Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus... soles occidere et redire possunt: nobis cum semel occidit brevis lux, nox est perpetua una dormienda. da mi basia mille.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker urges love while we can because life is short and death is permanent.
- In plain terms
- Love now because we die soon.
- What can you take from it?
- Life is short so love now.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why wait to show love?
- Does knowing we die change how we live?
Another view
This is a classic Latin trope with specific cultural context.
More from Gaius Valerius Catullus
Per caputque pedesque.
Permalink to quote #2 Sed mulier cupido quod dicit amanti in vente et rapida scribere oportet aqua
Permalink to quote #3 Odi et amo. quare id faciam, fortasse requiris. nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.
Permalink to quote #4
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