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Alright, I'm interested in gathering popular historical phrases in foreign languages that could be useful when applied in ordinary conversations or lectures. I'd like to memorize some of them. Here are a few:Alea iacta est – “the die is cast” (Julius Caesar)Carthago delenda est – “Carthage must be destroyed” (Cato the Elder)Any others you can think of?
Carthago delenda est 😀 😀 How is this useful in ordinary conversation? (unless you're gonna go bomb Carthage or something)
Well just for example, say you are in a conversation where a bunch of liberals are talking about how Congressman Joe Wilson ought to be punished for his most “heinous” crime of making an outburst against Obama. You look off into the distance with a slight look of disgust on your face as you listen to people who blow this way out of proportion and with fist clenched, you say “Wilson delenda est!”. ;D
How about portions of the St Crispian's Day speech from Henry V? the full text is here and it has to be one of the best speeches ever written even if it was never given except on stage. I like the last part the best:
This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered- We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in England now-a-bed Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
Just reading it gives me goosebumps. Maybe I can identify the sentiments too easily.
Try these ones:- Ta?aut, ta?aut /ta.jo/(used for a final charge with heavy sword composed of point, estoc or English “tuck” and taille: sharpen side therefore high taille)- Car tel est notre plaisir /kaʁ tɛl ɛ 'nɔ.tʁə ple.'ziʁ/ (as is my pleasure)- Et toc ! (more or less: gotcha, from estoc ?, used when you got “point, set and match”)
