6

I find this phrase on the Wikipedia page of Julian of Eclanum and it is about the Anti-Pelaganism dogma (Julan was strongly against that dogma). From the words I think the dogma is "wicked stupidity of no little degree"? Is that correct.

What would be a good translation of the phrase?

1
  • 2
    It reads like: "it is no less stupid than it is wicked/ impious".
    – tony
    Commented Apr 3, 2021 at 9:37

1 Answer 1

9

You can translate this word by word:

  • Non - No
  • minus - less
  • stultum - stupid
  • quam - than
  • impium - wicked

So it means: "No less stupid than wicked."

Who ever said Latin was difficult?

4
  • In perhaps a bit more idiomatic English, "It's every bit as stupid as it is wicked." Commented Apr 4, 2021 at 14:54
  • The translation "wicked" for "impius" strikes me as slightly simplistic, though obviously not wrong per se. But in the religious context offered here, it seems to me that aspect is not clear.
    – Batavulus
    Commented Apr 4, 2021 at 16:42
  • @Batavulus Indeed, “godless” may be a better term. Or just go with “impious” and hope whatever that means should be about the same thing that the Latin means ;-) Commented Apr 9, 2021 at 18:57
  • :-) I had an insane but quite funny teacher once who claimed he had no idea what a “Heiland” (Dutch/German, take your pick) was, but that he thankfully knew what a Messiah/Messias was.
    – Batavulus
    Commented Apr 10, 2021 at 20:48

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.