Nosce Te Ipsum
Ataraxia Lyrics


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Horresco referens
Said semel in anno
Licet insanire nitimur in
Vetitur semper
Cupimusque negata, said si
Vis me flere flendum est
Primum ipsi tibi,
Nosce te ipsum in cauda venenum.
Nihil admirari Ego sum qui sum





Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ataraxia's song Nosce Te Ipsum feature a mixture of Latin and English words, and reflect a deep sense of introspection and self-discovery. The Latin phrase "Horresco referens" means "I shudder to think" or "I shiver to repeat it", which indicates that the subject matter of the song might be dark or unsettling, and that the singer is hesitant to express it. The following lines allude to the idea of madness, longing, and denial - "Said semel in anno" means "once a year", suggesting that these emotions are only allowed to surface occasionally. "Licet insanire nitimur in" can be interpreted as "we strive to go mad", hinting at the idea that delirium or insanity can be a form of escape from the constraints of reality. However, the line "Vetitur semper" counters this idea, meaning "it's always forbidden", indicating that such escapism is ultimately elusive and unattainable.


The final lines of the song are some of the most enigmatic: "Primum ipsi tibi, Nosce te ipsum in cauda venenum. Nihil admirari Ego sum qui sum". These phrases seem to be a mix of Latin and broken English, and can be interpreted in different ways. "Primum ipsi tibi" means "first for yourself", implying that self-discovery is the first step towards any kind of understanding or enlightenment. "Nosce te ipsum" is a well-known Latin phrase that means "know thyself", and "in cauda venenum" means "there is poison in the tail", which could be a metaphor for the idea that self-knowledge can be a double-edged sword. Finally, "Nihil admirari Ego sum qui sum" means "I am who I am, who admires nothing", indicating a sense of stoicism or indifference towards the external world. Overall, the lyrics to Nosce Te Ipsum are a poetic and introspective exploration of the human psyche.


Line by Line Meaning

Horresco referens
I shudder to relate


Said semel in anno
Once a year people say


Licet insanire nitimur in
We are allowed to be insane, we strive for


Vetitur semper
It is always forbidden


Cupimusque negata, said si
And if I am denied, I want it even more


Vis me flere flendum est
If you want me to cry, I will cry


Primum ipsi tibi
First to yourself


Nosce te ipsum in cauda venenum
Know thyself, venom is in the tail


Nihil admirari Ego sum qui sum
To admire nothing, that's who I am




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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