Note that this is different from the 2nd conjugation: the 3rd conjugation has a short e in ere, not like the long e (ēre) in the 2nd conjugation, which changes the stress. So, the 2nd-conjugation infinitive is stressed on the e: ha-BE-re, "to have," but in the 3rd conjugation the stress is on the verb stem: VIV-ere, "to live." If you read these infinitive sayings out loud, that is a great way to learn to recognize the difference between the 2nd-conjugation infinitives and 3rd-conjugation infinitives.
But first, here is a little slideshow (with cats) of the words you have seen before:
And now here are today's proverbs:
1. Vivere sat vincere.
To-live is to-be-victorious enough.
VI-vere sat VIN-cere.
The word vivere is the infinitive of vivit, "lives," and vincere is the infinitive of vincit, "is victorious," both of which you have seen before.
The adverb sat is just a different form of a word you have seen before: satis.
1. Vivere sat vincere.
To-live is to-be-victorious enough.
VI-vere sat VIN-cere.
The word vivere is the infinitive of vivit, "lives," and vincere is the infinitive of vincit, "is victorious," both of which you have seen before.
The adverb sat is just a different form of a word you have seen before: satis.
The idea is that if you risk your life in war or in some other kind of potentially fatal contest, you are being foolish: to be alive (vivere) is already a win (vincere), and it's a good-enough win (sat vincere).
This was the motto of the Earls of Sefton.
2. Iucundum nil agere.
(It is) pleasant to-do nothing.
iu-CUN-dum nil A-gere.
The neuter adjectives, iucundum, "pleasant," agrees with the infinitive (remember that the infinitive is basically a neuter noun). You can see this root in English "jocund."
2. Iucundum nil agere.
(It is) pleasant to-do nothing.
iu-CUN-dum nil A-gere.
The neuter adjectives, iucundum, "pleasant," agrees with the infinitive (remember that the infinitive is basically a neuter noun). You can see this root in English "jocund."
The word agere is the infinitive of agit, "leads, drives, does." You can see this Latin root in English words like "agent" and "action."
The word nil is the object of the infinitive: nil agere, "to do nothing."
It's nice to see a proverb in praise of doing nothing, and you can further praise of otium, i.e. doing nothing, in one of the letters of Pliny the Younger.
3. Durum tondere leonem.
(It is) hard to-shave (the) lion.
durum TON-dere le-O-nem.
The word tondere is the infinitive of tondit, "shaves," and you can see this root in English "tonsure."
The word leonem is the accusative form of the noun leo, and it's the object of the infinitive: tondere leonem, "to shave the lion."
The neuter adjective durum agrees with the infinitive.
The lion might indeed need a shave, but it's a dangerous thing to do. This is like the big-cat version of the phrase "belling the cat."
4. Non convenit cum deo contendere.
To-fight with god isn't appropriate.
non CON-venit cum deo con-TEN-dere.
The verb convenit, "is suitable, is appropriate," is a compound verb, con-venit, "together-comes, comes together, fits, suits." This is the origin of English "convenient."
The word contendere is the infinitive of contendit, "fights, struggles," and gives us English "contend." This infinitive is the subject of this verb: non convenit contendere, "to fight is not appropriate."
4. Non convenit cum deo contendere.
To-fight with god isn't appropriate.
non CON-venit cum deo con-TEN-dere.
The verb convenit, "is suitable, is appropriate," is a compound verb, con-venit, "together-comes, comes together, fits, suits." This is the origin of English "convenient."
The word contendere is the infinitive of contendit, "fights, struggles," and gives us English "contend." This infinitive is the subject of this verb: non convenit contendere, "to fight is not appropriate."
The word deo is the ablative form of deus with the preposition cum.
Compare a saying that you saw previously: Pugnare cum deo atque fortuna grave.
5. Modice vivere est optime vivere.
To-live modestly is to-live best.
MO-dice VI-vere est OP-time VIvere.
The word modice, "modestly," is the adverbial form of the adjective modicum, which we also use as a word in English: "modicum."
The word optime, "in the best way," is the adverbial form of the adjective optimum, which you have seen before.
5. Modice vivere est optime vivere.
To-live modestly is to-live best.
MO-dice VI-vere est OP-time VIvere.
The word modice, "modestly," is the adverbial form of the adjective modicum, which we also use as a word in English: "modicum."
The word optime, "in the best way," is the adverbial form of the adjective optimum, which you have seen before.
This is another one of those sayings in praise of moderation: moderation is the best!
Here's a recap:
Plus the LOLCats!
Here's a recap:
- Vivere sat vincere.
- Iucundum nil agere.
- Durum tondere leonem.
- Non convenit cum deo contendere.
- Modice vivere est optime vivere.
Plus the LOLCats!
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