[1] The conjunction dum has an additional meaning not included in the previous section. We’ll begin with the famous quotation from Accius beloved by all tyrants:
Ōderint dum metuant │ Let them hate provided that they fear.
This is an example of a proviso clause.
[i] A proviso clause sets a specific and necessary condition that must be fulfilled for the action in the main clause to take place.
[ii] It is most commonly translated as ‘provided that’ although ‘as long as’ can convey the same idea.
[iii] It is introduced by:
dum
modo
dummodo (or dum modo)
[iv] The verb in the clause of proviso is in the subjunctive.
Licet enim lascīvīre, dum nihil metuās (Cicero)
- You may enjoy yourself provided that you have nothing to fear [literally: you fear nothing]
Modo Iuppiter adsit … (Vergil)
- Provided that Jupiter is present …
Modo inter mē atque tē mūrus intersit (Cicero)
- Provided that only the wall is between me and you.
Sed est tantī, dummodo ista sit prīvāta calamitās (Cicero)
- But it is worthwhile provided that this misfortune is private.
Dummodo sit dīves barbarus ille placet (Ovid)
- Provided that he is wealthy, that foreigner is pleasing.
Dum modo mōrāta rēctē veniat, dōtāta est satis (Plautus)
- So long as / provided that she comes with the right morals, that is dowry enough.
Ingenuamne an lībertīnam? / Aequī istūc faciō, dum modo eam dēs quae sit quaestuōsa (Plautus)
- Freeborn or freedwoman? / Either is fine with me provided you give me one who’s after money.
Dum modo doleant aliquid, doleant quidlibet (Cicero)
- Provided that / so long as they suffer something, let them suffer anything.
adprobātor certē fuistī, dum modo Kal. Ian. Rōmae essem (Cicero)
- You were certainly agreeable [literally: somebody who agrees (noun)] provided I was in Rome on January 1st.
[2]
Negative proviso clauses will include nē:
Id faciat saepe, dum nē lassus fīat (Cato)
- Let him do this often provided he does not become tired.
Nūbant, dum dōs nē fīat comes (Plautus)
- Let them marry, provided their dowry doesn't go along with them [literally: does not become a companion]
[3]
Note these examples from Cicero where a proviso clause is expressed, but the verb is not used:
Rescrībēs igitur, quicquid volēs, dum modo aliquid.
- So, write back, whatever you want, provided (it is) something.
Tū mihi, etiamsī nihil erit, quod scrībās, … tamen id ipsum scrībās velim, tē nihil habuisse, quod scrīberēs, dum modo nē hīs verbīs.
- As for you, even if you have nothing to write, … I would nevertheless like you to write that you had nothing to write, provided you don't use those very words [literally: as long as not with those words]
