semel in anno licet insanire
once in a year one is allowed to go crazy
Notes
Concept expressed by various authors, such as Seneca, Saint Augustine and Horace. It became proverbial during the Middle ages.
Words
- semel – a single time, even once, ever, for the first time, once
- licet – although, granted that, imper v, it is allowed, it is right, just, one may or can
- liceo – be for sale, to be valued at
- liceor – bid, proffer, tender, to offer a price, to offer to buy
- licens – free, unchecked, unimpeded, unrestrained