Apparently, there is no special need to explain that a huge number of so-called catchphrases and expressions in the folklore of many peoples of the world have been borrowed from the Latin language since ancient times. Many of us today do not even pay attention to such phrases, considering them to be something familiar and completely ordinary. But, in fact, they have a very ancient origin. Consider the most famous expressions in Latin, which have become, so to speak, classics.
Latin and the origin of language
Latin as such, by origin, belongs to the Indo-European language family of Italic and a subgroup of the Latin-Faliscan languages. The period of origin of this language can be called a period of several centuries before the birth of Christ. At first, it is believed that peoples often called Latins spoke it. But this is, so to speak, a general conditional concept. Among them, the Romans became the most famous.
Roman Empire
It was in the Roman Empire that Latin reached its peak somewhere in the 1st century BC, inthe reign of Augustus. Many historians refer to this period as the "golden age" of Latin.
It is not surprising that it was at this time that expressions in Latin appeared, which remain in use today. Beautiful phrases in Latin were then used very widely, and the language existed as officially adopted at the state level until the fall of the Western Roman Empire and its complete destruction. Although officially the language itself is considered dead, one can disagree with this, but more on that later.
Winged expressions in Latin in the Ancient world
Strange as it may sound, but the Roman Empire gave the world a much larger number of well-known phrases, proverbs and sayings than the same Ancient Greece with its myths and legends. The fact is that almost any expression in Latin of that time has, as it were, a hidden philosophical meaning, forcing us to talk not only about the high, but also, so to speak, descend to the ground. Greek myths, on the contrary, look very fabulous and have almost nothing to do with the real world.
If you ask a person a question about what he knows the most famous expression in Latin that came to us from Ancient Rome, it is very likely that he will answer: “I came, I saw, I conquered” (Veni, vidi, vici) or “Divide or Conquer (Divide et impera). These statements belong to the great Caesar, as well as his dying phrase: “Brutus, you too…”.
Linking Latin with other languages
Now you can often find expressions in Latin withtranslation. However, the interpretation of the translation simply shocks many. The fact is that many simply do not assume that a familiar phrase is an interpretation of Latin concepts. This is due to the fact that common catchphrases were present not only in Latin. Very many of them became so after coming into use in Latin.
Probably, many people know the phrase "A friend in need is known", it, as a rule, is found in any language, in any folklore, among any people. But in fact, it can be attributed to the concept of what we today call "expressions in Latin with translation", since initially such a judgment, perhaps even borrowed from another culture, was expressed precisely by Roman philosophers.
Great philosophers and thinkers
Roman (and in general, any) philosophers and thinkers is a separate category that has given the world so many phrases that now it's just a head spinning from deep thoughts embedded in one or another expression in Latin.
What can I say, many thinkers of their time, even being of a different nationality, expressed their phrases in Latin. At least Descartes with his philosophical saying “I think, therefore I am” (Cogito, ergo sum).
The phrase "I know that I know nothing" (Scio me nihil scire), which is attributed to Socrates, came to us from Rome.
Very philosophically interesting look andmany sayings of the ancient Roman poet Quintus Horace Flaccus. He very often used beautiful expressions in Latin (more about love), which had a subtle and subtle philosophical meaning, for example, the phrase “Love not what you want to love, but what you can, what you have.” He is also credited with the phrase “Seize the day” or “Seize the moment” (Carpe diem), as well as the well-known saying today “Measure should be in everything.”
Latin in Literature
As for writers (writers, poets or playwrights), they did not bypass Latin and very often used not only original phrases in their works, but also expressions in Latin with transcription.
Remember at least the poem of the Ukrainian poetess Lesya Ukrainka "Kontra sem spero" ("I hope without hope"). But in fact, this is precisely the Latin phrase "Contra spem spero" with the same meaning.
One can also recall the poem by A. Blok, in which he uses the expression "Truth in wine" ("In vino veritas"). But this is the phrase of Pliny. By the way, her descendants, so to speak, thought of it, and it turned out “In vino veritas, ergo bibamus!” ("Truth is in wine, therefore let's drink!"). And there are many such examples.
Current expressions in Latin in the modern world
In general, many will be surprised that we still use famous phrases today, without really thinking about their origin. Anyway, most of the expressions are in Latin with translation.
Let'slet's see what remains of the Latin heritage. Of course, many beautiful expressions in Latin are very popular in the modern world, but it is philosophical phrases that are most widely used. Who does not know such well-known expressions as “Silence is a sign of consent”, “The great thing is love”, “Through thorns to the stars”, “Tastes do not argue”, “Make an elephant out of a fly”, “There is no smoke without fire” (in the original “Where there is smoke, there is fire right there”), “If you want peace, prepare for war”, “A woman is always changeable and fickle”, “Each blacksmith of his own happiness (fate)”, “Ignorance of the law does not exempt from responsibility”, Oh, the times! Oh, morals!”,“About the dead - either it’s good or nothing”,“With fire and iron (sword)”,“Plato is my friend, but the truth is dearer”,“Fate (fortune) helps the brave” (“The brave accompanies (patronizes) luck”), “Vanity of vanities, everything is vanity”, “Bread and circuses”, “Man is a wolf to man”, “Language is your enemy” (in the original “Language is the enemy of people and a friend of the devil and women”), “Who is forewarned is forearmed”, etc.? But perhaps the most sacred phrase is “Memento mori” (“Alive, remember death”).
As you can see from the above examples, these are all well-known expressions in Latin, translated into different languages of the world and sometimes interpreted in their own way. Yes Yes! This is exactly what we inherited from our ancestors.
On the other hand (and this is natural), among catchphrases one can also find expressions that came to Latin from other cultures. Most often it is Eastern wisdom. In some ways, it is even akin to those philosophical arguments that were once expressed a very long time ago.thinkers of the Roman Empire. And there is nothing surprising in this, because almost all cultures of the peoples of the Earth are interconnected to one degree or another.
Conclusion
Summing up a certain result, you can see that the whole history of the development of the Latin language, culture and society has given the world so many catchphrases and expressions that the words of Captain Blood from the novel by Rafael Sabatini are involuntarily recalled: “Honestly, the old Romans were smart people ". If anyone does not remember or does not know, before that he said his favorite expression in Latin "Audaces fortuna juvat" ("Fortune helps the brave").
And all those who claim that Latin is a dead language are wrong. Not to mention the fact that it is now used in medicine, it is worth noting that Christianity does not forget it either. For example, Latin today is the official language of the Holy See, the Vatican and the Order of M alta.
Apparently, even there in everyday communication one can often hear catchphrases, so to speak, adjusted to the Holy Scripture, or expressed by some theologians, which was not uncommon in the same Middle Ages.
That is why not only Latin itself, but also many people who had a hand in its development and prosperity, enjoy great love and respect from grateful descendants.
Sometimes it even goes so far that some use Latin sayings in tattoos!
However, you can find many phrases and expressions that have become winged, but not a single source, even on the World Wide Web, canprovide a complete list. At best, you can find the most famous or most common phrases. And how much remains unknown and unknown, hidden behind the veil of history…
