Todays Thought

The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little. 

-Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd US President (30 Jan 1882-1945)

Todays Thought

Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.

-Edward Abbey, naturalist and author (29 Jan 1927-1989)

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Todays Thought

Nothing doth more hurt in a state than that cunning men pass for wise. 

-Francis Bacon, essayist, philosopher, and statesman (22 Jan 1561-1626)

Todays Thought

In those parts of the world where learning and science have prevailed, miracles have ceased; but in those parts of it as are barbarous and ignorant, miracles are still in vogue. 

-Ethan Allen, revolutionary (21 Jan 1738-1789)

Nefandous

 

nefandous

PRONUNCIATION:

(nuh-FAN-duhs) 

MEANING:

adjective: So wicked as to defy description: abominable, appalling.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin nefandus (wicked), from ne- (not) + fandus (to be spoken), gerundive (verbal adjective) of fari (to speak). Earliest documented use: 1649.

NOTES:

A synonym of today’s word is nefarious, but it’s from Latin fas (right, divine law) instead of fari (to speak).

USAGE:

“Does it not, then, fit such a man to a hair to call him nefandous? ... Better kiss an asp or a viper; then the risk is a bite and a pain which the doctor cures when you call him. But from the venom of your kiss, who could approach victims or altars? What god would listen to one’s prayer?”
Lucian (Translation: H.W. Fowler and F.G Fowler); The Works of Lucian of Samosata; Oxford University Press; 1905.