Latin for Smartasses, Part IV

Part IV, the last part of my little series of famous Latin quotes!

"Pecunia non olet." (~Money doesn't stink.)
Sueton, Roman writer (~70-130 AD)
The story behind this quote is rather funny. It originated in a discussion between father and son--none other than Roman emperor Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus and his father Vespasian, former emperor--about Vespasian's ways to bring money into Roman's empty pockets. Vespasian apparently taxed urine, and collected and sold the urine from public latrines. Titus wasn't exactly happy about that, and in their discussion, Vespasian got out a coin and held it under Titus' nose, asking, 'Is its smell bothering you?' Titus negated, and Vespasian told him, 'Well, but still, it comes from urine.'

"Fortes fortuna adjuvat." (Luck is with the brave.)
Terenz, Roman poet (~190-158 BC)
This quote is often used to defend risky endeavours, and psychologists even found out that people who tend to take greater risks are generally more satisfied with their lives.

"Proximus est quisque sibi." (~Everyone is closest to himself.)
Terenz, Roman poet (~190-158 BC)
This sentence can be understood in different ways. One possibility is the human instinct which usually puts our own safety first; another possible way to understand it is as excuse to be selfish.

"Homo sum, humani nil a me alienum puto." (~Nothing human is strange to me.)
Terenz, Roman poet (~190-158 BC) or Seneca the Younger (1-65 AD)
Although it is not quite clear who coined this phrase, there is mainly one use nowadays. It is said to encourage someone to speak frankly by pointing out that nothing could be too weird or strange since it's all human.

"Tempus fugit." (~Time flies.)
Vergil, Roman poet (70-19 BC)
This quote is often used to remind ourselves that life isn't endless. Our time on earth is limited, and although some moments might appear endless, time once lost can never be retrieved.

"Quo vadis?" (~Where do you go?)
the Bible
Nowadays, this quote can be heard not only from religious people. It is used in the sense of doubting that one's life is going in the right direction.

All right, that's it.... I hope you enjoyed this mini series on famous Latin quotes and phrases.