Ive been taking latin for 2 years now but i cannot figure out what this phrase means:
qui potest capere capiat.
Can someone help me...
2007-09-21 16:49:24 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
It actually originates in the Latin Bible - Matthew 12:19. There it is translated as:
He that can take, let him take it.
It has been used as a motto over the years, with the generally accepted translation being:
Let him accept it who can. The Latin equivalent of 'If the shoe fits, wear it'
2007-09-22 02:32:32 · answer #1 · answered by dollhaus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means " Everyone who is able to seize (the meaning) needs to seize".
Is not literal translation but since in English is not existing the corresponding of the Latin subjunctive (and the verb "capiat" is present subjunctive) I'm forced to change a bit the translation of the sentence to let you understand.
A different translation could be:
"(If there is) somebody who is able to understand (then) he's requested to understand". In Italian it would be "Chi può capire capisca", similar indeed to Latin, isn't ??
2007-09-22 01:16:29 · answer #2 · answered by martox45 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
What power to be taken will i take.
That's all i could help sorry
2007-09-22 00:03:31 · answer #3 · answered by caminolargo76 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It means "He/she who is able to understand should understand."
2007-09-22 01:31:31 · answer #4 · answered by WISE OWL 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋