Cicero Translation Help

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kyleul
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Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:43 pm

Cicero Translation Help

Post by kyleul »

I cant seem to understand this sentence

Sed hoc primum sentio nisi in bonis amicitiam esse non posse

My translation

But, this first, I feel friendship is [not] able to exist in good; [But i dont know what to do with nisi]
Sed. hoc primum, Sentio amictiam esse non posse in bonis

Online Translation
Well, in the first place I feel that friendship can exist only among the good

Does Nisi Negate non and make it only?

Alatius
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Re: Cicero Translation Help

Post by Alatius »

If we rearrange it, it should be more clear:
Sed hoc primum sentio: amicitiam esse non posse, nisi in bonis [hominibus].
But this first I feel: that friendship can not exist, unless amongst good people.

kyleul
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Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:43 pm

Re: Cicero Translation Help

Post by kyleul »

Alatius wrote:If we rearrange it, it should be more clear:
Sed hoc primum sentio: amicitiam esse non posse, nisi in bonis [hominibus].
But this first I feel: that friendship can not exist, unless amongst good people.
Ago Gratias Tibi

erat *obvius* D: sum malus latina, praecipue Cicero

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