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Sat 28 Jan, 2006 12:25 am
I came across this reading John Adam's diary from 1758. I believe it is Latin. Can someone translate?
'"Summa itaque ope et alacri Studio has Leges nostras accipite: et vosmet ipsos sic eruditos ostendite, ut Spes vos pulcherrima foveat, toto legitimo Opere perfecto, posse etiam nostram Rem publicam in Partibus ejus vobis credendis gubernari.' Data Constantinopoli XI. Kalendas Decembris, Domino Justiniano, perpetuo Augusto tertium Consule.-Cic. I. de Orat.-Pergite, ut facitis, Adolescentes, atque in id Studium in quo estis incumbite ut et vobis honori, et Amicis Utilitati, et Reipublicae emolumento esse possitis.-Arnoldus Vinnius in Academia Leidensi Juris Professor fuit celeberrimus."
It is indeed Latin.
The first part is from the Introduction to the Institutes of Justinian:
"Receive then these laws with your best powers and with the eagerness
of study, and show yourselves so learned as to be encouraged to hope
that when you have compassed the whole field of law you may have
ability to govern such portion of the state as may be entrusted to you.
Given at Constantinople the 21st day of November,
in the third consulate of the Emperor Justinian,
Father of his Country,
ever august."
(translation by J.B. Moyle)
The second part is from Cicero's De Oratore:
"Go forward therefore, my young friends, in your present course, and
bend your energies to that study which engages you, so that it may be in
your power to become a glory to yourselves, a source of service to your
friends, and profitable members of the republic."
(translation from the Loeb Classical Library)
The last part is:
"Arnold Vinnius, Professor of Law at Leyden University, was very famous."
You're welcome, Teperehmi.
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