Tonycp

Hi guys

Could you please translate the following of my favourite phrases into the best latin versions. These will be for tattoos in honour of my two sons who are about to pass the top grade in their Martial Art (they are 7 & 9 years old)

I have posted in another forum on here about their names in Thai, this is not a repost as this is for Latin phrases

1. Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret.
2. A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help his child.
3. It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us father and sons.
4. The most precious things you will ever wear around your neck are the arms of your children.

I am a single father hence these sayings mean a lot to me, and to be finaly able to take them with me would be an honour.

Thank you for your time, I know you guys help alot of students and are probly sick of tattoo requests lol

Cloelia

"3. It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us father and sons."
Nec caro nec sanguis nos patrem et filios faciunt, sed cor.
Literally: Neither (our) flesh nor (our) blood us father and sons make, but the heart.

Tonycp

Thank you Cloelia

That is a beautiful translation

Cloelia

Thank you, Tonycp. In my opinion that's the only way to translate this Schiller (?) quote. The other sentences are harder to translate in Latin.
"1. Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret."
Aut moderationis aut desiderii dolorem patere.
Literally: Either the pain of discipline or the pain of regret suffer.

Perhaps mcmg, the other Latin translator, would translate this command in another way or use another word order so I hope she will soon get online.

Tonycp

Again many thanks Cloelia, I gave myself a 50/50 chance of translation (picking 4 of my favourites but hoping to get 2 tattoo'd on me) and you have translated my two favourites

The 1st quote is indeed Friedrich Schiller, and your translation is going to be written in Latin across my heart on my chest. To me this quote says everything about the relationship I have with my sons, not because we are simply related, but because we show each other love everyday.

Your 2nd quote is also perfect for the commitment we show each other in both life, but also the commitment we show in the fight gym.

I am more than happy with the two quotes you have provided as even the 2nd quote as you put it still relates to our attitude in the gym, meaning the tattoo may even be unique to me.

I am truely gratefull for your time Cloelia

Thank you

Cloelia

"4. The most precious things you will ever wear around your neck are the arms of your children."
Res pretiosissimae quas umquam geres circa collum (tuum) sunt bracchia filiorum (tuorum).
The words: res pretiosissimae - the most precious things, quas - that, umquam - ever, geres - you will wear, circa - around, (tuum - your = understood), collum - neck, sunt - are, bracchia - the arms, (tuorum - of your = understood), filiorum - children/sons.

The possessive pronouns are often understood in Latin. On the other hand you cannot omit the relative pronoun "that" (quas) as you can in English. I don't know if mcmg would translate this sentence in another way. If so, she will do it when she gets online.

Cloelia

I might as well translate number 2 too. The English pun of "stand tall" cannot be rendered in Latin so I have just used the comparative of the adverbe recte meaning rightly, correctly.
"2. A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help his child."
Vir numquam rectius stat quam cum nixus in genibus ut puerum suum iuvet.

The words: vir - a man, numquam - never, rectius stat - stands more rightly, quam cum - than when, nixus in genibus - he kneels, ut - (in order) to, iuvet - help, puerum suum - his child.

By the way, I have seen Thai boxing in Bangkok. Although I don't like seeing people get hurt I was quite fascinated by the movements of the boxers. It looked like ballet dancing to me.