Latin Via Proverbs: Home - Previous - Next

 

Group 147: Latin

 

1887. Grave est fidem fallere.

1888. Difficile est calvum evellere.

1889. Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem.

1890. Tardum est annosos discere vincla canes.

1891. Melius est pauca dividere quam tota perdere.

1892. Effugere cupiditatem regnum est vincere.

1893. Facilius est multa facere quam diu.

1894. Beneficium accipere libertatem est vendere.

1895. Virtutes discere vitia dediscere est.

1896. Genus est mortis male vivere.

1897. Tempori cedere sapientis est.

1898. Insanus omnis furere credit ceteros.

 

Proverbs 1881-1890

Proverbs 1891-1900

 

Study Guide

 

1887. It is a serious thing to betray someone's trust. (This is a phrase from the Roman law tradition, but of course it has applications to personal life as well!)

 

1888. It's hard to pluck the hairs of a bald man. (It's like getting blood from a stone, proverbially speaking! This saying always reminds me of the great Aesop's fable about the man and his two lovers who plucked him bald.)

 

1889. It is hard to put aside a long-lasting love. (You can find this saying in Catullus.)

 

1890. It is late for the old dogs to learn the leash. (You can also find various forms of this saying about the old dog: serum est canes vetulos adsuefacere loris, etc. Compare the English saying about teaching an old dog new tricks!)

 

1891. It is better to divide a few things than to loss all. (This is one of many proverbs which urge you to put aside your greed and accept a moderate amount - in this case, the moderate amount that would come from sharing something modest to begin with. Compare a similar structure in this saying: Melius est pauca caute agere, quam multis interesse periculose, "It is better to carefully conduct a few businesses than to engage in many businesses at great risk.")

 

1892. To flee desire is to win a kingdom. (You will find this in the sayings of Publilius Syrus.)

 

1893. It is easier to do many things than it is to sustain them. (You will find this observation in Quintilian.)

 

1894. To accept a favor is to sell your freedom. (This is one of the sayings of Publilius Syrus.)

 

1895. To learn virtues is to unlearn vices. (You will find this saying in Seneca.)

 

1896. It is a kind of death to live badly. (You will find this saying in Ovid.)

 

1897. A wise man complies with time. (This is adapted from one of Cicero's letters.)

 

1898. Every madman thinks that everybody else is crazy. (This proverb, which oddly enough has become a regular fixture of Internet discussion boards these days, reminds me of the English saying: Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you!)