We need friends who are honest with us and speak their minds, and we need to do the same for our friends too. What your Greek phrasebook probably wont tell you though, is that yia is a shortening for iyia[ijia], which means health in Greek - i.e. , . This quote conjures up a powerful image of futility, of an action we can perform over and over again with no hope of ever succeeding. We respect your privacy & promise not to spam! WebYou can knock on a deaf mans door forever. Nikos Kazantzakis. And that is why I succeed. Michael Jordan, Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didnt do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. I was first exposed to this phrase from its use on a t-shirt for professional wrestler Triple H, who has a long history of using different Latin phrases on his merchandise and entrance videos. Good people do not need law to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws. So if an authentic travel experience of Greece is what youre after, we didnt just teach you a really cool Greek word, but also a very Greek alternative to the local activities most local city tours entail. "I swear it," I said, lost in the high color of his cheeks, the flame in his eyes. Crying is for cowards, but you my son, I will bury you without a tear; You are my son and son of Sparta too. ~ Spartan Mother. I share with you all my best tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure. In Greece, this is a folksy way of calling someone a hypocrite. Fans found this absolutely hilarious for some reason, and a meme was created. Where to eat? Basically, its a more badass way to say Were already pregnant, or, in other words: Youre too damn late. The Crete-born novelist used it in his best-known work, Zorba The Greek. If anyone understood this, it was Demosthenes, a man who lost his father at a young age, was swindled of his inheritance by unscrupulous guardians, and who forged a career for himself as one of Greeces most prominent public speakers despite having a debilitating speech impediment. WebA Greek phrase many history buffs are familiar with, in English, Come and get them. At the famous battle of Thermopylae, the scene was dramatically set. 2. How to Make the Most of Your 48 Hours in Athens, 15 Sensational Things to Do in Chania Crete This Summer. When telling a dirty joke, substitute the Latin to sound extra smart or to avoid offending any virgin ears. That said, the quote appears to have been a popular retort among Spartans. Thanks for signing up. 4.Veni, vidi, vici. Mu, pronounced like them in mute in English. Even if you cant speak Greek for the world, mastering this one little word will make the local people you talk to during your Greek holiday infinitely happy and pleased. -You left out the saying of Dienekes regarding masses of arrows we shall fight in the shade. That's right, the Greeks' ancestors used to think Zeus sent strangers their way, and that they had a moral obligation to offer everything they can to foreigners, who were considered sacred persons. So if youre planning on exploring the world-famous Athens nightlife, this is a phrase youll most likely hear a lot. By all means, get married: if you find a good wife, you'll be happy; if not, you'll become a philosopher. The concept better translates as the English phrase stud muffin.. 'The Last of Us' episode 7 paid perfect homage to the game's photo booth scene, FTX determines around $9 billion in customer funds are missing, Meta hacks 30% off the price of its Meta Quest Pro VR headset, How ChatGPT and AI are affecting the literary world, Bing AI chatbot now lets you fine-tune its personality. All rights reserved. Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises. Demosthenes. But since it also gets attributed to both Plato and Socrates, we thought wed get away with including it here, especially since its still so popular today. Une inscription lgendaire. What it means:Its a sarcastic dare, a way of warning someone not to challenge or defy authority. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity. Epicurus. Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all Hypatia. Hello: Yassoo (familiar) or yassas (formal) 2. Originally spoken by Juno in Virgils Aeneid, this phrase is perhaps best-known today for appearing as a dedication in Sigmund Freuds The Interpretation of Dreams. Although 300was fairly accurate with the quotes it took from real life, it sadly omitted this firecracker in favor of This. Whatever comes from God is impossible for a man to turn back. I came, I saw, I conquered. Even when the titan Prometheus created the human species, he only did so by We must learn to sail in high winds. See you at your inbox! You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity. Both words are pretty easy to pronounce, so if you want to impress your Athens tour guide or the Greek restaurant owner you just met, casually throwing a kalimera or kalispera in the conversation will probably get you a warm pat on the back (or, in the latter case, even a drink or small dish on the house). The formal way is: , pronounced Yee-a sas. That talking just for the sake of it is foolish. from 95.00. WebBasically, its a more badass way to say Were already pregnant, or, in other words: Youre too damn late. Another one of our Greek quotes which gets a lot of use these days and whose meaning is especially relevant during all the current talks about environmental issues and climate change. Its badass lines like these that give soldiers hope and the inspires the entire Greek city-states to unite. It was not unheard of for a Spartan boy to die of a beating without uttering a word. ~ Steven Pressfield. We must learn to sail in high winds. Aristotle Onassis. A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in Greek Proverb. How are you: Ti kanis? Let me come with you. The real destroyer of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and benefits. At all. (familiar) Ti kanete (formal) 4. Is. The second of our quotes by Greek philosopher Heraclitus with meaning about the inevitability of change. Portugal or Croatia? Non ducor, How it translates: Mortal actions never deceive the gods. Well never understand how Gerard Butler didnt just freeze solid from coolness while trying to accurately portray this guy. Such is what you get with the internet. . This is actually a Latin version of an earlier Greek phrase. , . King Agesilaus was a Spartan king who ruled the state for 40 years. Why the movie chose to change that is beyond us considering that some people today would disagree with her, that has to be the ballsiest statement in Spartan history. Death does not concern us, because as long as we exist, death is not here. This one fits Triple H perfectly, as he has a reputation for being a brutal, somewhat mercenary talent within WWE, so its appropriate that he would borrow a line from one of Romes most brutal dictators: Caligula. Privacy Policy | TopTenz T-Shirts | Sponsors. Since we started on words representative of what Greek culture is very much about, kefi [cefi]is a word that explains the loud singing, the drinking, and the dancing in circles, on tables, on streets, or anywhere else possible, which most tourists associate Greek entertainment with. Quite simply, this is Greek for thank you. , , ' , . This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. For example, lets say youve taken a seat at one of the many wonderful places to eat in Athens and the waiter approaches you: he might say parakalo, as a way of asking you what you would like; after youve had your delicious meal and pay the bill, he will obviously say efharisto, to which you may also reply with a parakalo So, there you go! We sat like that a moment, hands touching. What it means:A literal translation doesnt quite do the phrase justice. Iota, pronounced like a short, sharp ee sound. History is Philosophy teaching by examples. Those who didnt were labelled deserters, and even their own mothers would disown them. A quote on the idea of soulmates from Aristotle, a student of Plato and one of historys greatest philosophers. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. It doesn't help. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Albert Einstein, Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. Joshua J. I know it. Dont wait for it to happen. Though perfect for the kind of up-close and personal, see the whites of your opponents eyes and spit in their face style of combat that the Spartans excelled at, compared to other swords the xiphos was kind of lacking in the length department. That if we return to a place we once loved expecting to find it unchanged, we will be disappointed. , / . Which he did although Philip sacked most of Greece, he never once set foot in Sparta, and never bothered them again, except for that other time he totally did. How you can use it:Since questioning paternity generally can lead to trouble, try applying the phase in a new way. After all, a true the Spartan didnt need a ghostwriter. This annoyed his peers, who accused him of cowardice (because his enemies wouldnt be able to tell who he was) and of complete idiocy to boot. , ; ", . Share on Facebook (opens in a new window), Share on Flipboard (opens in a new window). Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is just opinion. Though it might seem dusty, using a bit of Latin can not only impress others but can also be pretty fun. Well constructed comments also!. If youre anything like us, youd rather know who your enemies are upfront. Stand up eight. Ancient Japanese Proverb, Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture the heart. Ancient Indian Proverb, We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. Plato, Its kind of fun to do the impossible. Walt Disney, Never let success get to your head, never let failure get to your heart. Maurice Lavelle, Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, Im possible! Audrey Hepburn, I will not die an unlived life. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. Lance Armstrong, The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary. Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs. Farrah Gray, Limitations live only in our minds. Later, as part of alchemical and occult studies, this Latin backronym(Opens in a new tab) was created, which refers to the cleansing power of fire and the ever-repeating cycle of death and life. Mashable is a registered trademark of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without express written permission. 5. WebFeb 23, 2019 - Explore ella's board "ancient greek words" on Pinterest. Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. so therefor Macedonia didnt invade Greece it was a part of it. Used as a motto by many schools, this phrase speaks to the importance of first getting yourself under control, mastering your urges and temptations, before trying to control the outside world. When Shakespeare famously wrote It all sounds Greek to me, he pretty much summed up how the Greek language has sounded to foreign ears since always. By Molly Burford Updated January 16, 2022. Greek for Hello and Goodbye: You can say hello in Greek in a formal and less formal way. Many of our quotes are from the ancients, but some are more modern, and many are proverbs of unknown origin that are merely woven into the daily wisdom of Greek life. Many Greeks consider this to be one of the most fun things to do in life, so if youve been to Greece before, youve probably noticed that many Athens bars and cafes have tables set outside. This is the source of my wisdom. Let no man be called happy before his death. Book Private and Tailor-Made Tours and Activities. This meant by the time he became King in his forties, he was already well known for his courage and bravery. Since he played an important role in developing democracy, his words on thinking before acting are certainly worth listening to. Greeka? How you can use it:Historians often attribute the phrase to Alexander the Great, who, in antiquity, amassed a large empire for the Macedonians. After he had several key footholds under his command, Philip decided to start putting pressure on Sparta, and sent them the following threatening message: If I win this war, you will be slaves forever.. Remember that the next time you feel like saying your parents are too strict. To quote Lycurgus, legendary lawgiver of Sparta, A city is well-fortified which has a wall of men instead of brick. Theyll either sound badass, make you look like a weird intellectual, or both. So this ones a little confusing. The film almost include this line, in the scene where Gerard Butler, upon being asked for the payment of earth and water, points to the well and states theres plenty down there. Thats pretty cool, but it still lacks the James Bond-esque quality of the original. This is actually a Latin version of an earlier Greek phrase. Pericles is thought to have meant it especially in relevance to the teaching of others and the positive shaping of childrens lives. We know this because, when the aging king was asked, how far do Spartas boundaries reach? he simply held out his spear and answered as far as this can reach. WebJoin the best tours and activities. Technically, youre supposed to use it until 12:00, after which its preferable to say kalispera [kalispera] -i.e. You'll come to learn a great deal if you study the Insignificant in depth. She came into being at a period when the earth was dominated by immortal beings like the Gods and Titans. This one is all about working to create a better future for our children and all future generations, even though we may not be around to reap the benefits of our work. The unexamined life is not worth living. Socrates. Do you have a question about Greece and the Greek islands? One of our more modern quotes, the meaning of this one was made famous in the 1940s by Greek literary giant Nikos Kazantzakis. Alpine, this wolf name means existing in mountains. And I use he but of course chicks are just as badass as men, okay?) When Gotham is ashes, you have my permission to die. There is only one woman in the world. MIND YOUR BUSINESS, Peoples opinion doesnt matter unless you give them importance in your life., Make me angry and Ill register your death certificate., Dont come back when you realized Im rare, I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees., Dont look for my heart, the beasts have eaten it., If you think money cant buy happiness, then transfer it to my account., I love it when someone mess with me, that means I dont have to be nice anymore., It seems the more successful I become, the more I become the bad guy., Im motivated by the fear of being an average., Its better to be a lonely lion than a popular sheep., The less you reveal the more you can wonder., Dont judge me by my past, I dont live there anymore. Unlike yia sou, yia mas isnt a greeting, but the standard toast we Greeks make before sipping down that glass of alcohol in our hand. Possibly the most essential Greek phrase, and one of the most common Greek greetings, yia sou [jasu]is an informal way of saying hello. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. Humans were from then on destined to spend their lives searching for their other half or soulmate, achieving true happiness only when they found them. What it means:Nobody can fool the all-knowing. caveat emptor let the buyer beware; the purchaser is responsible for checking whether the goods suit his need circa around, or approximately citius altius forties faster, higher, stronger; modern Olympics motto cogito ergo sum I think therefore I am; famous quote by Rene Descartes Also, fun fact, itcan be seen on a stained glass window at the beginning of Disneys Beauty and the Beast. good afternoon. Yep. For all the forms of filoxenia you will receive during your stay in Greece, you'll probably want to say 'efharisto' [efaristo]to a few of people. Make your own love. Married Leonidas I). Promise. How to Holiday in Mykonos on a Budget: Money Saving Tips, 7 Spots For The Best Snorkeling Santorini Has To Offer, Where To Stay In Corfu For Nightlife: 9 Hotels Near The Action. Where to stay? Here are some tips and tricks to help you find the answer to "Wordle" #623. How you can use it:The Romans used the phrase similar to the way modern English speakers use a phrase like doggy style, complete with the sexual innuendo. Still, that doesnt mean its not fun. Epicurus was a philosopher whose teachings challenged Platos and would later inspire some of the greatest thinkers of the 18th and 19th centuries. The phrase means that while fate whether determined by the stars, the gods or something else entirely might nudge us in a certain direction, we are never forced in it. WebBadass Quotes If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced. Van Gogh The people who are crazy enough to think There is nothing permanent except change. Heraclitus. And when it does come, we no longer exist. This word denotes a detailed We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. Good. The Meta Quest 2 is also about to get cheaper. And just like that, youre ready to go! Good or well: Kala 5. Looking for quotes that will ignite a fire inside you? He was merely saying that we should always expect and be prepared for change. It also wasnt uncommon for Spartans to decorate their shield. Its a brutal tactic (and one that can get easily misused) but was extremely effective. Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises. If I can not bend the will of Heaven, I shall move Hell. For the time being we dont advise you to use this word yourself lest you get the context wrong but, still, it can come in very handy knowing what malaka means, especially if you're around youths. . -Also, General McAullife, in WW2, is reminiscent of #7 when he replied to the Germans asking for his surrender nuts. Copyright 2020, theTravelPorter, Ltd. All rights reserved. What it means:In this case, congress doesnt refer to a governing body, so much as a meeting of more than one person in an animalistic, sexual way. 2023 Inspirationfeed. Musk's brain implant lab is much further behind than he's let on. This served two purposes: it helped the individual Spartan be identified on the battlefield, and it looked rad as hell. I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion. I believe you have to be better than you ever thought you could be. Ken Venturi, Either I will find a way, or I will make one. Philip Sidney, Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible. Frank Zappa, When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. Henry Ford, And the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. Anais Nin, Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one. Bruce Lee, A bird on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not on the branch but on her own wings. 2. Many different versions of the quote exist, but the overall gist of what the Spartan was trying to say is clear. These quotes are for the dreamers, builders, and entrepreneurs who want to take life by the horns. Widely considered one of the greatest thinkers of all time and the founder of Western Philosophy, Socrates nevertheless said that it is in believing that you know nothing that you achieve wisdom. Some more words of wisdom from the 20th-century, these ones come from Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping mogul and one of the richest men in the world. At first, that might not make a lot of sense, but when you acknowledge the size and weight of a Spartan shield, the tendency of deserters to leave it behind and the tradition of carrying dead soldiers back home upon their shield, the meaning becomes clear: Dont surrender, never give up. I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well. Our newest biography website and YouTube channel. In other words, just as everyone accepts the maternity of a woman who actually gives birth to a baby, it declares a principle accepted by all. To cry out was considered a sign of cowardice. Prior to its debated use by Booth, the phrase was placed on the official seal of the commonwealth of Virginia, which also featured a female warrior, representing virtue, standing upon a defeated king, representing tyranny. Arcadia, this wolf name comes from Greek, in which it means a vision of harmonious nature. WebDiscover short videos related to badass greek phrases on TikTok. Closely related to peratzatha, aragma [arama] is a slang word also relating to the small joys of life, and specifically refers to the all-time favourite activity of chilling. Most people exist, that is all. Oscar Wilde, We become what we think about. Earl Nightingale, Choose people who lift you up. Michelle Obama, I think my goal is a goal, and not all my goals are pretty. Alex Morgan, Never be afraid to fall apart because it is an opportunity to rebuild yourself the way you wish you had been all along. Rae Smith, Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. Mike Tyson, Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough. Og Mandino, Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind dont matter and those who matter dont mind. Dr. Seuss, Ive missed more than 9000 shots in my career. How it translates: Is that a scroll in your toga, or are you just happy to see me? WebI Army Corps (Greece): This former Greek Army unit (disbanded in 2013) had the Spartans King Leonidas to thank for its awesome motto. As you can probably guess, yia mas [ja mas]is also a wish for good health, but this time our own. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. Helen Keller, The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. Audere est faucere. Just cause a random history-less country today wants to call themselves Macedonia doesnt mean they can steal Greeces history as well. Listen to it from one ear and let it leave from the other., If you think you cant, you never will. 3. According to the historical text Apophthegmata Laconica, Leonidas actually said Molon Labe upon being told to surrender his weapons by King Xerses. Eager to utter completely vicious phrases that people will have to look up later? Kalimera[kalimera]is another super basic/useful/beautiful word, literally translating into good day. Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything. To correct that, weve collated ten of the wittiest Spartan quotes we could find, to prove that along with ripping your head off, a Spartan could also cause your tongue to explode out of sheer inferiority. Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.. WebFulminare. You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. King Leonidas responded with, dig it out for yourselves, before throwing the messenger down a well. Whatever comes, face it on your feet. Robert Jordan, No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Maya Angelou, The greatest war is between time and patience. Leo Tolstoy, I think, therefore Im single.-Liz Winston, Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground. Theodore Roosevelt. Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. Plato. Bonus Quotes that will make you look extra Badass! I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better. Around 350 BC, King Philip II of Macedon started invading the crap out of Greece. But as for how to use it, it kind of works as a piece of all-purpose badassery, something to utter or growl when youve been stymied or prevented from achieving your goal. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless. Jamie Paolinetti, Tough times never last, but tough people do. Dr. Robert Schuller, That which does not kill us makes us stronger. Friedrich Nietzsche, The best way out is always through. Robert Frost, Dont count the days, make the days count. Muhammad Ali, Scar tissue is stronger than regular tissue. You dont develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. Here are some tips and tricks to help you find the answer to 'Wordle' #622. When rejecting orders from someone, utter this handy phrase in Latin. Many languages use a word meaning 'kisses'as a form of leave-taking convention, and 'filia' [filia]is exactly that in Greek. 1. And they continue to do so today. A quote here by one of Greeces most famous female philosophers yes, there were several notable female philosophers of ancient Greece, although sadly, their legacies are less well preserved. Context:Spartan reply to King Philip of Macedon (again). Queen Gorgos words literally say that only Spartan men ARE men. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Life is about creating yourself. George Bernard Shaw, It takes skill to be real. Tupac Shakur, You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you dont try. Beverly Sils, A No uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a Yes merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble. Mahatma Gandhi, When something bad happens, you have three choices. Contrary to what you may assume, it generally does not imply intimacy, even though you would obviously only say 'filia' to someone you know pretty well, be it at parting or before hanging up the phone. For Greeks aragma obviously takes place in houses with friends, but also in coffee places (if youve been to Greece before, were sure youve noticed how many hours and hours on end their version of going for coffee takes). One of the badass names for dogs. ; . Once youve taken a couple of sightseeing tours and explored the local attractions of the country, youll surely be left with the impression that Greeks put plenty of meraki [meraki]in most things they do. : Meelate angleeka? But it aint how hard you hit; its about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. Rocky Balboa, Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated. Russell Warren, You have enemies? Web10 Strong Latin sayings Qui totum vult totum perdit He who wants everything loses everything. Timendi causa est nescire Ignorance is the cause of fear. Fas est ab hoste . Which if were honest, is like the third-coolest thing a guy could do without involving tigers or at least four explosions. Im going to shield-punch these guys so hard, my future family will get paid royalties from Captain America., Context:King Leonidas (again) after kicking a Persian down a well demanding a sacrifice of earth and water. After reading the most famous Greek quotes, you can also get informed about the famous Greek people. The Six becomes five and Chuck is a dentist?! At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst. Were really not kidding, there are actual Spartan womens tombstones with epitaphs specifically written to call their own sons losers. Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. Aristotle. If someone raises a glass to you saying yia mas, return the toast simply by repeating it yourself. Therefore, "losing one's shield" meant desertion. Subscribe to Travel Snippet newsletter for free travel tips and inspiration. Context:Gorgo, Queen of Sparta, explaining why Spartan women were allowed to rule men. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt, Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves to the ordinary. Cecil Beaton, Life isnt about finding yourself.