Latin Proverbs: Forms of volo (vol)

This is the first post in a series on the forms of the verb volo, focusing on the different forms that the stem can take: vol-, vul-, vel-, etc.

So, here are the proverbs featuring vol- as the stem form:

Ferre minora volo, ne graviora feram.

The verb "ferre" here means to "bear," in the sense of putting up with, enduring. Compare the fox's words in the fable of the fox and the thornbush: Vulpis et Rubus.

Nolo parum, nimium non volo: sat mihi sat.

This is a proverb in praise of the "golden mean," i.e. having just enough, not too little and not too much.

Vivimus, non ut volumus, sed ut possumus.

This is a "you can't always get what you want" type of proverb.

Quod volumus, facile credimus.

There is an implied "hoc" here: Hoc, quod volumus, facile credimus.

Cito fit quod di volunt.

There is also an implied "hoc" here: Hoc cito fit, quod di volunt.

Quo volunt reges, vadunt leges.

The word "quo" here is an adverb, meaning "where" (i.e. in quo loco).

Quem fata pendere volunt, non mergitur undis.

There is an implied "is" here: Is, quem fata pendere volunt, non mergitur undis.

Multi scire volunt, sed vere discere nolunt.

Here you see volunt paired up with its contrary verb: nolunt, which is short for "non volunt."

Bene vixit is qui potuit cum voluit mori.

This proverb has a perfect form: voluit, and the verbs vixit and potuit are also in the perfect.

Magnus qui volet esse, solum natale relinquat.

Here you see the future tense: volet, along with a subjunctive: relinquat.

Volentem bovem ducito.

The verb "ducito" is an imperative (sometimes called the "future imperative") which is frequently found in proverbs.

Ducunt volentem fata, nolentem trahunt.

Here you see volo and nolo paired up again, this time in their participial forms: volentem / nolentem.

Irritare canem noli dormire volentem.

Compare the English saying, "Let sleeping dogs lie." Notice the use of "noli" (imperative form of nolo) to express a negative imperative.

And here's a version from back in my LOLCat days:

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