- fugit. flees. ~ fuge! flee!
- regit. rules. ~ rege! rule!
- eligit. choose. ~ elige! choose!
- noscit. knows. ~ nosce! know!
- induit. puts on. ~ indue! put on!
1. Carpe diem.
Pluck (the) day.
carpe diem.
The imperative carpe means "pluck!" in the sense of plucking a piece of fruit from a tree when it's ripe. This Latin verb is actually related to English "harvest" because they both come from the Indo-European root kerp-.
The word diem is the accusative form of dies.
This famous saying comes from a poem by Horace; you can find out more at the Wikipedia: Carpe diem article.
2. Finem respice.
Regard (the) end.
finem RE-spice.
The word finem is the accusative of finis.
2. Finem respice.
Regard (the) end.
finem RE-spice.
The word finem is the accusative of finis.
The imperative respice means "look back! regard!" and it is the root of English "respect." The verb is a compound re-spicit, "back-looks," i.e. looks back at, regards. You have seen this prefix before in the verb repugnat, "fight back."
The "end" here as the sense of the goal, the final outcome. So, as you are working on a project, keep your goal in mind.
3. Occasionem arripe.
Seize (the) opportunity.
occasi-O-nem AR-ripe.
The word occasionem is the accusative of occasio.
The imperative arripe means "grab! seize!" and it is also a compound: ad-ripit, "toward-grabs," i.e. grabs and takes. You've seen this prefix before in the compound ad-dit, "to-gives," i.e. "adds." Notice how before the following -r- the prefix ad- turns into ar-.
The idea here is that while occasion or opportunity is something abstract, you can "grab" it as if it were something physical: grab it while you can!
4. Vive memor mortis.
Live mindful of-death.
vive memor mortis.
The adjective memor means "mindful," and you can see this root in English "memory." This adjective takes a genitive complement, and mortis is the genitive form of mors, death. The adjective agrees with the subject of the verb, you. So, the idea is that as you live, you should be mindful of death.
The idea here is that while occasion or opportunity is something abstract, you can "grab" it as if it were something physical: grab it while you can!
4. Vive memor mortis.
Live mindful of-death.
vive memor mortis.
The adjective memor means "mindful," and you can see this root in English "memory." This adjective takes a genitive complement, and mortis is the genitive form of mors, death. The adjective agrees with the subject of the verb, you. So, the idea is that as you live, you should be mindful of death.
This is a type of saying known as memento mori; you can find out more at Wikipedia: Memento mori.
5. Respice, adspice, prospice.
Look-back, look-at, look-ahead.
RE-spice, AD-spice, PRO-spice.
These are all compounds of the same imperative: spice, "look!" You've seen this same root in the noun speculum.
5. Respice, adspice, prospice.
Look-back, look-at, look-ahead.
RE-spice, AD-spice, PRO-spice.
These are all compounds of the same imperative: spice, "look!" You've seen this same root in the noun speculum.
Each imperative has a different prefix: re-, "back, backwards," ad- "at, to," and pro-, "forward, ahead."
You've seen the prefix pro- previously in provoco, "call forward, summon, provoke."
Notice that in the compound ad-spice, the -d- before the -s- disappears: aspice.
In other words: keep in mind the past (respice) and the present (adspice) and the future (prospice).
Here's a recap:
- Carpe diem.
- Finem respice.
- Occasionem arripe.
- Vive memor mortis.
- Respice, adspice, prospice.
Plus the LOLCats!
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