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Proverbia de Cervis

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These proverbs about the Deer (or Stag) (Cervus) emphasize the physical qualities of the stag: it is swift, but also a coward, in that it prefers to run away rather than stand and fight.

For more information about deer and stags in Latin bestiaries, visit the Cervus in the Zoo. If you find some of the proverbs below difficult to understand, you will find some English translations at the Zoo page, along with many other proverbs!

   Use this Study Guide to organize your learning activities.

Scit bene venator
cervis ubi retia tendat.
tendat: subjunctive in indirect question introduced by scit
Primo oportet
cervum capere,
et captum excoriare. 		capere...excoriare: complementary infinitives with oportet
Cervus
ad sagittam properat. 		 
Longius
insidias
cerva videbit anus. 		cerva...anus: split phrase
Cervos occidit
sine canibus,
ac dolosis retibus. 		 
Cervus
venetur canes. 		 
Sicut irretitur vinculo
cervus. 		 
Vincere cervum cursu.  
Iracundia leones adiuvat,
pavor cervos,
accipitrem impetus,
columbam fuga. 		 
In pace leones,
in proelio cervi. 		 
Formidabilior
cervorum exercitus,
duce leone,
quam leonum cervo. 		duce leone : ablative absolute
Quisquis amat cervam,
cervam putat
esse Minervam. 		esse: infinitive in indirect statement introduced by putat (cervam is accusative subject, Minervam is predicate)
Ubi cervi
abiciunt cornua. 		 
Pro virgine
cerva.
Note: This refers to the mythical legend of Iphigenia who was to be sacrificed, when suddenly a deer appeared in her place instead.
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