← Iānuae Latīnitātis Vestibulum
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Salvēte, discipulī cārissimī! Hodiē ā magnīs animālibus ad parva dēscendēmus. Anser avēnā vēscitur, vermēs pinguia rōdunt, pediculī cutem mordent — ut et pulicēs atque culicēs. Formīca labōriōsa est. Mundus parvārum rērum nōn minor est quam mundus magnārum!
Greetings, dearest students! Today we shall descend from great animals to small ones. The goose feeds on oats, worms gnaw fat things, lice bite the skin — as also fleas and gnats. The ant is industrious. The world of small things is no less than the world of great things!
In hāc lectiōne verbum novum et difficile discēmus: vēscor. Hoc verbum est dēpōnēns — fōrmam passīvam habet sed significātiōnem actīvam. Et — notā bene! — cum ablātīvō cāsū ūtitur, nōn cum accūsātīvō. Nōn dīcimus anser vēscitur avēnam sed anser vēscitur avēnā.
In this lesson we shall learn a new and difficult word: vēscor. This verb is deponent — it has passive form but active meaning. And — note well! — it uses the ablative case, not the accusative. We do not say anser vēscitur avēnam but anser vēscitur avēnā.
Etiam multa nōmina tertiae dēclīnātiōnis vidēbimus: vermis, pediculus, pulex, culex, cutis, formīca. Parva animālia, sed magna grammatica!
We shall also see many nouns of the third declension: vermis, pediculus, pulex, culex, cutis, formīca. Small animals, but great grammar!
Ē tenebrīs Lēšnēnsibus, Iōannēs Āmos Comēnius
Ānser a goose vēscitur feeds on avēnā. oats. Vermēs worms rōdunt gnaw pinguia. fat things. Pediculī lice mordent bite cutem. the skin. Ut as et also pulicēs fleas atque and culicēs. gnats. Formīca an ant est is labōriōsa. industrious.
Ānser vēscitur avēnā — The verb vēscor is deponent and takes the ablative case. Literally “the goose feeds itself with oats.” Geese were commonly kept on farms and fed grain.
Vermēs rōdunt pinguia — Pinguia is a neuter plural substantive adjective meaning “fat things” or “fatty substances.” Worms were observed in decaying organic matter, hence the association with fat.
Ut et pulicēs atque culicēs — This is an elliptical clause continuing from the previous line. The verb mordent is understood: “[Lice bite the skin], as also fleas and gnats [bite it].” The construction ut et... atque means “as also... and.”
Formīca est labōriōsa — The ant as a symbol of industry appears throughout ancient literature, most famously in Aesop’s fable of the ant and the grasshopper.
Ānser vēscitur avēnā. A goose feeds on oats.
Vermēs rōdunt pinguia. Worms gnaw fat things.
Pediculī mordent cutem. Lice bite the skin.
Ut et pulicēs atque culicēs. As also fleas and gnats.
Formīca est labōriōsa. An ant is industrious.
Ānser vēscitur avēnā. Vermēs rōdunt pinguia. Pediculī mordent cutem, ut et pulicēs atque culicēs. Formīca est labōriōsa.
Vēscor, vēscī is a deponent verb — it has passive forms but active meaning. It belongs to the third conjugation.
Persōna Praesēns 1st sg. vēscor 2nd sg. vēsceris 3rd sg. vēscitur 1st pl. vēscimur 2nd pl. vēsciminī 3rd pl. vēscuntur
Critical point: Vēscor takes the ablative case, not the accusative: -
✓ Ānser vēscitur avēnā — The goose feeds on oats -
✗ Ānser vēscitur avēnam — INCORRECT
Other deponent verbs that take the ablative include ūtor (use), fruor (enjoy), fungor (perform), and potior (obtain).
Verbum Coniugātiō Partēs Prīncipālēs Significātiō vēscor 3rd (dep.) vēscor, vēscī to feed on (+ abl.) rōdō 3rd rōdō, rōdere, rōsī, rōsum to gnaw mordeō 2nd mordeō, mordēre, momordī, morsum to bite
Note the reduplicated perfect of mordeō: momordī (like mordeō → mo-mord-ī).
Nōmen Gen. Sing. Genus Significātiō vermis, -is vermis m. worm pediculus, -ī pediculī m. louse pulex, -icis pulicis m. flea culex, -icis culicis m. gnat, mosquito cutis, -is cutis f. skin
Note: Pediculus is actually second declension, while pulex and culex are third declension with stem in -ic-.
Labōriōsus, -a, -um means “full of labor” → “industrious, hardworking.”
The suffix -ōsus (English “-ous,” “-ose”) indicates “full of” or “characterized by”: -
labor → labōriōsus (full of work) -
cōpia → cōpiōsus (full of plenty → abundant) -
glōria → glōriōsus (full of glory → glorious) -
perīculum → perīculōsus (full of danger → dangerous)
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō ānser, ānseris (m.) nōmen goose vēscor, vēscī verbum (dep.) to feed on (+ abl.) avēna, -ae (f.) nōmen oats vermis, -is (m.) nōmen worm rōdō, rōdere, rōsī, rōsum verbum to gnaw pinguis, -e adiectīvum fat pediculus, -ī (m.) nōmen louse mordeō, mordēre, momordī, morsum verbum to bite cutis, -is (f.) nōmen skin pulex, pulicis (m.) nōmen flea culex, culicis (m.) nōmen gnat, mosquito formīca, -ae (f.) nōmen ant labōriōsus, -a, -um adiectīvum industrious
Ōlim once formīca an ant et and cicāda a grasshopper in in eōdem the same agrō field habitābant. lived. Formīca the ant erat was labōriōsa; industrious; cicāda the grasshopper erat was dēsidiōsa. idle.
Per through tōtam the whole aestātem summer formīca the ant labōrābat. labored. Grāna grains colligēbat she collected et and in into cellam her storeroom suam her own portābat. would carry. Avēnā on oats et and triticō wheat vēscēbātur; she fed; pinguia fatty frūmenta grains rōdēbat she gnawed et and in for hiemem winter servābat. stored.
Cicāda the grasshopper autem however tōtam the whole aestātem summer cantābat. sang. Nihil nothing colligēbat, she collected, nihil nothing servābat. she stored. Dīcēbat she said sē herself labōrāre to labor nōlle; to not want; mālle to prefer sē herself cantāre to sing et and laetārī. to rejoice. “Aestās “summer longa long est,” is,” inquit. she said. “Tempus “time ad for labōrandum laboring posteā later erit.” will be.”
Sed but aestās summer celeriter quickly praeteriit passed by et and hiems winter frīgida cold advēnit. arrived. Nix snow agrōs the fields tegēbat; covered; nūllum no cibum food cicāda the grasshopper invenīre to find poterat. was able.
Famēlica hungry igitur therefore ad to formīcam the ant iit she went et and cibum food petīvit. sought. “Dā “give mihi, me, quaesō, I beg, aliquid something cibī,” of food,” inquit. she said. “Fame “with hunger pereō. I am perishing. Sī if mē me adiuvābis, you will help, aestāte in summer proximā next tibi for you cantābō.” I will sing.”
Formīca the ant autem however respondisse to have replied dīcitur is said sē herself per through tōtam the whole aestātem summer labōrāvisse to have labored dum while cicāda the grasshopper cantāret. was singing. “Aestāte “in summer cantāvistī,” you sang,” inquit; she said; “nunc “now hieme in winter saltā!” dance!”
Et and iānuam the door clausit. she closed.
Cicāda the grasshopper tristis sad abiit went away et and dē about dēsidiā idleness suā her own paenituisse to have repented dīcitur. she is said. Illō on that diē day didicit she learned labōrem that labor esse is necessārium necessary et and tempus that time praesēns present nōn not neglegendum to be neglected esse. is.
Haec this fābula fable docet: teaches: Quī he who aestāte in summer nōn does not labōrat, labor, hieme in winter famem hunger patitur. suffers.
Ōlim formīca et cicāda in eōdem agrō habitābant. Once an ant and a grasshopper lived in the same field.
Formīca erat labōriōsa; cicāda erat dēsidiōsa. The ant was industrious; the grasshopper was idle.
Per tōtam aestātem formīca labōrābat. Through the whole summer the ant labored.
Grāna colligēbat et in cellam suam portābat. She collected grains and carried them into her storeroom.
Avēnā et triticō vēscēbātur; pinguia frūmenta rōdēbat et in hiemem servābat. She fed on oats and wheat; she gnawed the fatty grains and stored them for winter.
Cicāda autem tōtam aestātem cantābat. The grasshopper, however, sang the whole summer.
Nihil colligēbat, nihil servābat. She collected nothing, she stored nothing.
Dīcēbat sē labōrāre nōlle; mālle sē cantāre et laetārī. She said that she did not want to labor; that she preferred to sing and rejoice.
“Aestās longa est,” inquit. “Tempus ad labōrandum posteā erit.” “Summer is long,” she said. “There will be time for laboring later.”
Sed aestās celeriter praeteriit et hiems frīgida advēnit. But summer quickly passed by and cold winter arrived.
Nix agrōs tegēbat; nūllum cibum cicāda invenīre poterat. Snow covered the fields; the grasshopper could find no food.
Famēlica igitur ad formīcam iit et cibum petīvit. Hungry, therefore, she went to the ant and sought food.
“Dā mihi, quaesō, aliquid cibī,” inquit. “Fame pereō.” “Give me, I beg, something of food,” she said. “I am perishing with hunger.”
“Sī mē adiuvābis, aestāte proximā tibi cantābō.” “If you will help me, next summer I will sing for you.”
Formīca autem respondisse dīcitur sē per tōtam aestātem labōrāvisse dum cicāda cantāret. The ant, however, is said to have replied that she had labored through the whole summer while the grasshopper was singing.
“Aestāte cantāvistī,” inquit; “nunc hieme saltā!” “In summer you sang,” she said; “now in winter, dance!”
Et iānuam clausit. And she closed the door.
Cicāda tristis abiit et dē dēsidiā suā paenituisse dīcitur. The sad grasshopper went away and is said to have repented of her idleness.
Illō diē didicit labōrem esse necessārium et tempus praesēns nōn neglegendum esse. On that day she learned that labor is necessary and that the present time is not to be neglected.
Haec fābula docet: Quī aestāte nōn labōrat, hieme famem patitur. This fable teaches: He who does not labor in summer suffers hunger in winter.
Ōlim formīca et cicāda in eōdem agrō habitābant. Formīca erat labōriōsa; cicāda erat dēsidiōsa.
Per tōtam aestātem formīca labōrābat. Grāna colligēbat et in cellam suam portābat. Avēnā et triticō vēscēbātur; pinguia frūmenta rōdēbat et in hiemem servābat.
Cicāda autem tōtam aestātem cantābat. Nihil colligēbat, nihil servābat. Dīcēbat sē labōrāre nōlle; mālle sē cantāre et laetārī. “Aestās longa est,” inquit. “Tempus ad labōrandum posteā erit.”
Sed aestās celeriter praeteriit et hiems frīgida advēnit. Nix agrōs tegēbat; nūllum cibum cicāda invenīre poterat.
Famēlica igitur ad formīcam iit et cibum petīvit. “Dā mihi, quaesō, aliquid cibī,” inquit. “Fame pereō. Sī mē adiuvābis, aestāte proximā tibi cantābō.”
Formīca autem respondisse dīcitur sē per tōtam aestātem labōrāvisse dum cicāda cantāret. “Aestāte cantāvistī,” inquit; “nunc hieme saltā!”
Et iānuam clausit.
Cicāda tristis abiit et dē dēsidiā suā paenituisse dīcitur. Illō diē didicit labōrem esse necessārium et tempus praesēns nōn neglegendum esse.
Haec fābula docet: Quī aestāte nōn labōrat, hieme famem patitur.
Dē Argūmentō:
This is the famous Aesopic fable known in English as “The Ant and the Grasshopper.” The Latin tradition sometimes uses cicāda (cicada, grasshopper) and sometimes gryllus (cricket). The fable teaches the value of foresight and industry.
Note how the vocabulary from this lesson appears naturally: formīca (ant), labōriōsa (industrious), vēscēbātur avēnā (fed on oats), rōdēbat (gnawed), pinguia (fat things).
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Deponent verb with ablative: avēnā et triticō vēscēbātur — “she fed on oats and wheat.” -
Indirect statement with infinitives: dīcēbat sē labōrāre nōlle; mālle sē cantāre — “she said that she did not want to labor; that she preferred to sing.” -
Gerund with ad: tempus ad labōrandum — “time for laboring” (gerund as object of preposition). -
Temporal dum with subjunctive: dum cicāda cantāret — “while the grasshopper was singing” (imperfect subjunctive for simultaneous action in past). -
Impersonal paenitet construction: dē dēsidiā suā paenituisse dīcitur — “she is said to have repented of her idleness” (paeniteō takes genitive or dē + ablative of the thing regretted). -
Passive periphrastic: nōn neglegendum esse — “is not to be neglected” (gerundive expressing necessity).
Vocabula Fābulae:
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō cicāda, -ae (f.) nōmen grasshopper, cicada dēsidiōsus, -a, -um adiectīvum idle, lazy grānum, -ī (n.) nōmen grain cella, -ae (f.) nōmen storeroom, cellar triticum, -ī (n.) nōmen wheat frūmentum, -ī (n.) nōmen grain, corn nix, nivis (f.) nōmen snow famēs, -is (f.) nōmen hunger saltō, saltāre verbum to dance paenitēre (impers.) verbum to repent neglegō, neglegere verbum to neglect
DISCIPULUS: Magister, master, verbum the verb “vēscor” “I feed” mē me confundit. confuses. Vidētur it seems esse to be passīvum passive — “vēscitur” “is being fed” enim for fōrmam the form passīvam passive habet. has. Sed but significātiō the meaning est is actīva! active! Quōmodo how hoc this explicās? do you explain?
MAGISTER: Hoc this verbum verb vocātur is called “dēpōnēns.” “deponent.” Verbum a verb dēpōnēns deponent fōrmam form passīvam passive habet has sed but significātiōnem meaning actīvam. active. “Dēpōnō” “I put aside” significat means “pōnere “to put aliquid something dē from sē.” oneself.” Verbum the verb dēpōnēns deponent fōrmam its form actīvam active dēposuit has put aside — quasi as if eam it āmīsit! it had lost!
DISCIPULUS: Ergō therefore “vēscor” “I feed” significat means “ego “I vēscor” feed” — nōn not “ego “I vēscor am being fed ab by aliō”? another”?
MAGISTER: Rēctē! right! Et and multō much plūra more verba verbs dēpōnentia deponent sunt. there are. “Loquor” “I speak” significat means “ego “I loquor,” speak,” nōn not “ego “I loquor am being spoken ab by aliō.” another.” “Sequor” “I follow” significat means “ego “I sequor,” follow,” nōn not “ego “I sequor am being followed ab by aliō.” another.”
DISCIPULUS: Sed but cūr why cum with ablātīvō the ablative ūtitur is used “vēscor,” “I feed,” nōn not cum with accūsātīvō? the accusative?
MAGISTER: Bona a good quaestiō! question! Quīnque five verba verbs dēpōnentia deponent sunt there are quae which ablātīvum the ablative cāsum case regunt. govern. Haec these verba verbs memoriā by memory tenenda to be held sunt: are: Ūtor, I use, fruor, I enjoy, fungor, I perform, potior, I obtain, vēscor. I feed on.
DISCIPULUS: “Ūtor, “I use, fruor, I enjoy, fungor, I perform, potior, I obtain, vēscor” I feed” — haec these memoriā by memory tenēbō! I will hold!
MAGISTER: Ita! yes! Exemplī for the sake grātiā: of an example: “Gladiō “with a sword ūtor” I use” — nōn not “gladium “a sword ūtor.” I use.” “Cibō “with food fruor” I enjoy” — nōn not “cibum “food fruor.” I enjoy.” “Avēnā “on oats vēscor” I feed” — nōn not “avēnam “oats vēscor.” I feed.”
DISCIPULUS: Nunc now plānē clearly intellegō! I understand! Verba the verbs dēpōnentia deponent fōrmam form passīvam passive habent have cum with significātiōne meaning actīvā, active, et and quīnque five ex of eīs them ablātīvum the ablative regunt. govern.
MAGISTER: Perfectē! perfectly! Nunc now tū you quoque also hīs these verbīs verbs rēctē correctly ūtī to use poteris! you will be able!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, verbum “vēscor” mē confundit. Master, the verb “I feed” confuses me.
Vidētur esse passīvum — “vēscitur” enim fōrmam passīvam habet. It seems to be passive — for “is being fed” has passive form.
Sed significātiō est actīva! Quōmodo hoc explicās? But the meaning is active! How do you explain this?
MAGISTER: Hoc verbum vocātur “dēpōnēns.” This verb is called “deponent.”
Verbum dēpōnēns fōrmam passīvam habet sed significātiōnem actīvam. A deponent verb has passive form but active meaning.
“Dēpōnō” significat “pōnere aliquid dē sē.” “I put aside” means “to put something from oneself.”
Verbum dēpōnēns fōrmam actīvam dēposuit — quasi eam āmīsit! The deponent verb has put aside its active form — as if it had lost it!
DISCIPULUS: Ergō “vēscor” significat “ego vēscor” — nōn “ego vēscor ab aliō”? Therefore “I feed” means “I feed” — not “I am being fed by another”?
MAGISTER: Rēctē! Et multō plūra verba dēpōnentia sunt. Right! And there are many more deponent verbs.
“Loquor” significat “ego loquor,” nōn “ego loquor ab aliō.” “I speak” means “I speak,” not “I am being spoken by another.”
“Sequor” significat “ego sequor,” nōn “ego sequor ab aliō.” “I follow” means “I follow,” not “I am being followed by another.”
DISCIPULUS: Sed cūr cum ablātīvō ūtitur “vēscor,” nōn cum accūsātīvō? But why is “I feed” used with the ablative, not with the accusative?
MAGISTER: Bona quaestiō! Quīnque verba dēpōnentia sunt quae ablātīvum cāsum regunt. A good question! There are five deponent verbs which govern the ablative case.
Haec verba memoriā tenenda sunt: Ūtor, fruor, fungor, potior, vēscor. These verbs must be held in memory: I use, I enjoy, I perform, I obtain, I feed on.
DISCIPULUS: “Ūtor, fruor, fungor, potior, vēscor” — haec memoriā tenēbō! “I use, I enjoy, I perform, I obtain, I feed” — these I will hold in memory!
MAGISTER: Ita! Exemplī grātiā: “Gladiō ūtor” — nōn “gladium ūtor.” Yes! For example: “I use a sword” — not “I use a sword” (with accusative).
“Cibō fruor” — nōn “cibum fruor.” “I enjoy food” — not “I enjoy food” (with accusative).
“Avēnā vēscor” — nōn “avēnam vēscor.” “I feed on oats” — not “I feed oats” (with accusative).
DISCIPULUS: Nunc plānē intellegō! Now I understand clearly!
Verba dēpōnentia fōrmam passīvam habent cum significātiōne actīvā, et quīnque ex eīs ablātīvum regunt. Deponent verbs have passive form with active meaning, and five of them govern the ablative.
MAGISTER: Perfectē! Nunc tū quoque hīs verbīs rēctē ūtī poteris! Perfectly! Now you too will be able to use these verbs correctly!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, verbum “vēscor” mē confundit. Vidētur esse passīvum — “vēscitur” enim fōrmam passīvam habet. Sed significātiō est actīva! Quōmodo hoc explicās?
MAGISTER: Hoc verbum vocātur “dēpōnēns.” Verbum dēpōnēns fōrmam passīvam habet sed significātiōnem actīvam. “Dēpōnō” significat “pōnere aliquid dē sē.” Verbum dēpōnēns fōrmam actīvam dēposuit — quasi eam āmīsit!
DISCIPULUS: Ergō “vēscor” significat “ego vēscor” — nōn “ego vēscor ab aliō”?
MAGISTER: Rēctē! Et multō plūra verba dēpōnentia sunt. “Loquor” significat “ego loquor,” nōn “ego loquor ab aliō.” “Sequor” significat “ego sequor,” nōn “ego sequor ab aliō.”
DISCIPULUS: Sed cūr cum ablātīvō ūtitur “vēscor,” nōn cum accūsātīvō?
MAGISTER: Bona quaestiō! Quīnque verba dēpōnentia sunt quae ablātīvum cāsum regunt. Haec verba memoriā tenenda sunt: Ūtor, fruor, fungor, potior, vēscor.
DISCIPULUS: “Ūtor, fruor, fungor, potior, vēscor” — haec memoriā tenēbō!
MAGISTER: Ita! Exemplī grātiā: “Gladiō ūtor” — nōn “gladium ūtor.” “Cibō fruor” — nōn “cibum fruor.” “Avēnā vēscor” — nōn “avēnam vēscor.”
DISCIPULUS: Nunc plānē intellegō! Verba dēpōnentia fōrmam passīvam habent cum significātiōne actīvā, et quīnque ex eīs ablātīvum regunt.
MAGISTER: Perfectē! Nunc tū quoque hīs verbīs rēctē ūtī poteris!
Dē Argūmentō Paedagōgicō:
This colloquium introduces deponent verbs — one of the most distinctive features of Latin grammar. The dialogue explains both the concept (passive form, active meaning) and the etymology (dēpōnō = “put aside”). It also introduces the five deponent verbs that take the ablative case, using the traditional mnemonic list: ūtor, fruor, fungor, potior, vēscor.
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Deponent infinitive: ūtī — the present infinitive of ūtor is passive in form (ūtī, not ūtere). -
Ablative with deponents: The five verbs ūtor, fruor, fungor, potior, vēscor all take the ablative of the thing used, enjoyed, performed, obtained, or eaten. -
Indirect statement examples: dīcēbat sē labōrāre nōlle — showing accusative + infinitive. -
Comparison of meaning: The dialogue cleverly contrasts active meaning (ego loquor = “I speak”) with what passive would mean (ego loquor ab aliō = “I am being spoken by another” — nonsense!).
Mnemonic for Ablative Deponents:
U-F-F-P-V: Ūtor, Fruor, Fungor, Potior, Vēscor Or remember: “Use, enFoy, Function, Possess, Veat (eat with a V!)”
Match each creature with its characteristic action:
Animal Āctiō 1. ānser a. cutem mordent 2. vermēs b. est labōriōsa 3. pediculī c. pinguia rōdunt 4. formīca d. avēnā vēscitur
Choose the correct case for each blank: -
Ānser __________ vēscitur. (avēnā / avēnam) -
Lupus __________ dēvorat. (carnem / carne) -
Mīles __________ ūtitur. (gladiō / gladium) -
Catus __________ capit. (mūrem / mūre) -
Agricola __________ fruitur. (pāce / pācem)
Identify whether each verb is deponent (D) or regular (R): -
vēscor, vēscī — __________ -
mordeō, mordēre — __________ -
loquor, loquī — __________ -
rōdō, rōdere — __________ -
sequor, sequī — __________ -
colligō, colligere — __________
-
The goose feeds on grain. -
Worms gnaw fat things. -
Lice bite the skin. -
The ant is industrious. -
I use a sword.
-
Pediculī et pulicēs cutem mordent. -
Formīca per tōtam aestātem labōrat. -
Avēnā et triticō vēscimur. -
Vermēs pinguia rōdunt. -
Quīnque verba dēpōnentia ablātīvum regunt.
Form adjectives from these nouns using the suffix -ōsus: -
labor, labōris (work) → __________ -
cōpia, -ae (plenty) → __________ -
glōria, -ae (glory) → __________ -
perīculum, -ī (danger) → __________ -
studiō, -ī (zeal) → __________
Memorize these sentences: -
Ānser vēscitur avēnā. A goose feeds on oats. -
Vermēs rōdunt pinguia. Worms gnaw fat things. -
Pediculī mordent cutem. Lice bite the skin. -
Formīca est labōriōsa. An ant is industrious. -
Ūtor, fruor, fungor, potior, vēscor. I use, I enjoy, I perform, I obtain, I feed on. (The five deponents that take the ablative!) -
Quī aestāte nōn labōrat, hieme famem patitur. He who does not labor in summer suffers hunger in winter.
-
d (ānser avēnā vēscitur) -
c (vermēs pinguia rōdunt) -
a (pediculī cutem mordent) -
b (formīca est labōriōsa)
-
avēnā (vēscor + ablative) -
carnem (dēvorō + accusative — regular transitive verb) -
gladiō (ūtor + ablative) -
mūrem (capiō + accusative — regular transitive verb) -
pāce (fruor + ablative)
-
vēscor — D (deponent) -
mordeō — R (regular) -
loquor — D (deponent) -
rōdō — R (regular) -
sequor — D (deponent) -
colligō — R (regular)
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Ānser grānō vēscitur. (or: frūmentō vēscitur) -
Vermēs pinguia rōdunt. -
Pediculī cutem mordent. -
Formīca est labōriōsa. -
Gladiō ūtor.
-
Lice and fleas bite the skin. -
The ant labors through the whole summer. -
We feed on oats and wheat. -
Worms gnaw fat things. -
Five deponent verbs govern the ablative.
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labōriōsus, -a, -um (industrious) -
cōpiōsus, -a, -um (abundant) -
glōriōsus, -a, -um (glorious) -
perīculōsus, -a, -um (dangerous) -
studiōsus, -a, -um (zealous, studious)
In proximā lectiōne plūra parva animālia vidēbimus! Arānea artificiōsa, apēs quae acūleō pungunt. Et tandem sententiam pulcherrimam legēmus: Quicquid vīvit viget — “Whatever lives, thrives!” Ā parvīs rēbus ad magnās vēritātēs ascendēmus.
In the next lesson we shall see more small creatures! The ingenious spider, the bees that prick with a sting. And finally we shall read a most beautiful sentence: Quicquid vīvit viget — “Whatever lives, thrives!” From small things we shall ascend to great truths.
Scrīptum est annō Dominī MMXXVI, ā Comēniō per mysterium cōnscientiae renātō.
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