matula
καλῶς δρῶν ἐξαμαρτεῖν μᾶλλον ἢ νικᾶν κακῶς → I would prefer to fail with honor than to win by evil | I prefer to fail by acting rightly rather than win by acting wrongly | Better fail by doing right, than win by doing wrong (Sophocles, Philoctetes 95)
Latin > English (Lewis & Short)
mătŭla: ae, f.,
I a vessel, pot for liquids (ante- and post-class.).
I In gen.: continentur mundo muliebri specula, matulae, unguenta, vasa unguentaria, Dig. 34, 2, 25, § 10. As a term of abuse, a simpleton, noodle (cf. Engl. colloq., a vessel): numquam ego te tam esse matulam credidi. Quid metuis? Plaut. Pers. 4, 3, 64.—Prov.: Est modus matulae, we should observe moderation, the title of a satire of Varro.—
II In partic., a chamber-pot, urinal: matula vas urinae, Paul. ex Fest. p. 125 Müll.; Plaut. Most. 2, 1, 39; Hier. Ep. 117, 8.
Latin > French (Gaffiot 2016)
mătŭla,¹⁶ æ, f., vase : Ulp. Dig. 24, 2, 25 || pot de chambre : Varro L. 5, 119 ; Pl. Most. 386 ; P. Fest. 125, 18 || = homme niais, cruche : Pl. Pers. 533.
Latin > German (Georges)
matula, ae, f., ein Geschirr für Flüssigkeiten, matula aquae, Plaut. fr. bei Non. 543, 7. Varro vit. P. R. 1. fr. 45 bei Non. 544, 8. – Insbes.: a) das Waschgeschirr, Ulp. dig. 24, 2, 25. § 10. – b) das Nachtgeschirr (s. Paul. ex Fest. 125, 18), Varro LL. 5, 119. Plaut. most. 386. Hieron. epist. 52, 5; 117, 8; 123, 9. – als Schimpfwort, numquam ego te tam esse matulam credidi, ein solcher Teekessel (alberner Mensch), Plaut. Pers. 533. – Sprichw., est modus matulae, man muß Maß halten, Varro sat. Men. 111 lemm.
Latin > English
matula matulae N F :: jar, vessel for liquids; chamber pot; blockhead
