February 08, 2003
Quote Of The Day

Andrea Harris recently wrote: "When I rule the world, this person will have his entrails fed to dogs while he still lives!" As threats go, this is not bad, but there's nothing like the classics for invective. Here's Catullus 108:

Si, Comini, populi arbitrio tua cana senectus
   spurcata impuris moribus intereat,
non equidem dubito quin primum inimica bonorum
   lingua execta avido sit data volturio,
effossos oculos voret atro gutture corvus,
   intestina canes, cetera membra lupi.

Here's a rather archaic but literal English version by George P. Goold:

If, Cominius, your gray old age, soiled as it is by an impure life, should be brought to an end by the choice of the people, I for my part do not doubt that first of all your tongue, the enemy of all good people, would be cut out and quickly given to the greedy vulture, your eyes torn out and swallowed down the raven's black throat, while the dogs would devour your bowels, the rest of your members the wolves.

Posted by Dr. Weevil at February 08, 2003 12:08 AM
Comments

Ooh, good one... (taking notes)

Posted by: Andrea Harris on February 9, 2003 02:10 PM

I see a pattern of animal mutiliation. Hmm, whatever happened to good old-fashioned boiling in oil, or being encased in carbonite, or leg-humped by Yoda for all eternity..?

Posted by: Suman Palit on February 10, 2003 05:28 PM

I'd like to blog that about Max Sawicky, who recently lied about my stance towards freedom of association, but since I am living in a Christian environment, I can't.

Don't know nuthin' 'bout classics. I assume this Catullus fellow wasn't a Christian. Or if he was, a very bad one.

Posted by: Diana on February 11, 2003 01:27 PM

Oh I just looked him up(84-54 BC), and he definitely lived before Christ preached his message of love and forgiveness. So...

Posted by: Diana on February 11, 2003 01:29 PM

Leg-humped by Yoda?!

Jeezis, Suman, what kind of sicko are you?

Posted by: dipnut on February 13, 2003 03:05 PM

From what I've read, an old Roman punishment for treason might be suitable. Tie the offender up, and stuff him in the carcass of a freshly killed mule, with just his head sticking out. Leave out under the summer sun for a few days... Talk about pour encourager les autres!

Posted by: Cybrludite on February 17, 2003 12:03 AM