English Translation of "Fœmina, quæ Formæ studeat, studeatque placere..."

A woman, who is eager for beauty and to please, Will be an enemy to both beauty and her own merit. Let her be a lover of virtue, and let her not rejoice in being loved: Let her love obedience in the habit of disdaining. Dignity and love together do not delay her in the seat: Dignity alone appoints us to be Goddesses.

Vocabulary Foemina = femina studeo, studere, studui- + genitive Iniquus, iniqua, iniquum- uneven, unfriendly, unjust (inimica) Meritum, -i, n- favor, merit, service kindness Virtus, virtutis, f- virtue, manliness, manhood Obsequium, -i, n- obedience, compliance Despicio, despicere, despexi, despectus- look down upon (Present active Participle) Mos, moris, m- a will, way, habit Majestas, -tatis, f- dignity, divine majesty Moror, morari, moratus sum- delay Unicus, unica, unicum- alone, only

Enodatio (Latin in English word order) Foemina, quae studeat Formae, et studeat placere (aliis),       Et formae, et iniqua fiet suo merito. Amans sit virtutis, nec illa gaudeat amari:       Amet obsequia in morem despicientis. Majestas et amor non una morantur in sede:       Majestas unica facit esse nos Deas.

Translation A woman, who is eager for beauty and to please,       Will be an enemy to both beauty and her own merit. Let her be a lover of virtue, and let her not rejoice in being loved:       Let her love obedience in the habit of disdaining. Dignity and love together do not delay her in the seat:       Dignity alone appoints us to be Goddesses.

Created by Melissa Goldman and the Translation Team with the support of the Project Nota team, a group dedicated to drawing attention to the Latin letters and works of famous women by focusing on the digitization of texts, translating these texts into English, Spanish, and French, and increasing their overall accessibility. Among us we have over 150 years of Latin experience including many years of teaching experience, seven advanced degrees, many publications in academic journals, and multiple positions in professional organizations.