Molon Labe?

[Sharps-shooter]

I noticed that several people put "Molon Labe" in their sig line. WHY?

It means something like "having come, do take", in New Testament or maybe Classical Greek (I know this much because I'm a classical Geek). At first I thought it was maybe a reference to the last supper, communion and all that, but it's not the phrase that was used (I checked).

So what is it? an invitation for people to take your guns? Perhaps a sarcastic one, like "If you want it come an' get it!" ? And why is it in Greek?

 

[MachIVshooter]

So what is it? an invitation for people to take your guns? Perhaps a sarcastic one, like "If you want it come an' get it!" ?

Exactly.

And why is it in Greek?

Origin.

 

[RNB65]

I used to think it was the name of a cheap Canadian beer. Then I Googled it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molon_labe

 

[4v50 Gary]

Adapted from what Leonidas, one of the two kings (Sparta had two kings) said in response to the Persian King, Xerxes, when the latter told him that if he would lay down his weapons, they would be allowed to leave alive. In his dorian accented greek, Leonidas responded with "Come & git 'em." There's a new flick, 300, that will be released in 2007 in case you don't want to read Herodotus or the comic book edition.

 

[aaronrkelly]

 

[tellner]

Honestly? It's a bit of fake bravado with a soupcon of Classical history.

Most people here are law-abiding and would not shoot law enforcement or military personnel if they were coming to enforce a gun confiscation law. Even those with less attachment to the Law would mostly prefer to live and fight another day.

For myself I'd have to say that armed resistance to the military or the police is a losing proposition as well as being against the law. And a prudent person will think three or four times before advocating violent crimes, even terrorism, in a place which is almost certainly monitored by Federal agencies.

 

[aaronrkelly]

I cant speak for everyone but Im not advocating shooting any LEO....in fact Im writing this (and posted those above pictures of my carry gun and leg) from Sheriffs office where I work.

There are many reason to symbolise "Molon Labe"

One is to celebrate those that will stand in the way of oppresion and aggresion...rather it be the military or the little old lady that ran off the thug down the street with her 50 year old shotgun. What what King Leonidas was doing was defending his homeland from attackers, a most noble feat no matter the outcome or what words were said during the act.

I think of it more of a state of mind then anything....not a proclamation to "kill them all and let god sort them out" as some think. Dont give up, no matter what the odds are.....dont give in....fight. That can be applied to many self-defense situations and life in general.

 

[Reloader]

When Xerxes offered to spare the lives of Leonidas, his 300 personal bodyguards and a handful of Thebans and others who volunteered to defend their country, if they would lay down their arms, Leonidas shouted these two words back: Molon Labe! They mean, 'Come and get them!'
-

 

[TallPine]

Roughly translated, molon labe means "bullets first"


Or the following, which means pretty much the same thing:

 

[Lupinus]

it is greek for come and take them

some history-
http://www.thefiringline.com/HCI/molon_labe.htm

 

[armoredman]

Tallpine - Gaelic?

 

[19-3Ben]

Aaronkelly- the gun and leg thing. Awesome.

I feel like Molon Labe engraved onto my SKS would just be the bees knees.

 

[Molon Labe]

Thanks. I've always wondered what it meant.

 

[Lupinus]

was wondering when you'd pop im lmao

 

[Rev. DeadCorpse]

Most people here are law-abiding and would not shoot law enforcement or military personnel if they were coming to enforce a gun confiscation law.

Sad times. Somewhere, a Founding Father is rolling over in a grave.

"Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God"....

 

[Lupinus]

Rev-
They have been rolling

 

[Thefabulousfink]

They have been rolling

I believe that Virginia has hooked alternators up and the FF are now the State's main sorce of power.

If you want to read a very good version of the origin of "Molon Labe", check out Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire. It is better written and researched than "300" in my opinion. "300" is not bad, just Gates of Fire is soo much better.

 

[Rev. DeadCorpse]

It is better written and researched than "300" in my opinion.

Agreed, however, allow me to pick a nit. Frank Miller did "300" as a graphic novel, not necessarily a blow-by-blow accounting from a translation of Herodotus. The 2007 movie "300" based on it looks to be an excellent movie based off the graphic novel and one should not try and write a Greek History doctoral thesis using it as a main source.

Still, the sentiments in all three accounts (Herodotus, Gates, and 300) all agree on key facts:

1. If you don't fight to stay free, don't expect to be free for long
2. Spartans were the toughest of the tough.
3. Just because the odds are bad is no reason not to fight, and fight smart.
4. Diplomacy only delays the bloodshed. It never eradicates the necessity.

 

[TallPine]

Tallpine - Gaelic?

Aye - the Scots version, or Gàidhlig

 

[Ohio Rifleman]

For myself I'd have to say that armed resistance to the military or the police is a losing proposition as well as being against the law. And a prudent person will think three or four times before advocating violent crimes, even terrorism, in a place which is almost certainly monitored by Federal agencies.

Thank goodness a certain group of men 230 years ago didn't think that way. As soon as we become willing to give up our constitutional rights just because the government or whoever wants to take them away, then our republic will vanish.

I am not advocating violence in any way, however. I believe in doing all we can using votes, lobbying, etc. But I'd like to think I would never submit to any kind of gun confiscation. Some things are just more important than life, things like liberty. It's a shame people today don't seem to be willing to sacrifice for something greater than themselves, with the exception of LEO's and the folks in the armed forces.

Molon Labe!​

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

And a prudent person will think three or four times before advocating violent crimes, even terrorism, in a place which is almost certainly monitored by Federal agencies.

Very true. I once had a conversation with a guy who had been involved in several actions during his military career that he cannot discuss, but one thing he told me was that the reason he doesn't participate in forums like this on the Internet is that he's seen first hand how heavily the government monitors these things, and identifying any individual is no trouble at all for them. There is no confidentiality here, regardless of your going by a cover name like The Real Hawkeye. The sad thing is that the Founding Fathers would likely be heavily monitored too, these days, were they alive, and probably heavily investigated by the Feds. Heck, under the current administration, they'd probably be declared non-citizen enemy combatants and waterboarded every day for a few years, without charges being filed or a lawyer ever being involved in their cases.

Heck, my signature below alone could probably get me investigated by the Feds in the current atmosphere, but I'm keeping it there. Molone Labe!

 

[Rev. DeadCorpse]

There is no confidentiality here, regardless of your going by a cover name like The Real Hawkeye.

I've pretty much understood this to be a fact since the days of Usenet.

However, I don't care. What good is having a "freedom" if you are so scared of your own government you never exercise it? What does that say about your government? Or your fellow voters for that matter...

 

[Il Duca]

waterboarded

Not to get off topic, but what is this? I have heard it mentioned before.

 

[Lupinus]

its a form of torture in which you are tied or held down while water is poured on your face to simulate the fealing of drowning.

Its quiet effective if done properly.

 

[Justin]

The original question has been answered, and it looks like this one's gone off-topic, so I'll go ahead and close it.