October 04, 2006

Homines plerique ipsi sibi mala parant.

In English: Many people themselves prepare evils for themselves.

Or, in other words, most people are their own worst enemy!

This is a saying that I see illustrated over and over again, in my own life and in the lives of people around me. The trouble we make for ourselves - trouble we don't have to make for ourselves - can bring us down fast. I decided to choose this proverb in honor of Representative Foley and all the mess he has gotten himself in through actions that were not coerced or compelled by anyone, but which were simply actions he committed himself, evils he piled up for himself.

This proverb is not completely pessimistic - it just says that most people, plerique, do this. I guess I am cynical enough to believe that this actually applied to all people. In fact, it's probably wise for us all to assume that this does apply to each of us. Now if only we could figure out how to make sure that we prepare good things for ourselves instead of bad things!

So here is today's proverb read out loud - just think about changing that mala to bona in your own life if you can:

1314. Homines plerique ipsi sibi mala parant.

The number here is the number for this proverb in Latin Via Proverbs: 4000 Proverbs, Mottoes and Sayings for Students of Latin. If you are reading this via RSS: The Flash audio content is not syndicated via RSS; please visit the Latin Audio Proverbs blog to listen to the audio.
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