Settle for less in greek, please

October 15, 2007 7:28 AM

[ancient latin or greek-filter] For an mock ceremony at a party for an friend I need some help with some translations to latin or greek to some diplomas. What would "Settle for less" or "Aspiring to mediocrity" or "Aiming for second place" become in ancient latin or greek?

I hope to find some impressive-sounding translations to print out some diplomas to be presented to various "dignetaries" at the party.

My hope goes out to all ancient linguists. Thanks!

posted by Rabarberofficer to writing & language (7 answers total)

First Google result for Latin translation here. It's a free online automatic translator. Your party sounds fun!
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 7:36 AM on October 15, 2007

I think it would probably be a good to keep the tags good and doggy. The motto of Pratchett's Ankh Morpork City-Watch is "FABRICATI DIEM PVNC". It's simply nonsensical Latin, but it's simple and funny as far as mottos gos.
posted by howfar at 7:54 AM on October 15, 2007

I've cribbed a bunch of Latin sayings into a Unix fortune file that I use on local workstations. Here are some that might be useful and/or funny. There are tons of these lists out there.

Caesar si viveret, ad remum dareris
(If Caesar were alive, you'd be chained to an oar)

Caro putridas es.
(You're dead meat)

Fac ut vivas
(Get a life)

In dentibus anticis frustrum magnum spiniciae habes
(You have a big piece of spinach in your front teeth)

Locus desperatus
(A hopeless passage)

Utinam coniurati te in foro interficiant.
(May conspirators assassinate you in the mall.)

Vacca foeda
(Stupid cow)

Radix lecti
(Couch potato)
posted by jquinby at 8:13 AM on October 15, 2007

of course, none of those say 'settle for less', but they might be useful anyway. happy with less might be rendered (badly) as 'gadium in partes', which is 'joy in part'. herewith the end of my translation skills.
posted by jquinby at 8:18 AM on October 15, 2007

"inceptamus secundi esse" is "we try to be the second" in classical latin. A good motto for a substandard university would be "peliora," which means "always worse."
posted by Mayor Curley at 9:19 AM on October 15, 2007 [1 favorite]

In mediocriti triumphus. Victory in Mediocrity.
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 9:53 AM on October 15, 2007 [4 favorites]

Thank you all.

Seriously - I did Google and tried some other translation-service, that didn't work at all.

It will be a great party. No togas though.
posted by Rabarberofficer at 11:41 AM on October 15, 2007