December 16th Latin of the Day - "Res publica virum docet."

 Res publica virum docet.

"Public affairs (or "affairs of state") teach a man."

~ Attributed to Plutarch, a Greek author, apparently translated into Latin by Erasmus of Rotterdam.

The term res publica literally means "public matters," sometimes translated as "Republic," though that is not the sense here. The idea that involvement in public affairs - social and governmental matters in the community - is part of the education of a young man is common in ancient Greek democracies such as Athens and in ancient Rome. Our English word "idiot" actually comes from the ancient Greek word for "private," meaning a person who lives a private life and does not take part in public life is an . . . idiot. A less sexist, modern version might be Res publica civem docet - "Public affairs teach the citizen."

With macrons: Rēs pūblica virum docet.

Rēs pūblica cīvem docet.

November 21st Reading from The Daily Stoic (Round 2) - Once Is Enough, Once Is Forever

 "A good isn't increased by the addition of time, but if one is wise even for a moment, they will be no less happy than the person who exercises virtue for all time and happily passes their life in it."

~ Chrysippus, quoted by Plutarch in Moralia: "Against the Stoics on Common Conceptions"

November 21st Reading from The Daily Stoic - Once Is Enough, Once Is Forever

"A good isn't increased by the addition of time, but if one is wise for even a moment, they will be no less happy than the person who exercises virtue for all time and happily passes their life in it."

~ Chrysippus, quoted by Plutarch in Moralia, "Against the Stoics on Common Conceptions," 1062

February 22nd Reading from The Daily Stoic - What's Better Left Unsaid

"Cato practiced the kind of speech capable of moving the masses, believing proper political philosophy takes care like any great city to maintain the warlike element. But he was never seen practicing in front of others, and no one ever heard him rehearse a speech. When he was told that people blamed him for his silence, he replied, 'Better they not blame my life. I begin to speak only when I'm certain what I'll say isn't better left unsaid'."

~ Plutarch, Cato the Younger, 4