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How do I write "Only by Giving" in Latin, trying to nurture a 'Spirit of Giving', for example, "Only by Giving can we fulfill the purpose of life."

What would be the best option? Would it be,

SOLUM PER DATIO

I like Datio because of it's meaning of 'A gift', which makes our service seem like a gift we can choose to give to others our to a cause. I also find it sonorous, short and sweet, concise yet powerful.

Would SOLUM DATIO be a viable alternative also? Although more concise, I fear the sense of meaning would be lost, that it would be too generic a statement.

Does anyone else prefer another option? Like,

TANTUM (AB) SUMMINSTRATIO / SUBMINSTRATIO

Johan88
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How about a gerund, "dandum" = "giving"; "dando (ablative) explemus" = "we fulfil by giving". Here "us"/ "ourselves" is understood (the Romans used fewer words than we do; things being understood). But, if you wish personal, accusative pronoun "nos" (used reflexively) may be added.

Personal pronouns of first & second person, when used reflexively, can be strengthened (covering your request for "only") by applying an intensifier, a part of "ipse" = "self".

Giving: "dando (nos ipsos) explemus".

Alternatively, "solum" or "modo" = "just"/ "only", instead of the reflexive element.

tony
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Per Dationem

Datio, your suggestion looks like an ablative (by with or from) but is Nominative. But it is a good choice

dătĭo , ōnis, f. do, I.the act of giving, allotting, distributing; giving up, surrender (good prose, but rare)

If you add per with the Accusative that would be an improvement

Per II.C. To designate the reason, cause, inducement, etc., through, for, by, on account of, for the sake of:

for 'only,' perhaps use

III.B. Sup.: pŏtissĭmē (pŏtissŭ- ), and more freq. pŏtissĭmum (pŏtissŭ- ), chiefly, principally, especially, in preference to all others, above all, most of all (class.). (search under 'potis' III. B )

(all Dictionary quotations are from Lewis and Short through Perseus )

Hugh
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  • Thanks, but you wouldn't include Solum? – Johan88 Jan 31 '20 at 15:13
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    haud aliter looked promissing at first, but has tricky requirements of verb and construction; does pŏtissĭmē (Edits) fit your meaning? – Hugh Jan 31 '20 at 20:25
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    If, after all, you prefer sōlus, make it Accusative Feminine Singular to agree; per dătionem sōlam. – Hugh Jan 31 '20 at 20:49
  • Wow, thanks. Why would I take the Feminine Solam rather then the Neuter Solum? eg. Non Nobis Solum. – Johan88 Feb 01 '20 at 04:22
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    dătĭo , ōnis, f. the "f." tells you that 'giving' is feminine. For the grammar it doesn't matter who gives; the 'giving' is feminine. [War, bellum, is neuter, A Casserole, olla, is feminine; dătĭo is feminine; it just is.] – Hugh Feb 01 '20 at 10:41
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    Oh, sorry. That's not the question you were asking. Don't use *solum* as an adverb. It means "Hence, adv.: sōlum , alone, only, merely, barely" which seems completely the wrong meaning, doesn't it? – Hugh Feb 01 '20 at 10:53
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    ...and *solus* meaning yourself could be taken to mean "alone, lonely, solitary, forsaken, deserted; without relatives, friends" – Hugh Feb 01 '20 at 11:00
  • Is that why it's suitable in Non Nobis Solum but wouldn't be suitable here? Because of the possible negative connotation? – Johan88 Feb 01 '20 at 12:06
  • It was because of Non Nobus Solum that I wanted Solum, so that my new motto would 'recall' that great saying – Johan88 Feb 01 '20 at 12:08
  • I prefer Solam if it can be used but now dear the negative connotation I was previously unaware of. Non nobis solum nati summus, et solam per dationem (... Etc ...) – Johan88 Feb 02 '20 at 04:53
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A gerund was my first thought in response to this. So 'Solum dando' would be nice and concise for a motto.

Afer
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