Coram Deo

I heard this phrase: Coram Deo on BBC Radio 4 last night, and immediately I knew what it meant before the speaker told the audience its meaning. Coram means in the presence of, thus coram Deo means in the presence of God. Barristers (English trial lawyers) used to use the word coram when endorsing their briefs at the end of court appearances, writing the name and title of the presiding judge directly after it. Coram is, of course, a preposition which takes the ablative. Lastly, I will leave the meaning of the phrase coram Deo laboramus as an exercise for the reader.

Quo fas vocat

I noticed the motto "Quo fas vocat" on a plaque at the Catholic Church on the island of Lindisfarne, which is also known as Holy Island. A not dissimilar motto is "Quo fas et gloria ducunt", which is that of the Royal Artillery. A simpler translation of "Quo fas vocat" than the one above is: "To where fate calls."

Cineri gloria sera est

"Cineri gloria sera sunt", which is also given as "Cineri gloria sera venit", is an epigram of Martial.  The literal meaning is: "To the ashes glory is too late."  The meaning is that we should honour greatness, while the person is alive.

cinis, cineris (m)  ashes
sera  adv  late

Cinis, cineris is related to the English word incinerate, which, of course, means to turn to ashes.

Et reddam vobis annos quos comedit lucusta

"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten" are the opening words of Joel, chapter 2, verse 25 in the King James version of the Bible.  It is far from the only time, when this version of the Bible puts something in a far more memorable and poetic way than other English translations.

In Latin, it is: "Et reddam vobis annos quos comedit lucusta."

Amor Patriae Nostra Lex

The other day I was pleasantly surprised to see a man wearing a T-shirt with the Latin slogan: "Amor patriae nostra lex."  This, of course, means: "Love of country [is] our law", which is a worthy sentiment.