| 释义 |
‖ tempora mutantur, phr.|ˈtɛmpərə mjuːˈtæntə(r)|
[L., in full tempora mutantur nos et (or et nos) mutamur in illis (also used), times change and we change with them.]
A statement emphasizing the inevitability of change in human affairs and customs.
A similar saying Omnia mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis is found in Delitiæ Poetarum Germanorum (1612) I. 685, where it is ascribed to the Emperor Lothair I by the author (who may be Matthias Borbonius), but there is no evidence that it has a medieval origin. The phrase tempora mutantur, however, occurs earlier in other contexts: see quot. c 1440.
[c1440Gesta Romanorum (Harl. MS.) x. 28 And þei founde þis y-wreten, Tempora mutantur; Homines deteriorantur;..this is to sey, ‘tymys ben chaungid; and men ben hyndred, or turnyd, or I-made worse.’] 1577W. Harrison Descr. Britayne iii. iii. 99 in Holinshed Chron. I, Oft in one age, diuers iudgementes doe passe upon one maner of casse, wherby the saying of the poet Tempora mutantur, & nos mutamur in illis. [1666G. Torriano Piazza Universale di Proverbi Italiani 281 Times change, and we with them... [Note, 292] The Latin says the same, Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis. ]1855W. Chappell Popular Music I. 309 However unobjectionable this song may have been in Queen Mary's time, the three remaining stanzas would not be very courteously received in Queen Victoria's. Tempora mutantur. 1934Blunden Mind's Eye 154 He could not repress an exclamatory Tempora mutantur. 1961Times 7 Apr. 20/7 The Rugby-watching public can in no way afford to be smug. Tempora mutantur indeed, and..not so many years ago a boo would have caused apoplexy in older Rugby followers. 1978J. I. M. Stewart Full Term iv. 56 ‘Giles has my old rooms..on the floor above this.’ ‘More tempora mutantur stuff.’ 1980Times 7 May 18/2 Charlie Chan was always successful... This was ‘because’ he was Chinese... Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis, particularly the progeny of a nasty modern breed of censors... working up a protest against the revival of Charlie Chan. |