I need two phrases translated into proper classical Latin. They are to
be just as they would have been if writen by Virgil, Ovid, or any of
the other classical poets.

Phrases: 
1) Seek to understand the universe and you shall
understand nothing at all but seek to understand
yourself and the universe shall unfold before you.

2) Seek to understand the universe and you shall
understand nothing at all but seek to understand
yourself and to you shall be revealed the universe.

If you can come up with a more accurate phrasing
(closer to the way the poets would have writen it)
please do so as that is the goal.

Please reply with the Latin translations as well as their english translations.

Additionally time is somewhat of a factor here but the accuracy of the
answer IS paramount.

Thank you so much in advance

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Clarification of Question by fragomeni-ga on 24 Mar 2006 11:16 PST

Im just concerned that perhaps I haven't clarified something. If any
of the researchers need clarification please let me know.
Additionally, is there any way to know if any of you are working on
this translation?
Time is still an issue here so i thank you in advance once more for an
accurate speedy response.

Thank you.

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Request for Question Clarification by alanna-ga on 27 Mar 2006 14:37 PST

Just to let you know that I am working on your translation with a
Latin scholar trained in classical Latin.

alanna-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by alanna-ga on 27 Mar 2006 14:40 PST

It would seem that you need just one translation as the two phrases
you have written are essentially identical in meaning.  Let me know.

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Clarification of Question by fragomeni-ga on 27 Mar 2006 16:21 PST

Yes, I only need one translation. I provided two relativly identical
phrases just to clarify the meaning of what I'm looking for. The
translation I am looking for should be closest to the way the poets
would have written it. Please let the scholar know that the
translation does not have to be word for word but must be as close to
the way a classical Latin poet would have written/ phrased it.

Thank you for asking and thanks for letting me know you're working on it. 

Regards.

Hello fragomeni-ga,
 
Here is the Latin translation of your expression which I have treated
as a classical aphorism:

Avaro mundum concipiendi universum, non multum, aut nihil omnino
captatur; cui autem seipsum percipere periclitatur, rerum natura
prosus explicat.

The following is a literal translation back to English of the translation:

To the one who is greedy to comprehend the whole world, little or
nothing at all is grasped; to the one, however, who takes the risks of
understanding oneself, the whole nature of things (=reality) opens up.


I believe the meaning of your words are captured by this rendering.
The ancient Latins did not have a concept of the universe as we know
it, hence I used "world."  Furthermore, my translation uses the
impersonal form, because the Latin poets would not have used the
second person in a succinct phrase expressing a moral or universal
truth.

In case you want to speak the Latin words, you may be interested in
this pronunciation guide:

The Pronunciation of Classical Latin
http://www.orbilat.com/Languages/Latin/Grammar/Latin-Pronunciation-Syllable-Accent.html

Because you asked for speed, I am submitting this answer now.  Should
you want some other Latin links, you may certainly ask for them with a
"request for clarification."

I hope this does the trick.

Alanna-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by fragomeni-ga on 27 Mar 2006 19:23 PST

Thank you so much. That is exactly what I needed and so much more. I
greatly appreciate your help! Thank you again.

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Clarification of Answer by alanna-ga on 28 Mar 2006 09:45 PST

Hi again fragomeni

I'm glad you liked the answser.    However you made your comments in
the form of a "request for clarification," inadvertently tricking
Google Answers into thinking the case is not closed.  So I'm
"answering" that request by this note.  I think the case should now be
closed.

The answer was provided in a timely fashion and was accompanied by
more sources then I expected. Great work!