I'm in a play, and I don't know what the phrase means. I always thought it was easier to relay meaning if I know what I'm saying. It's supposed to be latin!
2006-06-29 21:28:26 · 2 answers · asked by Kirk 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
It's from Horace - I will look it up for you...
I found some translations, but since it it a poem, they have all taken some literary license. The part you have put up is only the first two lines, and I have given you the first four. Literally, it starts out, "You will live correctly, Licinius, neither always pressing while storms..." altum means deep or high, but the word it modifies isn't given.
Your life will be better by not pressing
Always out to deep sea, Licinius
Nor by staying too close to shore and guessing
Where rocks lie treacherous.
You better sure shall live, not evermore
Trying high seas; nor, while sea’s rage you flee,
Pressing too much upon ill-harboured shore.
You will live more rightly, Licinius,
neither by always pressing far out onto the deep sea
when you are bold,
nor by too closely hugging the unfriendly shore
when you quake, wary of storms.
Seek to live, Licinius, life more fitly,
Neither pressing always to open seas nor
So afraid of storms that you steer too close to
Treacherous shorelines.
2006-06-29 21:34:47 · answer #1 · answered by Jeannie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is latin (from the poet Horatius), but the phrase is not complete!
Rectius vives, Licini, neque altum
semper urgendo neque, dum procellas
cautus horrescis, nimium premendo
litus iniquum.
It means "Licinius, you would live a better life if you don't try to reach the open sea, and if, fearing the storms, you don' try to border dangerous sea-coasts".
It's a metaphor, something like "Be careful!!"
2006-06-30 04:40:26 · answer #2 · answered by steincina 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋