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Trivial Pursuits => Arts & Entertainment => Topic started by: theinevitable on January 20, 2006, 11:26:14 pm

Title: who watches the watchers?
Post by: theinevitable on January 20, 2006, 11:26:14 pm

I asked my english teacher if she knew where this came from, and she couldn't remember.
In Watchmen (which is brilliant), there's graffiti everywhere which says "Who Watches the Watchers?". What is this from? The only thing I can find online is an episode of Star Trek (TOS)... is this the original source?

Title: Re: who watches the watchers?
Post by: misterqueue on January 20, 2006, 11:29:13 pm

Originally it's an old Latin phrase:

Qui custodiet ipsos custodes?

or "Who guards the guardians".

Stated, as far as I know by Decimus Junius Juvenalis or JUVENAL a Roman rhetorician and satirical poet (1st to 2nd cent. A.D.)

Title: Re: who watches the watchers?
Post by: theinevitable on January 21, 2006, 12:15:13 am

isn't it "who will guard the guards themselves?" I think custodiet might be subjunctive... hm.


thanks.