Not as I would like, but as I am able...

Latin Learning Latin
1

Hi,

I’m still too much of a beginner to quite manage this myself, but I’d like to translate a motto in Latin, making it as pithy as possible.

It’s something I might like to put on the back of my drawings.

In English: “Not (done as well) as I would like/wish, but as (the best) I can (do).”
Therefore: “Not as I would like/wish, but as I can.”

At my current level (about halfway though my first teach-yourself book) I can only manage something like “non quod volo, sed possum”, which I know is terrible. I’m guessing it’ll need the subjunctive or something else I’ve not learned yet?

Anyway, any help would be gratefully received!

2

Put the two verbs in the perfect indicative:

Non quod volui sed quod potui.

Quod potui non quod volui.

You could add feci (“I made”) or pinxi (“I drew”) at the beginning, at the end, or between the two clauses.

But wait for some more suggestions before you decide.

3

Thanks for the reply, Quimmik.

Much appreciated!