# What is your favourite non-English quotation? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 9, 2021, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115 "2021-07-09T21:28:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/41 "2021-07-11T04:18:37Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Hah! I’ve pretty much my whole life refused to wear a wristwatch, partly because of the underlying principle of that saying. I had no idea such a saying existed. (Surprisingly, I am actually a punctual person — when I NEED to know the time, I’ll find it.) It’s real too. I learned it from one of my German profs in college. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/42 "2021-07-11T06:08:17Z")
Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul. I’m told it’s from the Black Speech of Mordor, though its Westron translation is probably more well-known. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/43 "2021-07-11T06:24:56Z")
Never in the history of the Straight Dope had that tongue been heard in our halls Smapti the Grey ☹ ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/44 "2021-07-11T07:19:05Z")
[Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes](https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803104650943) > Latin quotation from Virgil’s _Aeneid_ meaning, ‘I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts’; the warning given to the Trojans that they should not trust the **Trojan** Horse. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/45 "2021-07-11T07:26:03Z")
_Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar._ (Antonio Machado) “Wayfarer, there is no path, The path is made by walking” ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/46 "2021-07-11T07:38:25Z")
Vyizzer zomanimor orzisazis zanzeris orzis? (Old Slavic proverb.) Why are there so many more horses asses than there are horses? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/47 "2021-07-11T08:28:14Z")
There’s a Persian proverb (I don’t have the Farsi memorized; I hear it from my wife) that is expressed in a couple different forms: “Pour the oil as if the vessel is full” or “Carry the vessel as if it is heavy.” The sense being, be gracious and generous with your guests, don’t give any hint that they’re a burden. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/48 "2021-07-11T08:57:23Z")
_As jy dom is, moet jy kak_ The vulgar Afrikaans equivalent of “play stupid games, win stupid prizes” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/49 "2021-07-11T17:12:24Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > On the analogy of _carpe diem_ , which is what I presume you are going for, you want _carpe cerevisiam._ _Cerevisi_ isn’t a possible form. Misremembered. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/50 "2021-07-11T17:18:45Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > There’s a Persian proverb (I don’t have the Farsi memorized; I hear it from my wife) that is expressed in a couple different forms: “Pour the oil as if the vessel is full” or “Carry the vessel as if it is heavy.” The sense being, be gracious and generous with your guests, don’t give any hint that they’re a burden. Ah. That seems really appropriate. Persians are probably the most hospitable people as a group I’ve known. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/51 "2021-07-11T17:53:55Z")
> [@glowacks](#): > > Un bon mot ne prouve rien. - Voltaire > A witty saying proves nothing. Also from Voltaire: “[…] le Canada, pays couvert de neiges et de glaces huit mois de l’année, habité par des barbares, des ours et des castors […]” (Canada, a land covered by ice and snow eight months of the year, inhabited by barbarians, bears and beavers) ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/52 "2021-07-11T23:16:22Z")
Óigame compay! No deje el camino por coger la vereda. Usted por enamorado Tan viejo y con poco brillo Usted por enamorado Tan viejo y con poco brillo El pollo que tiene al lado Le ha hecho perder el trillo !Óigame compay! No deje el camino por coger la vereda. Ay, pero yo como soy tan sencillo Pongo en claro esta trovada Yo como soy tan sencillo Pongo en claro esta trovada Compay, yo no dejo el trillo Para meterme en Cañada. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/53 "2021-07-11T23:22:18Z")
Have you heard Joan Manuel Serrat’s “Cantares” song? he sings Machado’s lyrics beautifully. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/54 "2021-07-12T01:38:58Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? I dunno, Coast Guard? ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/55 "2021-07-12T01:47:03Z")
Fiat justitia ruat caelum. (Let justice be done though the heavens fall.) ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/56 "2021-07-12T11:37:57Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > > [@glowacks](#): > > > > Un bon mot ne prouve rien. - Voltaire > > A witty saying proves nothing. > > Also from Voltaire: > “[…] le Canada, pays couvert de neiges et de glaces huit mois de l’année, habité par des barbares, des ours et des castors […]” > > (Canada, a land covered by ice and snow eight months of the year, inhabited by barbarians, bears and beavers) Voltaire also added in 1758-59: " Vous savez que ces deux nations sont en guerre pour quelques arpents de neige…" (You know that these two nations [Britain and France] are at war for a few acres of snow…). A play on words using this latter quote is used for the French version of “Trivial Pursuit” called “Quelques arpents de pièges” (“pièges” meaning “traps”). A (square) “arpent” was/is about 0.84 acres in area (varying slightly in different jurisdictions - I would suspect it’s obsolete with the exception of old property deeds), and is often used in translations - e.g. “Green Acres” in French is “Les arpents verts”. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/57 "2021-07-12T11:49:54Z")
_libe iz libe ober gesheft iz gesheft_ “love is love, but business is business!” _aun dos iz a gute gedank?_ "and this is a good idea? ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/58 "2021-07-12T16:33:44Z")
“Cuando no hay cerebro…, no hay cerebro” - My father in law. (when there is no brain…, there is no brain", when commenting on something stupid said by someone. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/59 "2021-07-12T17:16:01Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > But if you’re thinking like a Roman, you might go for _carpite hordeum_ , “(you [pl.]) seize the barley,” where you and your pals are planning a raid on some unsuspecting Gaulish barley farmers. Then you can make all the beer you like, at your leisure. Also, easier to transport. _rape fermentum_ ? Here is an inspirational Hebrew Proverb: לֵֽךְ־אֶל־נְמָלָ֥ה עָצֵ֑ל רְאֵ֖ה דְרָכֶ֣יהָ וַחֲכָֽם׃ King James translation: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise” ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115/60 "2021-07-13T15:30:16Z")
The Russian for “In Truth there is no news, and in News there is no truth.” The joke is that Pravda (the Russian word for truth) and Tass (the Russian word for news) are two big newspapers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-non-english-quotation/946115.md?page=4)