Explore the World of Books with Us

Join Our Club Today

Carpe Diem

Oct 21, 2025 | Ancient Texts, Emerald Book Club, Poetry, Roman, Wisdom | 0 comments

By Admin

Carpe Diem emeraldbookclub.org

Meaning

“Carpe diem” is a Latin phrase meaning “seize the day” or “pluck the day”. It encourages people to make the most of the present moment without dwelling on the future. The expression originates from the Roman poet Horace, who used it in his Odes as part of a longer injunction about enjoying life now because the future is uncertain

In Horace, the phrase is part of the longer carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero, which is often translated as “Seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow (the future)”. The ode says that the future is unforeseen and that one should not leave to chance future happenings, but rather one should do all one can today to make one’s own future better. This phrase is usually understood against Horace’s Epicurean background

Origin and History

The phrase comes from the Roman poet Horace’s Odes, published in 23 BCE. The original saying is “carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero,” which translates to “pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the next one”

Ask not (’tis forbidden knowledge), what our destined term of years,
Mine and yours; nor scan the tables of your Babylonish seers.
Better far to bear the future, my Leuconoe, like the past,
Whether Jove has many winters yet to give, or this our last;
This, that makes the Tyrrhene billows spend their strength against the shore.
Strain your wine and prove your wisdom; life is short; should hope be more?
In the moment of our talking, envious time has ebb’d away.
Seize the present; trust tomorrow e’en as little as you may. Wikipedia

✨📚 Vocabulary Tuesdays at Emerald Book Club 📚✨

Every Tuesday, we explore the wonderful world of words, language, and expression! 🌍📝

💡 What’s in store:
🔤 Discover new and exciting vocabulary & phrases
🎲 Play creative word games and brain teasers
⚔️ Compete in friendly vocabulary battles
🌎 Explore words from different languages and cultures

Whether you’re a wordsmith, a language lover, or simply curious to expand your mind, Vocabulary Tuesdays is the place to learn, laugh, and connect—with words and people alike. 💬✨

Join us and make your Tuesdays word-tastic! 💚

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

You Might Also Enjoy

Rain by Edward Thomas

Rain by Edward Thomas

Oct 21, 2025 | , ,

Rain By Edward Thomas Rain, midnight rain, nothing but the wild rain On this bleak hut, and solitude, and me Remembering again that I shall die And neither hear the rain nor give it thanks For washing me cleaner than I have been Since I was born into this solitude....

read more

0 Comments