By Nina Tiberia (Tonina Rodenberger)
Qod licet Iovi, non licet bovi.
quod here: what (relative pronoun 1st pers. singular neuter)
licet it is allowed
Iovis Jupiter (Iovi = dative)
bos, bovis, masc. bull, ox (bovi = dative singular)
"Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi" is a Latin phrase, litterally meaning "What is legitimate for Jove (Jupiter) is not legitimate for oxen".
The phrase was created by Terence, a playwright of the Roman Republic in reference to the myth wherein Jupiter took the form of a bull to seduce Europa. The phrase is often translated as "Gods may do what cattle may not".
It indicates the existence of a double standard (justifiable or otherwise), and essentially means "What is permitted to one person or a group, is not permitted to everyone".
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