absit invidia

== English == === Alternative forms === absit invidia verbo, verbo absit invidia === Etymology === From Latin. As found, for example, in Livy, Ab Urbe Condita Book IX, Chapter 19, line 15. === Phrase === absit invidia Literally, "may envy be lacking (from my words)". 1656 (N.S.), George Davenport, The Letters of George Davenport, 1651-1677 2011 publication I long as old Eli did (verbo absit invidia) to hear what is become of the ark; but fear I shall not hear what I desire, and my answer shall be with the daughter in law translata est gloria Dei de—. Comment: "Translata est gloria Dei de ..." is a slight paraphrase from 1 Samuel 4:22. 1842, Thomas Fuller, The Church History of Britain, from the Birth of Jesus Christ Until the Year MDCXLVIII (James Nichols, London, 3rd edition) p.401 I have done with the Oxford Bacons : only let me add, that those of Cambridge, father and son, Nicholas and Francis, the one of Bene't, and the other of Trinity-College, do hold (absit invidia ! ) the scales of desert, even against all of their name in all of the world besides. ==== Usage notes ==== The phrase was used to deflect the "evil eye" from a statement describing excellence. That is, the hubris of the braggart was feared to attract jealous deities. [1] The English no offense has an entirely different connotation.