Distichs of Cato
Encyclopedia
The Distichs of Cato is a Latin
collection of proverbial wisdom and morality by an unknown author named Dionysius Cato from the 3rd or 4th century AD. The Cato was the most popular medieval schoolbook for teaching Latin, prized not only as a Latin textbook, but as a moral compass. Cato was in common use as a Latin teaching aid all the way to the 18th century, used by Benjamin Franklin
. It was one of the best-known books in the Middle Ages
and was translated into many languages.
Cato was the most popular Latin textbook during the Middle Ages, prized not only as a Latin textbook, but as a moral compass for impressionable students. It was translated into many languages, including Norse. The influence of Cato on young minds across such a vast stretch of time and place should not be underestimated.
Geoffrey Chaucer
referred to Cato in Canterbury Tales, through which modern students, less versed in Latin, often first come upon it.
The Distichs of Cato was most commonly referred to as simply "Cato". In the Middle Ages
, it was assumed the work had been written by Cato the Elder
, or even possibly Cato the Younger
. Cato the Elder had included tracts of the prose in his Carmen de Moribus, but this was later found to be copied. It was eventually attributed to the anonymous author Dionysius Cato (also known as Catunculus) from the 3rd or 4th century AD based upon evidence in a manuscript that Julius Caesar Scaliger
(1484-1558) wrote about, which no longer exists but which Scaliger found authoritative.
Licianus wrote a Regula Catonianus; for his father was also named Cato
, some other reseachers argue that he might be the original author of the Distichs of Cato.
According to this book, Cato was very honest and decent man, who opposed Caesar's exceses. Cato is also the guardian of the mount of Purgatory in the Divine comedy by Dante Alighieri
.
In 1513 Erasmus corrected and commented the text in his new edition.
Corderius
made the French translation, enriching it with comentaries on classical authors. His work was aimed at children with a summary, verses and an analysis of the structure. It was actually a grammatical treatise.
There were several Spanish translations of the work of Corderius. From the first one in 1490 to 1964, there are records of 6 spanish translations. Scholar on Michel de Villeneuve ( mostly known by his pseudonym Servetus), González Echeverría has proved in the ISHM
that Michel de Villeneuve was the author of the anonymous Spanish translation of 1543 of this work of Corderius.
There were several English translations, for example the one of John Kingston in 1584.
Benjamin Franklin
probably studied Cato when he was at Boston Latin School
. He cites Cato in Poor Richard's Almanac
and believed in the moral advice with such fervor he was troubled to print James Logan
's translation called Cato's Moral Distichs Englished in Couplets in 1735, the first in the Colonies
. Of its limited need in the morally puritan
New England
colonies, Franklin says:
"Distich" means closed couplets, a style of writing with two-liners. It is a collection of moral advice, each consisting of two hexameters, in four books. Cato is not particularly Christian in character, but it is monotheistic.
More precious than a kingdom it is to gain friends by kindness.
2.9. Do not disdain the powers of a small body;
He may be strong in counsel (though) nature denies him strength.
3.2. If you live rightly, do not worry about the words of bad people,
It is not our call as to what each person says.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
collection of proverbial wisdom and morality by an unknown author named Dionysius Cato from the 3rd or 4th century AD. The Cato was the most popular medieval schoolbook for teaching Latin, prized not only as a Latin textbook, but as a moral compass. Cato was in common use as a Latin teaching aid all the way to the 18th century, used by Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
. It was one of the best-known books in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
and was translated into many languages.
Background
-
-
- "He knew nat Catoun, for his wit was rude." — Canterbury Tales
-
Cato was the most popular Latin textbook during the Middle Ages, prized not only as a Latin textbook, but as a moral compass for impressionable students. It was translated into many languages, including Norse. The influence of Cato on young minds across such a vast stretch of time and place should not be underestimated.
Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer , known as the Father of English literature, is widely considered the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages and was the first poet to have been buried in Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey...
referred to Cato in Canterbury Tales, through which modern students, less versed in Latin, often first come upon it.
The Distichs of Cato was most commonly referred to as simply "Cato". In the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, it was assumed the work had been written by Cato the Elder
Cato the Elder
Marcus Porcius Cato was a Roman statesman, commonly referred to as Censorius , Sapiens , Priscus , or Major, Cato the Elder, or Cato the Censor, to distinguish him from his great-grandson, Cato the Younger.He came of an ancient Plebeian family who all were noted for some...
, or even possibly Cato the Younger
Cato the Younger
Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis , commonly known as Cato the Younger to distinguish him from his great-grandfather , was a politician and statesman in the late Roman Republic, and a follower of the Stoic philosophy...
. Cato the Elder had included tracts of the prose in his Carmen de Moribus, but this was later found to be copied. It was eventually attributed to the anonymous author Dionysius Cato (also known as Catunculus) from the 3rd or 4th century AD based upon evidence in a manuscript that Julius Caesar Scaliger
Julius Caesar Scaliger
Julius Caesar Scaliger was an Italian scholar and physician who spent a major part of his career in France. He employed the techniques and discoveries of Renaissance humanism to defend Aristotelianism against the new learning...
(1484-1558) wrote about, which no longer exists but which Scaliger found authoritative.
Licianus wrote a Regula Catonianus; for his father was also named Cato
Cato the Younger
Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis , commonly known as Cato the Younger to distinguish him from his great-grandfather , was a politician and statesman in the late Roman Republic, and a follower of the Stoic philosophy...
, some other reseachers argue that he might be the original author of the Distichs of Cato.
According to this book, Cato was very honest and decent man, who opposed Caesar's exceses. Cato is also the guardian of the mount of Purgatory in the Divine comedy by Dante Alighieri
Dante Alighieri
Durante degli Alighieri, mononymously referred to as Dante , was an Italian poet, prose writer, literary theorist, moral philosopher, and political thinker. He is best known for the monumental epic poem La commedia, later named La divina commedia ...
.
In 1513 Erasmus corrected and commented the text in his new edition.
Corderius
Corderius
Corderius is the Latinized form of name used by Mathurin Cordier. Mathurin Cordeir, was probably born in 1479, died the 8th of september of 1564, was a theologian, teacher, humanist, and pedagogian from Lausanne , of French origin...
made the French translation, enriching it with comentaries on classical authors. His work was aimed at children with a summary, verses and an analysis of the structure. It was actually a grammatical treatise.
There were several Spanish translations of the work of Corderius. From the first one in 1490 to 1964, there are records of 6 spanish translations. Scholar on Michel de Villeneuve ( mostly known by his pseudonym Servetus), González Echeverría has proved in the ISHM
International Society for the History of Medicine
The International Society for the History of Medicine is a non profit international society devoted to the academic study of the History of Medicine, including the sponsorship of conferences in international congresses....
that Michel de Villeneuve was the author of the anonymous Spanish translation of 1543 of this work of Corderius.
There were several English translations, for example the one of John Kingston in 1584.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
probably studied Cato when he was at Boston Latin School
Boston Latin School
The Boston Latin School is a public exam school founded on April 23, 1635, in Boston, Massachusetts. It is both the first public school and oldest existing school in the United States....
. He cites Cato in Poor Richard's Almanac
Poor Richard's Almanac
Poor Richard's Almanack was a yearly almanac published by Benjamin Franklin, who adopted the pseudonym of "Poor Richard" or "Richard Saunders" for this purpose. The publication appeared continually from 1732 to 1758...
and believed in the moral advice with such fervor he was troubled to print James Logan
James Logan
-People:* James Logan , colonial American statesman* James Richardson Logan , British lawyer and amateur ethnologist* James Harvey Logan , American horticulturist...
's translation called Cato's Moral Distichs Englished in Couplets in 1735, the first in the Colonies
Thirteen Colonies
The Thirteen Colonies were English and later British colonies established on the Atlantic coast of North America between 1607 and 1733. They declared their independence in the American Revolution and formed the United States of America...
. Of its limited need in the morally puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
colonies, Franklin says:
-
- "It would be thought a Piece of Hypocrisy and pharisaical Ostentation in me, if I should say, that I print these Distichs more with a view to the Good of others than my own private Advantage: And indeed I cannot say it; for I confess, I have so great Confidence in the common Virtue and Good Sense of the People of this and the neighoring Provinces, that I expect to sell a very good impression."
Cato
-
-
- "Libros lege. Read books.", Cato, Monostichs.
-
"Distich" means closed couplets, a style of writing with two-liners. It is a collection of moral advice, each consisting of two hexameters, in four books. Cato is not particularly Christian in character, but it is monotheistic.
Sample distichs
2.1. If you can, even remember to help people you don't know.More precious than a kingdom it is to gain friends by kindness.
2.9. Do not disdain the powers of a small body;
He may be strong in counsel (though) nature denies him strength.
3.2. If you live rightly, do not worry about the words of bad people,
It is not our call as to what each person says.
See also
- Durham Proverbs
- Medieval literatureMedieval literatureMedieval literature is a broad subject, encompassing essentially all written works available in Europe and beyond during the Middle Ages . The literature of this time was composed of religious writings as well as secular works...