Latin Proverbs, Mottoes, Phrases, and Words: Group D

From dement, to cause to become mad, raving, crazy; literally, "out of one's mind".

Legally, a form of mental disorder in which cognitive and intellectual functions of the mind are prominently affected; impairment of memory is an early sign; total recovery is thought to be impossible since organic cerebral disease is involved.

A related term is dementia praecox which is a term used to include a wide range of mental disorders that occur in early life.

It is also called adolescent insanity and schizophrenia. Dementia praecox includes three types: primary dementia, catatonia, and hebephrenia.

Also, "Don't bother me with petty matters." A praetor [PREET uhr] in ancient Rome was a magistrate who assisted the consuls by administering justice and commanding armies.

A related expression is the legal precept: De minimis non curat lex or "The law does not concern itself with trifles" or "The law does not care for, or take notice of, very small or trifling matters"; which is used to justify refusal by a court, particularly an appellate court, to hear a suit, on the basis that a court's time must not be taken up with matters of small importance.

Provision is made under certain criminal statutes for dismissing offenses that are de minimis.

The phrase, de minimis, also explains why income tax payments that are a few dollars short of what they should be are sometimes accepted without any complaint.

Another translation: "Speak kindly of the dead." It is believed that Chilon of Sparta, one of the wise men of sixth-century B.C. Greece, is the author of this saying. Keep in mind that this would be a Latin translation of what Chilon said in Greek.

The advice to everyone is to speak well of the recently dead or, if you can not say anything good, to keep quiet.

It was Persius, the first-century A.D. Roman poet, who stated in his Satires that effort is required to produce anything of value. He also said that anything once produced can not become non-existent again, when he wrote: In nihilum nil posse reverti or "There is nothing that can be reduced to nothing."

Like de integro, de novo is an expression used in describing a fresh start; as in, "I'm sorry about what I said yesterday, let's start de novo.

Motto of Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, USA.

Motto of William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri, USA.

Motto of Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane, Washington, USA.

Motto of on the Great Seal of the Confederate States of America.

This expression is used to call on God when initiating an enterprise or looking forward to the future; as in, "Deo volente we will return safely from our trip." It is also abbreviated as D.V.