FRATER

The notes here are taken from the actual Scala, so be warned that references to the "previous" proverb refer to its order in the Scala, not its order here. You can read more about the word at the Verbosum blog: FRATER.

Quis amicior quam frater fratri? ~ Note: Although amicus is more often used substantively, as a noun ("friend"), it really is an adjective ("friendly"). So, as an adjective, it has a comparative form: amicior, "more friendly."

Frater est amicus quem nobis dedit Natura. ~ Note: You can also find this saying with the words: Frater est amicus quem donat natura.

Omnes vos fratres estis. ~ Note: These words can be found in the Gospel of Matthew, 23.

Somnus est frater mortis. ~ Note: You can also find this idea expressed as follow: Somnus est imago mortis, "Sleep is the image of death."

Frater est amicus quem donat natura. ~ Note: As often, proverbs are often diametrically opposed to one another: brothers can be the worst of enemies (e.g., Fratrum irae acerbissimae, as you just read) or natural friends, as here.

Quid mihi prodest scire agellum in partes dividere, si nescio cum fratre dividere?

Melior est vicinus iuxta, quam frater procul. ~ Note: This saying is included by Polydorus in his Adagia, B323.

Proximus est melior vicinus fratre remoto

Tu quid iudicas fratrem tuum? ~ Note: The words are from Paul's Letter to the Romans, 14. The word "quid" here has the force of "why, for what reason."

Qui diligit fratrem, placat Deo patrem.

Num custos fratris mei sum?

Acerba sunt bella fratrum. ~ Note: The previous saying was about the angry feelings, irae, between brothers, but now those feelings have become metaphorical wars: bella.

Fratrum inter se irae sunt acerbissimae. ~ Note: This is one of the sayings that Erasmus included in his Adagia, 1.2.50. For an example, you need look no further than the first brothers in the Biblical book of Genesis, Cain and Abel.

Non oderis fratrem tuum in corde tuo. ~ Note: Here you see the perfect subjunctive being used to express a negative command: Do not hate. You can find this admonition in the Biblical book of Leviticus, 19.

Fratrum concordia rara. ~ Note: As you can see, this proverb and the previous proverb disagree. The idea of fraternal discord can be found in the Bible's tale of the first brothers on earth, Cain and Abel.

Iam frater fratrem, natus fraudare parentem nititur, et servus dominum, coniunxque maritum.

Utilior praesto vicinus fratre remoto.

Mors dirimit fratres, absentia perdit amicos.

Si videas fratres inter se bella gerentes, neutri confer opem, sed eorum corrige mentes. ~ Note: This is one of the sayings collected by Wegeler, 1287.

Concordes duo sunt in caelo sidera fratres; in terra unanimes vix reor esse duos. ~ Note: An epigram by Owen: Concordes duo sunt in caelo sidera fratres; / in terra unanimes vix reor esse duos.