If Julius Caesar had not spoken those famous words Veni, Vidi, Vici (I came, I saw, I conquered) after his victory over king Pharnaces of Potus in 47 BC, we doubt Latin would enjoy the cachet it does today among the literati.

Here are a few fine Latin expressions culled from the book Veni, Vidi, Vici by Eugene Ehrlich (second edition, revised and updated by Margaret A.Brucia).

* Vulgus ignobile – Low-born rabble

Example of use:

Going by the nature of their comments, more than a few readers of this fine blog surely come from the vulgus ignobile.

* Paucis verbis – In few words

Example of use:

We’ve repeatedly exhorted our readers to make their comments paucis verbis but some of them are boringly verbose.

* Filius nullius – Bastard

Example of use:

Our favorite abusive term for the hackers seeking to pull down this fine blog is filius nullius.

* Malus animus – Evil intent

Example of use:

Given what we know of human nature, we’re hardly surprised that many people bear malus animus towards us.