How to interpret the phrase “As Satan Would” in Latin?

November 24, 2024 5:28 AM

A straight translation from Google seems insufficient, as usual. I am looking for a way to say an equivalent of ‘Hail Satan,’ but I don’t like the “hail,” never have. It’s really more a mirror of WWJD: “How to proceed? As Satan would.” Thanks
posted by cake vandal to Education (7 answers total)

Best answer: I mean you could just do the inverse of the Crusaders motto (now given a second life as the watchword of a certain kind of christian dominionist who is about to take power) and say "Satanas vult" or "ut satanas vult", or you could put it in the subjunctive ("satanas velit" as satan would will it,

for WWJD: it's more like facere than volere, Ut satanas faceret (as satan would do it). You can leave the "ut" off in a latin motto and it will still be understood. And feel free to replace "Satanas" with "diabolus" which feels more latin to me but then again I didn't really study church latin
posted by dis_integration at 6:53 AM on November 24 [2 favorites]

1. ut Satanas (like S. -- the verb is understood)

2. modo Satanas (in the manner of S.)

The active verb 'vult' means 'S. wills it,' which has a different nuance – that of following the command of S.
posted by dum spiro spero at 7:38 AM on November 24 [2 favorites]

Secundum Satanas. It’s what we say in the local coven, anyway.
posted by Phanx at 7:53 AM on November 24 [3 favorites]

Would derives from will, so As Satan Would can also be parsed as As Satan Wills. You could say As Satan Would Do for clarity. I missed the Latin request, but I'll leave it here anyway.
posted by theora55 at 8:23 AM on November 24

That is confidently imprecise.

I walk as an Egyptian would. The vizier does as the Great King wills. One is sharing a manner or style, the other is carrying out someone else's will. The difference is the degree of implied control.
posted by dum spiro spero at 9:09 AM on November 24

Response by poster: It’s definitely from the “does” angle, not the “wills” angle, at least in my native English.
But all the context offered is appreciated.
posted by cake vandal at 11:17 AM on November 24 [1 favorite]

I like velut Satanas. But on reflection I think secundum Satanas is more the vibe.
posted by lokta at 3:12 AM on November 25