Oh booze, you made so much sense at the time, and now the after effects! What does Vincent Obsopoeus say about that?

Viribus exhaustis exhaurit et illa crumenam.

Once it drains your strength, it empties your wallet too.

Viribus (strength) is the ablative plural form of "vis," used here in an ablative absolute construction.

Exhaustis (having been drained) is the perfect passive participle of "exhaurire," meaning "to drain" or “to empty”. It agrees with "viribus," indicating the state of having drained one's strength.

Exhaurit (drains or empties) is the third person singular present active indicative of "exhaurire," meaning "to drain" or "to empty."

Et (and) is a conjunction.

Illa (that) is the nominative singular feminine form of the demonstrative pronoun "ille," referring to a specific object previously mentioned.

Crumenam (wallet) is the accusative singular form of "crumenā," meaning "purse", “wallet” or "money bag."

Ovid’s reflections on the changes to the landscape around Troy reminds us of the impermanence of human endeavours.

Iam seges est, ubi Troia fuit.

Now there is a field where Troy once stood.

Iam (now)

Seges (field or grain field) is the nominative singular form of "seges," meaning a field or crop.

Est (is)

Ubi (where)

Troia (Troy) is in the nominative singular form.

Fuit (was)

Be good, have courage, says the stoic sage in a lesson for the ages.

Officia sua vir bonus exequetur inconfusus, intrepidus.

A good man will perform his duties undaunted and fearlessly.

Officia (duties) is the nominative plural form of "officium."

Sua (his own) agrees with "officia."

Exequetur (will perform) is the third person singular future passive indicative of "exequi."

Inconfusus (undaunted or unashamedly) in the nominative singular masculine form

Intrepidus (fearlessly) in the nominative singular masculine form

Ever been on the right side that isn’t the winning side? Cato knows how you feel

Victrix causa diis placuit sed victa Catoni.

The victorious cause pleased the gods, but the defeated cause pleased Cato.

Victrix "victorious" in the nominative singular form

causa "cause" or "case" in the nominative singular form.

Diis is the dative plural form of "deus," meaning "gods"

Placuit is the third person singular perfect active indicative of "placere," meaning "to please".

Sed "but"

Victa "the defeated" is the nominative singular feminine form of "victus."

Catoni is the dative singular form of "Cato," referring to the Roman statesman.

Ever feel that due credit isn’t given in public affairs? Perhaps sentimentality can triumph over magnanimity? To put this quote in context, Pliny has just described how a publicly loved raven was given a public funeral. In contrast, there was no public funeral for the great Scipio Aemilianus, nor any other great and good human of that age.

Scipionis vero Aemiliani post Carthaginem Numantiamque deletas ab eo nemo vindicaverat mortem.

However, no one had avenged the death of Scipio Aemilianus after he had destroyed Carthage and Numantia.

Scipionis and Aemiliani are genitive singular forms meaning “of Scipio Aemilianus.”

Vero ("however" or "indeed")

Post ("after")

Carthaginem and Numantiamque ("Carthage" and "Numantia") are accusative singular forms of "Carthago" and "Numantia," indicating the cities destroyed by Scipio.

Deletas ("destroyed") is the accusative plural form of "delere ," meaning "to destroy," agreeing with "Carthaginem" and "Numantiam."

Ab eo ("by him"), referring to Scipio Aemilianus.

Nemo ("no one") is in the nominative singular form.

Vindicaverat ("had avenged") is the third person singular pluperfect active indicative of "vindicāre," meaning "to avenge."

Mortem ("death") is the accusative singular form of "mors."

Want to look good going to work? Capaneus does! This line describing the impression he makes on his way to the battlefield in the Thebaid.

Galeaeque corusca prominet arce Gigans.

And from the helmet’s shining height stands a Giant.

Galeaeque ("and from the helmet") is the genitive singular form of "galea," meaning "helmet," with the enclitic "-que" meaning "and."

Corusca ("shining" or "gleaming") is the nominative singular feminine form of "coruscus," agreeing with "arce."

Prominet ("protrudes" or "stands out") is the third person singular present active indicative of "prominere."

Arce ("from the height" or "citadel") is the ablative singular form of "arx,"

Gigans ("giant") is the nominative singular form of "gigas."

Feel like throwing yourself into the action of something none can stop happening? Mars does, and doesn’t hold back.

Sic orsus aperto flagrantes immisit equos.

Thus, having spoken, he sent his fiery horses into the open.

Sic ("thus" or "in this way")

Orsus ("having begun" or "having spoken") is the perfect passive participle of "ordior," meaning "to begin" or "to commence," in context it refers to Mars.

Aperto ("open" or "exposed") is the ablative singular form of "apertus"

Flagrantes ("blazing" or "fiery") is the accusative plural form of the present participle "flagrans," modifying "equos."

Immīsit ("sent" or "released") is in the third person singular perfect active indicative.

Equos ("horses") is the accusative plural form of "equus."

Ever felt frustrated with the creative process? Martial hears you and may have an opinion on where to point the finger of blame.

Ecce nocet vati Musa iocosa suo.

Behold, the playful Muse harms her own poet.

Ecce ("behold") is an interjection used to draw attention.

Nocet ("harms") is the third person singular present active indicative of "nocere," meaning "to harm" or "to injure."

Vati ("the poet") is the dative singular form of "vates," meaning "poet" or "seer."

Musa ("Muse") is in the nominative singular form referring to one of the Muses, the goddesses of inspiration in literature, science, and the arts.

Iocosa ("playful") is the nominative singular feminine form of "iocōsus," meaning "playful" or "humorous," agreeing with "Musa."

Suo ("his own") is the ablative singular form of "suus," a reflexive possessive pronoun meaning "his own," agreeing with "vati."

The times may have changed but keeping our minds clear of distractions is an issue for the ages. Cassian promotes conscious recognition of something we all live with everyday.

Mentem quidem non interpellari cogitationibus inpossibile est.

Indeed, it is impossible for the mind not to be interrupted by thoughts.

Mentem ("mind") is the accusative singular form of "mens," meaning "mind."

Quidem ("indeed" or "certainly") is an adverb used for emphasis.

Non interpellari ("not to be interrupted") is in the passive infinitive form

Cogitationibus ("by thoughts") is the ablative plural form of "cogitatio," meaning "thought."

Inpossibile ("impossible") is the nominative singular form of "inpossibilis," meaning "impossible."

Est ("is")

Seneca gives a stoic and disdainful view on busyness.

Nihil minus est hominis occupati quam vivere.

Nothing is less characteristic of a busy man than living.

Nihil ("nothing") is the nominative singular form of "nihilum," meaning "nothing."

Minus ("less") is an adverb

Est ("is")

Hominis ("of a man") is the genitive singular form of "homo," meaning "man" or "person."

Occupati ("occupied" or "busy") is the genitive singular form of "occupatus," agreeing with "hominis."

Vivere ("to live") is in the present active infinitive.