Anyone out there speak Latin?
So I am writing the following scene, which takes place in a Confessional booth, and the Priest lets slip that he heard the dying words of the main character’s brother:
“I cannot reveal what was said to me under the seal of confession, which I heard as his dying words. But it is a matter of public record that he was present when you met Mr. Michael Nails in a contest of honor, and you were severely wounded.”
“He cannot blame himself for that! What—did he think he did?”
“I cannot say.”
“How about a hint?”
“Dropping hints about matter shared in confession is strictly forbidden. I believe it was covered in the Papal Encyclical Letter [Nulla Dropping Hints Est]
The father confessor is making a joke, not giving a reference to a real encyclical. I want to insert a Latin phrase that sounds like it might be the first two words of the sentence, “Don’t spill secrets” or “No dropping hints!” or “No letting clues out!” or something like that, but my minimal Law Latin is not up to the task. Rather than going and getting a Latin textbook, I thought I would just beg one of the resident scholars out there for aid and succor. I can mention your name in the acknowledgments if you help me out.
About John C Wright
John C. Wright is a practicing philosopher, a retired attorney, newspaperman, and newspaper editor, and a published author of science fiction. Once a Houyhnhnm, he was expelled from the august ranks of purely rational beings when he fell in love; but retains an honorary title.
