Latin Proverbs, Mottoes, Phrases, and Words: Group B

1. The sudden shift in speech or writing from a lofty level to a lower commonplace one, for contrast or humor, or overdone sentiment that has become melodramatic or maudlin: The actors played the old tear-jerker for bathos and were rewarded with many laughs.
2. Etymology: literally "depth", but figuratively "dull" or "inane", generally to a ludicrous degree.

The term has been misused with pathos, which is something entirely different: the Greek pathos, like the Latin passio, means "suffering", and a pathetic work is one which depicts, or elicits, suffering.

When a captious reviewer denounces a comic's "pathetic" attempts to be funny, what she or he really means is "bathetic".

No greater fortune than an easy death.

Motto of German King Frederick III of Austria (1314-1330).

Blessed are the pure in heart.

Motto of Lancing College, U.K.; from the New Testament: Matthew 5:8.

Translation: "Rightly tenacious."

A motto of perseverance and steadfastness.

Translation: "Good farewell."

Translation "Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me Thy statutes."

Motto of Bradfield College, U.K.

Old men are twice children.

It doesn't apply just to "old men".

1. In good faith, with sincerity; genuinely.
2. Acting or done in good faith; sincere, genuine.
3. In plural form, credentials authenticating someone's true identity, background, intentions, and good faith: Henry was a journalist whose bona fides could not be determined.

Genuine or sincere; sincerity. The first expression is used to modify some other word, as in bona fide intentions; the second is generally used as the subject or object of a verb, as in "His bona fides is above reproach", and "We do not question her bona fides." Bona fides is a singular noun.

Bona fide has been used as an adjective phrase in English so often that we all know its pronunciation as, BOH nuh fighd; however, its preferred Latin pronunciation is BAW nuh FIGH duh.

To produce bona fides (BOH nuh FIGH deez), a corrupted Anglicized form, means to show good intentions in dealing with others, show credentials, prove one's identity or ability, etc. and so to indicate that no fraud or deceit is intended or shown.

A bona fide agreement is one that is made in "good faith" which is a Latin phrase taken over bodily from the Latin bona, "good" + fides, "faith".

Goodness/truth/beauty.

Motto of Marycrest College, Davenport, Iowa, USA.

Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge.

Motto of College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, New York, USA.

Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge.

Motto of Marycrest College, Davenport, Iowa, USA; and College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, New York, USA.

Motto of College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, New York, USA.

Translation: "When I try to be brief, I become obscure. Aiming at smoothness, I fail in force and fire."

From Ars Poetica, by Quintus Horatius Flaccus (Horace) who was instructing writers that it may be difficult to achieve brevity without sacrificing clarity.

Bachelor of Science Degree which university or college students earn after four years of study.