Daily Latin

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!

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.