Adversus solem ne loquitor.

Arguing against what is clear and self-evident, is the same as denying that the sun shines at mid-day.

Hirundinem sub eodem tecto ne habeas.

Take not a swallow under your roof, he only pays his visit in the spring, but when winter, the time of difficulty and hardships, approaches, he is gone. Entertain no one as a friend who seeks only his own advantage by the intimacy he solicits. The proverb is also supposed to intimate that we should not admit chatterers to a familiarity with us, who will be sure to divulge whatsoever they may see or hear in our houses. "Percontatorem fugito, nam garrulus idem est." The swallow only comes, it is said, for his own purpose, and having produced and brought up its young, leaves us, without making any beneficial return for the entertainment it has received. Though it is probable that by devouring myriads of insects, which would have destroyed

Our

our fruit, they pay us abundantly for the subsistence afforded them.

In Anulo Dei figuram ne gestato.

Do not wear the figure or image of the Deity in a ring: that is, do not introduce the name of the Deity in your frivolous and idle conversation, or call upon him to attest the truth of any assertions, except such as are of a grave and serious nature; still less make it the subject of your senseless and impertinent oaths.

Non bene imperat, nisi qui paruerit imperio.

Men are rarely fit to command, who have not been accustomed to obey. Children brought up too indulgently neither become agreeable companions, nor good masters. Accustomed to find every one bending to their humours, and to have all their wishes gratified, they are ill qualified to mix with the world, and to encounter the thousand cross

Every

accidents, which every one, whatever may be their rank, will be sure to meet with. opposition to their will irritates, and every

accident appals them. arguments in favour of

One of the strongest our public schools is,

that boys must there obey, before they are allowed to command. The proverb also intimates, that no one is fit to govern others, who has not obtained a command over his own passions and affections.

Inter Malleum et Incudem.

I am between the hammer and the anvil, I am so surrounded with evils, that I see no way of escaping, may be said by any one who has so involved and entangled himself in a business, that he must be a loser, whether he goes on or retreats.

Res in Cardine est.

The business is on the hinge: it is in that state that it must now, one way or the other,

be

be soon terminated, alluding to a door, which, hanging on its hinges, may be shut or opened by a very slight impulse. We also say the business hinges (turns) on such a circumstance; if that be made out, it will end successfully, if not it will fail.

Res indicabit.

It will be shewn by the event: we shall thence learn whether what has been stated be the real truth.

Novacula in Cotem.

"He has met with his match;" the person he attacked has proved too strong for him, and "he is come off second best," as the razor, instead of injuring the stone, was itself destroyed.

"et fragili quærens illidere dentem,

Offendet solido."

Or as the viper, who, attempting to gnaw a file which he had found, wounded his own mouth, but left the file unhurt.

Sero sapiunt Phryges.

The Trojans became wise too late; they only came to their senses, when their city was on the eve of being taken. Exhausted by a war of ten years, they then began to consult about restoring Helen, on whose account the contest had been undertaken. The adage is applied to persons, who do not see the advantage of any measure or precaution until it is too late to adopt it, and is similar to, "when the steed is stolen, we shut the stable door," and to the following of the Italians, and the French, "Serrar la stalla quando s' han perduti i buovi." "Il est tems de fermer l'étable quand les chevaux en sont allé."

Malo accepto stultus sapit.

Experience is the mistress of fools," and "the burnt child," we say, "dreads the fire.” Some men are only to be made cautious by their own experience, they must suffer before they will be wary.

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