parvi sumus et parva damus

English translation: We are insignificant and achieve little

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Latin term or phrase:parvi sumus et parva damus
English translation:We are insignificant and achieve little
Entered by: Joseph Tein

16:22 Apr 20, 2015
Latin to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Latin term or phrase: parvi sumus et parva damus
I'm reviewing a translation of an old (1897) Italian medical journal article; the author uses this little phrase at the end of his text:


"Sono giunto alla fine di question scritto, davvero troppo povero per essere presentato in questo dotto consesso; l'Autore ringrazia della cortese attenzione, invoca a sua scusa come attenuante, il detto: *parvi sumus et parva damus."

I don't know Latin; my guess (with the help of Google Translate) is that it means something like "we're small and give little" ... but I need confirmation, please, and suggestions on the best way to render this into English.

It's a very different writing style than modern medical journal articles!
Joseph Tein
United States
Local time: 06:28
We are insignificant and achieve little
Explanation:
My trusted dictionaries - a more liberal translation of the individual words
Selected response from:

Veronika McLaren
Local time: 09:28
Grading comment
Tibi gratias ago pro subsidio tuo [I hope Google Translate got this right!]
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5We are insignificant and achieve little
Veronika McLaren
3 -1We are few and we give little
Pierre POUSSIN


  

Answers


11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): -1
We are few and we give little


Explanation:
N/A

Pierre POUSSIN
France
Local time: 14:28
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Sandra Mouton: Parvi isn't "few" (which would be pauci) but small.
4 hrs
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58 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
We are insignificant and achieve little


Explanation:
My trusted dictionaries - a more liberal translation of the individual words

Veronika McLaren
Local time: 09:28
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16
Grading comment
Tibi gratias ago pro subsidio tuo [I hope Google Translate got this right!]

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  BrigitteHilgner
20 mins
  -> Thank you, Brigitte!

agree  Gely
1 hr
  -> Thank you!

agree  Sandra Mouton
3 hrs
  -> Thank you, Sandra!

agree  Sergey Kudryashov
3 hrs
  -> Thank you, Sergey!

agree  Jennifer White
4 hrs
  -> Thank you, Jennifer!
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