Read the book: «Latin Phrase-Book», page 6

12. Theory – Practice – Experience

ratione, doctrina (opp. usu) aliquid cognitum habere– to have a theoretical knowledge of a thing.

ad artem, ad rationem revocare aliquid (De Or. 2. 11. 44) – to reduce a thing to its theoretical principles; to apply theory to a thing.

doctrinam ad usum adiungere– to combine theory with practice.

in rebus atque in usu versatum esse– to have had practical experience.

usu ¹⁰⁶ praeditum esse– to possess experience.

magnum usum in aliqua re habere– to have had great experience in a thing.

multarum rerum usus– varied, manifold experience.

usu rerum (vitae, vitae communis) edocti sumus– we know from experience.

experti scimus, didicimus– we know from experience.

usu cognitum habemus– we know from experience.

res ipsa, usus rerum (cotidie) docet– everyday experience tells us this.

(rerum) imperitum esse– to have had no experience of the world.

multa acerba expertus est ¹⁰⁷– he has had many painful experiences.

usus me docuit– experience has taught me.

VII. The Arts and Sciences

1. Scientific Knowledge in General – Literature

optima studia, bonae, optimae, liberales, ingenuae artes, disciplinae– the sciences; the fine arts.

litterarum ¹⁰⁸ studium or tractatio (not occupatio) – the study of belles-lettres; literary pursuits.

homines litterarum studiosi– learned, scientific, literary men.

homines docti– learned, scientific, literary men.

artium studia or artes vigent (not florent) – learning, scientific knowledge is flourishing.

litterae iacent, neglectae iacent ¹⁰⁹– scholarship, culture, literature is at a low ebb.

litteras colere– to be engaged in the pursuit of letters.

litteras amplecti– to be an enthusiastic devotee of letters.

litteras adamasse (only in perf. and plup.) – to be an enthusiastic devotee of letters.

in studio litterarum versari– to be engaged in literary pursuits.

in aliquo litterarum genere versari– to be engaged in any branch of study.

summo studio in litteris versari– to be an ardent student of…

se totum litteris tradere, dedere– to devote oneself entirely to literature.

se totum in litteras or se litteris abdere– to be quite engrossed in literary studies.

in litteris elaborare (De Sen. 8. 26) – to apply oneself very closely to literary, scientific work.

in litteris acquiescere or conquiescere– to find recreation in study.

aetatem in litteris ducere, agere– to devote one's life to science, study.

omne (otiosum) tempus in litteris consumere– to devote all one's leisure moments to study.

omne studium in litteris collocare, ad litteras conferre– to employ all one's energies on literary work.

optimarum artium studio incensum esse– to be interested in, have a taste for culture.

litterarum studio trahi– to feel an attraction for study.

trahi, ferri ad litteras– to feel an attraction for study.

litterarum studia remittere– to relax one's studies.

intermissa studia revocare– to resume one's studies.

primis (ut dicitur) ¹¹⁰ or primoribus labris gustare or attingere litteras– to have a superficial knowledge, a smattering of literature, of the sciences.

litterae– literature.

litterae ac monumenta or simply monumenta– written records; documents.

litterae latinae ¹¹¹– Roman literature.

clarissima litterarum lumina– shining lights in the literary world.

graecis litteris studere– to study Greek literature.

multum (mediocriter) in graecis litteris versari– to be well (slightly) acquainted with Greek literature.

2. Learning – Erudition

vir or homo doctus, litteratus– a man of learning; a scholar; a savant.

vir doctissimus– a great scholar.

vir perfecte planeque eruditus– a man of profound erudition.

vir omni doctrina eruditus– a man perfect in all branches of learning.

multi viri docti, or multi et ii docti (not multi docti) – many learned men; many scholars.

omnes docti, quivis doctus, doctissimus quisque– all learned men.

nemo doctus– no man of learning.

nemo mediocriter doctus– no one with any pretence to education.

latinis litteris or latine doctus– acquainted with the Latin language.

bene ¹¹² latine doctus or sciens– a good Latin scholar.

doctrina abundare (De Or. 3. 16. 59) – to be a man of great learning.

a doctrina mediocriter instructum esse– to have received only a moderate education.

doctrina exquisita, subtilis, elegans ¹¹³– sound knowledge; scholarship.

doctrina recondita– profound erudition.

studia, quae in reconditis artibus versantur (De Or. 1. 2. 8) – abstruse studies.

magnam doctrinae speciem prae se ferre– to pass as a man of great learning.

vita umbratilis (vid. sect. VII. 4) – the contemplative life of a student.

litterarum scientiam (only in sing.) habere– to possess literary knowledge.

scientiam alicuius rei consequi– to acquire knowledge of a subject.

scientia comprehendere aliquid– to acquire knowledge of a subject.

penitus percipere et comprehendere aliquid (De Or. 1. 23. 108) – to have a thorough grasp of a subject.

scientia augere aliquem– to enrich a person's knowledge.

multa cognita, percepta habere, multa didicisse– to be well-informed, erudite.

multarum rerum cognitione imbutum esse (opp. litterarum or eruditionis expertem esse or \[rerum\rudem esse) – to be well-informed, erudite.

3. Culture – Civilisation

animum, ingenium excolere (not colere) – to cultivate the mind.

animi, ingenii cultus (not cultura) – mental culture.

optimis studiis or artibus, optimarum artium studiis eruditum esse– to have received a liberal education.

litteras scire– to have received a liberal education.

litterae interiores et reconditae, artes reconditae– profound scientific education.

sunt in illo, ut in homine Romano, multae litterae (De Sen. 4. 12) – for a Roman he is decidedly well educated.

litteris leviter imbutum or tinctum esse– to have received a superficial education.

omni vita atque victu excultum atque expolitum esse (Brut. 25. 95) – to have attained to a high degree of culture.

omnis cultus et humanitatis expertem esse ¹¹⁴– to be quite uncivilised.

ab omni cultu et humanitate longe abesse (B. G. 1. 1. 3) – to be quite uncivilised.

homines, gentem a fera agrestique vita ad humanum cultum civilemque deducere (De Or. 1. 8. 33) – to civilise men, a nation.

4. Education – Instruction – School – Profession

liberaliter, ingenue, bene educari– to receive a liberal education.

severa disciplina contineri– to be brought up under strict discipline.

aliquem ad humanitatem informare or instituere– to teach a person refinement.

mores alicuius corrigere– to improve a person.

in viam reducere aliquem– to bring a person back to the right way.

in viam redire– to return to the right way.

litteras discere ab aliquo– to be educated by some one.

institui or erudiri ab aliquo– to receive instruction from some one.

disciplina alicuius uti, magistro aliquo uti– to receive instruction from some one.

e disciplina alicuius profectum esse– to be brought up in some one's school.

puerum alicui erudiendum or in disciplinam tradere– to entrust a child to the tuition of…

operam dare or simply se dare alicui, se tradere in disciplinam alicuius, se conferre, se applicare ad aliquem– to become a pupil, disciple of some one.

multum esse cum aliquo (Fam. 16. 21) – to enjoy close intercourse with… (of master and pupil).

ludus (discendi or litterarum) – an elementary school.

schola– a school for higher education.

scholam frequentare– to go to a school.

disciplina (institutio) puerilis (not liberorum) – the teaching of children.

pueros elementa (prima) docere– to teach children the rudiments.

primis litterarum elementis imbui– to receive the first elements of a liberal education.

doctrinae, quibus aetas puerilis impertiri solet (Nep. Att. 1. 2) – the usual subjects taught to boys.

artes, quibus aetas puerilis ad humanitatem informari solet– the usual subjects taught to boys.

erudire aliquem artibus, litteris (but erudire aliquem in iure civili, in re militari) – to teach some one letters.

natum, factum esse ad aliquid (faciendum)– to be born for a thing, endowed by nature for it.

adversante et repugnante natura or invitā Minervā (ut aiunt) aliquid facere (Off. 1. 31. 110) – to do a thing which is not one's vocation, which goes against the grain.

crassa or pingui Minerva (proverb.) – with no intelligence or skill.

calcaria alicui adhibere, admovere; stimulos alicui admovere– to spur, urge a person on.

frenos adhibere alicui– to restrain some one.

bona indole (always in sing.) praeditum esse– to be gifted, talented (not praeditum esse by itself).

ingenio valere– to be gifted, talented.

summo ingenio praeditum esse– to possess rich mental endowments.

in aliqua re progressus facere, proficere, progredi– to make progress in a subject.

aliquid efficere, consequi in aliqua re (De Or. 1. 33. 152) – to obtain a result in something.

adulescens alios bene de se sperare iubet, bonam spem ostendit or alii de adulescente bene sperare possunt– he is a young man of great promise.

adulescens bonae (egregiae) spei– a promising youth.

magna est exspectatio ingenii tui– we expect a great deal from a man of your calibre.

desudare in scholae umbra or umbraculis¹¹⁵ or forensis. Cf. De Legg. 3. 6. 14 Phalereus ille Demetrius mirabiliter doctrinam ex umbraculis eruditorum otioque non modo in solem atque in pulverem sed in ipsum discrimen aciemque produxit.


¹¹⁶– to choose a career, profession.

viam vitae ingredi (Flacc. 42. 105) – to enter upon a career.

philosophiam, medicinam profiteri– to be a philosopher, physician by profession.

se philosophum, medicum (esse) profiteri– to be a philosopher, physician by profession.

qui ista profitentur– men of that profession.

5. Example – Pattern – Precedent

exemplum clarum, praeclarum– a good,¹¹⁷ brilliant example; a striking example.

exemplum luculentum– a good, brilliant example; a striking example.

exemplum illustre– a good, brilliant example; a striking example.

exemplum magnum, grande– a weighty example, precedent.

exemplum afferre– to quote an example.

exemplo uti– to quote an example.

aliquem (aliquid) exempli causa ¹¹⁸ ponere, proferre, nominare, commemorare– to cite a person or a thing as an example.

aliquid exemplis probare, comprobare, confirmare– to quote precedents for a thing.

aliquid exemplis ostendere– to demonstrate by instances.

exempla petere, repetere a rerum gestarum memoria or historiarum (annalium, rerum gestarum) monumentis– to borrow instances from history.

exempla a rerum Romanarum (Graecarum) memoria petita– examples taken from Roman (Greek) history.

multa exempla in unum (locum) colligere– to collect, accumulate instances.

ex infinita exemplorum copia unum (pauca) sumere, decerpere (eligere)– to choose one from a large number of instances.

a Socrate exemplum virtutis petere, repetere– to quote Socrates as a model of virtue.

similitudines afferre– to cite parallel cases.

auctore aliquo uti ad aliquid– to have as authority for a thing.

auctorem aliquem habere alicuius rei– to have as authority for a thing.

auctoritatem alicuius sequi– to be guided by another's example.

auctoritas et exemplum (Balb. 13. 31) – standard and pattern.

sibi exemplum alicuius proponere ad imitandum or simply sibi aliquem ad imitandum proponere– to set up some one as one's ideal, model.

sibi exemplum sumere ex aliquo or exemplum capere de aliquo– to take a lesson from some one's example.

ad exemplum alicuius se conformare– to shape one's conduct after another's model.

exemplum edere, prodere– to set an example.

exemplo esse– to set an example.

exemplum in aliquo or in aliquem statuere– to inflict an exemplary punishment on some one.

exemplum (severitatis) edere in aliquo (Q. Fr. 1. 2. 2. 5) – to inflict an exemplary punishment on some one.

bene (male) praecipere alicui– to inculcate good (bad) principles.

praecepta dare, tradere de aliqua re– to give advice, directions, about a matter.

ad praecipiendi rationem delābi (Q. Fr. 1. 1. 6. 18) – to adopt a didactic tone.

aliquid in animo haeret, penitus insedit or infixum est– a thing is deeply impressed on the mind.

aliquid animo mentique penitus mandare (Catil. 1. 11. 27) – to impress a thing on one's memory, mind.

demittere aliquid in pectus or in pectus animumque suum– to take a thing to heart.

hoc verbum alte descendit in pectus alicuius– what he said made a deep impression on…

6. Philosophy

se conferre ad philosophiam, ad philosophiae or sapientiae studium (Fam. 4. 3. 4) – to devote oneself to philosophy.

animum appellere or se applicare ad philosophiam– to apply oneself to the study of philosophy.

philosophiae (sapientiae) studio teneri (Acad. 1. 2. 4) – to be enamoured of philosophy.

in portum philosophiae confugere– to take refuge in philosophy.

in sinum philosophiae compelli– to be driven into the arms of philosophy.

philosophia (neglecta) iacet (vid. sect. VII. 1, note iacēre…) – philosophy is neglected, at low ebb.

philosophiam latinis litteris illustrare (Acad. 1. 1. 3) – to write expositions of philosophy in Latin.

Ciceronis de philosophia libri– Cicero's philosophical writings.

decreta, inventa philosophorum– the tenets, dogmas of philosophers.

quae in philosophia tractantur– philosophical subjects.

praecepta philosophorum (penitus) percepta habere– to be well acquainted with the views of philosophers.

illae sententiae evanuerunt– those views are out of date.

illae sententiae iam pridem explosae et eiectae sunt (Fin. 5. 8. 23) – those ideas have long ago been given up.

schola, disciplina, familia; secta– a sect, school of thought.

sectam alicuius sequi (Brut. 31. 120) – to be a follower, disciple of some one.

disciplinam alicuius profiteri– to be a follower, disciple of some one.

qui sunt a Platone or a Platonis disciplina; qui profecti sunt a Platone; Platonici– disciples of Plato, Platonists.

Solo, unus de septem (illis)– Solon, one of the seven sages.

Pythagorae doctrina longe lateque fluxit (Tusc. 4. 1. 2) – Pythagoras' principles were widely propagated.

scholas habere, explicare (Fin. 2. 1. 1) – to give lectures.

scholis interesse– to attend lectures.

tradere (aliquid de aliqua re)– to teach audire Platonem, auditorem esse Platonis– to attend Plato's lectures.

7. The Parts of Philosophy

physica ¹¹⁹ (-orum) (Or. 34. 119); philosophia naturalis– physics; natural philosophy.

dialectica (-ae or -orum) (pure Latin disserendi ratio et scientia) – logic, dialectic.

disserendi praecepta tradere– to teach logic.

disserendi elegantia– logical minuteness, precision.

disserendi subtilitas (De Or. 1. 1. 68) – dialectical nicety.

disserendi spinae (Fin. 4. 28. 79) – subtleties of logic; dilemmas.

disserendi peritus et artifex– an accomplished dialectician.

homo in dialecticis versatissimus– an accomplished dialectician.

disserendi artem nullam habere– to know nothing of logic.

dialecticis ne imbutum ¹²⁰ quidem esse– to be ignorant of even the elements of logic.

ratione, eleganter (opp. nulla ratione, ineleganter, confuse) disponere aliquid– to arrange on strictly logical principles.

philosophia, quae est de vita et moribus (Acad. 1. 5. 19) – moral science; ethics.

philosophia, in qua de bonis rebus et malis, deque hominum vita et moribus disputatur– moral science; ethics.

philosophia, quae in rerum contemplatione versatur, or quae artis praeceptis continetur– theoretical, speculative philosophy.

philosophia, ¹²¹ quae in actione versatur– practical philosophy.

omnes philosophiae loci– the whole domain of philosophy.

8. System – Method – Principles

ratio; disciplina, ratio et disciplina; ars– system.

ad artem redigere aliquid– to systematise.

ad rationem, ad artem et praecepta revocare aliquid (De Or. 1. 41) – to systematise.

arte conclusum esse– to have been reduced to a system.

ratio et doctrina– systematic, methodical knowledge.

artificio et via tradere aliquid– to give a scientific explanation of a thing.

artificiose redigere aliquid– to treat with scientific exactness; to classify.

ad rationis praecepta accommodare aliquid– to treat with scientific exactness; to classify.

totam rationem evertere (pass. iacet tota ratio) – to upset the whole system.

ratione et via, via et ratione progredi, disputare (Or. 33. 116) – to proceed, carry on a discussion logically.

novam rationem ingredi– to enter on a new method.

a certa ratione proficisci– to be based on a sound principle.

a falsis principiis proficisci– to start from false premises.

ad philosophorum or philosophandi rationes revocare aliquid– to deal with a subject on scientific principles.

perpetuitas et constantia (Tusc. 5. 10. 31) – logical consistency.

9. Species – Definition – Classification – Connection

partes ¹²² generibus subiectae sunt– the species is subordinate the genus.

genus universum in species certas partiri et dividere (Or. 33. 117) – to analyse a general division into its specific parts.

genere, non numero or magnitudine differre– to differ qualitatively not quantitatively.

spinae partiendi et definiendi (Tusc. 5. 8. 22) – minute, captious subdivisions and definitions.

rem (res) definire– to define a thing.

a definitione proficisci– to start from a definition.

involutae rei notitiam definiendo aperire (Or. 33. 116) – to make an obscure notion clear by means of definition.

sub metum subiectum esse– to be comprised under the term "fear."

constituere, quid et quale sit, de quo disputetur– to determine the nature and constitution of the subject under discussion.

in ordinem redigere aliquid– to systematise, classify a thing.

conexum et aptum esse inter se– to be closely connected with each other.

cohaerere, coniunctum esse cum aliqua re– to be closely connected with a thing.

arte (artissime) coniunctum esse– to be very intimately related.

apte (aptissime) cohaerere– to be very intimately related.

continuatio seriesque rerum, ut alia ex alia nexa et omnes inter se aptae colligataeque sint (N. D. 1. 4. 9) – systematic succession, concatenation.

diffusum, dissipatum esse– to have no coherence, connection.

confusum, perturbatum esse– to be confused.

rem dissolutam conglutinare, coagmentare– to reunite disconnected elements.

10. Proof – Refutation

argumentum ¹²³ firmum, magnum– a strong, striking proof.

argumentum afferre– to bring forward a proof.

argumentum immortalitatis afferre (not pro) – to quote an argument in favour of immortality.

argumentum afferre, quo animos immortales esse demonstratur– to bring forward a proof of the immortality of the soul.

argumento huic rei est, quod– a proof of this is that…

aliquid planum facere (Ad Herenn. 2. 5) – to demonstrate, make a thing clear.

aliquid alicui probare (or c. Acc. c. Inf.) – to prove one's point to a person's satisfaction.

argumentis confirmare, comprobare, evincere aliquid (or c. Acc. c. Inf.) – to prove a thing indisputably.

argumentum ducere, sumere ex aliqua re or petere ab aliqua re– to derive an argument from a thing.

argumentum premere (not urgere) – to persist in an argument, press a point.

loci (τόποι) argumentorum (De Or. 2. 162) – the points on which proofs are based; the grounds of proof.

argumenta refellere, confutare– to refute arguments.

rationem ¹²⁴ afferre (Verr. 3. 85. 195) – to bring forward an argument (based on common-sense).

11. Conclusion – Hypothesis – Inference

concludere, colligere, efficere, cogere ex aliqua re– to draw a conclusion from a thing.

acute, subtiliter concludere– to draw a subtle inference.

ratio or rationis conclusio efficit– the conclusion proves that…

ratiocinatio, ratio– the syllogism; reasoning.

prima ¹²⁵ (superiora); consequentia (Fin. 4. 19. 54) – premises; consequences.

conclusiuncula fallax or captio– a fallacious argument; sophism.

positum est a nobis primum (c. Acc. c. Inf.) – we start by presupposing that…

hoc posito– on this supposition, hypothesis.

hoc probato consequens est– it follows from what we have shown.

sequitur (not ex quo seq.) ut– it follows from this that…

ex quo, unde, hinc efficitur ut– it follows from this that…

12. Debate – Controversy

disputatio, quaestio– systematic, scientific discussion.

disputare ¹²⁶ (de aliqua re, ad aliquid) – to discuss, investigate a subject scientifically.

subtiliter disputare– to thoroughly discuss.

in utramque partem, in contrarias partes disputare (De Or. 1. 34) – to discuss both sides of a question.

in nullam partem disputare– to say nothing either for or against an argument.

non repugno– I have nothing to say against it.

pertinacem (opp. clementem) esse in disputando– to be dogmatic; positive.

opponere alicui aliquid– to object, to adduce in contradiction.

dare, concedere aliquid– to grant, admit a thing.

sumere (opp. reicere) aliquid– to assume a thing.

tenere aliquid; stare in aliqua re– to insist on a point.

obtinere aliquid– to maintain one's assertion, prove oneself right.

in controversia (contentione) esse, versari– to be at variance with.

in controversiam cadere– to be at variance with.

in controversiam vocare, adducere aliquid– to make a thing the subject of controversy.

in controversiam vocari, adduci, venire (De Or. 2. 72. 291) – to be contested, become the subject of debate.

in controversia relinquere aliquid– to leave a point undecided.

controversiam (contentionem) habere cum aliquo– to maintain a controversy with some one.

in contentione ponitur, utrum…an– it is a debated point whether… or…

id, de quo agitur or id quod cadit in controversiam– the point at issue.

controversiam sedare, dirimere, componere, tollere– to put an end to, settle a dispute.

controversiam diiudicare– to decide a debated question.

transigere aliquid cum aliquo– to come to an understanding with a person.

res mihi tecum est– I have a point to discuss with you.

sine (ulla) controversia– indisputably; incontestably.

hoc est a (pro) me– this goes to prove what I say.

res ipsa docet– the very facts of the case show this.

res ipsa (pro me apud te) loquitur– the matter speaks for itself.

res confecta est– the question is settled, finished.