booze, you made so much sense at the time, and now the after effects! What does Vincent Obsopoeus say about that? Viribus exhaustis exhaurit et illa crumenam. Once it drains your strength, it empties your wallet too. Viribus (strength) is the ablative plural form of "vis," used here in an ablative absolute construction. Exhaustis (having been drained) is the perfect passive participle of "exhaurire," meaning "to drain" or “to empty”. It agrees with "viribus," indicating the state of having drained one's strength. Exhaurit (drains or empties) is the third person singular present active indicative of "exhaurire," meaning "to drain" or "to empty." Et (and) is a conjunction. Illa (that) is the nominative singular feminine form of the demonstrative pronoun "ille," referring to a specific object previously mentioned. Crumenam (wallet) is the accusative singular form of "crumenā," meaning "purse", “wallet” or "money bag."

Ovid’s reflections on the changes to the landscape around Troy reminds us of the impermanence of human endeavours. Iam seges est, ubi Troia fuit. Now there is a field where Troy once stood. Iam (now) Seges (field or grain field) is the nominative singular form of "seges," meaning a field or crop. Est (is) Ubi (where) Troia (Troy) is in the nominative singular form. Fuit (was)

Be good, have courage, says the stoic sage in a lesson for the ages. Officia sua vir bonus exequetur inconfusus, intrepidus. A good man will perform his duties undaunted and fearlessly. Officia (duties) is the nominative plural form of "officium." Sua (his own) agrees with "officia." Exequetur (will perform) is the third person singular future passive indicative of "exequi." Inconfusus (undaunted or unashamedly) in the nominative singular masculine form Intrepidus (fearlessly) in the nominative singular masculine form

Ever been on the right side that isn’t the winning side? Cato knows how you feel Victrix causa diis placuit sed victa Catoni. The victorious cause pleased the gods, but the defeated cause pleased Cato. Victrix "victorious" in the nominative singular form causa "cause" or "case" in the nominative singular form. Diis is the dative plural form of "deus," meaning "gods" Placuit is the third person singular perfect active indicative of "placere," meaning "to please". Sed "but" Victa "the defeated" is the nominative singular feminine form of "victus." Catoni is the dative singular form of "Cato," referring to the Roman statesman.

Ever feel that due credit isn’t given in public affairs? Perhaps sentimentality can triumph over magnanimity? To put this quote in context, Pliny has just described how a publicly loved raven was given a public funeral. In contrast, there was no public funeral for the great Scipio Aemilianus, nor any other great and good human of that age. Scipionis vero Aemiliani post Carthaginem Numantiamque deletas ab eo nemo vindicaverat mortem. However, no one had avenged the death of Scipio Aemilianus after he had destroyed Carthage and Numantia. Scipionis and Aemiliani are genitive singular forms meaning “of Scipio Aemilianus.” Vero ("however" or "indeed") Post ("after") Carthaginem and Numantiamque ("Carthage" and "Numantia") are accusative singular forms of "Carthago" and "Numantia," indicating the cities destroyed by Scipio. Deletas ("destroyed") is the accusative plural form of "delere ," meaning "to destroy," agreeing with "Carthaginem" and "Numantiam." Ab eo ("by him"), referring to Scipio Aemilianus. Nemo ("no one") is in the nominative singular form. Vindicaverat ("had avenged") is the third person singular pluperfect active indicative of "vindicāre," meaning "to avenge." Mortem ("death") is the accusative singular form of "mors."

Want to look good going to work? Capaneus does! This line describing the impression he makes on his way to the battlefield in the Thebaid. Galeaeque corusca prominet arce Gigans. And from the helmet’s shining height stands a Giant. Galeaeque ("and from the helmet") is the genitive singular form of "galea," meaning "helmet," with the enclitic "-que" meaning "and." Corusca ("shining" or "gleaming") is the nominative singular feminine form of "coruscus," agreeing with "arce." Prominet ("protrudes" or "stands out") is the third person singular present active indicative of "prominere." Arce ("from the height" or "citadel") is the ablative singular form of "arx," Gigans ("giant") is the nominative singular form of "gigas."

Feel like throwing yourself into the action of something none can stop happening? Mars does, and doesn’t hold back. Sic orsus aperto flagrantes immisit equos. Thus, having spoken, he sent his fiery horses into the open. Sic ("thus" or "in this way") Orsus ("having begun" or "having spoken") is the perfect passive participle of "ordior," meaning "to begin" or "to commence," in context it refers to Mars. Aperto ("open" or "exposed") is the ablative singular form of "apertus" Flagrantes ("blazing" or "fiery") is the accusative plural form of the present participle "flagrans," modifying "equos." Immīsit ("sent" or "released") is in the third person singular perfect active indicative. Equos ("horses") is the accusative plural form of "equus."

Ever felt frustrated with the creative process? Martial hears you and may have an opinion on where to point the finger of blame. Ecce nocet vati Musa iocosa suo. Behold, the playful Muse harms her own poet. Ecce ("behold") is an interjection used to draw attention. Nocet ("harms") is the third person singular present active indicative of "nocere," meaning "to harm" or "to injure." Vati ("the poet") is the dative singular form of "vates," meaning "poet" or "seer." Musa ("Muse") is in the nominative singular form referring to one of the Muses, the goddesses of inspiration in literature, science, and the arts. Iocosa ("playful") is the nominative singular feminine form of "iocōsus," meaning "playful" or "humorous," agreeing with "Musa." Suo ("his own") is the ablative singular form of "suus," a reflexive possessive pronoun meaning "his own," agreeing with "vati."

The times may have changed but keeping our minds clear of distractions is an issue for the ages. Cassian promotes conscious recognition of something we all live with everyday. Mentem quidem non interpellari cogitationibus inpossibile est. Indeed, it is impossible for the mind not to be interrupted by thoughts. Mentem ("mind") is the accusative singular form of "mens," meaning "mind." Quidem ("indeed" or "certainly") is an adverb used for emphasis. Non interpellari ("not to be interrupted") is in the passive infinitive form Cogitationibus ("by thoughts") is the ablative plural form of "cogitatio," meaning "thought." Inpossibile ("impossible") is the nominative singular form of "inpossibilis," meaning "impossible." Est ("is")

Seneca gives a stoic and disdainful view on busyness. Nihil minus est hominis occupati quam vivere. Nothing is less characteristic of a busy man than living. Nihil ("nothing") is the nominative singular form of "nihilum," meaning "nothing." Minus ("less") is an adverb Est ("is") Hominis ("of a man") is the genitive singular form of "homo," meaning "man" or "person." Occupati ("occupied" or "busy") is the genitive singular form of "occupatus," agreeing with "hominis." Vivere ("to live") is in the present active infinitive.

A wry observation from Martial before recommending his friend pay his creditor first. Et iudex petit et petit patronus. Both the judge seeks and the patron seeks. Et ("and") is a conjunction. Iudex ("judge") is in the nominative singular form Petit ("seeks") is the third person singular present active indicative of "peto," meaning "to seek" or "to ask for." Et ("and") Patronus ("patron or advocate") is in the nominative singular form.

Pro, gnara nihil mortalia fati corda sui. Oh, how unaware mortal hearts are of their fate!

Unde iubetis ire, deae? From where do you command me to go, goddesses?

Detrahere igitur alteri aliquid et hominem hominis incommodo suum commodum augere magis est contra naturam quam mors. To take something from another and to increase one's own advantage to the disadvantage of another man is more against nature than death.

Ut Germanis metum iniceret, ut Sugambros ulcisceretur, ut Ubios obsidione liberaret. In order to instill fear in the Germans, to avenge the Sugambri, and to free the Ubii from siege.

Si sperat fore clam, rursum ad ingenium redit. If he hopes it will be secret, he returns to his nature again.

Vae, puto deus fio. Alas, I think I am becoming a god.

Consulatum quoque traditur destinasse. It is also said that he intended the consulship.

Iacta alea est. The die is cast.

Bellum omnium contra omnes. The war of all against all.

Romae omnia venalia sunt. In Rome, everything is for sale.

O tempora, o mores! Oh, the times! Oh, the customs!

Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto. I am a man; I think nothing human is alien to me.

Ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant. They make a desolation and call it peace.

Ceterum censeo Carthaginem delendam esse. Furthermore, I advise that Carthage must be destroyed.

Vincere scis, Hannibal; victoria uti nescis. You know how to win, Hannibal; you do not know how to use victory.

Nil igitur mors est ad nos neque pertinet hilum. Therefore, death is nothing to us nor does it concern us in the slightest.

Non possunt primi esse omnes omni in tempore. Not everyone can be first all of the time.

Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt. Men almost willingly believe that which they wish.

Non est vivere, sed valere vita est. It is not to live, but to live well.

Vincet amor patriae laudumque immensa cupido. Love of country and an immense desire for praise will conquer.

Nullus est liber tam malus ut non aliqua parte prosit. No book is so bad that it is not useful in some part.

Lupus est homo homini, non homo, quom qualis sit non novit. Man is a wolf to man, not a man, when he does not know what kind he is.

Fecisti nos ad te et inquietum est cor nostrum donec requiescat in te. You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.

Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas. Happy is he who has been able to learn the causes of things.

Fortuna fortes metuit, ignavos premit. Fortune fears the brave, but crushes the cowardly.

Nulla dies sine linea. No day without a line.

Mens sana in corpore sano. A healthy mind in a healthy body.

Vivere est cogitare. To live is to think.

Vita, si uti scias, longa est. Life, if you know how to use it, is long.

Agricolae non potestatem sed ius imperii valere maluit. Agricola preferred the rule of law to the exercise of power.

Non scholae sed vitae discimus. Non scholae sed vitae discimus.

Nam idem velle atque idem nolle, ea demum firma amicitia est. For wanting the same things and not wanting the same things, this indeed is true friendship.

In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas corpora. My mind leads me to speak of forms changed into new bodies.

Non est ad astra mollis e terris via. The way from the earth to the stars is not easy.

Inter omnes autem stellas luna maxime illustrat noctem suamque lucem ex sole mutuat. However, among all the stars, the moon most greatly illuminates the night and borrows its light from the sun.

Cogita te posse vivere sine quaestione aut offensione morum alterius: nec eum semper revinctum esse apud te. Consider that you can live without questioning or being offended by another's behavior: and that he is not always bound to be with you.

Suave, mari magno turbantibus aequora ventis, e terra magnum alterius spectare laborem. It is pleasant, when the winds stir the waters of the great sea, to watch from the land the great toil of another.

Non nobis solum nati sumus ortusque nostri partem patria vindicat, partem amici. We are not born for ourselves alone; our country claims a part of our birth, and our friends claim a part.

Quaerebam ubi amarem, amans amare, et oderam securitatem et vias sine muscipulis. I was seeking where I might love, loving to love, and I hated safety and paths without traps.