Alciato's Book of Emblems
Whitney's Choice of
Emblemes,
with Sources in Alciato
Geffrey Whitney's Choice of Emblemes was published in Leiden by Christopher Plantin in 1586 (we provide the title page, if you want to see it). It is the first full-fledged English emblem book in the continental style, and uses woodblocks from a number of other emblem books, the most important of which is Alciato's Emblematum liber. Because 87 emblems from Alciato are here translated or imitated, A Choice of Emblemes is of central importance in the history of the reception of Alciato in English. Only the adaptations in Thomas Palmer's Two Hundred Poosees appear to be earlier. See our reading list for more information.
Our text of Whitney's Choice of Emblemes is not complete. It lacks the introductory material and the sidenotes. It has not yet been thoroughly proofread. So, use with caution. Nevertheless, what we have should be adequate for preliminary comparisons between Whitney's version and the Alciato version in Latin (or in our English translation). The images are here by kind permission of the Stirling Maxwell Collection of the Glasgow University Library. They are in two sizes (the larger size may be had be clicking on the smaller).
The Whitney text was typed by Anna Chiaramonte, the text set in html by Greg Dyke, the text proofed and the images prepared by Nancy Earle, additional links worked on by Gillian Elton, and many aspects of planning undertaken by Mark Feltham.
The following emblem mottoes are in their order in Whitney. If you know a title already, even part of one, use the Find utility in Netscape to locate the page number. We give English translations for the titles.
A Short Reading List for Whitney
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The List of Mottoes
1Te stante, virebo (As long as you stand, I'll flourish)
2
Quà dii
vocant, eundum (In the direction the gods call, the very
same)
[Alciato
8]
4
Veritas
temporis filia (Truth, the daughter of time)
5
Dissidia
inter aequales, pessima (Disputes among equals are the
worst)
[Alciato
180]
6
Temeritas
(Recklessness)
[Alciato
55]
7
Intestinae
simultates (Internal dissensions)
8
Non tibi, sed
religioni (Not for you, but for religion)
[Alciato
7]
9
Experientia
docet (Experience teaches)
10
Sirenes (Sirens)
[Alciato
116]
11
Res humanae in
summo declinant (Mortal things decline when at their
height)
13
Superbiae
ultio (Punishment for pride)
[Alciato
67]
14
In vitam
humanam (On human life)
[Alciato 152]
15
Voluptas
aerumnosa (Passion is full of misery)
16
Quod potes,
tenta (Attempt what is in your power to achieve)
[Alciato 58]
17
Ludus, luctus,
luxus (Gambling, grief and debauchery)
18
In avaros (On
misers)
[Alciato 86]
19
Nec verbo, nec
facto, quenquam laedendum (Neither in word nor in deed should we
offend anyone)
[Alciato 27]
20
Minuit
praesentia famam (First-hand knowledge refutes popular
opinion)
21
Turpibus
exitium (Death to the infamous)
22
Nullus dolus
contra casum (Cunning will not prevail against
Misfortune)
23
Mihi pondera,
luxus (Excess is a burden to me)
24
Latet anguis
in herba (A snake lies concealed in the grass)
25
Curis
tabescimus omnes (We all pine away with anxieties)
26
Otium sortem
exspectat (Idleness hopes for good fortune)
27
Dolus in suos
(Treachery to his own kind)
[Alciato 50]
28
In astrologos
(On astrologers)
[Alciato 104]
29
Amor in filios
(Love for one's children)
[Alciato 194]
30
In victoriam
dolo partam (On victory gained by deceit)
[Alciato 48]
31
Caecum odium
(Blind hatred)
32
In poenam
sectatur et umbra (In retribution even a shadow seems to pursue
the guilty man)
33
Ei, qui semel
sua prodegerit, aliena credi non oportere (He, who has once
squandered his own goods, ought not to be trusted with
another's)
[Alciato 54]
34
In momentaneam
felicitatem (On happiness that endures only for a moment)
[Alciato 125]
35
Aere quandoque
salutem redimendam (We must sometimes procure our safety with
money)
[Alciato 153]
36
Durum telum
necessitas (Necessity is a harsh weapon)
37
Inimicorum
dona, infausta (Enemies' gifts are unlucky)
[Alciato 168]
38
Non locus
virum, sed vir locum ornat (The office does not advance the man
in honour, but the man gives honor to the office)
[Alciato 35]
39
Mediocribus
utere partis (Make use of moderate possessions)
40
Bivium
virtutis et vitii (The two paths, of virtue and of vice)
41
Poena sequens
(Imminent retribution)
42
Venter, pluma,
Venus, laudem fugiunt (Gluttony, sloth, and lust shun
fame)
43
Mens immota
manet (The mind remains steadfast)
44
Desiderium spe
vacuum (A desire devoid of hope)
45
Furor et
rabies (Rage and fury)
[Alciato 57]
46
Varii hominum
sensus (The diverse opinions of men)
47
Marte et arte
(By valour and skill)
[Alciato 41]
48
Labor irritus
(Useless toil)
[Alciato 92]
49
In eum qui
sibi ipsi damnum apparat (On one who brings pain on
himself)
[Alciato 64]
50a
Garrulitas
(Talkativeness)
[Alciato 70]
50b
Quaere
adolescens, utere senex (Youth should acquire, age should
spend)
51a
Vitae, aut
morti (For life, or for death)
51b
Nil penna,
sed usus (A wing is nothing, unless it is used)
52a
Fortissima
minimis interdum cedunt (The greatest sometimes yield to the
least)
52b
Injuriis,
infirmitas subjecta (Weakness is exposed to violence)
[Alciato 170]
53a
In dies
meliora (Better things from day to day)
[Alciato 45]
53b
Luxuriosorum
opes (The wealth of riotous livers)
[Alciato 73]
54a
Agentes, et
consentientes, pari poena puniendi (Those who encourage and those
who commit crime should be punished equally)
[Alciato 174]
54b
In quatuor
anni tempora (On the four seasons of the year)
[Alciato 101]
55a
Paruam
culinam, duobus ganeonibus non sufficere (A small kitchen will
not meet the needs of two gluttons)
[Alciato 94]
55b
Cuncta
complecti velle, stultum (It is foolish to try to comprehend all
things)
56
Alius peccat,
alius plectitur (One man sins, another is punished)
[Alciato 175]
57
Aethiopem
lavare (To wash the Aethiop)
[Alciato 59]
58
Non dolo, sed
vi (Not by cunning, but by force)
59
Nimium rebus
ne fide secundis (Do not put too much trust in Fortune's
gifts)
60
Silentium
(Silence)
[Alciato 11]
61
Video, et
taceo (I see, yet I am silent)
62
Amicitia,
etiam post mortem durans (Friendship, enduring even after
death)
[Alciato 160]
63
Potentissimus
affectus, amor (Love, the most powerful of emotions)
[Alciato 106]
64
Quae ante
pedes (The things before one's feet)
65
Mutuum
auxilium (Mutual help)
[Alciato 161]
66
In utrumque
paratus (Prepared for both)
67
Murus aeneus,
sana conscientia (A clear conscious is a wall of brass)
68
Sic discerne
(Judge in this way)
69
Interiora vide
(Look on the inward parts)
70
Fortuna
virtutem superans (Fortune prevailing over courage)
[Alciato 120]
71
Fides non
apparentium (Trust in things not seen)
72
Virtus unita,
valet (Unity is strength)
73
Gratiam
referendam (An obligation must be repaid)
[Alciato 30]
74
Avaritia
(Covetousness)
[Alciato 85]
75
O vita, misero
longa (O life, tedious to the wretched)
[Alciato 103]
76a
Concordia
(Concord)
[Alciato 39]
76b
Remedium
tempestivum sit (Let there be a remedy in good time)
77a
Sero sapiunt
Phryges (The Trojans are wise too late)
[Alciato 21]
77b
Dum vivo,
prosum (While I live, I do good)
78
Noli altum
sapere (Be not high minded)
[Alciato 105]
79
Saepius in
auro bibitur venenum (Quite often poison is drunk from golden
cups)
[Alciato 79]
80
Praepostera
fides (Misplaced trust)
81
Fatuis levia
commitito (Entrust trifles to fools)
82
Homines
voluptatibus transformantur (Men are transformed by their
passions)
[Alciato 76]
83
Judicium
Paridis (The judgement of Paris)
84 (misnumbered 76 in original)
Ridicula
ambitio (Ridiculous ambition)
85
Desidiam
abjiciendam (We must throw off idleness)
[Alciato 82]
86
Mortui
divitiae (A dead man's wealth)
87
Quod in te
est, prome (Give utterance to what is within you)
88
De parvis,
grandis acervus erit (From small things, there will grow a mighty
heap)
89
Vita
irrequieta (A restless life)
90
In eum qui
truculentia suorum perierit (On one who will perish through the cruelty of his countrymen)
[Alciato 167]
91
Tecum habita
(Live at home)
92
Industria
naturam corrigit (Diligence improves natural endowments)
93b
Uxoriae
virtutes (Wifely virtues)
94
Invidiae
descriptio (A description of envy)
[Alciato 71]
95
De Invido et
Avaro, iocosum (A humorous tale of an envious man and a
miser)
96
Petre, imitare
petram (O Peter, seek to be like the rock)
97
Dum potes,
vive (Live while you can)
98a
Stultitia sua
seipsum saginari (To feed oneself fat on one's own
foolishness)
98b
Virescit
vulnere virtus (Virtue flourishes when wounded)
99
Impar
conjugium (An unequal marriage)
[Alciato 198]
100
Frontis nulla
fides (There is no trust to be placed in a man's face)
101
Animi scrinium
servitus (Subjection is the prison of the mind)
102
In sortis suae
contemptores (On those who are dissatisfied with their
lot)
103
Interdum
requiescendum (Sometimes we must rest)
108
Respice, et
prospice (Bear in mind time past and time to come)
111
Mutius Scaevola:
Pietas in patriam (Love for one's country)
112
Habet et
bellum suas leges (Even war has its rules)
113
M. Valerius
Corvinus: Insperatum auxilium (Unlooked for aid)
114
Regulus
Attilius: Hosti etiam servanda fides (Faith must be kept even to
an enemy)
115
Marcus
Sergius: Fortiter et feliciter (Bravely and successfully)
116
En. Pompeius
Magnus: Celsa potestatis species (A noble image of
authority)
117
Marcus Scaeva:
Audaces fortuna iuvat (Fortune favours the bold)
118
Invidia
integritatis assecla (Envy the attendant of integrity)
119
Ex damno
alterius, alterius utilitas (From one man's loss, another man's
profit)
[Alciato 126]
120
Vigilantia, et
custodia (Watchfulness and care)
[Alciato 15]
121
Festina lentè
(Hasten slowly)
[Alciato 20]
122
Sine justitia,
confusio (Without justice, there is disorder)
123
Amicitia
fucata vitanda (Counterfeit friendship is to be avoided)
124
Sobriè
potandum (We must drink moderately)
125
Insignia
poetarum (The badges of poets)
[Alciato 184]
126
Cùm larvis non
luctandum (We must not strive against phantoms)
[Alciato 154]
128
Captivus, ob
gulam (Caught, because of gluttony)
[Alciato 95]
130
Dicta septem
sapientum (The sayings of the seven sages)
[Alciato 187]
131
Scripta manent
(Writings endure)
132
De morte, et
amore: Jocosum (Of Death and Love: a humorous tale)
[Alciato 155]
133
Prudentes vino
abstinent (The wise abstain from wine)
[Alciato 24]
134
In colores (On
colours)
[Alciato 118]
135
In studiosum
captum amore (On a scholar who fell in love)
[Alciato 109]
136
Abstinentia
(Self-control)
[Alciato 31]
137
Constantia
comes victoriae (Perseverance the companion of victory)
[Alciato 43]
138a
Ex Bello, pax
(Out of war comes peace)
[Alciato 178]
139a
Sic spectanda
fides (In such a way must we judge sincerity)
139b
Illicitum non
sperandum (We must not hope for what is unlawful)
[Alciato 46]
140
Feriunt summos
fulmina montes (Lightning strikes the highest moutain
tops)
141
Perfidus
familiaris (A treacherous friend)
142
In copia minor
error (In excess there lies less danger of error)
143
Vindice fato
(By God's protection)
144
Homo homini
lupus (Man is a wolf to man)
[Alciato 90]
145
In curiosos
(On those who pry)
146
In juventum
(On youth)
[Alciato 100]
147
Fel in melle
(Poison in honey)
[Alciato 112]
148
Ferè simile ex
Theocrito (Much the same from Theocritus)
[Alciato 113]
149
Amor sui
(Self-love)
[Alciato 69]
150
Nusquam tuta
fides (Honesty is nowhere safe)
151
Quod non capit
Christus, rapit fiscus (What Christ does not get, the treasury
seizes)
[Alciato 148]
152
Paupertatem
summis ingeniis obesse ne provehantur (Poverty obstructs the
progress of the most gifted minds)
[Alciato 121]
153a
Pro bono,
malum (Evil for good)
153b
In pace de
bello (In time of peace prepare for war)
154
Aliena
pericula, cautiones nostrae (The distresses of others are our
warnings)
155
Indulgentia
parentum, filiorum pernicies (The parents' lenience is the sons'
ruin)
156a
Dolor è
medicina (Vexation derived from a cure)
156b
Dura usu
molliora (Difficult things become easier with practice)
158
Post fata:
uxor morosa, etiam discors (After her death: a perverse wife is
still contrary)
159
Dum aetatis
ver agitur: consule brumae (While life's spring lasts, be mindful
of winter)
160
Bilingues
cavendi (We must be on our guard against hypocrites)
161
Ars deluditur
arte (Cunning is outwitted by cunning)
162
In eos qui
multa promittunt, et nihil praestant (On those who promise many
things, and give nothing)
163
Pietas
filiorum in parentes (The love of sons towards their
parents)
[Alciato 195]
164
Aliquid mali
propter vicinum malum (Something bad from a bad
neighbour)
[Alciato 166]
165
Post amara
dulcia (After the bitter come the sweet)
166a
Veritas
invicta (Invincible truth)
166b
Si Deus
nobiscum, quis contra nos? (If God be for us, who can be against
us?)
167
Cum tempore
mutamur (We are changed with time)
168b
Ingenium
superat vires (Intelligence is superior to strength)
169
Malè parta
malè dilabuntur. In foeneratores (Ill-gotten goods are ill spent.
On usurers)
170
Fere simile
praecedenti, ex Alciato (Much the same as the emblem before, from
Alciatus)
[Alciato 129]
172
Studiis
invigilandum (We must pay attention to our studies)
173
Praecocia non
diuturna (Fruit that ripens before its time is not lasting)
174
In
foecunditatem, sibi ipsi damnosam (On fruitfulness that does itself
harm)
[Alciato 193]
175
Otiosi semper
egentes (The idle are always in need)
176
Semper praesto
esse infortunia (Misfortune is always at hand)
[Alciato 130]
177
Unica semper
avis (Only one bird of its kind)
178
Coelum, non
animum (The climate, not the character)
179
Auri sacra
fames quid non? (O accursed greed for gold, what do you not lead
to?)
180
Verbum emissum
non est revocabile (A word once spoken cannot be called
back)
181
In occasionem
(On occasion)
[Alciato 122]
182a
Potentia
amoris (The power of love)
[Alciato 107]
182b
Pulchritudo
vincit (Beauty conquers)
183a
Qui me alit
me extinguit (What gives me life destroys me)
183b
Scribit in
marmore laesus (An offended man writes on marble)
184
Nec sibi, nec
alteri (Neither for himself, nor for anyone else)
185
Scripta non
temerè edenda (We should not publish our works in haste)
186
Orphei musica
(The music of Orpheus)
187
In statuam
Bacchi (On the statue of Bacchus)
[Alciato 25]
188a
Caecus amor
prolis (Blind love for one's children)
188b
Maturandum
(One must do nothing over-hastily)
[Alciato 20]
189a
In sinu alere
serpentem (To nourish a serpent in one's bosom)
189b
In
desciscentes (On turncoats)
[Alciato 141]
190b
Bis dat qui
citè dat (He who gives quickly gives twice)
191a
Spes vana
(Groundless expectation)
191b
Audi, tace,
fuge (Hear, be silent, and flee)
192
Importunitas
evitanda (We must not be importunate)
193
Strenuorum
immortale nomen (The immortal fame of men of valour)
[Alciato 136]
194
Vel post
mortem formidolosi (Intimidating even after his death)
[Alciato 171]
195
Victoria
cruenta (A bloody victory)
196
Pennae gloria
perennis (The ever-lasting glory of the pen)
198
Animus, non
res (Mind, not material possessions)
199
Quae sequimur
fugimus (We flee from what we seek)
200
Patria cuique
chara (Every man's native land is dear to him)
[Alciato 149]
202
Aureae
compedes (Fetters of gold)
[Alciato 87]
203
Auxilio divino
(By divine aid)
204
Avaritia huius
saeculi (The covetousness of these times)
205
Pulchritudo
sine fructu (Beauty without fruit)
206
Tempore cuncta
mitiora (All things become more palatable in time)
207
Imparilitas
(Difference)
[Alciato 140]
209
Ex morbo
medicina (From the disease, a cure)
210
Fraus meretur
fraudem (Deceit deserves deceit)
212
Medici Icon
(The image of a physician)
213
Inanis impetus
(Futile vehemence)
[Alciato 165]
214
In divitem,
indoctum (On a rich and ignorant man)
[Alciato 190]
215
Interminabilis
humanae vitae labor (The unending labour of man's life)
216a
Qui se
exaltat, humiliabitur (Every one that exalteth himself shall be
abased)
216b
Sol non
occidat super iracundiam vestram (Let not the sun go down upon
your wrath)
217
Omnis caro
foenum (All flesh is grass)
218a
Perversa
judicia (Bad judgements)
218b
Mulier umbra
viri (Woman is man's shadow)
219
In amore
tormentum (Pain induced by love)
220
Vincit qui
patitur (He who endures conquers)
221
Aculei irriti
(Ineffectual thorns)
222a
Neglecta
virescunt (Despised things flourish)
222b
Impunitas
ferociae parens (License the parent of cruelty)
223
Nemo potest
duobus dominis servire (No man can serve two masters)
224a
Sic probantur
(In this way are they tested)
224b
Noli tuba
canere Eleemosynam (When you give alms, do not publicize them
with a trumpet)
225
Superest quod
suprà est (The things above last forever)
226
Amico ficto
nulla fit injuria (One cannot do wrong to a false friend)
227
Sic aetas
fugit (Thus life rushes by)
228
Soli Deo
gloria (Glory to God alone)
229a
Dominus vivit
et videt (The Lord lives and sees)
229b
Ex maximo
minimum (From the greatest, least)
230
Tempus omnia
terminat (Time ends all things)
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Last modified 28 August 2002