these myths are sacred and profane

these myths are sacred and profane

and

Let them hate as long as they fear


My 24th birthday is coming up and I've been wanting a tat. thanks a lot

Let them hate as long as they fear is:

Oderint dum metuant

I would say:

Hi mythi sacri profanique sunt, which I personally dislike, and for the second

Oderint dum metuant is just great. I'm assuming here that oderint is in the perfect form since it's one of those Perfect Form, Present Meaning verbs?

<<Oderint dum metuant is just great>>

It's actually a quote - Lucius Accius (170BC - ??).

As you surmised, oderint is a perfect subjunctive with a present meaning.

-Ken

I'm not sure if I want the word "dum" on me...

<<< I'm not sure if I want the word "dum" on me...>>>

"dummodo" is an alternative - but whether that's any better is for you to say.

Actually, I think you could try

oderint si modo metuant

That should be OK and has no "dum" in it at all.


- Ken

does it mean the same?

Andy dixit:

Oderint dum metuant is just great.

Click to expand...

Yes, as kmp noted, unfortunately I am not the author of that one

dum means as long as

si modo means if only

so essentially the meaning is the same, "Let them hate, if only they fear"