How to Feel Like a Dope Learning Latin

Latin Learning Latin
1

Book V of Metamorphoses:
(Cepheus talking to Phineus who’s complaining about not getting to marry Andromeda)

…quae si tibi magna videntur,
ex illis scopulis, ubi erant adfixa, petisses.
nunc sine, qui petiit, per quem haec non orba senectus,
ferre, quod et meritis et voce est pactus…

I struggled for a long time trying to make sense of the “without” (the notes said to supply “eum”), but that didn’t help me cuz it didn’t make any sense, and wondering why the infinitive of “ferre” was being used…until I finally realized that it’s not “without” but “allow” (imperative of sino)…
:blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush:

2

We’ve all been there, Dave! You should take comfort in the fact that you got there in the end!

3

The Eagle beat me to it! Yes, all of us who have persevered in our study of the languages have had moments like this. One of the benefits, after the palm to the forehead moment, is that working through it like that means that it sticks much longer, and makes it easier the next time you encounter it…

4

That one gets me almost every time. Sometimes makes me think the author is doing it on purpose. :wink:

5

I seem to remember a thread on “sine quaeso inspiciam.” “I’ll inspect without complaint” (or is it “without cheese”?)