Post by permission_magazinePost by B. T. RavenPost by Ed CryerPost by B. T. RavenPost by permission_magazineCould anyone help me with the proper Latin translation of the phrase
"I keep my own counsel?"
Any assistance is much appreciated. Thanks!
linguâ faveo
Nice one, Ed.
Very classical; very Horace. But does it mean as required?
I think it just means "be quiet". Well, maybe that will do here.
Ed
In religious language (partly) to refrain from inopportune speech but maybe
with a hint of Hamlet's "We could an if we would" which seems to be what the
OP wants. Usually "favete linguis" but also "lingua" or "ore." How about
"reticere malo (praefero)?
"
I'm not quite sure I understand the allusion to Hamlet. I was thinking
in the sense of one who doesn't look to others for answers or spend
one's time talking about plans and thoughts.
Act I, Scene V:
And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. But come;
Here, as before, never, so help you mercy,
How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself,
As I perchance hereafter shall think meet
To put an antic disposition on,
That you, at such times seeing me, never shall,
With arms encumber'd thus, or this headshake,
Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase,
As 'Well, well, we know,' or 'We could, an if we would,'
Or 'If we list to speak,' or 'There be, an if they might,'
Or such ambiguous giving out, to note
That you know aught of me: this not to do,
So grace and mercy at your most need help you, Swear.
Hamlet doesn't want Horatio to let on that he knows more than he is willing
to say. "I keep my own counsel?" implies that one could speak but prefers
not to.
Eduardus