Odi Profanum Vulgus et Arceo

“Odi profanum vulgus et arceo” is the opening sentence of Horace’s Odes 3.1, and it is only five words long: I hate the uninitiated crowd and keep it away. This edition spells the noun volgus, which is also written vulgus.

Ōdī looks like a perfect tense but is translated as a present, “I hate”, because the verb is used in a perfect form with present meaning. Arceō is a plain present, “I keep away”. Tap the words to check each form.

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Horace · Odes 3.1

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ŌdīI hatearceōI keep away
Carmina, the Odes of Horace: cover

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