A quote by Erasmus, Adagia, iv. iii, 86 (1523). Another English equivalent is, "Be prepared for hard times." A similar motto from Seneca: Non semper Saturnalia erunt., "The Saturnalia will not last forever" or "Every day is not a holiday." By extension, it also means, "Have a good time now, but remember that it will end and you will be required to pay for any excesses."

The Saturnalia was a principal festival of the Romans which was celebrated in December. This was a time of merrymaking, including debauchery, during which there was a suspension of all public business; such as, closing down schools and courts, slaves having a chance to temporarily exchange places with their masters, and criminals not being punished.