dulce bellum inexpertis

Latin

Etymology

Calque of Ancient Greek γλυκὺς ἀπείρῳ πόλεμος (glukùs apeírōi pólemos), a quote from Pindar (Fragments 110,109) made famous by Erasmus as the title for his meditation on the subject of war.

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈdul.ke ˈbel.lum i.nekˈsper.tiːs/, [ˈd̪ʊɫ̪kɛ ˈbɛlːʲʊ̃ˑ ɪnɛkˈs̠pɛrt̪iːs̠]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈdul.t͡ʃe ˈbel.lum i.nekˈsper.tis/, [ˈd̪ul̠ʲt͡ʃe ˈbɛlːum inekˈspɛrt̪is]

Phrase

dulce bellum inexpertīs

1. war is sweet to those who have never experienced it