Expert: Maria - 6/16/2008

Question
Hello Maria.  I see you translated "To thine own self be true" two different ways...


Tibi ipsi dic verum
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ancient-Languages-2210/english-latin-translation-10.h...



And
Tibi ipsi esto fidelis
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ancient-Languages-2210/translation-31.htm


Which is more correct for its connotation?


Answer
Hello,

Both these translations are correct.

I must however point out that the first (Tibi ipsi dic verum ) is a free translation, while the second (Tibi ipsi esto fidelis ) is a literal translation.

Therefore “Tibi ipsi dic verum” (literally, “Tell yourself the truth”) emphasizes that you must be true to yourself saying always the truth as this is a part of your temperament, i.e. your manner of thinking, behaving, or reacting, while “Tibi ipsi esto fidelis” (literally,  Be true to yourself) states the same concept in  a literal manner.

In short, you can use one of these translations according to what you want to emphasize.

Best regards,
Maria
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Note that in “Tibi ipsi esto fidelis”:

TIBI  (dative of TU meaning 'you', personal pronoun, 2nd.person singular) = to thy

IPSI (dative of the pronoun IPSE, self) = own self

ESTO (imperative, 2nd.person singular of the verb SUM, I am) = be

FIDELIS (nominative singular ) = true


In “Tibi ipsi dic verum”:

TIBI  IPSI ( see above)= yourself

DIC( imperative, 2nd.person singular, from DICO, I tell)

VERUM (accusative neuter) = the truth