Dusty Phrases

Hi! Welcome to “Dusty Phrases.” You will find below an ancient phrase in one language or another, along with its English translation. You may also find the power to inspire your friends or provoke dread among your enemies.

For other examples, visit HERE:

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Latin:

Nec temere, nec timide

English:

Neither rashly nor timidly

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This Latin phrase is ancient, with an unknown origin, though it is not hard to imagine the phrase being in use for nearly as long as the spoken language has existed. It expresses the virtues of self-control and self-confidence, and is currently in use by several entities as a motto. (via wiki)

Nec temere, nec timide is a Latin phrase that translates to ‘Neither rashly nor timidly’. Its exact origin is unknown although Aristotle in Ethica Nicomachea, Book III, mentions, along with other examples, that the virtuous man is not temerarious nor timorous, but courageous. It is best known as the motto of the Dano-Norwegian naval hero Niels Juel, who supposedly used it first at the dawn of July 1, 1677, just before the Battle of Køge Bay.

The phrase has been used as a motto by armigerous families Bent, Buckley and Sherbourne, as well as individuals including the Williams-Bulkeley baronets and Charles Western, 1st Baron Western.

Today, it is used as a motto by various institutions, including:

• The Royal Danish Naval Academy
• The former English borough of Oswestry, in Shropshire
• Gdańsk
• The Dutch air assault brigade 11th Airmobile Brigade (Netherlands).
• Appleby College
• Cottrell Old Yankee Ale
• The Michigan Exploration Laboratory
• The Royal Quebec Golf Club
• The Bulkeley Hotel, Beaumaris
• National Paramount Services, LLP, US
• Free City of Danzig, 1920–1939
• Free City of Danzig Government in Exile