Bland: Simile gaudet simili.

·Simile·Like·

Simile gaudet simili.
(Like rejoices in like.)

Like to like.

Bland's Commentary:

Hence we see persons of similar dispositions, habits, and years, and pursuing the same studies, usually congregating together, as most able to assist each other in their pursuits. Ogni simile appetisce il suo simile, every man endeavours to associate with those who are like himself.

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book. The image comes from the Cheezburger.com site. The poster is generated with AutoMotivator. Here is a full-sized view of the poster.

Bland: Like for like.

· Par · Like ·
Par pari referre.
Like for like.

Bland's Commentary:

Tal por tal, like for like, or "One good turn deserves another." If this has in all ages been esteemed a duty, in our commerce with persons who are indifferent to us, we are in a particular manner called upon to observe it, in our conduct to our parents, and to make the best return in our power, for their care in nourishing and supporting us in our infancy; for imbuing our minds with good principles; for cultivating and improving our understandings, and thereby enabling us to support ourselves in a mature age, and to fill with credit that rank, or situation in life, in which we may happen to be placed.

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book. The image comes from the Cheezburger.com site. The poster is generated with AutoMotivator. Here is a full-sized view of the poster.

Bland: The fore-head precedes the hind-head

·Frons prior· 
Frons occipitio prior. 
The fore-head precedes the hind-head.

Bland's Commentary:

By this enigmatical expression, that the forehead in which the eyes are placed, precedes the hind-head; the ancients meant to shew, that all business may be expected to be best performed, if attended to by persons who are to be benefited by it. A philosopher being asked by his neighbour, what would best fatten his horse? answered "the eyes of its master," as his presence would make his fields most fertile and productive, the foot of the owner being the best manure for his land.

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book. The image comes from the Cheezburger.com site. The poster is generated with AutoMotivator. Here is a full-sized view of the poster.

Bland: Patriae fumus igni alieno luculentior.

·Patriae fumus·
Patriae fumus igni alieno luculentior.
(The smoke of the fire of our fatherland is brighter than another.)
Even the smoke of our own chimney shines brighter than the fire of a stranger's.

Bland's Commentary:

"Home is home, though ever so homely." Bos alienus subinde prospectat foras, the strange ox frequently looks to the door, ready to return to the home, whence he has been lately taken; and we know that dogs can scarcely, by any kindness, be prevented from returning to the houses of their old masters. Chaque oiseux trouve son nid bien, the French say; and the Italians, Ad ogni uccello, il suo nido é bello, every bird prefers his own nest.

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book. The image comes from the Cheezburger.com site. The poster is generated with AutoMotivator. Here is a full-sized view of the poster.

Bland: To each his own.

·Suum cuique·
Suum cuique pulchrum.
To each his own is beautiful.

Bland's Commentary:

We each of us think, that whatever we possess, whether children, horses, dogs, houses, or any other things, are better than those of our neighbours, "all our geese are swans." Or, as a common adage has it, "Every crow thinks her own bird fair." This disposition, when not carried to excess, is rather to be encouraged than reproved, as tending to make us contented and happy, in our situations; indulged too much, it occasions our becoming dupes to sycophants and flatterers.

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book. The image comes from the Cheezburger.com site. The poster is generated with AutoMotivator. Here is a full-sized view of the poster.

Bland: Kings have long arms.

· Rex · King ·
Multae regum aures atque oculi.
Kings have long arms.

Bland's Commentary:

"Kings," we say, "have long arms," they have also many eyes and ears, that is, they use the ministry of their many servants and dependents, both to discover what is done that may be prejudicial to their interest, and to punish the delinquents, whose crimes may by these means have been detected, though seated at the extremities of their dominions. Hence we say, by way of caution, to persons speaking too freely, on subjects that may give offence, do you know that Les murs ont des oreilles? Walls have ears.

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book. The image comes from the Cheezburger.com site. The poster is generated with AutoMotivator. Here is a full-sized view of the poster.

Bland: One good turn deserves another.

·Manus manum lavat·
One good turn deserves another.

Bland's Commentary:

Una mano lava la otra. "One good turn deserves another." But this phrase is more commonly applied where two persons bespatter each other with fulsome and undeserved compliments. "Scratch my breech, and I will claw your elbow."

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book. The images comes from Cheezburger here and here. The poster is generated with AutoMotivator. Here is a full-sized view of the poster.

Bland: Malo accepto stultus sapit.

· Stultus · Foolish ·
Malo accepto stultus sapit.
(Having had something bad happen, the fool grows wise.)
Experience is the mistress of fools.

Bland's Commentary:

"Experience is the mistress of fools," and "the burnt child," we say, "dreads the fire." Some men are only to be made cautious by their own experience, they must suffer before they will be wary.

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book. The image comes from the Cheezburger.com site. The poster is generated with AutoMotivator. Here is a full-sized view of the poster.

Bland: Res in cardine est.

· Cardo · Hinge ·
Res in cardine est.
(The business is at a turning point.)
The business is on the hinge.

Bland's Commentary:

The business is on the hinge; it is in that state that it must now, one way or the other, be soon terminated, alluding to a door, which, hanging on its hinges, may be shut or opened by a very slight impulse. We also say the business hinges (turns) on such a circumstance; if that be made out, it will end successfully, if not it will fail.

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book.

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Bland: Adversus solem ne loquitor.

· Sol · Sun ·
Adversus solem ne loquitor.
Do not speak against the sun.

Bland's Commentary:

Arguing against what is clear and self-evident is the same as denying that the sun shines at mid-day.

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book.

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Bland: Ad finem ubi perveneris, ne velis reverti.

· Ad Finem · To The End ·
Ad finem ubi perveneris, ne velis reverti.
As you get to the end, don't turn back.

Bland's Commentary:

When you have nearly completed any business in which you are engaged, do not through weariness, or inconstancy, leave it unfinished, but persist to the end; else all the time, labour, and expense that have been bestowed upon the work, will be lost, and you will lose your character likewise; or when you perceive yourself about to die, with patience and courage submit to your fate, and do not weakly and foolishly wish for an extension of your life, in the vain hope that you should live more rationally. "Hell," we say, "is full of good meanings and wishes."

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book.

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Bland: Do not feed animals that have crooked claws.

· Uncis Unguibus ·
Quae uncis sunt unguibus ne nutrias.
Do not cherish animals that have crooked claws.

Bland's Commentary:

Do not feed, or take under your roof animals of ferocious and savage dispositions, that have sharp and crooked claws. Do not cherish a snake in your bosom, or enter into friendship with crafty and deceitful persons. Otez un vilain du gibet, il vous y mettra, save a trief from the gallows, and he will cut your throat. Cria el cuervo, y sacarte ha los ojos, breed up a crow and he will tear out your eyes.

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book.

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Bland: Do not stir the fire with a sword.

· Ignis · Fire ·
Ignem ne gladio fodito.
Do not stir the fire with a sword.

Bland's Commentary:

Do not stir the fire with a sword, do not irritate an angry person; rather endeavour to sooth and appease him, and take some more convenient opportunity for reproof. When no longer under the influence of passion, he may hear and be benefited by your remonstrances.

You can read the commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book.

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Bland: Cor ne edito.

· Cor ne edito. ·
(Don't eat your heart.)
Let not care corrode your heart.

Bland's Commentary:

Let not care corrode and gnaw your heart, lest you should fall into a state of despondency, and to avenge some disappointment or trouble, throw away all the blessings you enjoy, and with them your life. To this purport the Psalmist, "Fret not thyself, lest thou be moved to do evil." Por mucho madrugar, no amanéce mas aina. The Spaniards say, early rising makes it not day the sooner, or too much anxiety and care will not enable your the sooner to obtain your point; and the Italians, cento carre di pensieri, non pagaranno un' oncia di debito, an hundred cartloads of care will not pay an ounce of debt. Cura facit canos, care brings gray hairs and "care," we say, "killed the cat." But who is without care, or can escape its fangs!

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book. I don't speak Spanish, but it looks like the contemporary form of the Spanish proverb would be something more like: No por mucho madrugar, amanece más temprano (Wiktionary), and the Italian: Cento carri di pensieri, non pagheranno un'oncia di debito. Compare also: Cento libbre di pensieri non pagano un'oncia di debito.

The image comes from the Cheezburger.com site. The poster is generated with AutoMotivator. Here is a full-sized view of the poster.

Bland: Among friends all things should be in common.

· Amicorum communia omnia. ·
Among friends all things should be in common.

Bland's Commentary:

Erasmus thought he could not begin his Collection better than with this apothegm, which is of great antiquity, and much celebrated, and for the same reason it is here placed first. Nothing is so frequent in our mouths, nor is any thing less common than such a conjunction of minds as deserves the name of Friendship. When a friend asks, there is no to-morrow, for he is another self. Ne ay major espejo, que el amigo viejo. Like a glass he will discover to you your own defects; and mas vale buen amigo, que pariente primo, a good friend is better than a near relation. A man, the Italians say, without friends is like a body without a soul. Chi si trova senz' amici, e come un corpo senz' anima.

You can read more commentary by Bland online, and here is more about Bland's book.

The image comes from the Cheezburger.com site. The poster is generated with AutoMotivator. Here is a full-sized view of the poster.