Latin Proverbs, Mottoes, Phrases, and Words: Group T
(classical-language maxims, slogans, adages, proverbs, and words of wisdom that can still capture our modern imagination)
Expressions of general truths: Latin to English maxims, proverbs, and mottoes
Word entries are from Latin unless otherwise indicated.
Motto of McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton Ontario, Canada. The motto was chosen in 1888.
John Locke's image of the mind at birth. John Locke (1632-1704) was an English empirical philosopher. Tabula rasa often refers to a mind devoid of preconceptions.
"Silence is praise enough" is a line from Terence's Eunuchus, and probably acknowledges that rapt attention in an audience can be more flattering than applause.
A musical notation that directs a singer or instrumentalist to "Be silent" during that portion of a score so marked with Tacet.
Virgil gave this perspective that it is better not to suffer personal attacks in silence.
Cicero used the expression, "as if a second self", to describe a completely trustworthy friend; such as, an alter ego, "other I" or alter idem, "another self" both of which are considered to be one's inseparable friend.
Motto of Erindale College of the University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
An older version: "Know thyself."
In Virgil's Aeneid, aged Priam throws a telum imbelle sine ictu, meaning an ineffectual argument that refers to an argument which falls short of the mark or misses it altogether.
A short version of, Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis: "The times are changed and we with them."
A similar version is Omnia mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis: "All things are changed, and we with them."
Attributed to John Owen who died in 1622, a Welshman known for his Latin epigrams.
Motto of Mitchell Community College, Statesville, North Carolina, USA.
Units of mottoes and proverbs listed by groups: A to X.