15,000 words and phrases from more than 50 languages and their

187 le bois tortu fait le feu droit
lateat scintillula forsan [L], perhaps a little spark (of life) may lurk
unseen: motto of the Royal Humane Society, a society founded in
London in 1774 for the rescue of drowning persons.
latet anguis in herba [L], a snake lies hidden in the grass.
λάθε βιώσας [Gr; láthe biösas], seek to live unnoticed: Epicurus.
lathi [Hind], club; heavy stick; quarterstaff: India.
látigo [Sp; pi. látigos], a strong strap fastened to the saddletree of a
Mexican saddle, used for tightening the cinch: Sp. Am. &? southwestern
U.S. Cf. LARIGO.
latin de cuisine [Fr], spurious Latin. —au bout de son latin, at wit's
end.
Latine [L], in Latin; as in Latin. —Latine dictum, spoken in Latin.
lato sensu [L], in a broad sense: opposite of stncto sensu.
la Trêve de Dieu [Fr], the Truce of God. Cf. TREUGA DEI.
lauda la moglie e tienti donzello [It], praise a wife and stay a bachelor;
praise married life but remain single.
laudari a laudato viro [L], to be praised by a man (who is himself)
praised: Cicero (quoted from Naevius).
laudator temporis acti [L], a praiser of times past; someone who prefers
the good old days: Horace.
laudumque immensa cupido [L], and a boundless desire for praise {or
passion for renown): Virgil.
laus Deo [L], praise be to God.
laus propria sordet [L], self-praise is base.
lá váo leis onde querem cruzados [Pg], laws go where dollars please.
lá váo os pés onde quer o coraçào [Pg], the feet go where the heart
wills.
l'avenir [Fr], the future.
La Vergine Gloriosa [It], The Glorious Virgin.
la verità è figlia del tempo [It], truth is the daughter of time.
la vérité sort de la bouche des enfants [Fr], truth comes out of the
mouth of little children. Cf. EX ORE PARVULORUM VERITAS.
laver la tête [Fr], lit., to wash the head; berate; reprimand.
la vertu est la seule noblesse [Fr], virtue is the only nobility.
la vida es sueño [Sp], life is a dream: Calderón de L· Barca.
lazzarone [It; pi. lazzaroni], Neapolitan beggar or homeless idler.
l'chaim [Heb], to life; to your health.
le agradezco mucho [Sp], I am much obliged to you.
le beau monde [Fr], the fashionable world; society.
Lebensabend [Ger], evening of life.
leben und leben lassen [Ger], to live and let live.
leb(e) wohl or leben sie wohl! [Ger], farewell!
lebhaft [Ger], lively; animated: music.
le bois tortu fait le feu droit [Fr], crooked stick makes straight fire;
the end justifies the means.