Translate from Latin into English "Lucendo aliis ego ipse ardeo"

Y

yg53

I am a doctor by proffesion and sometimes translate medical texts. This Latin
expression could be used as a motto or a slogan for a medical site. Taking
into account that English is not my mother tongue, I should like to have its
English translation by a native speaker so as it sounded naturally and coud
be understood properly.
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

Because "lucere" and "ardere" are used metaphorically here, a translation is
difficult. Perhaps a change in metaphor would be appropriate. Something like
"By inspiring others, I myself am inspired." Or "By teaching others, I
myself become educated."

A more literal translation would be, "When I light a torch for others, I
myself catch fire." Or, with a slightly different interpretation of the two
verbs, "When I shine a light on others, I myself shine" (that is, I look
good when I make others look good).

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org
 
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"Lucendo aliis ego ipse ardeo"
Exactly because "lucere" and "ardere" are used metaphorically here, this is a great latin maxima. Literarely it means: While I burn, I give light to others. It simbolizes the endless study, exhausting physical and emotional work that takes to cary for patients and save lives. Yes, before becoming a business, medicine was an art, and good art requires the release of a great amount of energy in the form of tallent and total self-dedication.
 

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