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fandom_grammarGreetings and salutations, O Courageous Watchers of Fandom Grammar! Today, we’ll boldly be going where no Fandom Grammar watcher has gone before (except perhaps those who’ve studied English poetry and Latin literature) as we take a look at two proverbs that bravely tackle … well, bravery: “fools rush in where angels fear to tread” and “fortune favors the bold/brave.” Running to our aid, armed only with examples and lavender, are Fiona, Hewie, and the rest of the cast of Haunting Ground.
Let’s click on the cut and see what we’re made of!
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
This proverb dates back to 1709, in a time when criticisms and insults were much more eloquent than “lol, this poem sux.” Such criticisms and insults—as well as those who wrote them—were the precise target that English poet Alexander Pope had in mind when he wrote this line in his now-famous poem, “An Essay on Criticism”
It is unknown exactly what prompted Pope’s rage, but many seem to think that it involved an undetermined degenerative bone condition (most likely Pott’s disease) from which Pope suffered for most of his life that left him stunted, hunch-backed, and physically frail. And not unlike the scourge of today’s Internet, there were many critics who sought to further insult his work by insulting the man himself. A popular personal offense that Pope often received (presumably sometimes in public print) was the cruel “hump-backed toad.”
Since Pope’s crusade against literary critics, the proverb has wormed its way into various popular works, including James Joyce’s novel Ulysses and Elvis Presley’s hit musical number “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” It retains its original meaning, which warns of the foolishness that some people brazenly use when running into certain situations (often dangerous or otherwise damaging ones) that wiser, more cautious people would avoid. For example:
Fortune favors the brave/bold
Talk about respecting your elders! The textual use of this Latin proverb dates all the way back to 161 B.C.E., making it older than Jesus of Nazareth by over a hundred years—perhaps even older, as some speculate that it was a popular saying before it ever met ink and page. That year, the Roman playwright Publius Terentius Afer (whom you may know as “Terence”) wrote the play Phormio, in which “fortune favors the brave/bold” appears in its original Latin as “fortis fortuna adiuvat.” Since then, the proverb has appeared in many a famous work, including fellow Roman writer Virgil’s The Aeneid.
The “fortuna” (“fortune”) in “fortis fortuna adiuvat” refers to the allegorically named Latin goddess of luck Fortuna, who is often depicted with a wheel that she spins to decide the fate of mortals (hence the title of the popular television show, “Wheel of Fortune”). “Adiuvat” is the present tense of the verb “adiuvÅ,” which means “to aid” or “to help” rather than “to show preference to,” as the popular English translation suggests. This more literal one suggests that ancient Romans believed that their gods and goddesses aided mortals of their choosing in those mortals’ endeavors, like many ancient pagan peoples did.
Regardless, the meaning of the proverb remains the same: luck does not select winners at random; those who wish to succeed must be brave and pursue that which they seek. If they do, they are sure to find success in their endeavors. An example:
Should you take care not to tread where angels themselves wouldn’t dare? It is difficult to know if an endeavor is truly worth the damage that it could cause you if you do decide to pursue it. You have to weigh the pros and cons of each side and then make the decision that best suits your own interests.
Or you could just throw caution to the wind and see if fortune truly does favor the brave.
Sources
• Folger Shakespearean Library
• Glosbe
• Poets.Org
• the Phrase Finder
• Quote/CounterQuote
Let’s click on the cut and see what we’re made of!
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
This proverb dates back to 1709, in a time when criticisms and insults were much more eloquent than “lol, this poem sux.” Such criticisms and insults—as well as those who wrote them—were the precise target that English poet Alexander Pope had in mind when he wrote this line in his now-famous poem, “An Essay on Criticism”
No Place so Sacred from such Fops is barr'd,
Nor is Paul's Church more safe than Paul's Church-yard:
Nay, fly to Altars; there they'll talk you dead;
For Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread.
It is unknown exactly what prompted Pope’s rage, but many seem to think that it involved an undetermined degenerative bone condition (most likely Pott’s disease) from which Pope suffered for most of his life that left him stunted, hunch-backed, and physically frail. And not unlike the scourge of today’s Internet, there were many critics who sought to further insult his work by insulting the man himself. A popular personal offense that Pope often received (presumably sometimes in public print) was the cruel “hump-backed toad.”
Since Pope’s crusade against literary critics, the proverb has wormed its way into various popular works, including James Joyce’s novel Ulysses and Elvis Presley’s hit musical number “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” It retains its original meaning, which warns of the foolishness that some people brazenly use when running into certain situations (often dangerous or otherwise damaging ones) that wiser, more cautious people would avoid. For example:
“That Riccardo,” spat Lorenzo, gazing at Daniella’s bloody lip. He released her chin and leaned back in his wheelchair. “So brazen. So unnecessary. I made a horrible choice when I created him. Has he yet tracked down Fiona?”
“No, Master,” she said.
“No. No, of course not. Fiona is too smart for him. She is so much better than he. She’ll have no trouble at all outfoxing him. He may have taken my revolver, but there are still the numerous traps hidden within the castle. Fiona—my dear, sweet, flawless Fiona—she’s too clever, too cautious to fall into any of them, but Riccardo….Well, as they say, ‘fools rush in where angels fear to tread.’” He folded his hands. “Let us just wait and see how things unfold.”
Fortune favors the brave/bold
Talk about respecting your elders! The textual use of this Latin proverb dates all the way back to 161 B.C.E., making it older than Jesus of Nazareth by over a hundred years—perhaps even older, as some speculate that it was a popular saying before it ever met ink and page. That year, the Roman playwright Publius Terentius Afer (whom you may know as “Terence”) wrote the play Phormio, in which “fortune favors the brave/bold” appears in its original Latin as “fortis fortuna adiuvat.” Since then, the proverb has appeared in many a famous work, including fellow Roman writer Virgil’s The Aeneid.
The “fortuna” (“fortune”) in “fortis fortuna adiuvat” refers to the allegorically named Latin goddess of luck Fortuna, who is often depicted with a wheel that she spins to decide the fate of mortals (hence the title of the popular television show, “Wheel of Fortune”). “Adiuvat” is the present tense of the verb “adiuvÅ,” which means “to aid” or “to help” rather than “to show preference to,” as the popular English translation suggests. This more literal one suggests that ancient Romans believed that their gods and goddesses aided mortals of their choosing in those mortals’ endeavors, like many ancient pagan peoples did.
Regardless, the meaning of the proverb remains the same: luck does not select winners at random; those who wish to succeed must be brave and pursue that which they seek. If they do, they are sure to find success in their endeavors. An example:
“Oh, Hewie,” sighed Fiona as she sank to the floor and leaned back against the closet door. Hewie sat beside her. She gave his ear a quick rub, then laid her head on her knees and let the tears fall. “I just don’t know what to do,” she said. “I don’t know where I am or how I got here, and no one will tell me; that man Riccardo said that my parents are dead; and that other man, the big, scary one, is after me, and I think he might—might kill me if he gets his hands on me. I feel so helpless.” She twisted her head sideways to look at him. “Some ‘strong young woman’ I turned out to be, huh?”
Jerking his head around, Hewie barked and stuck his head in one of the storage boxes. He pulled out something glittering in his mouth—a diamond studded choker. There was golden print on the ribbon.
“‘Fortis fortuna adiuvat,’” she said. “I remember that from Latin class. It means, ‘fortune favors the brave.’” She looked up at him and saw him looking back at her. Smiling, she gave his head a quick rub. “Good boy, Hewie. Now come on,” she said as she stood up. “We’re going to find a way out of this place. No matter what, we’re going to make it.”
Should you take care not to tread where angels themselves wouldn’t dare? It is difficult to know if an endeavor is truly worth the damage that it could cause you if you do decide to pursue it. You have to weigh the pros and cons of each side and then make the decision that best suits your own interests.
Or you could just throw caution to the wind and see if fortune truly does favor the brave.
Sources
• Folger Shakespearean Library
• Glosbe
• Poets.Org
• the Phrase Finder
• Quote/CounterQuote
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