MovieChat Forums > The Black Cat (1934) Discussion > Can anyone translate the Latin spoken by...

Can anyone translate the Latin spoken by Karloff during the ceremony?


Though it sounds serious, I read someplace that it's really funny. For example, it starts out "Cum grano salis" which means 'a grain of salt'.

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There's a translation offered right here on this film's Trivia page:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024894/trivia

How accurate it is, I couldn't say.


Poe! You are...avenged!

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From the trivia page:
"The satanic prayer Poelzig chants during the black mass scene consists of random phrases in Latin, the most recognizable being "cum grano salis" (with a grain of salt). The complete chant, is as follows:

Latin Phrases: Cum grano salis. Fortis cadere cedere non potest. Humanum est errare. Lupis pilum mutat, non mentem. Magna est veritas et praevalebit. Acta exteriora indicant interiora secreta. Aequam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem. Amissum quod nescitur non amittitur. Brutum fulmen. Cum grano salis. Fortis cadere cedere non potest. Fructu, non foliis arborem aestima. Insanus omnes furere credit ceteros. Quem paenitet peccasse paene est innocens.

English translation: With a grain of salt. A brave man may fall, but he cannot yield. To err is human. The wolf may change his skin, but not his nature. Truth is mighty, and will prevail. External actions show internal secrets. Remember when life's path is steep to keep your mind even. The loss that is not known is no loss at all. Heavy thunder. With a grain of salt. A brave man may fall, but he cannot yield. By fruit, not by leaves, judge a tree. Every madman thinks everybody mad. Who repents from sinning is almost innocent."

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Oh thank you very much for pointing that out.

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It seems to be a collection of random maxims in Latin. Non-sequiters. The director and writer must have had a good laugh.

Harry Lime

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Yes, thank you. I'll bet Karloff joined in the fun. He spoke the language so beautifully. The opening line was a clue -- Grain of salt.

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