← Iānuae Latīnitātis Vestibulum
###
Salvēte, discipulī cārissimī.
Manūs nostrās docuimus: hūmidum et siccum, dūrum et molle, calidum et frīgidum. Nunc ā rēbus inanimātīs ad animālia prōgredimur. Quālis est leō? Quālis est ovis? Quid est ferum? Quid est mānsuētum?
We have taught our hands: wet and dry, hard and soft, hot and cold. Now we proceed from inanimate things to animals. What kind is a lion? What kind is a sheep? What is fierce? What is gentle?
Nātūra ipsa docet. Animālia diversa temperāmenta habent—alia fera sunt, alia mānsuēta. Alia saeva, alia mītia. Per haec contrāria, Latīnam linguam et mōrēs animālium simul discēmus.
Nature herself teaches. Different animals have different temperaments—some are wild, others tame. Some fierce, others gentle. Through these opposites, we shall learn at once the Latin language and the customs of animals.
Ē tenebrīs Lēšnēnsibus, Iōannēs Āmos Comēnius
Ūnicornis The unicorn est is ferum a fierce animal. animal. Vacca A cow [est] [is] mānsuētum a gentle [animal] [animal] (cicur). (tame).
Leō A lion [est] [is] saevum a cruel [animal]. [animal]. Ovis A sheep [est] [is] mītis. gentle.
Convīva A guest est is hilaris. merry.
Ūnicornis est ferum animal. The unicorn is a fierce animal.
Vacca est mānsuētum animal. A cow is a gentle animal.
Leō est saevum animal. A lion is a cruel animal.
Ovis est mītis. A sheep is gentle.
Convīva est hilaris. A guest is merry.
Ūnicornis est ferum animal. Vacca est mānsuētum animal. Leō est saevum animal. Ovis est mītis. Convīva est hilaris.
Comenius introduces a key set of adjectives describing animal character. Note how each adjective agrees with animal (neuter) when used predicatively:
Latīnē Ānglicē Oppositum Ānglicē ferus, -a, -um wild, fierce mānsuētus, -a, -um tame, gentle saevus, -a, -um fierce, cruel mītis, -e mild, gentle cicur, cicuris tame, domesticated ferus wild
animal, animālis (n.) = living creature, animal
This is a 3rd declension neuter noun, but with -al ending it belongs to the i-stem group:
Cāsus Singulāris Plūrālis Nōm. animal animālia Gen. animālis animālium Dat. animālī animālibus Acc. animal animālia Abl. animālī animālibus
mītis, mīte = mild, gentle, soft
This is a 3rd declension adjective with two endings (-is for m./f., -e for n.):
Masc./Fem. Neuter Nōm. mītis mīte Gen. mītis mītis Dat. mītī mītī Acc. mītem mīte Abl. mītī mītī
Example: Ovis est mītis = The sheep is gentle (mītis agrees with ovis, feminine)
When describing animal (neuter), the predicate adjective takes the neuter form: -
Ūnicornis est ferum animal (ferum = neuter singular) -
Vacca est mānsuētum animal (mānsuētum = neuter singular) -
Leō est saevum animal (saevum = neuter singular)
But when the adjective stands alone as predicate with a masculine or feminine subject: -
Ovis est mītis (mītis agrees with ovis, feminine)
Latīnē Ānglicē Pars Ōrātiōnis ūnicornis, -is unicorn noun, m., 3rd decl. ferus, -a, -um wild, fierce adjective, 1st/2nd decl. animal, animālis animal, creature noun, n., 3rd decl. (i-stem) vacca, -ae cow noun, f., 1st decl. mānsuētus, -a, -um tame, gentle adjective, 1st/2nd decl. cicur, cicuris tame, domesticated adjective, 3rd decl. leō, leōnis lion noun, m., 3rd decl. saevus, -a, -um fierce, savage, cruel adjective, 1st/2nd decl. ovis, ovis sheep noun, f., 3rd decl. mītis, mīte mild, gentle adjective, 3rd decl. convīva, -ae guest (at dinner) noun, m., 1st decl. hilaris, hilare merry, cheerful adjective, 3rd decl.
In In silvā the forest magnā great et and obscūrā, dark, leō a lion habitābat. was dwelling. Leō The lion erat was ferum a fierce animal. animal. Saevus Savage erat he was et and terrībilis. terrible. Omnia All animālia animals eum him timēbant. were fearing.
Prope Near silvam, the forest, in in prātō a meadow viridī, green, ovis a sheep pāscēbātur. was grazing. Ovis The sheep erat was mītis gentle et and mānsuēta. tame. Nūllum No animal animal timēbat. she was fearing. Herba The grass dulcis sweet eam her dēlectābat. was delighting.
Ōlim Once upon a time leō the lion ē from silvā the forest exiit. came out. Ovem The sheep in in prātō the meadow vīdit. he saw. “Ecce,” “Behold,” inquit, he said, “cibus “food meus!” my!”
Leō The lion ad toward ovem the sheep cucurrit. ran. Ovis The sheep autem however nōn not fūgit. fled. “Cūr “Why nōn not fugis?” are you fleeing?” interrogāvit asked leō the lion mīrātus. wondering.
“Quia “Because mītis gentle sum,” I am,” respondit replied ovis. the sheep. “Vītam “Life meam my in in manibus the hands tuīs your pōnō. I place. Sī If mē me cōnsūmere to consume vīs, you wish, cōnsūme. consume. Sed But sī if mānsuētūdō gentleness mea my cor heart tuum your movēre to move potest, is able, parce spare mihi.” me.”
Leō The lion obstupuit. was astonished. Numquam Never ante before animal an animal ita thus locūtum having spoken erat. was. Omnia All fugiēbant. were fleeing. Haec This one ūna alone manēbat. was remaining.
“Quid “What est is hoc?” this?” sēcum to himself cōgitābat. he was thinking. “Animal “An animal ferum fierce sum. I am. Saevus Savage sum. I am. Sed But haec this ovis sheep mītis gentle —cūr —why eam her nōn not possum am I able occīdere?” to kill?”
Diū For a long time leō the lion stetit. stood. Tandem At last dīxit: he said: “Ovis, “Sheep, hodiē today nōn not tē you occīdam. I will kill. Mānsuētūdō Gentleness tua your saevitiam savagery meam my vīcit.” has conquered.”
Leō The lion in into silvam the forest rediit. returned. Ovis The sheep in in prātō the meadow mānsit. remained. Ex From illō that diē, day, leō the lion numquam never ovēs sheep aggressus having attacked est. was.
Sīc Thus mānsuētūdō gentleness saevitiam savagery vincit. conquers. Mītis The gentle one ferum the fierce one superat. overcomes. Haec This est is potestās the power pācis. of peace.
In silvā magnā et obscūrā, leō habitābat. In a great and dark forest, a lion was dwelling.
Leō erat ferum animal. The lion was a fierce animal.
Saevus erat et terrībilis. He was savage and terrible.
Omnia animālia eum timēbant. All animals feared him.
Prope silvam, in prātō viridī, ovis pāscēbātur. Near the forest, in a green meadow, a sheep was grazing.
Ovis erat mītis et mānsuēta. The sheep was gentle and tame.
Nūllum animal timēbat. She feared no animal.
Herba dulcis eam dēlectābat. The sweet grass was delighting her.
Ōlim leō ē silvā exiit. Once the lion came out of the forest.
Ovem in prātō vīdit. He saw the sheep in the meadow.
“Ecce,” inquit, “cibus meus!” “Behold,” he said, “my food!”
Leō ad ovem cucurrit. The lion ran toward the sheep.
Ovis autem nōn fūgit. The sheep, however, did not flee.
“Cūr nōn fugis?” interrogāvit leō mīrātus. “Why do you not flee?” asked the lion, wondering.
“Quia mītis sum,” respondit ovis. “Because I am gentle,” replied the sheep.
“Vītam meam in manibus tuīs pōnō.” “I place my life in your hands.”
“Sī mē cōnsūmere vīs, cōnsūme.” “If you wish to consume me, consume.”
“Sed sī mānsuētūdō mea cor tuum movēre potest, parce mihi.” “But if my gentleness can move your heart, spare me.”
Leō obstupuit. The lion was astonished.
Numquam ante animal ita locūtum erat. Never before had an animal spoken thus.
Omnia fugiēbant. Haec ūna manēbat. All fled. This one alone remained.
“Quid est hoc?” sēcum cōgitābat. “What is this?” he was thinking to himself.
“Animal ferum sum. Saevus sum.” “I am a fierce animal. I am savage.”
“Sed haec ovis mītis—cūr eam nōn possum occīdere?” “But this gentle sheep—why can I not kill her?”
Diū leō stetit. Tandem dīxit: For a long time the lion stood. At last he said:
“Ovis, hodiē nōn tē occīdam.” “Sheep, today I will not kill you.”
“Mānsuētūdō tua saevitiam meam vīcit.” “Your gentleness has conquered my savagery.”
Leō in silvam rediit. Ovis in prātō mānsit. The lion returned to the forest. The sheep remained in the meadow.
Ex illō diē, leō numquam ovēs aggressus est. From that day, the lion never attacked sheep.
Sīc mānsuētūdō saevitiam vincit. Thus gentleness conquers savagery.
Mītis ferum superat. The gentle one overcomes the fierce one.
Haec est potestās pācis. This is the power of peace.
In silvā magnā et obscūrā, leō habitābat. Leō erat ferum animal. Saevus erat et terrībilis. Omnia animālia eum timēbant.
Prope silvam, in prātō viridī, ovis pāscēbātur. Ovis erat mītis et mānsuēta. Nūllum animal timēbat. Herba dulcis eam dēlectābat.
Ōlim leō ē silvā exiit. Ovem in prātō vīdit. “Ecce,” inquit, “cibus meus!” Leō ad ovem cucurrit. Ovis autem nōn fūgit.
“Cūr nōn fugis?” interrogāvit leō mīrātus.
“Quia mītis sum,” respondit ovis. “Vītam meam in manibus tuīs pōnō. Sī mē cōnsūmere vīs, cōnsūme. Sed sī mānsuētūdō mea cor tuum movēre potest, parce mihi.”
Leō obstupuit. Numquam ante animal ita locūtum erat. Omnia fugiēbant. Haec ūna manēbat.
“Quid est hoc?” sēcum cōgitābat. “Animal ferum sum. Saevus sum. Sed haec ovis mītis—cūr eam nōn possum occīdere?”
Diū leō stetit. Tandem dīxit: “Ovis, hodiē nōn tē occīdam. Mānsuētūdō tua saevitiam meam vīcit.”
Leō in silvam rediit. Ovis in prātō mānsit. Ex illō diē, leō numquam ovēs aggressus est.
Sīc mānsuētūdō saevitiam vincit. Mītis ferum superat. Haec est potestās pācis.
Latīnē Ānglicē Nōta silva, -ae forest, wood f., 1st decl. prātum, -ī meadow n., 2nd decl. pāscor, pāscī to graze, feed deponent verb, 3rd conj. fugiō, fugere to flee 3rd conj. (i-stem) mānsuētūdō, -inis gentleness, tameness f., 3rd decl. saevitia, -ae savagery, cruelty f., 1st decl. parcō, parcere + dat. to spare 3rd conj. vincō, vincere to conquer 3rd conj. superō, superāre to overcome 1st conj. pāx, pācis peace f., 3rd decl.
This fable illustrates how mānsuētūdō (gentleness) can overcome saevitia (savagery). Comenius, who lived through the Thirty Years’ War and lost his family to religious violence, believed deeply in the power of peace and gentle instruction over force. The fable reflects his famous motto: Omnia sponte fluant, absit violentia rēbus — “Let all things flow naturally; let there be no violence to things.”
DISCIPULUS: Magister, Master, quid what est is “ferum”? “fierce”?
COMĒNIUS: “Ferum” “Fierce” significat means silvestre wild et and violentum. violent. Animal An animal ferum fierce est is animal an animal quod which in in silvīs forests habitat lives et and hominēs humans timet fears vel or aggreditur. attacks.
DISCIPULUS: Quāle Of what kind animal animal est is ūnicornis? a unicorn?
COMĒNIUS: Ūnicornis A unicorn est is ferum a fierce animal. animal. Nōnne Do you not audīvistī have you heard fābulās the tales dē about ūnicornibus? unicorns? Ferocia Fierce et and indomita untamed esse to be dīcuntur. they are said.
DISCIPULUS: Quid What autem however est is “mānsuētum”? “gentle”?
COMĒNIUS: Contrārium The opposite “ferī” of “fierce” est. it is. Animal An animal mānsuētum gentle est is animal an animal quod which cum with hominibus humans vīvit lives et and nōn not timet. fears. Vacca A cow est is mānsuētum a gentle animal. animal. Hominēs Humans nōn not timet. it fears. Lac Milk nōbīs to us dat. it gives.
DISCIPULUS: “Cicur” “Cicur” idem the same significat? does it mean?
COMĒNIUS: Ita. Yes. “Cicur” “Cicur” et and “mānsuētum” “gentle” similia similar sunt. are. Utrumque Both “domitum” “tamed” significat— mean— animal an animal quod which in in domō the home vel or in on agrō the farm habitat, lives, nōn not in in silvīs. forests.
DISCIPULUS: Leō A lion quālis of what kind est? is?
COMĒNIUS: Leō A lion est is saevum a savage animal. animal. “Saevus” “Savage” fortius stronger est is quam than “ferus.” “fierce.” Animal An animal saevum savage nōn not sōlum only ferum wild est, is, sed but etiam also crūdēle cruel et and violentum. violent.
DISCIPULUS: Ovis A sheep autem? however?
COMĒNIUS: Ovis A sheep est is mītis. gentle. “Mītis” “Gentle” contrārium the opposite est is “saevī.” of “savage.” Animal An animal mīte gentle est is pācificum peaceful et and innocēns. innocent. Nūllum No animal animal aggreditur. it attacks.
DISCIPULUS: Ergō Therefore duo two paria pairs contrāriōrum of opposites habēmus? do we have?
COMĒNIUS: Ita! Yes! Optimē Excellently dīxistī! you have said!
Prīmum The first pār: pair: FERUS FIERCE ↔ ↔ MĀNSUĒTUS GENTLE
Secundum The second pār: pair: SAEVUS SAVAGE ↔ ↔ MĪTIS MILD
“Ferus” “Fierce” et and “mānsuētus” “gentle” dē about locō place habitātiōnis of dwelling dīcunt: speak: in in silvīs forests an or cum with hominibus? humans?
“Saevus” “Savage” et and “mītis” “mild” dē about temperāmentō temperament dīcunt: speak: crūdēle cruel an or pācificum? peaceful?
DISCIPULUS: Intellegō! I understand! Vacca A cow est is mānsuēta tame et and mītis. gentle. Leō A lion est is ferus fierce et and saevus! savage!
COMĒNIUS: Nunc Now dē about hominibus. humans. Convīva A guest quālis of what kind est? is?
DISCIPULUS: Convīva A guest est... is... hilaris! merry!
COMĒNIUS: Ita. Yes. “Hilaris” “Merry” significat means laetus happy et and iocōsus. cheerful. Convīva A guest bonus good semper always hilaris merry est is in at cēnā. dinner.
DISCIPULUS: Magister, Master, num surely not animālia animals hilaria merry esse to be possunt? are able?
COMĒNIUS: Quaestiō A question bona! good! “Hilaris” “Merry” dē about hominibus humans praecipuē especially dīcitur. is said. Sed But Vestibulum the Vestibulum ā from rēbus things ad to animālia, animals, ab from animālibus animals ad to hominēs humans prōgreditur. proceeds. Ūnicornēs, Unicorns, vaccae, cows, leōnēs, lions, ovēs sheep —nunc —now convīvae! guests! Ā From ferīs fierce ones ad to hilarēs merry ones prōcessimus. we have proceeded.
DISCIPULUS: Magister, quid est “ferum”? STUDENT: Master, what is “fierce”?
COMĒNIUS: “Ferum” significat silvestre et violentum. Animal ferum est animal quod in silvīs habitat et hominēs timet vel aggreditur. COMENIUS: “Fierce” means wild and violent. A fierce animal is an animal which lives in forests and fears or attacks humans.
DISCIPULUS: Quāle animal est ūnicornis? STUDENT: What kind of animal is a unicorn?
COMĒNIUS: Ūnicornis est ferum animal. Nōnne audīvistī fābulās dē ūnicornibus? Ferocia et indomita esse dīcuntur. COMENIUS: A unicorn is a fierce animal. Have you not heard tales about unicorns? They are said to be fierce and untamed.
DISCIPULUS: Quid autem est “mānsuētum”? STUDENT: But what is “gentle”?
COMĒNIUS: Contrārium “ferī” est. Animal mānsuētum est animal quod cum hominibus vīvit et nōn timet. Vacca est mānsuētum animal. Hominēs nōn timet. Lac nōbīs dat. COMENIUS: It is the opposite of “fierce.” A gentle animal is an animal which lives with humans and does not fear. A cow is a gentle animal. It does not fear humans. It gives us milk.
DISCIPULUS: “Cicur” idem significat? STUDENT: Does “cicur” mean the same?
COMĒNIUS: Ita. “Cicur” et “mānsuētum” similia sunt. Utrumque “domitum” significat—animal quod in domō vel in agrō habitat, nōn in silvīs. COMENIUS: Yes. “Cicur” and “gentle” are similar. Both mean “tamed”—an animal which lives in the home or on the farm, not in forests.
DISCIPULUS: Leō quālis est? STUDENT: What kind is a lion?
COMĒNIUS: Leō est saevum animal. “Saevus” fortius est quam “ferus.” Animal saevum nōn sōlum ferum est, sed etiam crūdēle et violentum. COMENIUS: A lion is a savage animal. “Savage” is stronger than “fierce.” A savage animal is not only wild, but also cruel and violent.
DISCIPULUS: Ovis autem? STUDENT: But a sheep?
COMĒNIUS: Ovis est mītis. “Mītis” contrārium est “saevī.” Animal mīte est pācificum et innocēns. Nūllum animal aggreditur. COMENIUS: A sheep is gentle. “Gentle” is the opposite of “savage.” A gentle animal is peaceful and innocent. It attacks no animal.
DISCIPULUS: Ergō duo paria contrāriōrum habēmus? STUDENT: Therefore we have two pairs of opposites?
COMĒNIUS: Ita! Optimē dīxistī! Prīmum pār: FERUS ↔ MĀNSUĒTUS. Secundum pār: SAEVUS ↔ MĪTIS. COMENIUS: Yes! You have spoken excellently! First pair: FIERCE ↔ GENTLE. Second pair: SAVAGE ↔ MILD.
DISCIPULUS: Intellegō! Vacca est mānsuēta et mītis. Leō est ferus et saevus! STUDENT: I understand! A cow is tame and gentle. A lion is fierce and savage!
COMĒNIUS: Nunc dē hominibus. Convīva quālis est? COMENIUS: Now about humans. What kind is a guest?
DISCIPULUS: Convīva est... hilaris! STUDENT: A guest is... merry!
COMĒNIUS: Ita. “Hilaris” significat laetus et iocōsus. Convīva bonus semper hilaris est in cēnā. COMENIUS: Yes. “Merry” means happy and cheerful. A good guest is always merry at dinner.
DISCIPULUS: Magister, quid est “ferum”?
COMĒNIUS: “Ferum” significat silvestre et violentum. Animal ferum est animal quod in silvīs habitat et hominēs timet vel aggreditur.
DISCIPULUS: Quāle animal est ūnicornis?
COMĒNIUS: Ūnicornis est ferum animal. Nōnne audīvistī fābulās dē ūnicornibus? Ferocia et indomita esse dīcuntur.
DISCIPULUS: Quid autem est “mānsuētum”?
COMĒNIUS: Contrārium “ferī” est. Animal mānsuētum est animal quod cum hominibus vīvit et nōn timet. Vacca est mānsuētum animal. Hominēs nōn timet. Lac nōbīs dat.
DISCIPULUS: “Cicur” idem significat?
COMĒNIUS: Ita. “Cicur” et “mānsuētum” similia sunt. Utrumque “domitum” significat—animal quod in domō vel in agrō habitat, nōn in silvīs.
DISCIPULUS: Leō quālis est?
COMĒNIUS: Leō est saevum animal. “Saevus” fortius est quam “ferus.” Animal saevum nōn sōlum ferum est, sed etiam crūdēle et violentum.
DISCIPULUS: Ovis autem?
COMĒNIUS: Ovis est mītis. “Mītis” contrārium est “saevī.” Animal mīte est pācificum et innocēns. Nūllum animal aggreditur.
DISCIPULUS: Ergō duo paria contrāriōrum habēmus?
COMĒNIUS: Ita! Optimē dīxistī! Prīmum pār: FERUS ↔ MĀNSUĒTUS. Secundum pār: SAEVUS ↔ MĪTIS.
DISCIPULUS: Intellegō! Vacca est mānsuēta et mītis. Leō est ferus et saevus!
COMĒNIUS: Nunc dē hominibus. Convīva quālis est?
DISCIPULUS: Convīva est... hilaris!
COMĒNIUS: Ita. “Hilaris” significat laetus et iocōsus. Convīva bonus semper hilaris est in cēnā.
The colloquium teaches two important distinctions:
1. ferus vs. saevus -
ferus = wild, living in forests, untamed -
saevus = savage, cruel, violent (a more intense quality)
2. mānsuētus vs. mītis -
mānsuētus = tame, domesticated (opposite of ferus) -
mītis = mild, gentle, peaceful (opposite of saevus)
A domestic animal is both mānsuētum (tame) and usually mīte (gentle), but these are distinct concepts.
Note the neuter agreement when describing animal: -
animal ferum (not ferus) -
animal mānsuētum (not mānsuētus) -
animal saevum (not saevus) -
animal mīte (not mītis)
But with gendered subjects: -
vacca mānsuēta (feminine) -
ovis mītis (3rd decl. adj., same form for m./f.)
-
The lion is a fierce animal. -
A cow is gentle and tame. -
The sheep is mild. -
A guest is merry. -
The unicorn is wild.
A B ferus mītis saevus mānsuētus hilaris trīstis
-
Ūnicornis est _______ animal. (ferum/mānsuētum) -
Vacca est _______ et cicur. (saeva/mānsuēta) -
Leō est _______ et terrībilis. (mītis/saevus) -
Ovis est _______ . (fera/mītis) -
Convīva bonus est _______ . (hilaris/ferus)
In proximā lectiōne, reliquās quālitātēs amoenās discēmus: locus amoenus, amīcitia iūcunda, nūntium laetum. Ā temperāmentīs animālium ad quālitātēs rērum et condiciōnum prōcēdēmus.
In the next lesson, we shall learn the remaining pleasant qualities: a pleasant place, pleasant friendship, joyful news. From the temperaments of animals we shall proceed to the qualities of things and conditions.
Scrīptum est annō Dominī MMXXVI, ā Comēniō per mysterium cōnscientiae renātō.
-
Leō est ferum animal. -
Vacca est mānsuēta et cicur. -
Ovis est mītis. -
Convīva est hilaris. -
Ūnicornis est ferus.
ferus ↔ mānsuētus saevus ↔ mītis hilaris ↔ trīstis
-
ferum -
mānsuēta -
saevus -
mītis -
hilaris
---