← Iānuae Latīnitātis Vestibulum
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Salvēte, discipulī cārissimī! In lectiōne praecēdentī dē variīs artificibus dīdicimus — dē pelliōne, restiōne, figulō, et fabrō. Hodiē dē lignāriō discēmus quī domūs nostrās aedificat.
Greetings, dearest students! In the preceding lesson we learned about various craftsmen — about the furrier, the ropemaker, the potter, and the smith. Today we shall learn about the carpenter who builds our houses.
Domus nōn sōlum tēctum super capita nostra est, sed etiam sēcūritās et pāx. Lignārius fundamenta pōnit, parietēs ērigit, tēctō operit — et ecce domus stat! Sed aedificium dēbile nōn est fīrmum; bene aedificāre oportet.
A house is not only a roof over our heads, but also security and peace. The carpenter lays foundations, raises walls, covers with a roof — and behold the house stands! But a weak building is not firm; one ought to build well.
Ē tenebrīs Lēšnēnsibus, Iōannēs Āmos Comēnius
Lignārius the carpenter asciat hews secūrī with an axe et and aedificat builds aedificium a building. Pōnit he lays fundāmentum the foundation; ērigit he raises parietēs the walls. Operit he covers tēctō with a roof. Dēbile a weak (building) nōn not est is fīrmum firm. Fulcītur it is propped up fulcrīs with props ut so that nē not ruat it may fall.
Lignārius asciat secūrī et aedificat aedificium — The carpenter (lignārius) hews (asciat) with an axe (secūrī) and (et) builds (aedificat) a building (aedificium). Note the figura etymologica: lignārius derives from lignum (wood). A carpenter works primarily with wood. The verb asciō means “to hew, shape with an axe.”
Pōnit fundāmentum; ērigit parietēs — He lays (pōnit) the foundation (fundāmentum); he raises (ērigit) the walls (parietēs). Building proceeds in stages: first the foundation, then the walls.
Operit tēctō — He covers (operit) with a roof (tēctō). The ablative tēctō expresses the means or instrument. A tēctum is both “roof” and “house” (that which covers).
Dēbile nōn est fīrmum — A weak (building) (dēbile) is (est) not (nōn) firm (fīrmum). The neuter adjective dēbile stands alone, with aedificium understood.
Fulcītur fulcrīs ut nē ruat — It is propped up (fulcītur) with props (fulcrīs) so that (ut) it may not (nē) fall (ruat). Note the figura etymologica: fulcītur and fulcrīs share the root fulc- (to prop). The construction ut nē + subjunctive expresses negative purpose.
Lignārius asciat secūrī et aedificat aedificium. The carpenter hews with an axe and builds a building.
Pōnit fundāmentum; ērigit parietēs. He lays the foundation; he raises the walls.
Operit tēctō. He covers with a roof.
Dēbile nōn est fīrmum. A weak (building) is not firm.
Fulcītur fulcrīs ut nē ruat. It is propped up with props so that it may not fall.
Lignārius asciat secūrī et aedificat aedificium. Pōnit fundāmentum; ērigit parietēs. Operit tēctō. Dēbile nōn est fīrmum. Fulcītur fulcrīs ut nē ruat.
Nōmen/Verbum Cognātum Rādīx lignārius lignum lign- (wood) aedificat aedificium aedific- (build) fulcītur fulcrum fulc- (prop)
Nōmen Gen. Sing. Genus Significātiō fundāmentum, -ī fundāmentī n. foundation pariēs, parietis parietis m. wall tēctum, -ī tēctī n. roof fulcrum, -ī fulcrī n. prop, support
Verbum Partēs Prīncipālēs Significātiō asciō asciō, asciāre to hew (with axe) aedificō aedificō, aedificāre to build pōnō pōnō, pōnere, posuī, positum to place, lay ērigō ērigō, ērigere, ērēxī, ērēctum to raise, erect operiō operiō, operīre, operuī, opertum to cover fulciō fulciō, fulcīre, fulsī, fultum to prop up ruō ruō, ruere, ruī, rutum to fall, rush
The construction ut nē (or simply nē) + subjunctive expresses negative purpose:
Latīnē Anglicē Fulcītur ut nē ruat It is propped so that it may not fall Cavet nē cadat He takes care lest he fall Labōrat nē pereat He works lest he perish
The ablative without preposition expresses instrument:
Latīnē Anglicē secūrī asciat he hews with an axe tēctō operit he covers with a roof fulcrīs fulcītur it is propped with props
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō lignārius, -ī (m.) nōmen carpenter lignum, -ī (n.) nōmen wood asciō, asciāre verbum to hew secūris, secūris (f.) nōmen axe aedificō, aedificāre verbum to build aedificium, -ī (n.) nōmen building fundāmentum, -ī (n.) nōmen foundation ērigō, ērigere, ērēxī, ērēctum verbum to raise, erect pariēs, parietis (m.) nōmen wall operiō, operīre, operuī, opertum verbum to cover tēctum, -ī (n.) nōmen roof dēbilis, -e adiectīvum weak fīrmus, -a, -um adiectīvum firm, strong fulciō, fulcīre, fulsī, fultum verbum to prop up fulcrum, -ī (n.) nōmen prop, support ruō, ruere, ruī, rutum verbum to fall, collapse
Duo two virī men domūs houses aedificāre to build volēbant. wanted.
Prīmus the first vir man dīxit: said: "Celeriter quickly aedificābō! I shall build! Fundāmentum a foundation profundum deep nōn not necessārium necessary est is — sufficit — it suffices in on harēnā the sand aedificāre. to build. Sīc thus tempus time et and labōrem labor servābō!" I shall save!"
Secundus the second vir man dīxit: said: "Ego I prīmum first fundāmentum a foundation firmum firm pōnam shall lay in on petrā rock solidā. solid. Plūs more temporis of time et and labōris of labor cōnsūmam, I shall consume, sed but domus the house mea my fīrma firm erit." will be."
Prīmus the first vir man rīsit: laughed: "Stultus foolish es! you are! Dum while tū you fundāmentum the foundation fodis, dig, ego I iam already sub under tēctō a roof dormiam!" shall sleep!"
Uterque each aedificāvit. built. Prīmus the first celeriter quickly perfēcit; finished; secundus the second lentē slowly sed but dīligenter. diligently.
Tum then tempestās a storm magna great vēnit. came. Pluviae rains cecidērunt; fell; flūmina rivers crēvērunt; rose; ventī winds flāvērunt blew et and in on domūs the houses irruērunt. rushed.
Domus the house prīma first cecidit fell — quia — because fundāmentum a foundation nōn not habēbat. it had. Ruīna the ruin eius its magna great fuit! was!
Domus the house secunda second stetit stood — quia — because super upon petram rock fundata founded erat. it was.
Haec this fābula fable (quam which Dominus the Lord Ipse Himself nārrāvit) told) docet: teaches:* Quī he who bene well fundat, founds, bene well aedificat. builds. Labor labor in in fundāmentō the foundation numquam never perditus lost est. is.
Duo virī domūs aedificāre volēbant. Two men wanted to build houses.
Prīmus vir dīxit: “Celeriter aedificābō!” The first man said: “I shall build quickly!”
“Fundāmentum profundum nōn necessārium est — sufficit in harēnā aedificāre.” “A deep foundation is not necessary — it suffices to build on sand.”
“Sīc tempus et labōrem servābō!” “Thus I shall save time and labor!”
Secundus vir dīxit: “Ego prīmum fundāmentum firmum pōnam in petrā solidā.” The second man said: “I shall first lay a firm foundation on solid rock.”
“Plūs temporis et labōris cōnsūmam, sed domus mea fīrma erit.” “I shall consume more time and labor, but my house will be firm.”
Prīmus vir rīsit: “Stultus es!” The first man laughed: “You are foolish!”
“Dum tū fundāmentum fodis, ego iam sub tēctō dormiam!” “While you dig the foundation, I shall already sleep under a roof!”
Uterque aedificāvit. Each built.
Prīmus celeriter perfēcit; secundus lentē sed dīligenter. The first finished quickly; the second slowly but diligently.
Tum tempestās magna vēnit. Then a great storm came.
Pluviae cecidērunt; flūmina crēvērunt; ventī flāvērunt et in domūs irruērunt. Rains fell; rivers rose; winds blew and rushed against the houses.
Domus prīma cecidit — quia fundāmentum nōn habēbat. The first house fell — because it did not have a foundation.
Ruīna eius magna fuit! Its ruin was great!
Domus secunda stetit — quia super petram fundata erat. The second house stood — because it was founded upon rock.
Haec fābula (quam Dominus Ipse nārrāvit) docet: This fable (which the Lord Himself told) teaches:
Quī bene fundat, bene aedificat. He who founds well, builds well.
Labor in fundāmentō numquam perditus est. Labor on the foundation is never lost.
Duo virī domūs aedificāre volēbant.
Prīmus vir dīxit: “Celeriter aedificābō! Fundāmentum profundum nōn necessārium est — sufficit in harēnā aedificāre. Sīc tempus et labōrem servābō!”
Secundus vir dīxit: “Ego prīmum fundāmentum firmum pōnam in petrā solidā. Plūs temporis et labōris cōnsūmam, sed domus mea fīrma erit.”
Prīmus vir rīsit: “Stultus es! Dum tū fundāmentum fodis, ego iam sub tēctō dormiam!”
Uterque aedificāvit. Prīmus celeriter perfēcit; secundus lentē sed dīligenter.
Tum tempestās magna vēnit. Pluviae cecidērunt; flūmina crēvērunt; ventī flāvērunt et in domūs irruērunt.
Domus prīma cecidit — quia fundāmentum nōn habēbat. Ruīna eius magna fuit!
Domus secunda stetit — quia super petram fundata erat.
Haec fābula (quam Dominus Ipse nārrāvit) docet: Quī bene fundat, bene aedificat. Labor in fundāmentō numquam perditus est.
Dē Argūmentō:
This fable is based on Christ’s parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-27). The moral teaches that a firm foundation is essential — whether in building houses or in building one’s life.
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Partitive genitive: plūs temporis et labōris — “more of time and labor.” -
Temporal dum + present: dum tū fodis — “while you dig” (simultaneity). -
Passive participle: fundata erat — “it was/had been founded.” -
Relative clause: quam Dominus Ipse nārrāvit — “which the Lord Himself told.”
Vocabula Fābulae:
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō harēna, -ae (f.) nōmen sand petra, -ae (f.) nōmen rock solidus, -a, -um adiectīvum solid fodiō, fodere, fōdī, fossum verbum to dig perficiō, perficere verbum to finish dīligenter adverbium diligently pluvia, -ae (f.) nōmen rain flūmen, flūminis (n.) nōmen river crēscō, crēscere, crēvī verbum to grow, rise irruō, irruere verbum to rush against ruīna, -ae (f.) nōmen ruin, collapse fundō, fundāre verbum to found
DISCIPULUS: Magister, master, quōmodo how domus a house aedificātur? is built?
MAGISTER: Prīmum first locum a place idōneum suitable ēligere to choose oportet it is necessary — locum — a place plānum level et and siccum, dry, ubi where fundāmentum a foundation firmum firm pōnī to be laid potest. can.
DISCIPULUS: Quid what est is fundāmentum? a foundation?
MAGISTER: Fundāmentum the foundation est is pars the part aedificiī of the building quae which sub under terrā the ground est. is. Saxīs with stones aut or lapidibus rocks struitur. it is built. Pondus the weight tōtīus of the whole aedificiī building sustinet! it supports! Sī if fundāmentum the foundation dēbile weak est, is, tōtum the whole aedificium building ruet. will fall.
DISCIPULUS: Et and tum? then?
MAGISTER: Fundāmentō with the foundation positō, having been laid, lignārius the carpenter parietēs the walls ērigit raises — ex from lapidibus stones aut or ex from lignīs. wood. Parietēs the walls domum the house dēfendunt protect ā from ventō wind et and pluviā rain et and frīgore. cold.
DISCIPULUS: Et and tēctum? the roof?
MAGISTER: Tēctum the roof ultimum last pōnitur. is placed. Super above parietēs the walls trabēs beams pōnuntur; are placed; super above trabēs the beams tēgulae tiles aut or strāmen. thatch. Tēctum the roof pluviam rain et and nivem snow arcet keeps out nē lest in into domum the house intrent. they enter.
DISCIPULUS: Quid what fit happens sī if aedificium the building dēbile weak est? is?
MAGISTER: Fulcrīs with props fulcītur it is propped up ut so that nē lest ruat! it may fall! Fulcra props sunt are sustentācula supports quae which parietem the wall dēbilem weak sustinent. support. Sed but melius better est it is ab from initiō the beginning firmē firmly aedificāre to build quam than posteā afterwards fulcrīs with props sustentāre! to support!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, quōmodo domus aedificātur? Master, how is a house built?
MAGISTER: Prīmum locum idōneum ēligere oportet. First it is necessary to choose a suitable place.
Locum plānum et siccum, ubi fundāmentum firmum pōnī potest. A level and dry place, where a firm foundation can be laid.
DISCIPULUS: Quid est fundāmentum? What is a foundation?
MAGISTER: Fundāmentum est pars aedificiī quae sub terrā est. The foundation is the part of the building which is under the ground.
Saxīs aut lapidibus struitur. It is built with stones or rocks.
Pondus tōtīus aedificiī sustinet! It supports the weight of the whole building!
Sī fundāmentum dēbile est, tōtum aedificium ruet. If the foundation is weak, the whole building will fall.
DISCIPULUS: Et tum? And then?
MAGISTER: Fundāmentō positō, lignārius parietēs ērigit — ex lapidibus aut ex lignīs. With the foundation having been laid, the carpenter raises the walls — from stones or from wood.
Parietēs domum dēfendunt ā ventō et pluviā et frīgore. The walls protect the house from wind and rain and cold.
DISCIPULUS: Et tēctum? And the roof?
MAGISTER: Tēctum ultimum pōnitur. The roof is placed last.
Super parietēs trabēs pōnuntur; super trabēs tēgulae aut strāmen. Above the walls beams are placed; above the beams tiles or thatch.
Tēctum pluviam et nivem arcet nē in domum intrent. The roof keeps out rain and snow lest they enter into the house.
DISCIPULUS: Quid fit sī aedificium dēbile est? What happens if the building is weak?
MAGISTER: Fulcrīs fulcītur ut nē ruat! It is propped up with props so that it may not fall!
Fulcra sunt sustentācula quae parietem dēbilem sustinent. Props are supports which support a weak wall.
Sed melius est ab initiō firmē aedificāre quam posteā fulcrīs sustentāre! But it is better to build firmly from the beginning than to support with props afterwards!
DISCIPULUS: Magister, quōmodo domus aedificātur?
MAGISTER: Prīmum locum idōneum ēligere oportet — locum plānum et siccum, ubi fundāmentum firmum pōnī potest.
DISCIPULUS: Quid est fundāmentum?
MAGISTER: Fundāmentum est pars aedificiī quae sub terrā est. Saxīs aut lapidibus struitur. Pondus tōtīus aedificiī sustinet! Sī fundāmentum dēbile est, tōtum aedificium ruet.
DISCIPULUS: Et tum?
MAGISTER: Fundāmentō positō, lignārius parietēs ērigit — ex lapidibus aut ex lignīs. Parietēs domum dēfendunt ā ventō et pluviā et frīgore.
DISCIPULUS: Et tēctum?
MAGISTER: Tēctum ultimum pōnitur. Super parietēs trabēs pōnuntur; super trabēs tēgulae aut strāmen. Tēctum pluviam et nivem arcet nē in domum intrent.
DISCIPULUS: Quid fit sī aedificium dēbile est?
MAGISTER: Fulcrīs fulcītur ut nē ruat! Fulcra sunt sustentācula quae parietem dēbilem sustinent. Sed melius est ab initiō firmē aedificāre quam posteā fulcrīs sustentāre!
Dē Argūmentō Paedagōgicō:
This colloquium explains the building process step by step: choosing a site, laying the foundation, raising walls, placing the roof, and the necessity of props for weak buildings.
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Ablative absolute: fundāmentō positō — “with the foundation having been laid.” -
Impersonal oportet: ēligere oportet — “it is necessary to choose.” -
Negative purpose: nē intrent, ut nē ruat — “lest they enter,” “so that it may not fall.” -
Comparative: melius est... quam — “it is better... than.”
Match:
Pars Significātiō 1. fundāmentum a. roof 2. pariēs b. foundation 3. tēctum c. prop 4. fulcrum d. wall
Give the meaning: -
aedificō = __________ -
ērigō = __________ -
operiō = __________ -
fulciō = __________ -
ruō = __________
Translate: -
secūrī asciat = __________ -
tēctō operit = __________ -
fulcrīs fulcītur = __________
-
The carpenter builds a building. -
He lays the foundation. -
He raises the walls. -
He covers with a roof. -
A weak building is propped with props.
-
Lignārius asciat secūrī et aedificat aedificium. -
Dēbile nōn est fīrmum. -
Fulcītur fulcrīs ut nē ruat. -
Quī bene fundat, bene aedificat.
-
Lignārius asciat secūrī et aedificat aedificium. The carpenter hews with an axe and builds a building. -
Pōnit fundāmentum; ērigit parietēs; operit tēctō. He lays the foundation; he raises the walls; he covers with a roof. -
Dēbile nōn est fīrmum. A weak (building) is not firm. -
Quī bene fundat, bene aedificat. He who founds well, builds well.
-
b (fundāmentum = foundation) -
d (pariēs = wall) -
a (tēctum = roof) -
c (fulcrum = prop)
-
aedificō = to build -
ērigō = to raise, erect -
operiō = to cover -
fulciō = to prop up -
ruō = to fall, collapse
-
secūrī asciat = he hews with an axe -
tēctō operit = he covers with a roof -
fulcrīs fulcītur = it is propped with props
-
Lignārius aedificium aedificat. -
Fundāmentum pōnit. -
Parietēs ērigit. -
Tēctō operit. -
Aedificium dēbile fulcrīs fulcītur.
-
The carpenter hews with an axe and builds a building. -
A weak (building) is not firm. -
It is propped with props so that it may not fall. -
He who founds well, builds well.
In proximā lectiōne dē verbīs impersōnālibus discēmus! Sī tibi libet, licet. Sī tē piget labōris, pudeat tē. Decet tē paenitēre peccātī. Ā rēbus corporālibus ad rēs grammaticās trānsībimus — quōmodo Latīnē dīcimus “oportet,” “decet,” “licet”!
In the next lesson we shall learn about impersonal verbs! If it pleases you, it is permitted. If labor irks you, let it shame you. It is fitting that you repent of sin. We shall cross from bodily things to grammatical matters — how we say in Latin “one ought,” “it is fitting,” “it is permitted”!
Scrīptum est annō Dominī MMXXVI, ā Comēniō per mysterium cōnscientiae renātō.
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