proVERBS

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Sola avis in cavea melior quam mille volantes

conmentarius:
The word 'bush' has two meanings, both a small round tree and an unfarmed unpopulated area of land with many trees and bushes.

conmentarius:
Wild birds were often considered delicacies in Roman cuisine. They were generally caught in traps or nets, sometimes in large numbers

Significatio:
A single certain good is better than any number of merely potential ones

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur

conmentarius:
certus and incertus are in origin participles of the verb cerno, so there is probably some word-play here

Significatio:
In contrast to a 'fairweather friend', a true friend is faithful even in difficult times

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Non omne est aurum quod splendet

Significatio:
Appearances can be deceiving: even things that are superficially beautiful may turn out to be worthless

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Retro sedet ianuam, non invitatus ad aulam

conmentarius:
Roman houses were typically built around a central atrium or hall. It would generally be the room used for receiving guests, who were considered very important in Graeco-Roman society

Significatio:
If one arrives somewhere unexpectedly or without invitation, one cannot expect the treatment typical for a guest

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Canes qui plurimum latrant perraro mordent

Significatio:
With both dogs and humans, outward aggression or bluster often conceals an underlying lack of confidence

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Potius sero quam nunquam

Significatio:
It is better for a good deed or material good to come late than for it to never come at all

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Stultus puerque vera dicunt

Significatio:
People with fewer or no inhibitions say things others will not and are often more truthful

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Corvus oculum corvi non eruet

conmentarius:
Ravens and other corvids are and were well-known for eating carrion

Significatio:
Though people (and animals) are all self-interested, they generally will not attack those with whom they have shared interest or kindship

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Plus vident oculi quam oculus

Significatio:
Similar to the English 'One head is better than two': if one of something has a certain talent or ability, two or more together may prove even more effective

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Post tres saepe dies vilescit piscis et hospes

conmentarius:
This proverb would be particularly poignant before the invention of the refrigerator

Significatio:
Though it can be great to have guests at first, looking after them often loses its charm after a few days

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Pedibus compensanda est memoria

Significatio:
Forgetting or neglecting to do something often leads to more work in the end

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Noli equi dentes inspicere donati

conmentarius:
The condition of the teeth is a good indicator of the age of a horse

Significatio:
When something potentially valuable is given for free, the gift should not be questioned

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Fumus ergo ignis

Significatio:
There is no effect without some cause

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Manus manum lavat

conmentarius:
Since manus can mean 'group of people' as well as 'hand', this may be a pun

Significatio:
Two people that are similar will often look out for each other

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Cum vulpe vulpinare

Significatio:
To deal with a cunning person, one must be cunning too. The same goes for other attributes

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Una hirundo non efficit ver

conmentarius:
In the languages of southern Europe, the equivalent proverb usually has 'spring' rather than 'summer', because migrating swallows arrive earlier there than they do in northern Europe

conmentarius:
In northern Europe the swallow heralds the start of summer, but the swallows reach southern Europe earlier, in spring

Significatio:
Though there may be a demonstrable link between two phenomena, a single piece of evidence is not enough to prove it, and may in fact be an exception or anomaly

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Roma non fuit una die condita

conmentarius:
At the height of the Roman Empire, Rome was the greatest city in the known world. The Romans were intensely aware of their history, and the foundation of Rome would have seemed like the greatest task imaginable

Significatio:
Great tasks require application and perseverance: if you give up after a day, you will never succeed

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Ollula tam fertur ad aquam quod fracta refertur

Significatio:
If an action is repeated many times, it is likely to to fail eventually

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Lupus pilum mutat, non mentem

Significatio:
Bad people may change their appearances or behaviour, but this does not necessarily mean that their character has changed

Translatio:
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Equivalent:
Bonum initium est dimidium facti

Significatio:
Starting a task is often the most difficult part; but making a good start will generally mean the whole thing goes well