There are moments in a conversation when ordinary words are no longer enough, or they seem inconspicuous in front of the deep meaning that you want to convey, and then they come to the rescue winged sayings, - the Latin ones are the most significant in terms of power of thought and brevity.
alive!
A great many words and phrases in different languages of the world are borrowed from Latin. They are so deeply rooted that they are used all the time.
For example, the well-known aqua (water), alibi (proof of innocence), index (index), veto (prohibition), persona non grata (a person who was not wanted to be seen and was not expected), alter ego (my second self), alma mater (mother-nurse), capre diem (seize the moment), as well as the well-known postscript (P.S.), used as a postscript to the main text, and a priori (relying on experience and faith).
Based on the frequency of use of these words, it is too early to say that the Latin language has long died. It will live on in Latin sayings, words and aphorisms for a long time.
The most famous sayings
A small list of the most popular works on history known to many fans and philosophical conversations over a cup of tea. Many of them are almost similar in frequency of use:
Dum spiro, spero. - As long as I breathe, I hope. This phrase first appears in Cicero’s Letters and also in Seneca.
De mortus out bene, out nihil. - It’s good about the dead, or nothing. It is believed that Chilo used this phrase as early as the fourth century BC.
Vox populi, vox Dia. - The voice of the people is the voice of God. A phrase heard in Hesiod’s poem, but for some reason it is attributed to the historian William of Malmesbury, which is completely wrong. IN modern world The movie “V for Vendetta” brought fame to this saying.
Memento mori. - Remember death. This expression was once used as a greeting by Trapist monks.
Note bene! - A call to pay attention. Often written in the margins of the texts of great philosophers.
Oh tempora, oh mores! - Oh times, oh morals. from Cicero's Oration against Catiline.
After the fact. - Often used to denote an action after an already accomplished fact.
About this contra. - Pros and cons.
In bono veritas. - The truth is good.
Volens, nolens. - Willy-nilly. Can also be translated as “whether you like it or not”
The truth is in the wine
One of the most famous Latin sayings sounds like “in vino veritas”, in which the truth is veritas, in vino - the wine itself. This is a favorite expression of people who often drink a glass, in such a cunning way they justify their craving for alcohol. The authorship is attributed to the Roman writer Pliny the Elder, who died in the eruption of Vesuvius. At the same time, his authentic version sounds somewhat different: “Truth has drowned in wine more than once,” and the subtext is that a drunk person is always more truthful than a sober one. The great thinker was often quoted in his works by the poet Blok (in the poem “Stranger”), the writer Dostoevsky in the novel “Teenager” and some other authors. Some historians claim that the authorship of this Latin proverb belongs to a completely different person, the Greek poet Alcaeus. There is also a similar Russian proverb: “What a sober man has on his mind, a drunk man has on his tongue.”
Quotes from the Bible translated from Latin into Russian
Many phraseological units used now are drawn from the greatest book of the world and are grains great wisdom passing from century to century.
He who does not work does not eat (from 2nd Paul). Russian analogue: he who does not work does not eat. The meaning and sound are almost identical.
Let this cup pass from me. - This is taken from the Gospel of Matthew. And from the same source - The student is not higher than his teacher.
Remember that you are dust. - Taken from the book of Genesis, this phrase reminds everyone who is proud of their greatness that all people are made from the same “dough.”
The abyss calls the abyss (Psalter.) The phrase in Russian has an analogue: trouble does not come alone.
Do what you plan (Gospel of John). - These are the words spoken by Jesus to Judas before his betrayal.
Phrases for every day
Latin sayings with transcription in Russian (for easier reading and memorization) can be used in normal conversation, decorating your speech wise aphorisms, giving it a special sharpness and uniqueness. Many of them are also familiar to most:
Diez diem dotset. - Every previous day teaches a new one. Authorship is attributed to someone who lived in the first century BC.
Ecce homo! - Behold the Man! The expression is taken from the Gospel of John, the words of Pontius Pilate about Jesus Christ.
Elephantem ex muca fascis. - You make an elephant out of a molehill.
Errare humanum est. - To err is human (these are also the words of Cicero)..
Essay kvam videri. - To be, not to seem.
Ex animo. - From the bottom of my heart, from the soul.
Exitus of the act of trial. - The result justifies the means (action, act, deed).
Look for who benefits
Quid bono and quid prodest. - The words of the Roman consul, who was often quoted by Cicero, who in turn is widely quoted by detectives in modern films: “Who benefits, or look for who benefits.”
Researchers of ancient treatises on history believe that these words belong to the lawyer Cassian Ravilla, who in the first century of our century investigated a crime and addressed the judges with these words.
Words of Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero is a great and political figure who played a leading role in exposing the Catiline conspiracy. He was executed, but many of the thinker’s sayings continue to live among us for a long time, like Latin sayings, but few people know that he was the author.
For example, everyone knows:
Ab igne ignam. - From the fire, fire (Russian: from the fire to the fire).
A true friend is found in a wrong deed (in a treatise on friendship)
To live is to think (Vivere eats Kogitare).
Either let him drink or leave (out bibat, out abeat) - a phrase often used at Roman feasts. In the modern world it has an analogue: they don’t go to someone else’s barracks with their own regulations.
Habit is second nature (treatise “On the Highest Good”). This statement was also picked up by the poet Pushkin:
The habit has been given to us from above...
The letter does not blush (epistula non erubescit). From a letter from Cicero to a Roman historian, in which he expressed his satisfaction that he could express much more on paper than in words.
Everyone makes mistakes, but only a fool persists. Taken from the work "Philippics"
About love
This subsection contains Latin sayings (with translation) about the high feeling- love. Having reflected on their deep meaning, one can trace the thread that connects all times: Trahit sua quemque voluptas.
Love cannot be cured with herbs. Ovid's words, later paraphrased by Alexander Pushkin:
The disease of love is incurable.
Femina nihil pestilentius. - There is nothing more destructive than a woman. Words belonging to the great Homer.
Amor omnibus let's go. - Part of Virgil's saying, “love is the same for all.” There is another variation: all ages are submissive to love.
Old love must be knocked out with love, like a stake. Words of Cicero.
Analogues of Latin and Russian expressions
A lot of Latin sayings have identical meanings to proverbs in our culture.
The eagle doesn't catch flies. - Each bird has its own nest. It hints that you need to adhere to your moral principles and rules of life, without falling below your level.
Excess food interferes with mental acuity. - Words that have a related proverb among Russians: a full belly is deaf to science. This is probably why many great thinkers lived in poverty and hunger.
Every cloud has a silver lining. There is an absolutely identical saying in our country. Or maybe some Russian fellow borrowed it from the Latins, and from then on it was the same?
Like the king, so is the crowd. Analogue - such is the pop, such is the arrival. And more about the same:
What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull. About the same thing: to Caesar is what is Caesar's.
Whoever has done half the work has already begun (attributed to Horace: “Dimidium facti, qui tsopit, khabet”). Plato has the same meaning: “The beginning is half the battle,” as well as the old Russian proverb: “A good beginning covers half the battle.”
Patrie fumus igne alieno luculentzior. - The smoke of the fatherland is brighter than the fire of a foreign land (Russian - The smoke of the fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us).
Mottos of great people
Latin sayings have also been used as mottos famous people, communities and fraternities. For example, “to the eternal glory of God” is the motto of the Jesuits. The motto of the Templars is “non nobis, Domine, sed nomini tuo da gloriam,” which translates: “Not to us, Lord, but to your name, give glory.” And also the famous “Capre diem” (seize the moment) - this is the motto of the Epicureans, taken from Horace’s opus.
“Either Caesar or nothing,” is the motto of Cardinal Borgia, who took the words of Caligula, the Roman emperor famous for his exorbitant appetites and desires.
"Faster, higher, stronger!" - Since 1913 it has been a symbol of the Olympic Games.
“De omnibus dubito” (I doubt everything) is the motto of Rene Descartes, a scientist-philosopher.
Fluctuat nec mergitur (floats, but does not sink) - on the coat of arms of Paris there is this inscription under the boat.
Vita sine libertate, nihil (life without freedom is nothing) - Romain Roland, a famous French writer, walked through life with these words.
Vivere eat militare (to live means to fight) - the motto of the great Lucius Seneca the Younger, and philosopher.
About how useful it is to be a polyglot
There is a story circulating on the Internet about a resourceful medical student who witnessed how a gypsy woman became attached to an unfamiliar girl with calls to “gild her pen and tell fortunes.” The girl was quiet and shy and could not correctly refuse a beggar. The guy, sympathizing with the girl, came up and began shouting out the names of diseases in Latin, waving his arms widely around the gypsy woman. The latter hastily retreated. After some time, the guy and the girl got happily married, recalling the comical moment of their acquaintance.
Origins of language
The Latin language gets its name from the Lanites, who lived in Latium, a small region in the center of Italy. The center of Latium was Rome, which grew from a city to a capital Great Empire, and Latin was recognized as the official language over a vast territory from Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in parts of Asia, North Africa and the Euphrates River valley.
In the second century BC, Rome conquered Greece, the ancient Greek and Latin languages mixed, giving rise to many Romance languages (French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, among which Sardinian is considered the closest in sound to Latin).
In the modern world, medicine is unthinkable without Latin, because almost all diagnoses and medicines, and the philosophical works of ancient thinkers in Latin are still an example of the epistolary genre and cultural heritage of the highest quality.
The expression is used in Latin in two versions with the same meaning (Who benefits? Who benefits from this? Who benefits?):
Cui bono? (kui bono)
Cui prodest? (kui prodest)
The expression was repeatedly used in his speech by Cicero (, 106 - 43 BC). For example, in the speech “In Defense of Milo”, as well as in the speech “In Defense of Roscius of America”, XXX, 84: L.:
""The famous L. Cassius, whom the Roman people considered the fairest and wisest judge, always raised the question in criminal trials: "Who benefited from this?" In life we see that no one dares to become a criminal without calculation and benefit for himself."
Source: Latin-Russian and Russian-Latin dictionary of popular words and expressions. - M.: Russian Language. N.T. Babichev, Ya.M. Borovskaya. 1982.
Examples
(1818 - 1883)
A. I. Turgenev - N. I. Turgenev, 22.VII 1827:
“This morning he preached to the Russian and Polish and French ladies the system of Ad. Smith - and the stupidity of the human race, which turned so late to simple truths. - And information, and intelligence, and clear concepts from dealing with smart people- a lot. But cui bono?"
(1812 - 1870)
A. I. Herzen - F. Pulsky, 29.IV 1861:
“Not having the slightest opportunity to make inquiries here, I turned to some of our Hyperborean friends with a request. They answer me that they have never heard anything about this. In my opinion, this is neither proof nor refutation. However, the goal is not very clear, it seems to me - cui bono all this?"
K. A. Timiryazev
Science in modern life:
"The time is not yet distant when research met with a question cui bono- what's the use? Now it is more likely to become boring with such an endless list of what science has given to humanity and, let us note, thanks not only to the inventor, as is usually thought, but precisely to the researcher."
V. S. Soloviev
Comments on the lecture by P. N. Milyukov:
“To me, as a publicist, for whom what is important is not what is made up and how certain phenomena occur, but what they lead to ( cui bono), - it was necessary to emphasize - that Slavophilism, with all its abstract merits, has now in fact turned only into a support and decoration of such tendencies, which I consider not only false, but detrimental to Russia."
Latin is a language in which you can talk about anything, and always sound especially smart and sublime. If you've ever studied it, it probably wasn't the brightest, most fun time of your life, but it was rewarding all the same.
But if you haven’t had the chance to study such a subject, then catch the 25 most famous Latin sayings. Remember at least a few of them, and then, having successfully inserted one or two phrases into a conversation, you will be known as a very intelligent and well-read person. And don’t forget to close your eyes languidly when quoting great philosophers.
25. "Ex nihilo nihil fit."
Nothing comes from nothing.
24. “Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur.”
The world wants to be deceived, so let it be deceived.
Photo: pixabay
23. "Memento mori".
Remember that you are mortal.
Photo: pixabay
22. “Etiam si omnes, ego non.”
Even if that’s all, then I’m not.
Photo: shutterstock
21. “Audiatur et altera pars.”
Let the other side be heard too.
Photo: B Rosen / flickr
20. “Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses.”
If you were silent, you would remain a philosopher.
Photo: Maik Meid/wikimedia commons
19. "Invictus maneo".
I remain undefeated.
Photo: naveenmendi / wikimedia commons
18. “Fortes fortuna adiuvat.”
Fate helps the brave.
Photo: pixabay
17. “Dolor hic tibi proderit olim.”
Bear with it and be strong, this pain will benefit you someday.
Photo: Steven Depolo / flickr
16. "Cogito Ergo Sum".
I think, therefore I exist.
Photo: pixabay
15. “Oderint dum metuant.”
Let them hate, as long as they are afraid.
Photo: K-Screen shots / flickr
14. “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?”
Who will guard the watchmen themselves?
Photo: John Kees/flickr
13. “Sic transit gloria.”
This is how worldly glory passes.
Photo: pixabay
12. "Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus."
Never tickle a sleeping dragon.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
11. "Utinam barbari spacium proprium tuum invadant."
Let the barbarians invade your personal space.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
10. “In vino veritas.”
The truth is in the wine.
Photo: Quinn Dombrowski / flickr
9. “Si vis pacem, para bellum.”
If you want peace, prepare for war.
Photo: Σταύρος / flickr
8. "Pacta sunt servanda."
Treaties must be respected.
Photo: pixabay
7. “Non ducor, duco.”
I am not a follower, I lead.
Photo: nist6dh / flickr
6. “Quando omni flunkus moritati.”
If everyone has fallen, pretend to be dead too.
Photo: Pete Markham / flickr
5. “Quid quid latine dictum sit, altum viditur.”
Those who speak Latin see the highest peaks.
Photo: Tfioreze / wikimedia commons
4. "Dum Spiro, Spero."
As long as I breathe, I hope.
Photo: pixabay
3. “Tua mater latior quam Rubicon est.”
Your mother is wider than the Rubicon (Italian river).
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
2. “Carpe diem.”
Seize the moment.
Photo: pixabay
1. “Aut viam inveniam, aut faciam.”
Either I will find the road, or I will make it myself.
Photo: www.publicdomainpictures.net
You'll probably be surprised to notice how many Latin words you already know. Hundreds of words, for example such as memo, alibi, agenda, census, veto, alias, via, alumni, affidavit And versus, used in English as abbreviations, for example: i.e. (id est, that is) and etc. (et cetera, and the rest). Some latin phrases are so firmly rooted in the English and Russian languages that we use them without even thinking about the fact that they are borrowed: bona fide(in good faith - conscientious) alter ego(other self - another me), persona non grata(unwelcome person - unwanted person), vice versa(position turned - vice versa), carpe diem(seize the day - seize the moment, enjoy the day), cum laude(with praise - with honor), alma mater(nourishing mother - nursing mother) and quid pro quo(this for that - then for this). Many languages have adopted other, less banal phrases from Latin. Remember them and use them whenever possible.
1. AURIBUS TENEO LUPUM
Literal translation: “I hold the wolf by the ears.” The proverb is taken from the work “Phormion” by the Roman playwright Terence. It means “to be in a hopeless situation,” “between two fires.” The English equivalent is “Holding a tiger by the tail.”
2. BARBA NON FACIT PHILOSOPHUM
“A beard does not make you a philosopher,” “having a beard does not mean that you are a philosopher.” The Romans were very fond of associating a beard with intelligence. For example, " Barba crescit, caput nescit"(the beard has grown, but there is no intelligence).
3. BRUTUM FULMEN
Apparently, this aphorism was invented by Pliny the Elder. The expression " Brutum fulmen" literally translated means “meaningless lightning”, that is, empty threats.
4. CAESAR NON SUPRA GRAMMATICOS
The phrase was born when one of the Roman emperors made a linguistic mistake in his public speech. When this oversight was pointed out to him, the emperor angrily declared that since he was the emperor, from now on this mistake would be considered not an error, but the norm. To which one of the council members replied: “ Caesar non supra grammaticos", or “The Emperor is not above the grammarians” (and Caesar is not above the grammarians). This phrase became a popular saying that began to be used in defense of grammar.
5. CARPE NOCTEM
Is the “night” analogue of the expression “ Carpe diem" and translates to “enjoy the night.” This phrase can be used to motivate someone (including yourself) to finish all the tasks during the day, and leave the evening time for rest.
6. CARTHAGO DELENDA EST
At the height of the Punic Wars (the war between Rome and Carthage, 264–146 BC), the Roman statesman Cato the Elder ended all his speeches in the Senate (regardless of their topic) with the phrase “ Carthago delenda est", or "Carthage must be destroyed" (Carthage must be destroyed). His words quickly became a popular motto in ancient Rome. The phrase means a persistent call to fight an enemy or obstacle.
7. CASTIGAT RIDENDO MORES
Literally translated it means “morals are castigated with laughter.” This motto was coined by a French poet who believed that in order to change the rules, it is necessary to show how absurd they are.
8. CORVUS OCULUM CORVI NON ERUIT
“A raven will not peck out a crow’s eye.” The aphorism means the presence of common interests (often selfish) between people who do not betray each other and act together.
9. CUI BONO?
Literal translation: “Who benefits from this?”, “In whose interests is this?” A question that often helps determine who is the culprit of a crime. In general, in English this phrase is used to question the benefit of an action.
Cui prodest scelus Is fecit. Seneca "Medea" Whoever benefits from crime, He committed it. Translation by S. Solovyov
10. ET IN ARCADIA EGO
Nicolas Poussin "The Arcadian Shepherds"Arcadia was a region in Ancient Greece, whose inhabitants were mostly shepherds and farmers. They led a calm and measured life away from the noise and bustle. Latin saying " Et in Arcadia ego" literally translated as “and in Arcadia I.” In the picture French artist Nicolas Poussin's "The Arcadian Shepherds" depicts four shepherds examining an old tombstone on which this Latin saying is engraved. The “I” in this expression is seen as death, which reminds mortals that even in the quietest, happiest and most carefree place, people will inevitably end.
11.EX NIHILO NIHIL FIT
Presumably, this statement belongs to the Roman philosopher Lucretius and is translated into Russian as “from nothing nothing comes.” This phrase is used as a reminder that a person does any work in order to achieve something.
12. FELIX CULPA
It was originally a religious term referring to the biblical fall of Adam and Eve. " Felix culpa"(literally translated “lucky guilt”) means a mistake that subsequently had a favorable outcome.
13. HANNIBAL AD PORTAS
Hannibal was a Carthaginian commander who waged a life-and-death war against the Roman Empire. In Russian the expression “ Hannibal ad portas" literally translated as "Hannibal at the gates", that is, "enemy at the gates". Among the Romans, the image of Hannibal subsequently became something of a scarecrow, and parents often told their naughty children the phrase “ Hannibal ad portas" to slightly scare them into behaving properly.
14. HIC MANEBIMUS OPTIME
When in 390 BC. e. The Gauls invaded Rome, and the Senate met to discuss whether to abandon the city and flee for safety. According to the Roman historian Livy, a centurion named Marcus Furius Camillus, addressing the Senate, exclaimed: “ Hic manebimus optime!”(literally translated “we’ll live wonderfully here”). His words soon began to be used figuratively to express an unshakable determination to stand his ground, despite all difficulties.
15. HOMO SUM HUMANI A ME NIHIL ALIENUM PUTO
“I am a man and I believe that nothing human is alien to me” - This is a phrase from the work of the Roman writer Terence. In Terence, this phrase has a certain ironic connotation: in a conversation between two neighbors, one reproaches the other for interfering in other people’s affairs and gossiping, to which the other objects: “I am a man, and nothing human is alien to me.” Since then, the phrase has practically become a motto and can be used, for example, to emphasize that the speaker, like everyone else, is not alien to human weaknesses and delusions. This phrase can also mean respect for people of other cultures.
16. IGNOTUM PER IGNOTIUS
An analogue of the phrase “ Obscurum per obscurius"(the obscure by the more obscure - explain the unclear to the even more unclear). The phrase " Ignotum per ignotius"(the unknown by the more unknown - explain the unknown to even more unknown) refers to useless explanations that, instead of helping a person understand the meaning, confuse him even more.
17. IMPERIUM IN IMPERIO
Means « an empire within an empire » - “an empire within an empire”, “a state within a state”. In the literal sense, it can mean that a certain structure (state, city, etc.) is located on the territory of another, larger structure, but legally it is autonomous. Allegorically, this is an association of people living according to their own special laws, which differ from the generally accepted ones.
18. PANEM ET CIRCENSES
Translated into Russian as “bread and circuses.” It means a basic need (food) and one of the main desires of a person (entertainment). The Roman satirist Juvenal contrasted these aspirations with the heroic past:
This people has long forgotten all their worries, and Rome, which once gave out everything: legions, and power, and a bunch of lictors, is now restrained and restlessly dreams of only two things: Bread and circuses! Juvenal "Satires". Book four. Satire tenth. Translation by F. A. Petrovsky
19. VELOCIUS QUAM ASPARAGI COQUANTUR
When something had to happen quickly, the Romans said: “Faster than a bunch of asparagus can be boiled.” Some sources attribute this phrase to the Roman Emperor Augustus, but unfortunately there is no evidence that this is exactly the case.
20. VOX NIHILI
While the phrase " Vox populi" means "voice of the people", the phrase " Vox nihili" means "empty sound". This phrase can be used to indicate a meaningless statement.
Based on
What interesting Latin expressions are you familiar with? Share them in the comments.
Magis inepte, quam ineleganter.(MAGIS INEPTE, KVAM INELEGANTER.)
More ridiculous than ugly.
Suetonius in “The Divine Claudius” about the emperor: “He also composed eight books about his life, written not so much tastelessly as stupidly.”
Magister bibendi(MASTER BIBANDI).
Drinking teacher; drinking party manager; master of drinking.
Magni nominis umbra(MAGNI NOMINIS UMBRA.)
The shadow of a great name (about a person who survived the time of his glory and success or about a descendant of a great person).
From Lucan.
Magnum opus(MAGNUM OPUS).
The main work.
Mala gallina - malum ovum(MALYA TALLINA - MALYUM OVUM).
A bad chicken is a bad egg.
Wed. Russian: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Mala herba cito crescit(MALIA HERBA CYTO CRESCIT).
Thin grass grows quickly.
Proverb.
Male cuncta ministrat impetus(MALE KUNKTA MINISTRAT IMPETUS).
Passion is a bad leader.
From Papinia Station.
Mali principit - malus finis Mali(PRINCIPLES - MALUS FINIS).
Bad beginning, bad ending.
From Terence.
Malesuada fames(MALEZUADA FAMES).
Hunger is a bad advisor.
From V e r g i l i a.
Malo cum Platone errare, quam cum aliis recte sentire(MALO KUM PLYATONE ERRARE, KVAM KUM ALIIS REKTE SENTIRE).
It is better to be wrong with Plato than to be right with others. Or: It is better to be wrong with a wise man than to be right with fools.
Malum consillium est, quod mutari non potest(MALYUM CONSILLIUM EST, KVOD MUTARI NON POTEST).
A bad decision is one that cannot be changed.
From Publilius Syrus (1st century BC).
Malum nullum est sine aliquo bono(MALUM NULLUM EST SINE ALIQUO BONO).
Every cloud has a silver lining.
Proverb found in Pliny the Elder.
Malus animus(MALUS ANIMUS).
Bad intention.
Malus eventus(MALUS EVENTUS).
Bad case; bad incident.
Mane et nocte(MANE ETH NOKTE).
Morning and night.
Manifestum non eget probatione(MANIFESTUM NON EGET PROBATIONE).
The obvious does not need proof.
Manus manum lavat(MANUS MANUM LYAVAT).
The hand washes the hand.
Proverb found in Petronius and Seneca.
Mare interbibere(MARE INTERBIBERE).
Drink the sea, i.e. do the impossible.
Source - legend told by Plutarch (c. 46 - c. 127) about the decision controversial issue between the Ethiopian and Egyptian kings.
Materia subtilis(MATERIA SUBTILIS).
Thin, delicate material.
Materia tractanda(MATERIA TRACTANDA).
Subject of discussion, conversation.
Mater natura(MATER NATURA).
Nature is mother.
Mater pia(MATER PIA).
Tender, kind mother.
Mea culpa(MEA KULPA).
My fault; sinful.
Mea, memoria(MEA MEMORIA).
In my memory.
Mea parvitas(MEA PARVITAS).
My insignificance (derogatory about myself).
From Valerius Maximus (1st century AD).
Medice, cura te ipsum!(MEDICE, KURA TE IPSUM!)
Doctor, heal yourself!
Gospel of Luke, 4, 23. The proverb that Jesus Christ used in a conversation with the inhabitants of Nazareth: “He said to them: Of course, you will say to Me the proverb: Physician, heal yourself; do also here, in your fatherland, what we heard it happened in Capernaum."
Mel in ore, verba lactis, fel in corde, fraus in factis(MEL IN ORE, VERBA LYAKTIS, FEL IN CORDE, FRAUUS IN FACTIS).
Honey on the tongue, milk in words, bile in the heart, deception in deeds.
An ancient epigram on the Jesuits.
Melius non incipient, quam desinent(MELIUS NON INCIPENT, QUAM DESIENT).
It's better not to start than to stop halfway.
From Senek.
Memento mori(MEMENTO MORI).
Remember death!
A form of greeting exchanged upon meeting between monks of the Trappist order, founded in 1664.
Memento quod es homo(MEMENTO KVOD ES HOMO).
Remember that you are human.
From F. Bacon (1561-1626).
Mendax in uno, mendax in omnibus(MENDAX IN UNO, MENDAX IN OMNIBUS).
He who lies about one thing lies about everything.
Mens agitate molem(MENS AGITAT PRAYER).
The mind moves the mass, i.e. thought sets matter in motion.
From Virgil.
Mens sana in Sogroge sano(MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO).
IN healthy body- healthy spirit.
From Yu venal.
Meo voto(IEO VOTO).
In my opinion.
Merito fortunae(MARITO FORTUNE).
On a happy occasion.
Mihi nihil aliud virile sexus esset(MIHI NIKHIL ALIUD VIRILE SEXUS ESSET).
If I have anything masculine, it is a sign of gender.
From Petronius Arbiter.
Mihi vindicta, ego retribuam.(MIHI VINDICTA, EGO RETRIBUAM).
Vengeance is mine, and I will repay.
Romans 12, 19.
Militavi pop sine gloria.(MILITAVI NON SINE GLORIA).
I fought not without glory.
From Horace.
Minima de malis(MINIMA DE MALIS).
The lesser of two evils (choose).
Minus habens(MINUS HABANS).
Having little (about a person of small abilities).
Miserable dictu(MIZERABILE DIKTU).
Regrettable.
Mixture verborum(MIXTURE VERBORUM).
Verbal jumble.
Modo vir, modo femina(MODO VIR, MODO FEMINA).
Either a man or a woman.
From Ovid.
modus agendi(MODUS AGENDI).
Modus operandi.
Modus cogitandi(MODUS COGITANDI).
Way of thinking.
modus dicendi(MODUS DICENDI).
Manner of expression.
modus vivendi(MODUS VIVENDI).
Lifestyle.
Moilia tempora fandi(MOLLIA TEMPORA FANDI).
A time convenient for conversation.
More majorum(MORE MAJORUM).
According to the custom of our ancestors; as it was done in the old days.
Mors animae(MORS ANIME).
Death of the soul.
Mors ultima ratio(MORS ULTIMA RATION).
Death is the final reason for everything.
Mortem effugere nemo potest.(MORTEM EFFUGERE NEMO POTEST).
No one can escape death.
From Cicero.
Multa nocent(MULTA NOTE).
A lot of harm.
Multa, non-multum(MULTUM, NON MULTUM).
A lot, but not much, i.e. large in quantity, but insignificant.
Multa paucis(MULTA PAUCIS).
Much in little, that is, short and clear.
Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi(MULTI SUNT VOKATI, PAUCI VERO ELECTI).
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Gospel of Matthew, 20, 16. In his parable, Jesus Christ compares the kingdom of heaven with the owner of the house, who hired workers in his vineyard. He paid everyone the same for the work: both those who came in the morning and those who came at the end of the day. One of those who hired a job in the morning began to grumble about the injustice of such payment. But the owner of the vineyard answered him like this: “Take what is yours and go; I want to give this last one the same as I give you; do I not have the power to do what I want in my life? Or is your eye envious because I am kind? So they will be.” last ones first, and the first are last; For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Multum in parvo(MULTUM IN PARVO).
Much in small (about large content in small volume).
Multum, non-multa(MULTUM, NON MULTUM).
A lot, not a lot (read, do).
Saying; found in Pliny the Elder: “You ask how I would advise you to study in your long solitude... Do not forget to carefully select authors in each genre. After all, you must, as they say, read a lot, not a lot.” Also from Quintilian: “We must develop the mind and develop a style by reading a lot, and not by reading a lot.”
Mundus uqiversus exercet histrioniam(MUNDUS UNIVERSUS EKSERZET HISTRIONIAM).
The whole world is engaged in acting.
From Petronius Arbiter.
Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur(MUNDUS VULT DECIPI, ERGO DECIPIATUR).
The world wants to be deceived, so let it be deceived.
The aphorism is attributed to Pope Paul IV (1555-1559); found in a truncated form in some medieval authors.
Munerum animus optimus est(MUNERUM ANIMUS OPTIMUS EST).
The best of gifts is intention, i.e. A gift is not expensive - love is expensive.
Mus in pice(MUS IN PICE).
Mouse in peas (about a situation from which it is difficult to get out).
Mutatis mutandis(MUTATIS MUTANDIS).
By changing what needs to be changed; with changes; with reservations; in accordance with the situation and conditions.
Mutato nomine(MUTATO NOMINE).
Under a different name.
Mysterium magnum(MYSTERIUM MAGNUM).
Great miracle; great mystery.
From Jacob Boehme (1575-1624).