Daily Latin

Looking for hidden meaning in seemingly unrelated events? Portents of doom always make for a good story, says Statius Quis fluere occultis rerum neget omina causis? Who can deny that omens flow from hidden causes? Quis (who) is an interrogative pronoun in the nominative singular form. Neget (denies) is the third person singular present active subjunctive of "negare" meaning "to deny" or "to refuse...

How did the ancients excuse poor behaviour? Blame it on the gods of course! 
 Deus ultor in iras apportat coeptisque favet. An avenging god brings them to our wrath and favours the work begun. 
 Deus (god) is in the nominative singular form. Ultor (avenging) is in the nominative singular form and can also be used as an adjective or as a noun (the avenger) In (into or onto) is a preposition. Iras (...

Want to change the world but feel like you cannot? Manilius thought the same. Quis tantum mutare potest sine numine fati? Who can change so much without the will of fate? Quis (who) is an interrogative pronoun. Tantum (so much or "so greatly) is an adverb modifying "mutare." Mutare (to change or to alter) is in the present active infinitive form. Potest (can) is the third person singular present a...

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 "exhau...

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...

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 sin...

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 del...

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")...

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...

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"...

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 ("inde...

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")...

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...

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!