De gustibus non est disputandum
Encyclopedia
De gustibus non disputandum est is a Latin
maxim. It means “one must not dispute about tastes.” (literally, "tastes are not disputable", or even more so, "There will not be a disputing of tastes.") The implication is that opinions about matters of taste are not objectively right or wrong, and hence that disagreements about matters of taste cannot be objectively resolved.
This phrase is famously misquoted in Act I of Anton Chekhov
's play The Seagull
. The character Shamrayev conflates it with the phrase de mortuis nil nisi bonum
(in the alternate form: de mortuis, aut bene aut nihil – "of the dead, either [speak] good or [say] nothing"), resulting in "de gustibus aut bene, aut nihil", "Let nothing be said of taste but what is good".
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
maxim. It means “one must not dispute about tastes.” (literally, "tastes are not disputable", or even more so, "There will not be a disputing of tastes.") The implication is that opinions about matters of taste are not objectively right or wrong, and hence that disagreements about matters of taste cannot be objectively resolved.
This phrase is famously misquoted in Act I of Anton Chekhov
Anton Chekhov
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian physician, dramatist and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short stories in history. His career as a dramatist produced four classics and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics...
's play The Seagull
The Seagull
The Seagull is the first of what are generally considered to be the four major plays by the Russian dramatist Anton Chekhov. The Seagull was written in 1895 and first produced in 1896...
. The character Shamrayev conflates it with the phrase de mortuis nil nisi bonum
De mortuis nil nisi bonum
De mortuis nihil nisi bonum is a Latin phrase which indicates that it is socially inappropriate to say anything negative about a deceased person...
(in the alternate form: de mortuis, aut bene aut nihil – "of the dead, either [speak] good or [say] nothing"), resulting in "de gustibus aut bene, aut nihil", "Let nothing be said of taste but what is good".