Cicero's Original Text Behind Lorem Ipsum
Read the original passage from Cicero's 'De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum' (45 BC) that Lorem Ipsum is derived from. Compare the original Latin with the scrambled Lorem Ipsum version.
Detailed Explanation
Cicero's Original Text
Lorem Ipsum is derived from Sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 of "De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum" by Cicero. Understanding the original text reveals how the placeholder version was created.
The Original Latin (Section 1.10.32)
"Sed ut perspiciatis, unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem
accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam eaque ipsa,
quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae
dicta sunt, explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem, quia voluptas
sit, aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni
dolores eos, qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt, neque porro
quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum, quia dolor sit amet, consectetur,
adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt,
ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem."
English Translation
"But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness."
How Lorem Ipsum Differs from Cicero
The standard Lorem Ipsum text is not a faithful reproduction. Key differences:
| Aspect | Original Cicero | Lorem Ipsum Version |
|---|---|---|
| Word order | Grammatically correct Latin | Scrambled and rearranged |
| Vocabulary | Complete philosophical prose | Words added, removed, altered |
| Meaning | Coherent ethical philosophy | Deliberately nonsensical |
| Opening | "Sed ut perspiciatis..." | "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet" |
The Famous Opening
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet" is actually a corruption of the original. The word "Lorem" does not exist in classical Latin — it appears to be a truncation of "dolorem" (pain). The passage was mangled specifically to prevent it from being read as meaningful text.
Section 1.10.33
The second section that contributes to Lorem Ipsum reads:
"At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus, qui
blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti, quos
dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint, obcaecati cupiditate
non provident..."
This section provides additional vocabulary for longer Lorem Ipsum passages.
Scholarly Context
Cicero's "De Finibus" is a serious philosophical work that examines Epicurean, Stoic, and Peripatetic ethics. The irony that this deep philosophical text became meaningless filler is not lost on classicists.
Use Case
Knowing the original Cicero text is valuable for content creators writing about Lorem Ipsum, educators teaching typography and design history, and developers who want to include historically accurate reference material alongside their Lorem Ipsum generators.