Meta Description: Join Dr. David Noe and Dr. Jeff Winkle for Gurgle Episode 3. Discover why rote memorization can greatly aid mastering the Latin language, and explore 12 timeless sententiae from Cicero, Phaedrus, Erasmus, and the Apostle Paul to furnish your mind.
Introduction: Welcome to the Treasury
Welcome back to the “Vomitorium,” fellow classicists and lovers of the ancient world!
If you are looking for a quick, “huggable portion” of classical wisdom to get you through your day, you have tuned in to the right frequency. This is Gurgle Episode 3. While the main Ad Navseam podcast offers a full banquet of history and literature, Gurgle provides the appetizers—bite-sized snacks designed to “tickle your taste buds” and leave you wanting more.
In this episode, hosts Dr. David Noe and Dr. Jeff Winkle tackle a subject that is often neglected in modern education: Memorization.
Dr. Noe argues that for the student of the Latin language, memorization is essential. You must build a “storehouse” or a “treasury” in your mind—a library of words, phrases, and grammatical structures that you can call upon instantly.
The Philosophy of Rote Learning
Why memorize?
Dr. Noe explains that language acquisition requires a great deal of memorization. It is far easier to remember words and phrases with context and meaning than in isolation. If you try to memorize the word divitiae (riches) on its own, it might not stick. But if you learn a catchy phrase like “Homo doctus in se divitias habet” (The learned man has wealth inside himself), you have a “hook” or a “peg” to hang the vocabulary on.
To help us build this mental treasury, the hosts guide us through a curated list of 12 Latin maxims (Loci Recitandi). Here is the breakdown of the sayings discussed in this episode.
The Dirty Dozen: 12 Latin Sentences to Memorize
1. The Reality of Learning (Cicero)
Nihil est enim simul et inventum et perfectum.
“For nothing is discovered and mastered at the same time.”
The Context: This comes from Cicero (Apud Tullium), specifically his work Brutus. The Meaning: You don’t go onto the court and shoot three-pointers immediately. You have to learn to dribble first. This maxim is the perfect encouragement for the beginning language student.
2. Humility (The Apostle James)
Deus superbis resistit, gratiam humilibus dat.
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
The Context: From the Apostle James (Apud Iacobum), James 4:6. Dr. Noe points out the beautiful symmetry of this sentence. It features “double your dative, double your fun”. Superbis is dative because of the compound verb resistit, and humilibus is dative because it is the indirect object of dat.
3. True Wealth (Phaedrus)
Homo doctus in se divitias habet.
“The learned man has wealth inside himself.”
The Context: From Phaedrus (Apud Phaedrum), the Roman fabulist. The Meaning: Material wealth vanishes when spent, but knowledge increases when shared. If you teach someone Latin, you both become wealthy in knowledge.
4. Self-Control (Publilius Syrus)
Bis vincit qui se vincit in victoria.
“He conquers twice who conquers himself in victory.”
The Context: From Publilius Syrus (Apud Syrum), a Syrian slave turned writer. The Meaning: It is about not “dancing in the end zone.” If you can master the enemy and master your own ego, you have won a double victory.
5. The Beginning of Wisdom (Solomon)
Timor Domini principium sapientiae.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
The Context: From Proverbs (Apud Salomonem), chapter 9. This sentence contains four nouns and no verb (you must supply est). Dr. Noe suggests learning it in reverse as well (Sapientiae principium Domini timor) to master Latin word order flexibility.
6. Seize the Day (Urbano Appendini)
Quae vitae concessa tibi sint tempora nescis
ergo fac citius quae facienda vides.
“You do not know what times of life have been granted to you; therefore, do more quickly what you see must be done.”
The Context: From the Italian scholar Urbano Appendini (Apud Appendinum). The Meaning: Life is fleeing, so get on with it. It is an extended Carpe Diem. Grammar: This couplet packs a punch: subordinate clauses, imperatives, comparative adverbs (citius), and gerundives (facienda).
7. A Future Laugh (Vergil)
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit.
“Perhaps someday it will be pleasing to remember even these things.”
The Context: From the Aeneid (Apud Vergilium), Book 1, lines 202-203. The Meaning: Aeneas tells his men after a shipwreck to dismiss their fear. Dr. Noe translates iuvabit as “have a chuckle,” suggesting that eventually, we can look back on even the roughest times (like recording a podcast under a blanket) with fondness.
8. The Wolf by the Ears (Terence)
Auribus teneo lupum.
“I am holding a wolf by the ears.”
The Context: From the playwright Terence (Apud Terentium). The Meaning: This is not “taking the bull by the horns.” It means you are in a desperate situation: if you hold on, it’s dangerous; if you let go, you get bitten. Thomas Jefferson famously used this phrase to describe the institution of slavery.
9. Strength Through Christ (St. Paul)
Omnia valeo per eum qui me corroborat, nempe Christum.
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me, namely Christ.”
The Context: From the Apostle Paul (Apud Paulum), Philippians 4:13 (Beza’s translation). Grammar: It uses the verb valeo (to have power/capacity) rather than possum.
10. The Spirit of Truth (St. John)
Cum autem venerit ille, nempe Spiritus veritatis, ducet vos in omnem veritatem.
“When he comes, namely the Spirit of Truth, he will lead you into all truth.”
The Context: From the Gospel of John 16:13. Both this and the previous quote use the particle nempe (“namely” or “to wit”). Dr. Noe emphasizes that nempe is a “pointy” word used to sharpen a definition.
11. Pain Teaches (Erasmus)
Quae nocent docent.
“The things that harm, teach.”
The Context: From Erasmus (Apud Erasmum). The Meaning: That which does not kill you makes you stronger. Or, as Dr. Noe puts it, it makes you “stretched out”.
12. Standing on One Foot (John Owen)
Cur similis similem sibi quaerit amicus amicum?
Uno nemo potest in pede stare diu.
“Why does friend seek friend, like seeking like? Because no one can stand on one foot for long.”
The Context: From the Welsh epigrammatist John Owen (1613). The Meaning: Humans are not meant to be “monopods” or “dufflepods.” We need connection to stand.
How to Get the Audio
If you want to memorize these effectively, you need to hear them. Dr. Noe has created a high-quality audio recording and a PDF document of these sayings.
You can access them by becoming a Patreon supporter at the “Lucan Level” ($1.99/mo) at patreon.com/latinperdiem.
Sponsors:
- Ratio Coffee: ratiocoffee.com
- Hackett Publishing: hackettpublishing.com
- Pop City Popcorn: popcitypopcorn.com
Valete!
