“Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret.”
“You may drive out nature with a pitchfork, but she will still hurry back.” Horace, Epistulae 1.10.24 or Book I Epistle IV Line 24, circa 20-14 B.C.
Restitvtvs:3ufvmmat Wrote:“Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret” or “You may drive out nature with a pitchfork, but she will still hurry back.” ~ Horace, “Epistulae” 1.10.24
Quote:Perhaps one of you might know if there is a latin antecendant to the Mark Twain quote: "They did not know it was impossible, so they did it!"
For some reason I think there is, but can't source it.
There's one from Seneca which is close:
Non quia difficilia sunt, non audemus; sed quid non audemus, difficilia sunt.
(Seneca, Epistuale Morales 104.26)
It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; but it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.
Salvianus: Ste Kenwright
A member of Comitatus Late Roman Historical Re-enactment Group
I use Festina Lente in my signature. Supposedly, it was the favorite admonishment of the divine Augustus to staff and officials alike. The Literal translation is "Hurry Slowly". The sense of the words are to do everything in a deliberate manner to ensure a job well done. However, some like to point out,..... that in reality Festina Lente was the Roman equivalent of the 20th century US Army Aphorism " Hurry Up and Wait". In that case, I can see Augustus , throwing up his arms in a pique of frustration and muttering " Festina Lente"
Quote:Perhaps one of you might know if there is a latin antecendant to the Mark Twain quote: "They did not know it was impossible, so they did it!"
For some reason I think there is, but can't source it.
I thought I had it somewhere:
possunt quia posse videntur
Often translated 'They can because they think they can.', but more literally: They are able because they are seen to be able.' (seem)
It's the Aeneid, Book V, line 231, describing one of the crews in the boat race. If I read it right they come second due to divine intervention!
Salvianus: Ste Kenwright
A member of Comitatus Late Roman Historical Re-enactment Group
Paul M. Bardunias
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
religionem imperare non possumus, quia nemo cogitur ut credat invitus
- Theoderic the Great addressing all the Jews of Genoe (Cassiodorus Variae 2,27,2)
(I cannot command your faith, for no one is forced to believe against his will)
On a more nostalgic note from my "compulsory" service (by that time it was choosing really, unlike in my father's time):
This was the first Latin I ever saw. "Ecce Romani" Book I, Scottish classics Group, 1st edition 1971. With my dear old classics master Wm. Michael Wilson (aka "Billy Whizz").
This was the first Latin I ever saw. "Ecce Romani" Book I, Scottish classics Group, 1st edition 1971. With my dear old classics master Wm. Michael Wilson (aka "Billy Whizz").
*LOL*!!!:lol: :lol: :lol:
Harry: Good morning & thank you very much for sharing your favorite Latin quotes.
Monty Python's "Romanes eunt domus" went into passive memory. I'll find & download the wave file to my computer to enjoy at times.
For anyone interested, web search of "Romanes eunt domus" yields links to "YouTube" & other websites with the script of that particular sketch in the movie "Life of Brian" (1979).
While Descartes' version is the most widely known and discussed, I personally like the phrase "Cogitor, ergo sum" better. It means "I am thought, therefore I am" and was coined by philosopher Franz von Baader.