Howard Dietz Howard Dietz Howard Dietz (September 8, 1896 – July 30, 1983) was an American publicist, lyricist, and librettist. Dietz was born in New York City. He attended Columbia College and then studied journalism at Columbia University. He also served as publicist/director of advertising for Goldwyn Pictures and later MGM and is often credited with creating Leo the Lion, its lion mascot, and choosing their slogan "Ars Gratia Artis". In 1942, he was made MGM's Vice President in Charge of Publicity. He held that position until his retirement in 1957. He began a long association with composer Arthur Schwartz when they
Ars longa, vita brevis Ars longa, vita brevis Ars longa, vita brevis is a Latin translation of an aphorism coming originally from Greek. The Latin quote is often rendered in English as Art is long, life is short. The aphorism quotes the first two lines of the by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. The familiar Latin translation "Ars longa, vita brevis" reverses the order of the original lines. The original text, a standard Latin translation, and an English translation from the Greek follow. The most common and significant caveat made regarding the saying is that "art" (, translating (techne)) originally meant "technique, craft" (as