July 23rd, 2007
(rainy day post)
As these hors doth pass away so doth the life of men decay
Memento Mori
Disponit tempus dies
Days Make Years
A day may ruin thee improve this hour
AD MDCCXXII
Disce tuos numerare dies
Learn to number thy days
Ecce Horn
Behold, the hour of Destiny!
Thus eternity approacheth
Trifle not your time’s short
Festina Lente
Hasten Slowly
Fugit Dies
The day flies on
Hora Fugit Rapide Lethumq Invadit Inermes
The hours guide swiftly, and the unguarded are easily surprised
Fumus et umbra sumus
Smoke and shadows are we
June 5th, 2007
Sundial mottos, often incorporated directly in their design, usually (and unsurprisingly) evoke the fleeting passage of time, light, etc., and sometimes refer to their own malfunction when the sun is absent. Here are examples from The Book of Old Sundials, OYO, TN Foulis, Ltd., 1922 –more in a future post (perhaps on another rainy day), there are tons.
Let others tell of storms and showers
I’ll only count your sunny hours
Abi Non Moratur Hora Ambula In Luce
(Begone, Time Flies, Walk in Light)
United in time parted in time to be reunited when time shall be no more
Behold and begone about your business
Cursum Peregi
(I have finished my course)
Carpe Diem
Ah, take the cash in hand and waive the Rest
Know Thyself
As Shadow So Man Speedeth
Dies Diem Trudit
(A day May ruin thee)
Dum-Spectas-Fugio
I fly away even whilst thou watchest me
TIME – TIDE
DOTH – WAIST (sic)
THEREFORE
MAKE – HASTE
WE – SHALL
Dum Fugit Umbra Quiesco
(The Shadow moves though I be at rest)
As the sune runs so death comes
DEPRESSA – RESURGO
I set to rise
