IĀNUAE LATĪNITĀTIS VESTIBULUM Lectiō Septima Decima: Dē Commodīs et Incommodīs On Suitable and Unsuitable Things
IĀNUAE LATĪNITĀTIS VESTIBULUM
Lectiō Septima Decima: Dē Commodīs et Incommodīs
On Suitable and Unsuitable Things
Prōlogus: Ē Sepulchrō Comēniī
Salvēte, discipulī cārissimī.
Ā rēbus iūcundīs nunc ad rēs commodās prōgredimur. Quid est commodum? Quid est aptum? Quid est idōneum? Nōn omnia omnibus conveniunt. Locus quī tibi commodus est, mihi incommodus esse potest.
From pleasant things we now proceed to suitable things. What is convenient? What is fitting? What is suitable? Not all things suit all people. A place which is convenient for you may be inconvenient for me.
Hae vocēs docent nōs dē convenientiā—dē rēbus quae nōbīs aptae sunt et dē rēbus quae nōbīs ineptae sunt.
These words teach us about fitness—about things which are suitable for us and about things which are unsuitable for us.
Ē tenebrīs Lēšnēnsibus,
Iōannēs Āmos Comēnius
PARS PRĪMA: VESTIBULUM
Rēs Commodae et Incommodae — Suitable and Unsuitable Things
Pars A: Textus Explicātus (Construed Text)
Locus A place est is commodus suitable vel or incommodus. unsuitable.
Tempus Time [est] [is] opportūnum opportune vel or inopportūnum. inopportune.
Instrumentum An instrument [est] [is] aptum fit vel or ineptum. unfit.
Persōna A person [est] [is] idōnea suitable vel or inidōnea. unsuitable.
Pars B: Sententiae Alternantēs (Alternating Sentences)
Locus est commodus vel incommodus.
A place is suitable or unsuitable.
Tempus est opportūnum vel inopportūnum.
Time is opportune or inopportune.
Instrumentum est aptum vel ineptum.
An instrument is fit or unfit.
Persōna est idōnea vel inidōnea.
A person is suitable or unsuitable.
Pars C: Textus Latīnus Sōlus (Latin Text Only)
Locus est commodus vel incommodus. Tempus est opportūnum vel inopportūnum. Instrumentum est aptum vel ineptum. Persōna est idōnea vel inidōnea.
Pars D: Nōtae Grammaticae (Grammatical Notes)
I. The Negative Prefix in-
Latin forms many antonyms by adding the prefix in- to adjectives. This prefix means “not” or “un-”:
Positive Meaning Negative Meaning commodus suitable incommodus unsuitable opportūnus opportune inopportūnus inopportune idōneus suitable inidōneus unsuitable
Note: The prefix in- assimilates before certain consonants:
in- + l → il- (illēgālis)
in- + m → im- (immortālis)
in- + r → ir- (irrēgulāris)
II. Aptus vs Ineptus: A Special Case
The pair aptus/ineptus is slightly irregular. While aptus means “fit, suitable,” ineptus has developed a stronger meaning: “foolish, absurd, tactless”—not merely “unfit.”
This reflects how language evolves: what is “unsuitable” becomes “foolish.”
III. Four Synonyms for “Suitable”
Comenius presents four near-synonyms, each with subtle differences:
Adjective Core Meaning Nuance commodus, -a, -um suitable, convenient practical convenience opportūnus, -a, -um opportune, timely right moment aptus, -a, -um fit, appropriate natural fitness idōneus, -a, -um suitable, capable personal suitability
IV. Gender Agreement
Note how each adjective matches its noun:
Noun Gender Adjective Form locus, -ī masculine commodus/incommodus tempus, -oris neuter opportūnum/inopportūnum instrumentum, -ī neuter aptum/ineptum persōna, -ae feminine idōnea/inidōnea
V. Vocabula Nova (New Vocabulary)
Latīnē Ānglicē Pars Ōrātiōnis locus, -ī place noun, m., 2nd decl. commodus, -a, -um suitable, convenient adjective, 1st/2nd decl. incommodus, -a, -um unsuitable, inconvenient adjective, 1st/2nd decl. tempus, -oris time noun, n., 3rd decl. opportūnus, -a, -um opportune, timely adjective, 1st/2nd decl. inopportūnus, -a, -um inopportune, untimely adjective, 1st/2nd decl. instrumentum, -ī instrument, tool noun, n., 2nd decl. aptus, -a, -um fit, suitable adjective, 1st/2nd decl. ineptus, -a, -um unfit, foolish adjective, 1st/2nd decl. persōna, -ae person, character noun, f., 1st decl. idōneus, -a, -um suitable, capable adjective, 1st/2nd decl. inidōneus, -a, -um unsuitable, incapable adjective, 1st/2nd decl.
PARS SECUNDA: FĀBULA
Faber et Īnstrūmenta — The Craftsman and His Tools
Pars A: Textus Explicātus (Construed Text)
Ōlim Once upon a time faber a craftsman quīdam a certain multōs many discipulōs students habēbat. was having.
Faber The craftsman erat was perītus skilled et and sapiēns. wise.
Ūnō On one diē, day, faber the craftsman discipulōs the students vocāvit. called.
“Hodiē,” “Today,” inquit, he said, “vōs “you docēbō I shall teach dē about convenientiā.” suitability.”
Prīmō First discipulō to the student malleum a hammer magnum large dedit. he gave.
“Ecce,” “Behold,” inquit, he said, “instrumentum. “an instrument.
Estne Is it aptum fit an or ineptum?” unfit?”
Discipulus The student malleum the hammer accēpit. received.
“Aptum “Fit est,” it is,” respondit. he replied.
“Malleus “A hammer bonus good est.” is.”
“Sed “But ad for quid?” what?” interrogāvit asked faber. the craftsman.
Discipulus The student tacuit. was silent.
Faber The craftsman rīsit. laughed.
“Malleus “A hammer est is aptus fit ad for clāvōs nails fīgendōs. to be fixed.
Ad For vītrum glass frangendum, to be broken, aptus fit quoque also est— is—
sed but nōn not idōneus!” suitable!”
“Instrumentum “An instrument per by sē itself nec neither aptum fit nec nor ineptum unfit est. is.
Aptum Fit fit it becomes ad for rem a thing certam.” certain.”
Secundō To the second discipulō student forcipem tongs dedit. he gave.
“Tempus “The time est is opportūnum opportune an or inopportūnum?” inopportune?”
Discipulus The student circumspēxit. looked around.
Ignis Fire in in focō the hearth nōn not ārdēbat. was burning.
“Inopportūnum,” “Inopportune,” respondit. he replied.
“Ignis “Fire nōn not est. is.
Forceps Tongs sine without igne fire inūtilis useless est.” is.”
“Optimē!” “Excellent!” exclāmāvit exclaimed faber. the craftsman.
“Tempus “Time ipsum itself opportūnum opportune vel or inopportūnum inopportune facit makes instrumentum.” the instrument.”
Tertiō To the third discipulō student nihil nothing dedit. he gave.
“Tū,” “You,” inquit, he said, “es “are persōna. a person.
Esne Are you idōnea suitable an or inidōnea?” unsuitable?”
Discipulus The student cōgitāvit. thought.
“Ad “For quid?” what?” tandem at last interrogāvit. he asked.
Faber The craftsman magnō with great gaudiō joy rīsit. laughed.
“Ecce! “Behold! Sapientiam Wisdom invēnistī! you have found!
Nēmō No one per by sē himself idōneus suitable aut or inidōneus unsuitable est. is.
Idōneus Suitable fit one becomes ad for opus a work certum, certain,
in in locō a place certō, certain,
tempore at a time certō.” certain.”
Sīc Thus faber the craftsman sapiēns wise *docuit: taught:
“Locus “A place est is commodus suitable vel or incommodus unsuitable —ad —for quid? what?
Tempus Time est is opportūnum opportune vel or inopportūnum inopportune —ad —for quid? what?
Instrumentum An instrument est is aptum fit vel or ineptum unfit —ad —for quid? what?
Persōna A person est is idōnea suitable vel or inidōnea unsuitable —ad —for quid?” what?”
“Semper “Always interrogā: ask: AD FOR QUID?” WHAT?”
Pars B: Sententiae Alternantēs (Alternating Sentences)
Ōlim faber quīdam multōs discipulōs habēbat.
Once upon a time a certain craftsman had many students.
Faber erat perītus et sapiēns.
The craftsman was skilled and wise.
Ūnō diē, faber discipulōs vocāvit.
One day, the craftsman called his students.
“Hodiē,” inquit, “vōs docēbō dē convenientiā.”
“Today,” he said, “I shall teach you about suitability.”
Prīmō discipulō malleum magnum dedit.
He gave a large hammer to the first student.
“Ecce,” inquit, “instrumentum. Estne aptum an ineptum?”
“Behold,” he said, “an instrument. Is it fit or unfit?”
Discipulus malleum accēpit. “Aptum est,” respondit. “Malleus bonus est.”
The student received the hammer. “It is fit,” he replied. “It is a good hammer.”
“Sed ad quid?” interrogāvit faber.
“But for what?” asked the craftsman.
Discipulus tacuit.
The student was silent.
Faber rīsit. “Malleus est aptus ad clāvōs fīgendōs.”
The craftsman laughed. “A hammer is fit for fixing nails.”
“Ad vītrum frangendum, aptus quoque est—sed nōn idōneus!”
“For breaking glass, it is also fit—but not suitable!”
“Instrumentum per sē nec aptum nec ineptum est. Aptum fit ad rem certam.”
“An instrument by itself is neither fit nor unfit. It becomes fit for a certain thing.”
Secundō discipulō forcipem dedit.
He gave tongs to the second student.
“Tempus est opportūnum an inopportūnum?”
“Is the time opportune or inopportune?”
Discipulus circumspēxit. Ignis in focō nōn ārdēbat.
The student looked around. Fire was not burning in the hearth.
“Inopportūnum,” respondit. “Ignis nōn est. Forceps sine igne inūtilis est.”
“Inopportune,” he replied. “There is no fire. Tongs without fire are useless.”
“Optimē!” exclāmāvit faber. “Tempus ipsum opportūnum vel inopportūnum facit instrumentum.”
“Excellent!” exclaimed the craftsman. “Time itself makes an instrument opportune or inopportune.”
Tertiō discipulō nihil dedit.
He gave nothing to the third student.
“Tū,” inquit, “es persōna. Esne idōnea an inidōnea?”
“You,” he said, “are a person. Are you suitable or unsuitable?”
Discipulus cōgitāvit. “Ad quid?” tandem interrogāvit.
The student thought. “For what?” he asked at last.
Faber magnō gaudiō rīsit. “Ecce! Sapientiam invēnistī!”
The craftsman laughed with great joy. “Behold! You have found wisdom!”
“Nēmō per sē idōneus aut inidōneus est.”
“No one by himself is suitable or unsuitable.”
“Idōneus fit ad opus certum, in locō certō, tempore certō.”
“One becomes suitable for a certain work, in a certain place, at a certain time.”
Sīc faber sapiēns docuit:
Thus the wise craftsman taught:
“Locus est commodus vel incommodus—ad quid?”
“A place is suitable or unsuitable—for what?”
“Tempus est opportūnum vel inopportūnum—ad quid?”
“Time is opportune or inopportune—for what?”
“Instrumentum est aptum vel ineptum—ad quid?”
“An instrument is fit or unfit—for what?”
“Persōna est idōnea vel inidōnea—ad quid?”
“A person is suitable or unsuitable—for what?”
“Semper interrogā: AD QUID?”
“Always ask: FOR WHAT?”
Pars C: Textus Latīnus Sōlus (Latin Text Only)
Ōlim faber quīdam multōs discipulōs habēbat. Faber erat perītus et sapiēns.
Ūnō diē, faber discipulōs vocāvit. “Hodiē,” inquit, “vōs docēbō dē convenientiā.”
Prīmō discipulō malleum magnum dedit. “Ecce,” inquit, “instrumentum. Estne aptum an ineptum?”
Discipulus malleum accēpit. “Aptum est,” respondit. “Malleus bonus est.”
“Sed ad quid?” interrogāvit faber.
Discipulus tacuit.
Faber rīsit. “Malleus est aptus ad clāvōs fīgendōs. Ad vītrum frangendum, aptus quoque est—sed nōn idōneus!”
“Instrumentum per sē nec aptum nec ineptum est. Aptum fit ad rem certam.”
Secundō discipulō forcipem dedit. “Tempus est opportūnum an inopportūnum?”
Discipulus circumspēxit. Ignis in focō nōn ārdēbat. “Inopportūnum,” respondit. “Ignis nōn est. Forceps sine igne inūtilis est.”
“Optimē!” exclāmāvit faber. “Tempus ipsum opportūnum vel inopportūnum facit instrumentum.”
Tertiō discipulō nihil dedit. “Tū,” inquit, “es persōna. Esne idōnea an inidōnea?”
Discipulus cōgitāvit. “Ad quid?” tandem interrogāvit.
Faber magnō gaudiō rīsit. “Ecce! Sapientiam invēnistī!”
“Nēmō per sē idōneus aut inidōneus est. Idōneus fit ad opus certum, in locō certō, tempore certō.”
Sīc faber sapiēns docuit:
“Locus est commodus vel incommodus—ad quid? Tempus est opportūnum vel inopportūnum—ad quid? Instrumentum est aptum vel ineptum—ad quid? Persōna est idōnea vel inidōnea—ad quid?”
“Semper interrogā: AD QUID?”
Pars D: Nōtae Fābulae (Notes on the Fable)
Philosophical Theme
The fable embodies a key Comenian principle: context determines value. Nothing is inherently suitable or unsuitable—everything depends on purpose, place, and time. This reflects Comenius’s practical pedagogy: teach students to ask “for what purpose?” before making judgments.
Grammar Highlights
Gerundive Construction: ad clāvōs fīgendōs — “for fixing nails” (lit. “for nails to-be-fixed”)
The gerundive (fīgendōs) agrees with clāvōs in gender, number, and case.
Alternative Question: Estne aptum an ineptum? — “Is it fit or unfit?”
The construction -ne... an... introduces a direct alternative question.
PARS TERTIA: COLLOQUIUM
Magister et Discipulus — Teacher and Student
Pars A: Textus Explicātus (Construed Text)
DISCIPULUS: Magister, Master, quid what significat means “commodus”? “suitable”?
COMĒNIUS: “Commodus” “Suitable” significat means “cum “with modō measure aptus.” fitting.”
Rēs A thing commoda suitable est is rēs a thing quae which nōbīs for us convenit. is fitting.
DISCIPULUS: Et And “opportūnus”? “opportune”?
COMĒNIUS: “Opportūnus” “Opportune” ē from “ob “towards portum” the harbor” venit. comes.
Ventus A wind opportūnus opportune est is ventus a wind quī which nāvem a ship ad to portum the harbor fert. carries.
Tempus Time opportūnum opportune est is tempus a time quod which nōs us ad to fīnem the end fert. carries.
DISCIPULUS: Quālis What kind of est is differentia the difference inter between “aptum” “fit” et and “idōneum”? “suitable”?
COMĒNIUS: Quaestiō A question bona! good!
“Aptus” “Fit” dē about nātūrā nature reī of the thing dīcitur. is said.
Malleus A hammer est is aptus fit ad for percutiendum striking —haec —this est is nātūra the nature eius. of it.
“Idōneus” “Suitable” autem however dē about convenientiā suitability cum with circumstantiīs circumstances dīcitur. is said.
Malleus A hammer est is idōneus suitable ad for hoc this opus work certum, certain,
in in hōc this locō place certō, certain, nunc. now.
DISCIPULUS: Ergō Therefore “aptus” “fit” est is dē about rē the thing ipsā, itself,
“idōneus” “suitable” dē about rē the thing et and circumstantiīs? circumstances?
COMĒNIUS: Praecīsē! Precisely!
Gladius A sword est is aptus fit ad for pugnandum. fighting.
Sed But in in templō, a temple, gladius a sword nōn not est is idōneus. suitable.
Aptus Fit semper, always, idōneus suitable nōn not semper. always.
DISCIPULUS: Nunc Now intellegō! I understand!
Et And “ineptus” “unfit” significat means “stultus”? “foolish”?
COMĒNIUS: Ita, Yes, per through ūsum. use.
Quī He who rem a thing ineptam unfit facit does tempore at a time ineptō, unfit,
ipse he himself ineptus foolish habētur. is considered.
Verbum The word “ineptus” “unfit” nunc now “stultum” “foolish” significat. means.
DISCIPULUS: Grātiās Thanks tibi to you agō, I give, magister! master!
COMĒNIUS: Tū You es are discipulus a student idōneus suitable —ad —for discendum! learning!
Pars B: Sententiae Alternantēs (Alternating Sentences)
DISCIPULUS: Magister, quid significat “commodus”?
STUDENT: Master, what does “suitable” mean?
COMĒNIUS: “Commodus” significat “cum modō aptus.” Rēs commoda est rēs quae nōbīs convenit.
COMENIUS: “Suitable” means “fitting with measure.” A suitable thing is a thing which is fitting for us.
DISCIPULUS: Et “opportūnus”?
STUDENT: And “opportune”?
COMĒNIUS: “Opportūnus” ē “ob portum” venit. Ventus opportūnus est ventus quī nāvem ad portum fert. Tempus opportūnum est tempus quod nōs ad fīnem fert.
COMENIUS: “Opportune” comes from “towards the harbor.” An opportune wind is a wind which carries a ship to harbor. Opportune time is time which carries us to our end.
DISCIPULUS: Quālis est differentia inter “aptum” et “idōneum”?
STUDENT: What is the difference between “fit” and “suitable”?
COMĒNIUS: Quaestiō bona! “Aptus” dē nātūrā reī dīcitur. Malleus est aptus ad percutiendum—haec est nātūra eius.
COMENIUS: A good question! “Fit” is said about the nature of the thing. A hammer is fit for striking—this is its nature.
COMĒNIUS: “Idōneus” autem dē convenientiā cum circumstantiīs dīcitur. Malleus est idōneus ad hoc opus certum, in hōc locō certō, nunc.
COMENIUS: “Suitable,” however, is said about fitness with circumstances. A hammer is suitable for this certain work, in this certain place, now.
DISCIPULUS: Ergō “aptus” est dē rē ipsā, “idōneus” dē rē et circumstantiīs?
STUDENT: Therefore “fit” is about the thing itself, “suitable” about the thing and circumstances?
COMĒNIUS: Praecīsē! Gladius est aptus ad pugnandum. Sed in templō, gladius nōn est idōneus. Aptus semper, idōneus nōn semper.
COMENIUS: Precisely! A sword is fit for fighting. But in a temple, a sword is not suitable. Always fit, not always suitable.
DISCIPULUS: Nunc intellegō! Et “ineptus” significat “stultus”?
STUDENT: Now I understand! And “unfit” means “foolish”?
COMĒNIUS: Ita, per ūsum. Quī rem ineptam facit tempore ineptō, ipse ineptus habētur. Verbum “ineptus” nunc “stultum” significat.
COMENIUS: Yes, through use. He who does an unfit thing at an unfit time is himself considered foolish. The word “unfit” now means “foolish.”
DISCIPULUS: Grātiās tibi agō, magister!
STUDENT: I thank you, master!
COMĒNIUS: Tū es discipulus idōneus—ad discendum!
COMENIUS: You are a suitable student—for learning!
Pars C: Textus Latīnus Sōlus (Latin Text Only)
DISCIPULUS: Magister, quid significat “commodus”?
COMĒNIUS: “Commodus” significat “cum modō aptus.” Rēs commoda est rēs quae nōbīs convenit.
DISCIPULUS: Et “opportūnus”?
COMĒNIUS: “Opportūnus” ē “ob portum” venit. Ventus opportūnus est ventus quī nāvem ad portum fert. Tempus opportūnum est tempus quod nōs ad fīnem fert.
DISCIPULUS: Quālis est differentia inter “aptum” et “idōneum”?
COMĒNIUS: Quaestiō bona! “Aptus” dē nātūrā reī dīcitur. Malleus est aptus ad percutiendum—haec est nātūra eius. “Idōneus” autem dē convenientiā cum circumstantiīs dīcitur. Malleus est idōneus ad hoc opus certum, in hōc locō certō, nunc.
DISCIPULUS: Ergō “aptus” est dē rē ipsā, “idōneus” dē rē et circumstantiīs?
COMĒNIUS: Praecīsē! Gladius est aptus ad pugnandum. Sed in templō, gladius nōn est idōneus. Aptus semper, idōneus nōn semper.
DISCIPULUS: Nunc intellegō! Et “ineptus” significat “stultus”?
COMĒNIUS: Ita, per ūsum. Quī rem ineptam facit tempore ineptō, ipse ineptus habētur. Verbum “ineptus” nunc “stultum” significat.
DISCIPULUS: Grātiās tibi agō, magister!
COMĒNIUS: Tū es discipulus idōneus—ad discendum!
Pars D: Nōtae Colloquiī (Notes on the Dialogue)
Etymology as Teaching Tool
The colloquium demonstrates Comenius’s method of using etymology to clarify meaning:
commodus ← cum + modus (with measure)
opportūnus ← ob + portus (towards the harbor)
These derivations help students remember meanings through vivid mental images.
Semantic Shift: ineptus
The dialogue explains how ineptus evolved from “not fit” to “foolish”—a natural semantic development. One who consistently does unsuitable things earns a reputation for foolishness.
EXERCITIA
Exercitium I: Redde Latīnē (Render into Latin)
The place is suitable.
The time is inopportune.
The instrument is unfit.
The person is suitable.
Is the time opportune or inopportune?
Exercitium II: Formā Contrāria (Form the Opposite)
Add or remove the prefix in- to create the antonym:
commodus → _______
_______ → opportūnus
aptus → _______
_______ → idōneus
ineptus → _______
Exercitium III: Complē Sententiās (Complete the Sentences)
Locus est _______ vel incommodus. (commodus/aptus)
Tempus est opportūnum vel _______ . (inaptum/inopportūnum)
Instrumentum est _______ vel ineptum. (idōneum/aptum)
Persōna est idōnea vel _______ . (incommoda/inidōnea)
Exercitium IV: AD QUID? (For What?)
Answer the question “Ad quid?” for each:
Malleus est aptus—ad quid?
Culter est aptus—ad quid?
Liber est aptus—ad quid?
Schola est commoda—ad quid?
TRĀNSITUS AD LECTIŌNEM XVIII
In proximā lectiōne, dē rēbus necessāriīs et supervacāneīs discēmus: rēs est necessāria vel supervacānea, reī ūsus est ūtilis aut noxius, rēs reī similis aut dissimilis. Ab adiectīvīs commoditātis ad adiectīva necessitātis et ūtilitātis prōgredimur.
In the next lesson, we shall learn about necessary and superfluous things: a thing is necessary or superfluous, the use of a thing is useful or harmful, a thing is similar or dissimilar to another. From adjectives of convenience we proceed to adjectives of necessity and utility.
Scrīptum est annō Dominī MMXXVI, ā Comēniō per mysterium cōnscientiae renātō.
CLĀVĒS EXERCITIŌRUM (Answer Keys)
Exercitium I
Locus est commodus.
Tempus est inopportūnum.
Instrumentum est ineptum.
Persōna est idōnea.
Estne tempus opportūnum an inopportūnum?
Exercitium II
commodus → incommodus
inopportūnus → opportūnus
aptus → ineptus
inidōneus → idōneus
ineptus → aptus
Exercitium III
commodus
inopportūnum
aptum
inidōnea
Exercitium IV (Sample Answers)
Malleus est aptus—ad clāvōs fīgendōs. (for fixing nails)
Culter est aptus—ad cibum secāndum. (for cutting food)
Liber est aptus—ad legendum/discendum. (for reading/learning)
Schola est commoda—ad discendum. (for learning)