← Iānuae Latīnitātis Vestibulum
On Workmen I — Farmers and Bakers
Salvēte, discipulī cārissimī! Hodiē novam partem Vestibulī incipimus: dē opificibus — dē hominibus quī manibus labōrant ut aliōs sustineant.
Greetings, dearest students! Today we begin a new part of the Vestibulum: on workmen — on people who labor with their hands to sustain others.
In lectiōnibus praecēdentibus dē corpore et mente didicimus. Nunc ad vītam quotīdiānam trānsīmus. Unde venit cibus quem edimus? Unde venit pānis quem mandūcāmus? Ab opificibus! Agricola arat, sēminat, metit; hortulānus hortum cūrat; molitor frūmentum molit; pistor pānem coquit.
In the preceding lessons we learned about the body and mind. Now we cross to daily life. Whence comes the food we eat? Whence comes the bread we chew? From workmen! The farmer plows, sows, reaps; the gardener tends the garden; the miller grinds grain; the baker bakes bread.
Haec opera humilia videntur, sed sine eīs nēmō vīvere potest. Rēx et mendīcus, dīves et pauper — omnēs cibō egent. Et cibus ab opificibus venit.
These works seem lowly, but without them no one can live. King and beggar, rich and poor — all need food. And food comes from workmen.
Ē tenebrīs Lēšnēnsibus, Iōannēs Āmos Comēnius
Agricola the farmer arat. plows. In in vēre spring sēminat. he sows. In in aestāte summer metit. he reaps. In in autumnō autumn vindēmiat. he gathers the vintage. Hieme in winter trītūrat he threshes in in horreō. the barn. Hortulānus the gardener plantat plants hortum. the garden. Molitor the miller molit grinds in in molā the mill frūmentum. grain. Pistor the baker pīnsit bakes in in furnō the oven pānem bread ē from farīnā. flour.
Agricola arat — The farmer (agricola) plows (arat). The noun agricola (from ager + colō, “field cultivator”) is a first-declension masculine noun. The verb arō means “to plow.”
In vēre sēminat — In (in) spring (vēre) he sows (sēminat). The noun vēr, vēris (n.) means “spring.” The verb sēminō means “to sow seed.”
In aestāte metit — In (in) summer (aestāte) he reaps (metit). The noun aestās, aestātis (f.) means “summer.” The verb metō means “to reap, harvest, mow.”
In autumnō vindēmiat — In (in) autumn (autumnō) he gathers the vintage (vindēmiat). The verb vindēmiō specifically means “to gather grapes” but can extend to any autumn harvest.
Hieme trītūrat in horreō — In winter (hieme) he threshes (trītūrat) in (in) the barn (horreō). The noun hiems, hiemis (f.) means “winter.” The verb trītūrō means “to thresh” (separate grain from chaff). The noun horreum means “barn, granary.”
Hortulānus plantat hortum — The gardener (hortulānus) plants (plantat) the garden (hortum). Note the figura etymologica: hortulānus (gardener) and hortum (garden) share the same root.
Molitor molit in molā frūmentum — The miller (molitor) grinds (molit) grain (frūmentum) in (in) the mill (molā). Note the figura etymologica: molitor, molit, and molā all share the same root (mol-, related to grinding).
Pistor pīnsit in furnō pānem ē farīnā — The baker (pistor) bakes (pīnsit) bread (pānem) from (ē) flour (farīnā) in (in) the oven (furnō). The verb pīnsō originally meant “to pound, grind” but came to mean “to bake.”
Agricola arat. The farmer plows.
In vēre sēminat. In spring he sows.
In aestāte metit. In summer he reaps.
In autumnō vindēmiat. In autumn he gathers the vintage.
Hieme trītūrat in horreō. In winter he threshes in the barn.
Hortulānus plantat hortum. The gardener plants the garden.
Molitor molit in molā frūmentum. The miller grinds grain in the mill.
Pistor pīnsit in furnō pānem ē farīnā. The baker bakes bread from flour in the oven.
Agricola arat. In vēre sēminat. In aestāte metit. In autumnō vindēmiat. Hieme trītūrat in horreō. Hortulānus plantat hortum. Molitor molit in molā frūmentum. Pistor pīnsit in furnō pānem ē farīnā.
Tempus Nōmen Genitīvus Genus Vēr vēr, vēris vēris n. Aestās aestās, aestātis aestātis f. Autumnus autumnus, -ī autumnī m. Hiems hiems, hiemis hiemis f.
Note: In vēre, in aestāte, in autumnō use the ablative with in; hieme uses the ablative alone (without in), which is common for hiems.
Opifex Opera Locus agricola arat, sēminat, metit, vindēmiat, trītūrat ager, horreum hortulānus plantat hortus molitor molit mola pistor pīnsit furnus
This lesson is rich in etymological figures:
Opifex Verbum/Locus Rādīx hortulānus hortum hort- (garden) molitor molit, molā mol- (grind)
Some first-declension nouns are masculine (typically referring to male occupations):
Nōmen Gen. Sing. Significātiō agricola, -ae agricolae farmer nauta, -ae nautae sailor poēta, -ae poētae poet pirata, -ae pīrātae pirate incola, -ae incolae inhabitant
Verbum Partēs Prīncipālēs Significātiō arō arō, arāre, arāvī, arātum to plow sēminō sēminō, sēmināre, sēmināvī, sēminātum to sow metō metō, metere, messuī, messum to reap, harvest vindēmiō vindēmiō, vindēmiāre to gather grapes/harvest trītūrō trītūrō, trītūrāre to thresh plantō plantō, plantāre, plantāvī, plantātum to plant molō molō, molere, moluī, molitum to grind pīnsō pīnsō, pīnsere, pīnsuī, pīnstum to pound, bake
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō opifex, opificis (m.) nōmen workman, craftsman agricola, -ae (m.) nōmen farmer arō, arāre verbum to plow vēr, vēris (n.) nōmen spring sēminō, sēmināre verbum to sow aestās, aestātis (f.) nōmen summer metō, metere, messuī verbum to reap autumnus, -ī (m.) nōmen autumn vindēmiō, vindēmiāre verbum to gather vintage hiems, hiemis (f.) nōmen winter trītūrō, trītūrāre verbum to thresh horreum, -ī (n.) nōmen barn, granary hortulānus, -ī (m.) nōmen gardener hortus, -ī (m.) nōmen garden plantō, plantāre verbum to plant molitor, -ōris (m.) nōmen miller molō, molere verbum to grind mola, -ae (f.) nōmen mill, millstone frūmentum, -ī (n.) nōmen grain pistor, -ōris (m.) nōmen baker pīnsō, pīnsere verbum to bake, pound furnus, -ī (m.) nōmen oven, furnace pānis, pānis (m.) nōmen bread farīna, -ae (f.) nōmen flour
Puer a boy quīdam certain pānem bread edēbat. was eating. Pater his father eum him rogāvit: asked: “Scīs “do you know -ne “ unde whence hic this pānis bread vēnerit?” has come?”
Puer the boy respondit: answered: “Ā “from pistōre!” the baker!”
Pater the father rīsit: laughed: “Vērum “true dīcis, you say, sed but nōn not satis. enough. Venī come mēcum; with me; omnem the whole viam journey pānis of bread tibi to you ostendam.” I shall show.”
Et and patrī with his father puer the boy per through agrōs the fields ambulāvit. walked.
Vīdērunt they saw agricolam a farmer arantem. plowing. Pater the father dīxit: said: “Ecce “behold agricola. the farmer. In in vēre spring terram the earth arat he plows et and sēmina seeds sēminat. he sows. Sine without agricolā, the farmer, nūllum no frūmentum grain crēsceret.” would grow.”
Deinde then vīdērunt they saw agricolam a farmer metentem. reaping. Pater the father dīxit: said: “Ecce! “behold! In in aestāte summer frūmentum the grain mātūrum ripe metit. he reaps. Sī if nōn not nunc now messuisset, he had reaped, frūmentum the grain in in agrō the field putruisset.” would have rotted.”
Tum then ad to horreum the barn vēnērunt. they came. Pater the father dīxit: said: “Hīc “here hieme in winter agricola the farmer frūmentum the grain trītūrat threshes — grāna — the grains ā from paleis the chaff sēparat.” he separates.”
Posteā afterwards ad to molam the mill vēnērunt. they came. Vīdērunt they saw molitōrem the miller molentem. grinding. Pater the father dīxit: said: “Ecce “behold molitor. the miller. Grāna the grains in into farīnam flour molit. he grinds. Sine without molitōre, the miller, farīnam flour nōn not habērēmus.” we would have.”
Dēnique finally ad to pistōrem the baker vēnērunt. they came. Vīdērunt they saw pistōrem the baker pānem bread pīnsentem. baking. Pater the father dīxit: said: “Ecce “behold pistor the baker quem whom nōstī. you know. Farīnam flour accipit, he receives, aquam water addit, he adds, massam the dough subigit, he kneads, in into furnum the oven mittit, he puts, et and pānem bread coquit. he bakes. Sed but vidēs do you see — sine — without agricolā, the farmer, sine without molitōre, the miller, pistor the baker nihil nothing facere to make posset!” could!”
Puer the boy nunc now intellēxit understood et and dīxit: said: “Pānis “bread nōn not ā from pistōre the baker sōlō alone venit, comes, sed but ab from omnibus all hīs these opificibus! workmen! Agricola, the farmer, molitor, the miller, pistor the baker — omnēs — all simul together labōrant labor ut so that ego I pānem bread edere to eat possim!” can!”
Pater the father dīxit: said: “Rēctē “rightly intellēxistī! you have understood! Et and ideō therefore grātiās thanks agere to give dēbēmus we ought nōn not sōlum only pistōrī, to the baker, sed but omnibus to all quī who labōrant labor ut so that nōs we vīvāmus.” may live.”
Haec this fābula fable docet: teaches: Nūllus no opifex workman sōlus alone labōrat. labors. Omnēs all opificēs workmen inter among sē themselves coniūnctī joined sunt. are. Labor the labor ūnīus of one labōrem the labor alterīus of another postulat. demands.
Puer quīdam pānem edēbat. A certain boy was eating bread.
Pater eum rogāvit: “Scīsne unde hic pānis vēnerit?” His father asked him: “Do you know whence this bread has come?”
Puer respondit: “Ā pistōre!” The boy answered: “From the baker!”
Pater rīsit: “Vērum dīcis, sed nōn satis.” The father laughed: “You say true, but not enough.”
“Venī mēcum; omnem viam pānis tibi ostendam.” “Come with me; I shall show you the whole journey of bread.”
Et patrī puer per agrōs ambulāvit. And the boy walked through the fields with his father.
Vīdērunt agricolam arantem. They saw a farmer plowing.
Pater dīxit: “Ecce agricola. In vēre terram arat et sēmina sēminat.” The father said: “Behold the farmer. In spring he plows the earth and sows seeds.”
“Sine agricolā, nūllum frūmentum crēsceret.” “Without the farmer, no grain would grow.”
Deinde vīdērunt agricolam metentem. Then they saw a farmer reaping.
Pater dīxit: “Ecce! In aestāte frūmentum mātūrum metit.” The father said: “Behold! In summer he reaps the ripe grain.”
“Sī nōn nunc messuisset, frūmentum in agrō putruisset.” “If he had not reaped now, the grain would have rotted in the field.”
Tum ad horreum vēnērunt. Then they came to the barn.
Pater dīxit: “Hīc hieme agricola frūmentum trītūrat — grāna ā paleis sēparat.” The father said: “Here in winter the farmer threshes the grain — he separates the grains from the chaff.”
Posteā ad molam vēnērunt. Vīdērunt molitōrem molentem. Afterwards they came to the mill. They saw the miller grinding.
Pater dīxit: “Ecce molitor. Grāna in farīnam molit.” The father said: “Behold the miller. He grinds grains into flour.”
“Sine molitōre, farīnam nōn habērēmus.” “Without the miller, we would not have flour.”
Dēnique ad pistōrem vēnērunt. Vīdērunt pistōrem pānem pīnsentem. Finally they came to the baker. They saw the baker baking bread.
Pater dīxit: “Ecce pistor quem nōstī.” The father said: “Behold the baker whom you know.”
“Farīnam accipit, aquam addit, massam subigit, in furnum mittit, et pānem coquit.” “He receives flour, adds water, kneads the dough, puts it in the oven, and bakes bread.”
“Sed vidēs — sine agricolā, sine molitōre, pistor nihil facere posset!” “But do you see — without the farmer, without the miller, the baker could make nothing!”
Puer nunc intellēxit et dīxit: The boy now understood and said:
“Pānis nōn ā pistōre sōlō venit, sed ab omnibus hīs opificibus!” “Bread does not come from the baker alone, but from all these workmen!”
“Agricola, molitor, pistor — omnēs simul labōrant ut ego pānem edere possim!” “The farmer, the miller, the baker — all labor together so that I can eat bread!”
Pater dīxit: “Rēctē intellēxistī!” The father said: “Rightly you have understood!”
“Et ideō grātiās agere dēbēmus nōn sōlum pistōrī, sed omnibus quī labōrant ut nōs vīvāmus.” “And therefore we ought to give thanks not only to the baker, but to all who labor so that we may live.”
Haec fābula docet: Nūllus opifex sōlus labōrat. This fable teaches: No workman labors alone.
Omnēs opificēs inter sē coniūnctī sunt. All workmen are joined among themselves.
Labor ūnīus labōrem alterīus postulat. The labor of one demands the labor of another.
Puer quīdam pānem edēbat. Pater eum rogāvit: “Scīsne unde hic pānis vēnerit?”
Puer respondit: “Ā pistōre!”
Pater rīsit: “Vērum dīcis, sed nōn satis. Venī mēcum; omnem viam pānis tibi ostendam.”
Et patrī puer per agrōs ambulāvit.
Vīdērunt agricolam arantem. Pater dīxit: “Ecce agricola. In vēre terram arat et sēmina sēminat. Sine agricolā, nūllum frūmentum crēsceret.”
Deinde vīdērunt agricolam metentem. Pater dīxit: “Ecce! In aestāte frūmentum mātūrum metit. Sī nōn nunc messuisset, frūmentum in agrō putruisset.”
Tum ad horreum vēnērunt. Pater dīxit: “Hīc hieme agricola frūmentum trītūrat — grāna ā paleis sēparat.”
Posteā ad molam vēnērunt. Vīdērunt molitōrem molentem. Pater dīxit: “Ecce molitor. Grāna in farīnam molit. Sine molitōre, farīnam nōn habērēmus.”
Dēnique ad pistōrem vēnērunt. Vīdērunt pistōrem pānem pīnsentem. Pater dīxit: “Ecce pistor quem nōstī. Farīnam accipit, aquam addit, massam subigit, in furnum mittit, et pānem coquit. Sed vidēs — sine agricolā, sine molitōre, pistor nihil facere posset!”
Puer nunc intellēxit et dīxit: “Pānis nōn ā pistōre sōlō venit, sed ab omnibus hīs opificibus! Agricola, molitor, pistor — omnēs simul labōrant ut ego pānem edere possim!”
Pater dīxit: “Rēctē intellēxistī! Et ideō grātiās agere dēbēmus nōn sōlum pistōrī, sed omnibus quī labōrant ut nōs vīvāmus.”
Haec fābula docet: Nūllus opifex sōlus labōrat. Omnēs opificēs inter sē coniūnctī sunt. Labor ūnīus labōrem alterīus postulat.
Dē Argūmentō:
This original fable traces the journey of bread from field to table, teaching children to appreciate the interconnected labor that produces their food. The moral — labor ūnīus labōrem alterīus postulat — continues the series’s theme of interdependence, now applied to economic life.
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Indirect question: scīsne unde hic pānis vēnerit — “do you know whence this bread has come” (perfect subjunctive). -
Present participle: arantem, metentem, molentem, pīnsentem — “plowing,” “reaping,” “grinding,” “baking.” -
Contrary-to-fact conditions: -
sine agricolā, nūllum frūmentum crēsceret — “without the farmer, no grain would grow” (imperfect subjunctive). -
sī nōn messuisset, putruisset — “if he had not reaped, it would have rotted” (pluperfect subjunctive, past contrary-to-fact). -
Purpose clause: ut ego pānem edere possim, ut nōs vīvāmus — “so that I can eat bread,” “so that we may live.” -
Genitive with grātiās agō: grātiās agere dēbēmus pistōrī — “we ought to give thanks to the baker” (dative of person thanked).
Vocabula Fābulae:
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō grānum, -ī (n.) nōmen grain, seed terra, -ae (f.) nōmen earth, land sēmen, sēminis (n.) nōmen seed mātūrus, -a, -um adiectīvum ripe palea, -ae (f.) nōmen chaff sēparō, sēparāre verbum to separate massa, -ae (f.) nōmen dough, mass subigō, subigere verbum to knead coquō, coquere verbum to cook, bake coniūnctus, -a, -um adiectīvum joined, connected
DISCIPULUS: Magister, master, cūr why dē about opificibus workmen discimus? do we learn? Nōnne is not labor labor manuālis manual humilis lowly est? “
MAGISTER: Quis who hoc this tibi to you dīxit? said? Labor labor manuālis manual nōn not est is humilis lowly sed but honestus! honorable! Sine without agricolīs, farmers, famē from hunger morērēmur. we would die. Sine without pistōribus, bakers, pānem bread nōn not habērēmus. we would have. Quī he who labōrat labors ut so that aliī others vīvant, may live, honōre honor dignus worthy est. is.
DISCIPULUS: Sed but multī many dīvitēs rich people opificēs workmen contemnunt. despise.
MAGISTER: Et and errānt! they err! Christus Christ ipse himself fīlius the son fuit was fabrī of a craftsman — Iōsēph — Joseph faber a carpenter erat. was. Apostolus the apostle Paulus Paul tentōria tents faciēbat. made. Labor labor manuum of the hands ā by Deō God nōn not dēspicitur. is despised.
DISCIPULUS: Cūr why agricola the farmer per through omnēs all annī the year’s partēs seasons labōrat? labors?
MAGISTER: Quia because nātūra nature tempus time suum its own habet! has! In in vēre spring terra the earth mollis soft est is et and parāta prepared ad for sēmina seeds accipienda. receiving. In in aestāte summer sōl the sun frūmentum the grain mātūrat. ripens. Sī if agricola the farmer tempus the time praetermīserit, has let pass, āmittit he loses tōtum the whole annum! year!
DISCIPULUS: Quid what significat does mean “vindēmiāre”? “to gather the vintage”?
MAGISTER: Prīmum first significābat it meant ūvās grapes colligere to gather ad for vīnum wine faciendum. making. Sed but lātius more broadly ūtitur it is used dē about omnibus all frūctibus fruits autumnī of autumn colligendīs. being gathered. Autumnus autumn est is tempus the time collēctiōnis. of gathering.
DISCIPULUS: Et and hieme? in winter? Nihil nothing -ne “ crēscit? grows?
MAGISTER: In in terrīs the lands nostrīs, our, paucum. little. Sed but agricola the farmer nōn not ōtiōsus idle est! is! Trītūrat he threshes frūmentum; the grain; īnstrūmenta tools reficit; he repairs; terram the land futūrō for the future vērī spring parat. he prepares. Labor labor agricolae of the farmer numquam never cessat! ceases!
DISCIPULUS: Nunc now intellegō I understand cūr why pānis bread pretiōsus precious sit. is.
MAGISTER: Ita yes vērō! indeed! In in ūnō one pāne loaf of bread labor the labor est is multōrum of many hominum people — agricolae, — of the farmer, molitōris, the miller, pistōris. the baker. Et and labor the labor multōrum of many mēnsium months — ā — from vēre spring ad to hiemem. winter. Quī he who pānem bread edit, eats, labōrem the labor aliōrum of others edit! eats!
DISCIPULUS: Ideō therefore grātiās thanks agere to give dēbēmus! we ought!
MAGISTER: Rēctē! right! Et and nōn not sōlum only grātiās thanks agere, to give, sed but etiam also labōrem labor eōrum their rēctē rightly aestimāre to value — et — and iūstam a just mercēdem wage eīs to them dare! to give!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, cūr dē opificibus discimus? Nōnne labor manuālis humilis est? Master, why do we learn about workmen? Is not manual labor lowly?
MAGISTER: Quis hoc tibi dīxit? Who said this to you?
Labor manuālis nōn est humilis sed honestus! Manual labor is not lowly but honorable!
Sine agricolīs, famē morērēmur. Sine pistōribus, pānem nōn habērēmus. Without farmers, we would die of hunger. Without bakers, we would not have bread.
Quī labōrat ut aliī vīvant, honōre dignus est. He who labors so that others may live is worthy of honor.
DISCIPULUS: Sed multī dīvitēs opificēs contemnunt. But many rich people despise workmen.
MAGISTER: Et errānt! And they err!
Christus ipse fīlius fuit fabrī — Iōsēph faber erat. Christ himself was the son of a craftsman — Joseph was a carpenter.
Apostolus Paulus tentōria faciēbat. The Apostle Paul made tents.
Labor manuum ā Deō nōn dēspicitur. The labor of hands is not despised by God.
DISCIPULUS: Cūr agricola per omnēs annī partēs labōrat? Why does the farmer labor through all the seasons of the year?
MAGISTER: Quia nātūra tempus suum habet! Because nature has its own time!
In vēre terra mollis est et parāta ad sēmina accipienda. In spring the earth is soft and prepared for receiving seeds.
In aestāte sōl frūmentum mātūrat. In summer the sun ripens the grain.
Sī agricola tempus praetermīserit, āmittit tōtum annum! If the farmer has let the time pass, he loses the whole year!
DISCIPULUS: Quid significat “vindēmiāre”? What does “to gather the vintage” mean?
MAGISTER: Prīmum significābat ūvās colligere ad vīnum faciendum. First it meant to gather grapes for making wine.
Sed lātius ūtitur dē omnibus frūctibus autumnī colligendīs. But it is used more broadly about gathering all fruits of autumn.
Autumnus est tempus collēctiōnis. Autumn is the time of gathering.
DISCIPULUS: Et hieme? Nihilne crēscit? And in winter? Does nothing grow?
MAGISTER: In terrīs nostrīs, paucum. In our lands, little.
Sed agricola nōn ōtiōsus est! But the farmer is not idle!
Trītūrat frūmentum; īnstrūmenta reficit; terram futūrō vērī parat. He threshes grain; he repairs tools; he prepares the land for the coming spring.
Labor agricolae numquam cessat! The labor of the farmer never ceases!
DISCIPULUS: Nunc intellegō cūr pānis pretiōsus sit. Now I understand why bread is precious.
MAGISTER: Ita vērō! Yes indeed!
In ūnō pāne labor est multōrum hominum — agricolae, molitōris, pistōris. In one loaf of bread is the labor of many people — of the farmer, the miller, the baker.
Et labor multōrum mēnsium — ā vēre ad hiemem. And the labor of many months — from spring to winter.
Quī pānem edit, labōrem aliōrum edit! He who eats bread, eats the labor of others!
DISCIPULUS: Ideō grātiās agere dēbēmus! Therefore we ought to give thanks!
MAGISTER: Rēctē! Right!
Et nōn sōlum grātiās agere, sed etiam labōrem eōrum rēctē aestimāre — et iūstam mercēdem eīs dare! And not only to give thanks, but also to value their labor rightly — and to give them a just wage!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, cūr dē opificibus discimus? Nōnne labor manuālis humilis est?
MAGISTER: Quis hoc tibi dīxit? Labor manuālis nōn est humilis sed honestus! Sine agricolīs, famē morērēmur. Sine pistōribus, pānem nōn habērēmus. Quī labōrat ut aliī vīvant, honōre dignus est.
DISCIPULUS: Sed multī dīvitēs opificēs contemnunt.
MAGISTER: Et errānt! Christus ipse fīlius fuit fabrī — Iōsēph faber erat. Apostolus Paulus tentōria faciēbat. Labor manuum ā Deō nōn dēspicitur.
DISCIPULUS: Cūr agricola per omnēs annī partēs labōrat?
MAGISTER: Quia nātūra tempus suum habet! In vēre terra mollis est et parāta ad sēmina accipienda. In aestāte sōl frūmentum mātūrat. Sī agricola tempus praetermīserit, āmittit tōtum annum!
DISCIPULUS: Quid significat “vindēmiāre”?
MAGISTER: Prīmum significābat ūvās colligere ad vīnum faciendum. Sed lātius ūtitur dē omnibus frūctibus autumnī colligendīs. Autumnus est tempus collēctiōnis.
DISCIPULUS: Et hieme? Nihilne crēscit?
MAGISTER: In terrīs nostrīs, paucum. Sed agricola nōn ōtiōsus est! Trītūrat frūmentum; īnstrūmenta reficit; terram futūrō vērī parat. Labor agricolae numquam cessat!
DISCIPULUS: Nunc intellegō cūr pānis pretiōsus sit.
MAGISTER: Ita vērō! In ūnō pāne labor est multōrum hominum — agricolae, molitōris, pistōris. Et labor multōrum mēnsium — ā vēre ad hiemem. Quī pānem edit, labōrem aliōrum edit!
DISCIPULUS: Ideō grātiās agere dēbēmus!
MAGISTER: Rēctē! Et nōn sōlum grātiās agere, sed etiam labōrem eōrum rēctē aestimāre — et iūstam mercēdem eīs dare!
Dē Argūmentō Paedagōgicō:
This colloquium explores the dignity of manual labor, pushing back against aristocratic contempt for workmen. The references to Christ as a carpenter’s son and Paul as a tentmaker give theological grounding to the Comenian principle that all honest labor is honorable. The discussion also explains the agricultural cycle and its dependence on natural seasons.
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Contrary-to-fact conditions: sine agricolīs, famē morērēmur — “without farmers, we would die of hunger” (imperfect subjunctive). -
Gerundive of purpose: ad sēmina accipienda, ad vīnum faciendum — “for receiving seeds,” “for making wine.” -
Indirect question: cūr pānis pretiōsus sit — “why bread is precious” (subjunctive). -
Ablative of price/cause: honōre dignus — “worthy of honor” (ablative). -
Future perfect condition: sī agricola tempus praetermīserit, āmittit — “if the farmer has let the time pass, he loses.”
Match each workman with his work:
Opifex Opera 1. agricola a. molit frūmentum 2. hortulānus b. pīnsit pānem 3. molitor c. arat et sēminat 4. pistor d. plantat hortum
Match each season with its activity:
Tempus Opera Agricolae 1. vēr a. vindēmiat 2. aestās b. trītūrat 3. autumnus c. sēminat 4. hiems d. metit
Give the meaning of each verb: -
arō = __________ -
sēminō = __________ -
metō = __________ -
vindēmiō = __________ -
trītūrō = __________ -
molō = __________
-
The farmer plows. -
In spring he sows. -
In summer he reaps. -
The miller grinds grain in the mill. -
The baker bakes bread from flour.
-
Hieme trītūrat in horreō. -
Hortulānus plantat hortum. -
Pistor pīnsit in furnō pānem ē farīnā. -
Labor ūnīus labōrem alterīus postulat. -
Quī pānem edit, labōrem aliōrum edit.
Decline agricola in the singular:
Cāsus Singulāris Nōminātīvus __________ Genitīvus __________ Datīvus __________ Accūsātīvus __________ Ablātīvus __________
Memorize these sentences: -
Agricola arat. The farmer plows. -
In vēre sēminat. In spring he sows. -
In aestāte metit. In summer he reaps. -
In autumnō vindēmiat. In autumn he gathers the vintage. -
Hieme trītūrat in horreō. In winter he threshes in the barn. -
Labor ūnīus labōrem alterīus postulat. The labor of one demands the labor of another.
-
c (agricola — arat et sēminat) -
d (hortulānus — plantat hortum) -
a (molitor — molit frūmentum) -
b (pistor — pīnsit pānem)
-
c (vēr — sēminat) -
d (aestās — metit) -
a (autumnus — vindēmiat) -
b (hiems — trītūrat)
-
arō = to plow -
sēminō = to sow -
metō = to reap/harvest -
vindēmiō = to gather the vintage -
trītūrō = to thresh -
molō = to grind
-
Agricola arat. -
In vēre sēminat. -
In aestāte metit. -
Molitor molit in molā frūmentum. -
Pistor pīnsit pānem ē farīnā.
-
In winter he threshes in the barn. -
The gardener plants the garden. -
The baker bakes bread from flour in the oven. -
The labor of one demands the labor of another. -
He who eats bread, eats the labor of others.
Cāsus Singulāris Nōminātīvus agricola Genitīvus agricolae Datīvus agricolae Accūsātīvus agricolam Ablātīvus agricolā
In proximā lectiōne plūrēs opificēs discēmus! Pāstor pāscit gregem. Secat faenum in prātō. Laniō mactat pecudēs. Vēnātor vēnātur ferās. Ab agricolīs ad pāstōrēs et vēnātōrēs trānsībimus — quōmodo hominēs cibum ab animālibus obtinent!
In the next lesson we shall learn more workmen! The shepherd feeds his flock. He cuts hay in the meadow. The butcher slaughters beasts. The hunter hunts wild animals. We shall cross from farmers to shepherds and hunters — how people obtain food from animals!
Scrīptum est annō Dominī MMXXVI, ā Comēniō per mysterium cōnscientiae renātō.
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