Explanation of bad translation of Latin Mottoes on Sundials.

The explanation of bad translations of Latin Mottoes on Sundials: Apparently, it is customary to paraphrase such mottoes, not to translate them correctly: See: A book of sundial mottoes (1903) by Alfred Hyatt: http://www.archive.org/details/bookofsundialmot00hyatuoft "In compiling this Book of Mottoes, the translations in the majority of cases appear as given in the books consulted, These volumes, which represent a delightful branch of garden literature, range from John Wells' "Sciographia, or the Art of Shadoews" (1635), to Mrs. Alice Morse Earle's recently published "Sundials and Roses of Yesterday." It will be seen that in many instances the English renderings of the inscriptions are free and often fanciful." Aliis inserviendo consumor. My loss is your gain. Ars longa, vita brevis. I die today, and live tomorrow. Avaritia hodie dominatur. You covet tomorrow. Dies diem trudit. A day kicks me down. Dum spectas fugio. Unsight, unseen. En supra vita fugax En infra certa mors. A life on flight's, soon out of sight. Ex hoc momento pendet aeternitas. Now, or never.