Quam Minimum Credula Postero

I know, I know, I can't get enough of Carpe Diem, can I? Well, the madness should soon be over. I've ended up doing a Spanish paper on just that topic, and thoroughly investigating the matter academically should put the obsession to rest once and for all.

Right now I'm thinking about what people generally mean when they say "Carpe Diem". They know that the most popular literal translation is "Seize the Day", so often that's what they're saying - "Take this day and use it." Use is the keyword. It wouldn't be strange to hear a teacher saying, "Okay, there's lots to do, so carpe diem!"

But that's really the opposite of what Horace meant the phrase to mean. In his, the original, the full line reads "carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." - "seize/take the day, trusting as little as possible in tomorrow." This is hardly an exhortation to work hard, and the rest of the poem is no 'better'! Instead of "Take this day and use it," he seems to be saying, "Take this day and enjoy it." instead of spending your whole life preparing for an uncertain future.

This isn't meant to be a judgment on either use of the word Carpe Diem. They're really both legitimate in different situations. Yes, the words were Horace's originally, but it's been a good long time and I think his copyright's run out. Actually I find myself laughing at either interpretation in different moods.

After a bit of research, I made this little cheat sheet of Latin phrases that are used to remind people of their own impending mortality, their literal translations, and their most common interpretations:


Different Latin Philosophies for Considering your Upcoming and Inevitable Death:

Memento Mori Lit: Remember You Must Die.
Interpretation: Be humble, you are only human, only mortal. (Often used religiously)

Carpe Diem Lit: Seize/Take the Day.
Interpretation I: Don't plan too far ahead, don't take things too seriously, tomorrow may not come, so relax and enjoy life's pleasures. (Horace)
Interpretation II: Make as much use of today as you possibly can. Enjoyment is still a legitimate use, but so is hard work, taking risks, and other ambitious things, largely ignoring Horace's original use. (Popular Modern)

Ubi Sunt Lit: Where Are They (Now)?
Interpretation: Where are they now? They were important, but now they're dead and pushing up daisies. A whole lot of good living did them. (The Least Instructive)