monostichs of the collectio distichorum uulgarus of dionysius cato

Message Bookmarked
Bookmark Removed

When I noticed how very many go seriously wrong in their manner of living I concluded that I must apply a corrective to their belief and take counsel of the experience of mankind in order that they may live most gloriously and attain honor. Now I will teach thee, dearest son, in what way thou mayest fashion a rule for thy life. Therefore, so read my precepts that thou mayest understand them, for to read and not to-understand is equivalent to not reading.

http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/special/authors/cato/cato-mon.html

Poll Results

OptionVotes
Trocho lude. - Play with a hoop. 5
Familiam cura. - Care for thy family. 1
Irascere ob rem grauem. - Be angry when the affair requires it. 1
Libros lege. - Read books. 1
Aleam fuge. - Eschew the dice. 1
Aequum iudica. - Judge fairly. 1
Nihil mentire. - Never lie. 1
Verecundiam serua. - Preserve thy sense of shame. 1
Miserum noli inridere. - Deride not the unhappy. 1
Libenter amorem ferto. - Feel affection freely. 1
Saluta libenter. - Salute freely. 0
Litteras disce. - Learn to read. 0
Alienum noli concupiscere. - Covet not the possessions of another. 0
Illud adgredere, quod iustum est. - Seek that which is right. 0
Pugna pro patria. - Fight for thy country. 0
Virtute utere. - Practice virtue. 0
Consultus esto. - Be conversant with the law. 0
Patere legem, quam ipse tuleris. - Respect the law thou thyself hast made. 0
Minime iudica. - Never pass judgment. 0
Tute consule. - Give sound counsel. 0
Maledicus ne esto. - Be not abusive. 0
Existimationem retine. - Hold to thy opinion. 0
Iracundiam rege. - Keep thy temper. 0
Parentem patientia uince. - Overcome thy parent with patience. 0
Minorem ne contempseris. - Despise not thy inferior. 0
Nihil arbitrio uirium feceris. - Do nothing under the pressure of force. 0
Pauca in conuiuio loquere. - Say little at banquets. 0
Ad praetorium stato. - Frequent the residence of the praetor. 0
Neminem riseris. - Ridicule no one. 0
Parentes ama. - Love thy parents. 0
Diligentiam adhibe. - Practice diligence. 0
Rem tuam custodi. - Guard well thine own interests. 0
Magistratum metue. - Respect the magistrate. 0
Maiori concede. - Yield to him who is older than thou. 0
Mundus esto. - Be neat. 0
Antequam uoceris, ne accesseris. - Attack not until you have challenged. 0
Cum bonis ambula. - Walk with the upright. 0
Foro parce. - Shun the market place. 0
Mutuum da. - Return like for like. 0
Cui des, uideto. - Consider well to whom to make presents. 0
Blandus esto. - Be kind. 0
Liberos erudi. - See to the instruction of thy children. 0
Quae legeris, memento. - Remember what thou readest. 0
Meretricem fuge. - Shun the harlot. 0
Nihil temere credideris. - Be not easily imposed upon. 0
Uino tempera. - Be moderate with wine. 0
Iusiurandum serua. - Keep thy word. 0
Coniugem ama. - Love thy wife. 0
Quod satis est, dormi. - Sleep enough. 0
Datum serua. - Guard that entrusted to thee. 0


j., Sunday, 10 February 2013 06:50 (twelve years ago)

the lines that were omitted to get 50 poll options:

Deo supplica. - Pray to God.
Cognatos cole. - Cherish those of kin to thee.
Conuiuare raro. - Indulge rarely in banquets.
In iudicio adesto. - Attend the law court.
Bono benefacito. - Show favor to the good.
Benefici accepti esto memor. - Be mindful of favor received.
Liberalibus stude. - Strive after noble things.

j., Sunday, 10 February 2013 06:53 (twelve years ago)

Trocho lude easily

abanana, Sunday, 10 February 2013 07:43 (twelve years ago)

runner up
Pauca in conuiuio loquere. - Say little at banquets.

abanana, Sunday, 10 February 2013 12:14 (twelve years ago)

Libros lege. - Read books.
Think I can manage this, if I steel myself.

dow, Sunday, 10 February 2013 14:40 (twelve years ago)

Verecundiam serua. - Preserve thy sense of shame.

Just beating "say little at banquets".

emil.y, Sunday, 10 February 2013 16:54 (twelve years ago)

Play with a hoop.

Aimless, Sunday, 10 February 2013 19:05 (twelve years ago)

considering 'mutuum da'.

j., Monday, 11 February 2013 03:32 (twelve years ago)

"Aequum iudica" = the one I'm most trying to heed in making my selection

fiscal cliff racer (bernard snowy), Thursday, 14 February 2013 15:34 (twelve years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

System, Friday, 22 February 2013 00:01 (twelve years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

System, Saturday, 23 February 2013 00:01 (twelve years ago)

final result: 9 votes against 'play with a hoop'

Aimless, Saturday, 23 February 2013 02:05 (twelve years ago)

we will form a coalition, we will break your bloc

j., Saturday, 23 February 2013 20:40 (twelve years ago)


You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.