Latin Proverbs, Mottoes, Phrases, and Words: Group T(classical-language maxims, slogans, adages, proverbs, and words of wisdom that can still capture our modern imagination)Expressions of general truths: Latin to English maxims, proverbs, and mottoesAll entries are from Latin unless otherwise indicated.Testes ponderantur, non numerantur.
Witnesses are weighed, not numbered.
That is, in case of a conflict of evidence, the truth is to be sought by weighing the credibility of the respective witnesses, not by the mere numerical preponderance on one side or the other. A similar maxim contains the following: Testibus deponentibus in pari numero, dignioribus est credendum ("Where the witnesses who testify are in equal number [on both sides], the more worthy are to be believed"). testis
A witness.
One who gives evidence in court, or who witnesses a document. A testimony consists of evidence given by a competent witness under oath or affirmation; as distinguished from evidence derived from writings, and other sources. In common parlance, "testimony" and "evidence" are synonymous. Testimony properly means only such evidence as is delivered by a witness on the trial of a cause, either orally or in the form of affidavits or depositions. Testis de visu preponderat aliis.
An eye-witness is preferred to others.
A legal maxim about testimony. Testis lupanaris sufficit ad factum in lupanari.
A lewd person is a sufficient witness to an act committed in a brothel.
A maxim about the legality of testimony. Testis nemo in sua causa esse potest.
No one can be a witness in his own cause.
Testis oculatus unus plus valet quam auriti decem.
One eye-witness is worth more than ten ear-witnesses.
testis unus, testis nullus
One witness, no witness.
According to this statement, unsupported testimony is no better than complete absence of testimony and so, supposedly, we should not give full credence to a story we hear from just one source. Tharros, Dynamis, Philosophia (Greek)
Courage, strength, and love of wisdom.
Motto of Grossmont College, El Cajon, California, USA. thesmothete, Thesmothete
A law-maker; a law-giver.
A thesmothete was a legislator, originally any of the six inferior archons [chief magistrates] in ancient Athens. The Oxford English Dictionary defines thesmothete as: "Each of the six inferior archons in ancient Athens, who were judges and law-givers; hence, one who lays down the law" and a thesmophilist is "someone who loves the law". Thesmos is "that which is laid down, the law". threnody (Greek)
A song of lamentation for the dead.
From Greek threnoidia, from threnos, "lament" plus oide, "song". Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.
I fear the Greeks [ancient name Danai], even when bearing gifts.
Another version, "When an enemy appears friendly, watch out" or better known as, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts." The Latin advice was recorded by Virgil, in his Aeneid, and is addressed to the men of Troy. The Trojans were told by one of their priests to mistrust the huge wooden horse left behind by the departing soldiers of Greece, supposedly as an offering to the gods to secure safe passage for Ulysses during his return to Greece. Ignoring the advice, the Trojans didn't examine the horse-structure, but dragged it into their city. Unknown to the Trojan citizens, the horse contained a contingent of Greek soldiers who were able to open the city gates so many other Greek troops were able to destroy Troy. To this day, "a Trojan horse" is a thing or person that subverts from within an organization or group. Even in computer science, the term "Trojan horse" is used to refer to a set of instructions hidden inside a legitimate program, causing a computer to perform illegitimate or destructive functions. Timeo hominem unius libri.
I fear the man of one book.
tome (Greek)
A cut-off piece.
A large book, or one book of a multi-volume work. Tota educatio.
Total education.
Motto of Lenoir Community College, Kinston, North Carolina, USA. Tribus unum.
From three, one.
Motto of Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
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