Latin is the best education in the world.Han Dong-il, who became the first Rota Romana (Vatican court) lawyer in East Asia, is drawing attention for his “Latin class”.A world bestseller by Mr.“Latin Classes as Education: The Origin of Liberal Arts Learned from Ancient Rome”(Written by Han Dong-il, translated by Ryoji Motomura, translated by Nobuko Okazaki)teeth,It reveals the roots of history, philosophy, religion, culture, art, and economics through the ancient language of Latin.It has become a long-selling book in South Korea with over 100 copies printed, and has been praised by critics saying that it has broadened their view of the world and that it has deepened their thinking. In this paper, a part of the content from this book is specially disclosed.
Useless in real life?The mighty power of Latin
When I was assigned to give a class in Latin at Sogang University, I was worried at first whether the students would accept the class, which had nothing to do with real life.
However, when I opened the lid, it was a great success, and I wondered why the students wanted to take Latin classes.
I didn’t know the answer until much later, but it seems that they treated my lectures as if they were a “comprehensive humanities class” rather than just a Latin class.
This is probably because the classes cover not only Latin grammar, but also the history, culture, and laws of countries where Latin is the mother tongue.
In fact, one of the fastest ways to learn a foreign language is to develop a curiosity and love for the history and culture of that country. It’s exactly “what you like is what you’re good at”.
For me personally, every time I discovered various aspects of the academic and cultural aspects of European society through my study of Latin, my intellectual curiosity was satisfied and it was a great pleasure.
Of course, if you want to study Latin literature or anything related to Latin, you’ll need a thorough introduction to grammar.
The ultimate goal of my classes was not to master the language, but to instill an interest in it in my students, and to help them build a new framework for thinking through the language.
In other words, the goal of my classes is to create a bookshelf in the student’s head.
(This manuscript was written by Han Dong-il“Latin Classes as Education: The Origin of Liberal Arts Learned from Ancient Rome”edited and excerpted from
[Notice from the editorial department]
“Latin Lessons as Education”What is
This book is a collection of “Latin classes” given by Mr. Han Dong-il, who became the first Rota Romana (Vatican court) lawyer in East Asia.
His class is more like a general humanities class than just a language class.You can learn many things such as history, philosophy, religion, culture, art, and economics through Latin, which can be said to be the source of Western civilization.
Mr. Ryoji Motomura, Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo, who was in charge of supervising the translation“Focusing on the history, culture and laws of European countries, it covers a wide range of interesting aspects of the world seen through Latin.”commented.
Eisuke Wakamatsu, who has served as a member of the reading committee of the Yomiuri Shimbun and a professor at the Institute for Liberal Arts, Tokyo Institute of Technology.“Language is a lens. When we look at the world through old words, we find a wisdom that never gets old.”and acclaimed.
this bookfrom the table of contents
On the Publication of the Japanese Edition: Latin as a Repository of Wisdom
Lectio I The great childishness hidden in my heart
――The great childishness that is in me
Why is Latin difficult?
The reason why Leonardo da Vinci studied Latin so hard
・Treasuring “great childishness”
Lectio II First class canceled
――Prima schola alba est
・Scholarship is the work of creating a “framework for looking at people and the world”
・Simple educational system of the Romans
・Please stare at the heat haze of your heart
Lectio III Latin dignity
――On the Elegances of the Latin Language
・The concept of “denial” was born from “water flowing in the night”
-Latin belongs to the Indo-European language family
What did ancient people think of the concept of “mother”?
Pythagoras was influenced by Indian thought.
Lectio IV We learn for life, not for school
――We learn not from school but from life
・Learn from babies “essence of language learning”
・Learning about European society from Latin pronunciation
・”European pride” that can be seen from the pronunciation
Lectio V pros and cons
――Failure and Merit
・ What can be seen from the “word origin” of strengths and weaknesses
・ Face your weaknesses without turning a blind eye
・”Courage to throw away” learned from a famous Latin phrase
Lectio VI Individual “summa cum laude”
――Summa with praise for himself
・Profound Latin Nouns
・True education is to motivate students to want to study.
Raphael’s paintings and mysticism
Lectio VII I am a study worker
――I am a student worker
・The role of the Latin “ego”
・ What the etymology of habit tells us
“Study workers” enjoy setbacks
Lectio VIII Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s
―― What is Caesar’s to Caesar and what is God’s to God
The relationship between Jesus’ apostle Paul and Rome
Why did Christianity become so popular?
・“Separation of politics and religion” in Christianity
Lectio IX Even if there is no God
――Even if God were not given
・ Claims of the jurist Grotius
・Is the Bible a “class note” written by the disciples?
・Reasons why people sought philosophy and ethics
Lectio X Give me, I won’t give you
――Do ut des
“Since you gave me, I will give to you”
・The origin of the international rule of “reciprocity”
・Life is completed by caring for others
Lectio XI Time is the best judge
――Time is the best judge
・Various words related to time
・Things I realized after making a dictionary over a long period of time
What did the ancient Romans think of “happiness”?
Lectio XII All animals become depressed after coitus
――After copulation, every animal is sad
How did you overcome the days of despair?
・Compare Latin phrases with English words
・When the “moment of expectation” passes, people despair.
Lectio XIII I’m glad you’re doing well.I am fine
――If you’re good, that’s fine; I am healthy
・Ancient Roman greetings
The mail was also used for military purposes.
“I can feel safe only when you are at peace.”
Lectio XIV Today to me, tomorrow to you
–Today me, tomorrow for you
What kind of scent do humans who have survived death give off?
・Ancient Roman Funerals
・Humans emit scents from the memories left by others
Lectio XV Enjoy today
――Carpe diem
・The famous phrase Carpe diem is a word derived from agriculture.
・Is it a virtue to be patient and moderate today?
The Romans were also bound by the “past”
Lectio XVI Swearing of the Romans
――The abuse of romance
-Latin for “sophisticated swearing”
・A word that has two meanings, “sacred” and “cursed.”
・Let’s listen to the “language of the heart”
Lectio XVII Age of the Romans
――Romance ages
・The reason why European languages are “horizontal languages”
・”Generous spirit” inherited by Italians
・Learning means learning your own way of walking
Lectio XVIII Roman meal
――The food of romance
・ “Pull me up” Tiramisu
A day’s diet of the ancient Romans
・If you understand the feast, you will understand Roman culture
・Rational reasons for prohibiting homosexuality
Lectio XIX Roman play
―― Romance games
-Various Roman games
・The “Amphitheatre Frenzy” despised by Seneca
・Public bath supported by advanced technology
Lectio XX You can only see what you know
――We only see as much as we know
-Mussolini’s “Great Italy”
The place where Caesar was assassinated
・I can only see what I know
Lectio XXI I desire. Therefore it exists.
――I miss you then
The difference between Spinoza and Descartes
Satisfaction is “doing enough”
・The best imaginary created by humans is tormenting humans
Lectio XXII Are you Korean?
――Are you Korean?
When did the concept of “country” originate?
・Unforgettable episode of “The Genius Professor’s Fury”
The truth that “we are all the same human beings”
Lectio XXIII But today, tomorrow, and the day after that, I must go on.
――However, I must walk today and tomorrow and the next day
・The origin of sex was the number “6”
・Thoughts are reflected in each word
・The origin of studying is to “focus on something that you truly desire”
Lectio XXIV Submit to Truth
――Obey the Truth!
・Resolving world problems with the power of “secular learning”
・The role played by the University of Bologna
・Religion is the key to unlocking the truth
Lectio XXV All wounded and killed in the end
――They were all injured, the last one kills
How did medicine develop in ancient Rome?
・You hurt yourself, not others
Lectio XXVI Love and do what you want
――Love and do what you want
・The desert is a place where faith in God deepens
・Baptism in the Taklimakan Desert
Lectio XXVII This too will pass
――This too shall pass
– Put off until tomorrow what you can do today
・The true meaning of the task “Smile at yourself in the morning”
・Take a bite of what makes you happy
Lectio XXVIII As long as there is life, there is hope
――Dum vita est, spes est
・Would you like to live your life now? Will you live a new life in a perfect world?
・The etymology of hope is “expect and hope”
What I learned from facing death
·words of thanks
・Translator’s postscript