Hinc illae lacrimae

"Hinc illae lacrimae" (Latin for "hence those/these tears") is a line from the Roman poet Terence's well-known comedy, Andria (166 BC). The phrase has, since the era of the Roman Republic, been appropriated for use as a popular saying or quotation^[1] to be employed when a previously-obscured reason or explanation—for some action(s) or behavior—is recognized; and, especially, when a baser motivation is thereby identified, contra an (initially-assumed) nobler one.^[2]