Lesson 136

Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)

136.1 Ego I quidem certainly hoc this sciō. know.

136.2 Tū You quidem indeed vērum the truth dīcis. speak.

136.3 Ille He quidem at least temptāvit. tried.

136.4 Nōs We quidem are certainly pauperēs poor sumus. are.

136.5 Vōs You quidem are indeed fortēs brave estis. are.

136.6 Hoc This quidem is certainly facile easy est. is.

136.7 Illud That quidem at least vērum true vidētur. seems.

136.8 Pater My father meus my quidem is indeed senex old est. is.

136.9 Māter The mother quidem certainly fīlium her son amat. loves.

136.10 Rōmānī The Romans quidem were indeed victōrēs victorious fuērunt. were.

136.11 Multī Many quidem indeed vēnērunt, came, sed but paucī few mānsērunt. remained.

136.12 Sapiēns He is wise quidem indeed, est, is, sed but nōn not fēlīx. happy.

136.13 Hīc Here quidem at least tūtī safe sumus. we are.

136.14 Nunc Now quidem there is certainly pāx peace est, is, sed but mox soon bellum war erit. will be.

136.15 Omnēs We are all quidem indeed mortālēs mortals sumus. are.

Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

136.1 Ego quidem hoc sciō. I certainly know this.

136.2 Tū quidem vērum dīcis. You indeed speak the truth.

136.3 Ille quidem temptāvit. He at least tried.

136.4 Nōs quidem pauperēs sumus. We are certainly poor.

136.5 Vōs quidem fortēs estis. You are indeed brave.

136.6 Hoc quidem facile est. This is certainly easy.

136.7 Illud quidem vērum vidētur. That at least seems true.

136.8 Pater meus quidem senex est. My father is indeed old.

136.9 Māter quidem fīlium amat. The mother certainly loves her son.

136.10 Rōmānī quidem victōrēs fuērunt. The Romans were indeed victorious.

136.11 Multī quidem vēnērunt, sed paucī mānsērunt. Many indeed came, but few remained.

136.12 Sapiēns quidem est, sed nōn fēlīx. He is wise indeed, but not happy.

136.13 Hīc quidem tūtī sumus. Here at least we are safe.

136.14 Nunc quidem pāx est, sed mox bellum erit. Now there is certainly peace, but soon there will be war.

136.15 Omnēs quidem mortālēs sumus. We are all indeed mortals.

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part C (Latin Text Only)

136.1 Ego quidem hoc sciō.

136.2 Tū quidem vērum dīcis.

136.3 Ille quidem temptāvit.

136.4 Nōs quidem pauperēs sumus.

136.5 Vōs quidem fortēs estis.

136.6 Hoc quidem facile est.

136.7 Illud quidem vērum vidētur.

136.8 Pater meus quidem senex est.

136.9 Māter quidem fīlium amat.

136.10 Rōmānī quidem victōrēs fuērunt.

136.11 Multī quidem vēnērunt, sed paucī mānsērunt.

136.12 Sapiēns quidem est, sed nōn fēlīx.

136.13 Hīc quidem tūtī sumus.

136.14 Nunc quidem pāx est, sed mox bellum erit.

136.15 Omnēs quidem mortālēs sumus.

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part D (Grammar Explanation with Concrete Examples)

For English speakers learning Latin, understanding "quidem" requires attention to several key points: -

Basic Meaning and Function: -

"Quidem" is an emphatic particle meaning "certainly," "indeed," "at least" -

It emphasizes the word it follows -

Never begins a sentence in classical prose -

Position in the Sentence: -

Usually follows the emphasized word immediately -

Example: "ego quidem" = "I certainly/I for my part" -

Can follow pronouns, nouns, adjectives, or adverbs -

Common Constructions: -

With pronouns: "ego quidem" (I indeed), "tū quidem" (you certainly) -

With demonstratives: "hoc quidem" (this certainly) -

In contrasts: "...quidem...sed" (indeed...but) -

Contrastive Use: -

Often paired with "sed" (but) to create contrast -

Example: "Sapiēns quidem est, sed nōn fēlīx" = "He is wise indeed, but not happy" -

The "quidem" clause concedes a point before contrasting it -

Temporal Use: -

With temporal adverbs: "nunc quidem" (now at least) -

Example: "Nunc quidem pāx est" = "Now there is certainly peace" -

Idiomatic Expressions: -

"nē...quidem" = "not even" (with the emphasized word between) -

"quod quidem" = "as far as that goes"

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part E (Cultural Context)

For English speakers, understanding how Romans used "quidem" reveals important aspects of Latin rhetoric and thought: -

Rhetorical Emphasis: -

Romans valued precise emphasis in speech -

"Quidem" allowed speakers to highlight specific points -

Essential in legal and political oratory -

Philosophical Discourse: -

Frequently used in philosophical arguments -

Helped establish concessions before counterarguments -

Common in works of Cicero and Seneca -

Social Hierarchy: -

"Ego quidem" could express humility or assertion depending on context -

Used to acknowledge one's position while making a point -

Important in maintaining Roman social decorum -

Modern Relevance: -

Similar to English "indeed," "certainly," "at least" -

Helps understand Latin's nuanced approach to emphasis -

Shows how particles shape meaning beyond simple translation

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part F (Literary Citation)

From Cicero's De Amicitia (17.64):

Part F-A (Interleaved Text)

136.16 Discipulus The student rogat: asks: "Quid What est is fēlīcitās?" happiness?

136.17 Magister The teacher respondet: replies: "Fēlīcitās Happiness quidem certainly nōn not in in dīvitiīs riches est." is.

Part F-B (Complete Translation)

Ego vōs hortārī tantum possum ut amīcitiam omnibus rēbus hūmānīs antepōnātis; nihil est enim tam nātūrae aptum, tam conveniēns ad rēs vel secundās vel adversās. Sed hoc prīmum sentiō: nisi in bonīs amīcitiam esse nōn posse.

I can only urge you to prefer friendship to all human affairs; for nothing is so suited to nature, so fitting for circumstances either favorable or adverse. But this I feel first of all: that friendship cannot exist except among good men.

Part F-C (Literary Analysis)

In this passage, Cicero emphasizes the supreme value of friendship. Note the careful structure: -

Opening with personal authority ("ego") -

Building to the main point about friendship's universality -

Concluding with a philosophical limitation -

The emphatic placement of "nihil" and "tam...tam" construction reinforces his argument

Part F-D (Grammatical Notes)

-

"hortārī" - deponent infinitive after "possum" -

"ut...antepōnātis" - purpose clause with subjunctive -

"tam...tam" - correlative construction for emphasis -

"nisi in bonīs" - limiting condition with ablative -

Complex periodic structure typical of Ciceronian prose

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Genre Section: Philosophical Dialogue

Part A (Interleaved Text)

Analysis of Passage 136.16-136.30

This dialogue beautifully illustrates Stoic philosophy through a teacher-student discussion about happiness (fēlīcitās).

Key Philosophical Points:

The Central Argument: - Happiness ≠ wealth (dīvitiās) - Happiness ≠ external circumstances - Happiness = virtue (virtūte) + wisdom (sapientiā) - True happiness resides in the soul (animō), not the body (corpore)

Notable Features:

1. The repeated use of quidem: - Emphasizes points and creates rhythm - Often pairs with sed (but) to show contrasts - Creates a dialectical structure (thesis → objection → response)

2. Socrates as exemplum (example): - Poor (pauper) yet happy (fēlīx) - Condemned to death (damnātus) - Yet remained free in spirit (animum līberum) - The ultimate illustration of inner vs. outer freedom

3. Stoic themes: - Inner tranquility despite external hardship - Virtue as the only true good - Freedom of the will/soul (animus) - The distinction between what we control (virtue, reason) and what we don't (wealth, health, death)

Grammatical Note:

The placement of quidem varies—sometimes at the beginning of a clause, sometimes after the first word—showing classical flexibility in Latin word order.

This passage encapsulates Socratic and Stoic responses to the question: Where is true happiness found? ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

136.16 Discipulus rogat: "Quid est fēlīcitās?" The student asks: "What is happiness?"

136.17 Magister respondet: "Fēlīcitās quidem nōn in dīvitiīs est." The teacher replies: "Happiness is certainly not in riches."

136.18 "At dīvitēs quidem laetī videntur," discipulus dīcit. "But rich people indeed seem happy," the student says.

136.19 "Videntur quidem," magister inquit, "sed nōn sunt." "They seem so indeed," the teacher says, "but they are not."

136.20 "Ubi ergō fēlīcitās invenitur?" discipulus quaerit. "Where then is happiness found?" the student asks.

136.21 "In virtūte quidem et sapientiā," magister docet. "Certainly in virtue and wisdom," the teacher teaches.

136.22 Discipulus dubitāns dīcit: "Sed multī sapientēs quidem miserī sunt." The doubting student says: "But many wise men are indeed miserable."

136.23 "Fortasse corpore quidem patiuntur," magister cōnfirmat. "Perhaps they indeed suffer in body," the teacher confirms.

136.24 "Sed animō quidem beātī sunt," addit. "But in soul they are certainly blessed," he adds.

136.25 "Hoc quidem difficile intellēctū est," discipulus fatētur. "This is indeed difficult to understand," the student confesses.

136.26 "Difficile quidem," magister cōnsentit, "sed vērum." "Difficult indeed," the teacher agrees, "but true."

136.27 "Exemplum quidem dā mihi," discipulus ōrat. "At least give me an example," the student begs.

136.28 "Sōcratēs quidem pauper fuit sed fēlīx," magister nārrat. "Socrates was certainly poor but happy," the teacher relates.

136.29 "Morte quidem damnātus est!" discipulus exclāmat. "He was indeed condemned to death!" the student exclaims.

136.30 "Sed animum quidem līberum semper habuit," magister conclūdit. "But he certainly always had a free soul," the teacher concludes.

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part C (Latin Text Only)

136.16 Discipulus rogat: "Quid est fēlīcitās?"

136.17 Magister respondet: "Fēlīcitās quidem nōn in dīvitiīs est."

136.18 "At dīvitēs quidem laetī videntur," discipulus dīcit.

136.19 "Videntur quidem," magister inquit, "sed nōn sunt."

136.20 "Ubi ergō fēlīcitās invenitur?" discipulus quaerit.

136.21 "In virtūte quidem et sapientiā," magister docet.

136.22 Discipulus dubitāns dīcit: "Sed multī sapientēs quidem miserī sunt."

136.23 "Fortasse corpore quidem patiuntur," magister cōnfirmat.

136.24 "Sed animō quidem beātī sunt," addit.

136.25 "Hoc quidem difficile intellēctū est," discipulus fatētur.

136.26 "Difficile quidem," magister cōnsentit, "sed vērum."

136.27 "Exemplum quidem dā mihi," discipulus ōrat.

136.28 "Sōcratēs quidem pauper fuit sed fēlīx," magister nārrat.

136.29 "Morte quidem damnātus est!" discipulus exclāmat.

136.30 "Sed animum quidem līberum semper habuit," magister conclūdit.

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

Part D (Grammar Explanation for Philosophical Dialogue)

In philosophical dialogue, "quidem" serves several crucial functions: -

Concessive Use: -

"Videntur quidem...sed nōn sunt" = "They seem indeed...but are not" -

Acknowledges opposing view before refuting it -

Essential pattern in dialectical reasoning -

Emphatic Agreement: -

"Difficile quidem" = "Difficult indeed" -

Shows teacher acknowledging student's point -

Builds rapport while maintaining authority -

Limiting Statements: -

"Corpore quidem patiuntur" = "In body indeed they suffer" -

Restricts scope of agreement -

Allows nuanced philosophical distinctions -

Dialogue Markers: -

Different placement creates conversational flow -

Initial position: "At dīvitēs quidem..." -

Final position: "Exemplum quidem dā mihi" -

Shows speaker's emphasis and emotion -

Philosophical Precision: -

"In virtūte quidem et sapientiā" -

Marks definitive statements -

Distinguishes certain from uncertain claims -

Socratic Method: -

Teacher uses "quidem" to guide discovery -

Student uses it to express partial understanding -

Creates dialectical progression toward truth

✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾

---