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Latin Quotes

ancient rome

Classic quotes, sayings and proverbs in Latin.


page 5 of 6


  Great Causes
Aleister CrowleyVi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici.

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

—  Aleister Crowley, 1875-1945, British magician & occultist,

(or V.V.V.V.V.; mentioned also in the graphic novel “V for Vendetta”)

133 likes
  
  Necessity
Latin phraseNecessitas non habet legem.

Necessity has no law.

—  Latin phrase

54 likes
JuvenalPanem et circenses.

Bread and circuses.

—  Juvenal, 1st-2nd cent. AD, Roman satiric poet

42 likes
  
  Planning
Latin phraseEspice, adspice, prospice.

Look behind, look here, look ahead.

—  Latin phrase

102 likes
Publilius SyrusMalum consilium quod mutari non potest.

Bad is the plan that cannot change.

—  Publilius Syrus, 1st cent. AD, Roman author of maxims

49 likes
SenecaGladiator in arena consilium capit.

The gladiator is formulating his plan in the arena.

—  Seneca, 5 AD-65 AD, Roman philosopher

25 likes
  
  Ambition
Nil satis nisi optimum.

Nothing but the best is good enough.

—  motto of the Air Training Corps and of various schools

127 likes
VirgilSic itur ad astra.

Thus one journeys to the stars.

—  Virgil, 70-19 BC, Roman poet

(i.e. thus one reaches high)

83 likes
  
  Hope
Latin phraseDum spiro spero.

While I breathe, I hope.

—  Latin phrase

235 likes
  
  Limits
Latin phraseNe plus ultra.

No further.

—  Latin phrase

(impassable obstacle)

37 likes
  
  Options
PlautusMus uni non fidit antro.

The mouse does not rely on just one hole.

—  Plautus, c. 254-184 BC, Roman playwright

52 likes
  
  Quality
OvidMateriam superabat opus.

The workmanship surpassed the material.

—  Ovid, 43 BC-17 AD, Roman poet

25 likes
  
  Security
Latin proverbVia trita, via tuta.

Beaten path, safe path.

—  Latin proverb

54 likes
LucretiusSuave mare magno.

It is pleasant to watch the wild sea.

—  Lucretius, 98-55 BC, Roman poet

(from the land…)

41 likes
OvidMedio tutissimus ibis.

You will be safest in the middle.

—  Ovid, 43 BC-17 AD, Roman poet

35 likes
VirgilNulla salus bello.

There is no security in war.

—  Virgil, 70-19 BC, Roman poet

29 likes
  
  Moderation
OvidMedio tutissimus ibis.

You will be safest in the middle.

—  Ovid, 43 BC-17 AD, Roman poet

35 likes
  
  Accomplishment
OvidAut non rem temptes aut perfice.

Either don’t try at all or make sure you succeed.

—  Ovid, 43 BC-17 AD, Roman poet

79 likes
  
  Searching
Latin proverbNon quis, sed quid.

Not who but what.

—  Latin proverb

38 likes
  
  Decisions
Julius CaesarAlea jacta est.

The die is cast.

—  Julius Caesar, 100-44 BC, Roman general & Consul

(when crossing Rubicon river to attack Rome)

46 likes
  
  Action
VirgilVires acquirit eundo.

We gather strength as we go.

—  Virgil, 70-19 BC, Roman poet

108 likes
Latin phraseRes, non verba.

Actions not words.

—  Latin phrase

90 likes
OvidSpectemur agendo.

Let us be judged by our acts.

—  Ovid, 43 BC-17 AD, Roman poet

82 likes
HoraceCarpe diem.

Seize the day.

—  Horace, 65-8 BC, Roman poet

69 likes
  
  Being Busy
Vita in motu.

Life is in motion.

—  Sundial motto

53 likes
HoraceIn medias res.

In the middle of things.

—  Horace, 65-8 BC, Roman poet

18 likes
  
  Doing
Latin phraseAge quot agis.

Do what you do.

—  Latin phrase

(without distractions)

61 likes
Latin phraseDictum, factum.

What is said is done.

—  Latin phrase

46 likes
  
  Experience
Latin proverbQuod nocet, saepe docet.

What harms, often teaches.

—  Latin proverb

153 likes
VirgilNunc scio quid sit Amor.

Now I know what Love is.

—  Virgil, 70-19 BC, Roman poet

79 likes
Latin proverbUsus est magister optimus.

Practice is the best teacher.

—  Latin proverb

44 likes
  
  Change
OvidOmnia mutantur, nihil interit.

All change, nothing perishes.

—  Ovid, 43 BC-17 AD, Roman poet

40 likes
VirgilVarium et mutabile semper Femina.

Woman is ever a fickle and changeable thing.

—  Virgil, 70-19 BC, Roman poet

34 likes
Latin phraseNatura non facit saltus.

Nature does not make jumps.

—  Latin phrase

(meaning: natural things and properties change gradually)

14 likes
Latin phraseMutatis mutandis.

Once the necessary changes having been made.

—  Latin phrase

10 likes
  
  Readiness
Latin phraseSi vis pacem, para bellum.

If you want peace, prepare for war.

—  Latin phrase

188 likes
Latin phraseLibens-Volens-Potens

Ready-Willing-Potent

—  Latin phrase

51 likes
Semper paratus.

Always ready.

—  motto of the US Coast Guard

49 likes
  
  Diligence
Latin phraseSemper letteris mandate.

Written orders, always.

—  Latin phrase

15 likes
  
  Determination
JuvenalVitam impendere vero.

Dedicate your life to truth.

—  Juvenal, 1st-2nd cent. AD, Roman satiric poet

88 likes
Latin phraseAge quot agis.

Do what you do.

—  Latin phrase

(without distractions)

61 likes
  
  Persistence
Latin proverbGutta cavat lapidem.

Dripping water hollows out stone.

—  Latin proverb

42 likes
  
  Multitasking
Latin proverbMultum, non multa.

Much, not many.

—  Latin proverb

(meaning: take much care but not of many things; [replace “take care” with “earn” or whatever])

16 likes
  
  Ways & Means
Latin phraseDestitutus ventis, remos adhibe.

If the winds fail you, use the oars.

—  Latin phrase

105 likes
Latin proverbLupus dentis, taurus cornis.

The wolf with his teeth, the bull with his horns.

—  Latin proverb

37 likes
Quod semper, quod ubique, quo ab omnibus.

What always, what everywhere, what by everybody.

—  Saint Vincent of Lerins, 5th century Gallic monk

(determining what Catholics must believe to fight heresy)

21 likes
  
  Adversity
VirgilNe cede malis.

Yield not to misfortunes.

—  Virgil, 70-19 BC, Roman poet

69 likes
  
  Problems & Solutions
VirgilFata viam invenient.

Fate will find a way.

—  Virgil, 70-19 BC, Roman poet

170 likes
  
  Duty
Latin phraseAve Caesar, morituri te salutant.

Hail, Caesar, those who are about to die salute you.

—  Latin phrase

35 likes
  
  Synergies
Latin proverbUbi concordia, ibi victoria.

Where there is unity, there is victory.

—  Latin proverb

100 likes
  
  Work
Ora et Labora.

Pray and Work.

—  Motto of the Benedictine Order

86 likes
  
  Doctors
HippocratesPrimum, non nocere.

First, do no harm.

—  Hippocrates, 460-370 BC, Ancient Greek physician, the “Father of Medicine”

(the origin is uncertain; Hippocrates’ works do not include this precise phrase)

83 likes
  
  Expertise
ApellesSutor, ne supra crepidam.

Shoemaker, not beyond the show.

—  Apelles, 4th cent. BC, Ancient Greek painter

(to people who try to pass judgment beyond their expertise)

14 likes
  
  Manipulation
JuvenalPanem et circenses.

Bread and circuses.

—  Juvenal, 1st-2nd cent. AD, Roman satiric poet

42 likes
Latin phraseDivide ut regnes.

Divide and conquer.

—  Latin phrase

25 likes
  
  Leadership
CaligulaOderint, dum metuant.

Let them hate, as long as they fear.

—  Caligula, 12-41 AD, Roman Emperor

(originally a verse by the poet Accius)

169 likes
SenecaNemo autem regere potest nisi qui et regi.

No one is able to rule unless he is also able to be ruled.

—  Seneca, 5 AD-65 AD, Roman philosopher

32 likes
Latin proverbQualis rex, talis grex.

Like king, like people.

—  Latin proverb

21 likes
Latin phraseDe minimis non curat praetor.

The governor does not deal with the small stuff.

—  Latin phrase

(or: The law does not concern itself with trifles)

10 likes
  
  Money
CiceroPecunia nervus belli.

Money is the soul of war.

—  Cicero, 106-43 BC, Roman orator & statesman

45 likes
VespasianPecunia non olet.

Money does not stink.

—  Vespasian, 9-79 AD, Roman Emperor

25 likes
  
  The Rich
Latin proverbDives aut iniquus est, aut iniqui haeres.

A rich man is either a knave, or the heir of a knave.

—  Latin proverb

21 likes
  
  Possessions
Latin phraseNemo dat quod non habet.

No one gives what he doesn’t have.

—  Latin phrase

(meaning: the purchase from someone who had no ownership right, cancels the right of the purchaser too)

38 likes
Gabriele D’ AnnunzioHabere non Haberi.

To possess, not be possessed

—  Gabriele D’ Annunzio, 1863-1938, Italian poet

(originally from Aristippus)

34 likes
SenecaMagna servitus est magna fortuna.

A great fortune is a great slavery.

—  Seneca, 5 AD-65 AD, Roman philosopher

21 likes
Gabriele D’ AnnunzioHabere non Haberi.

To have, not to be had.

—  Gabriele D’ Annunzio, 1863-1938, Italian poet

  
  Property
Latin phraseRes nullius.

Nobody's

—  Latin phrase

(for things like the sun)

34 likes
  
  Cost & Price
JuvenalOmnia cum pretio.

Everything with a price.

—  Juvenal, 1st-2nd cent. AD, Roman satiric poet

29 likes
  
  Measurements
Utere, non numera.

Use the hours, don’t count them.

—  Medieval Sundial Motto

88 likes
VirgilSi parva licet componere magnis.

If we may compare small things with great…

—  Virgil, 70-19 BC, Roman poet

14 likes
  
  Corruption
Latin phraseCorruptio optimi pessima.

The corruption of the best is the worst of all.

—  Latin phrase

27 likes
  
  Food
Christopher MarloweQuod me nutrit me destruit.

What nourishes me, destroys me.

—  Christopher Marlowe, 1564-1593, English playwright

(meaning: that which drives a person can consume him from within)

60 likes
  
  Temptation
Gospel of MarkVada retro me, Satana.

Get off my back, Satan

—  Gospel of Mark ‐ 8:33

(from the Vulgate, spoken by Jesus to Peter)

76 likes
  
  Sports & Games
Citius, Altius, Fortius.

Faster, Higher, Stronger

—  Motto of the Olympic Games

(initially, a motto of Pierre de Coubertin’s school)

147 likes
  
  Drinking
CiceroNemo enim fere saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanus.

Nobody dances sober, unless maybe he is insane.

—  Cicero, 106-43 BC, Roman orator & statesman

50 likes
Pliny the ElderIn vino veritas.

Truth in wine.

—  Pliny the Elder, 23-79 μ.X., Roman natural philosopher

30 likes
Latin phraseBibere humanum est, ergo bibamus.

To drink is human, therefore let us drink.

—  Latin phrase

28 likes
Latin phraseIn mari meri miri mori muri necesse est.

In a sea of delightful wine, a mouse may only die.

—  Latin phrase

(Latin tongue twister)

23 likes
  
  Cause & Effect
Latin phraseOmnia causa fiunt.

Everything happens for a reason.

—  Latin phrase

100 likes
Latin phraseDe malo, bonum.

Bad from the good.

—  Latin phrase

62 likes
Latin proverbNon quis, sed quid.

Not who but what.

—  Latin proverb

38 likes
OvidCausa latet, vis est notissima.

The cause is hidden, the result is obvious.

—  Ovid, 43 BC-17 AD, Roman poet

35 likes
VirgilFelix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas.

Blessed is he who has been able to know the causes of things.

—  Virgil, 70-19 BC, Roman poet

35 likes
Latin phrasePost hoc, ergo propter hoc.

After this, therefore, because of this.

—  Latin phrase

(logical fallacy)

18 likes
Latin phraseSubita causa, fellitur offectue.

Upon removal of the cause, the effect is removed.

—  Latin phrase

—  Latin maxim

Gottfried LeibnitzNihil est sine ratione.

There is nothing without a reason.

—  Gottfried Leibnitz, 1646-1716, German philosopher & mathematician

  
  Results
OvidExitus acta probat.

The result justifies the deed.

—  Ovid, 43 BC-17 AD, Roman poet

22 likes
  
  Rise & Decline
Latin phraseQuinon proficit deficit.

He who does not advance, goes backwards.

—  Latin phrase

45 likes
Publilius SyrusFortuna vitrea est: tum cum splendet frangitu.

Fortune is like glass: the brighter the glitter, the more easily broken.

—  Publilius Syrus, 1st cent. AD, Roman author of maxims

40 likes
  
  Victory & Defeat
Julius CaesarVeni, vidi, vici.

I came, I saw, I won.

—  Julius Caesar, 100-44 BC, Roman general & Consul

(message to the Senate after his victory over Pharnaces of Pontus in 47 BC)

107 likes
Latin proverbUbi concordia, ibi victoria.

Where there is unity, there is victory.

—  Latin proverb

100 likes
Latin phraseVincere est totum.

To win is everything.

—  Latin phrase

24 likes
Latin phraseVae victis.

Woe to the vanquished.

—  Latin phrase

(said by Brennus, leader of an army of Gauls who captured Rome in 390 BC)

23 likes
Latin phraseAd victor spolia.

To the victor go the spoils.

—  Latin phrase

13 likes
LucianVictrix causa diis placuit, sed victa Catoni.

The cause of the victors pleased the gods, but the defeat pleased Cato.

—  Lucian, 120-180 AD, Ancient Assyrian-Greek satirist

(refers to the fidelity of Cato to Pompey, when he was defeated by Caesar –used to express support for a cause, though defeated)

7 likes
  
  Slavery
SenecaMagna servitus est magna fortuna.

A great fortune is a great slavery.

—  Seneca, 5 AD-65 AD, Roman philosopher

21 likes
Old TestamentNon serviam!

I will not serve!

—  Old Testament

(attributed to Lucifer, but originates from the Vulgate [Jeremiah] referring to the rejection of God by the people of Israel)

18 likes
  
  Fame & Glory
VirgilSic itur ad astra.

Thus one journeys to the stars.

—  Virgil, 70-19 BC, Roman poet

(i.e. thus one reaches high)

83 likes
HoraceNon omnis moriar.

I shall not wholly die.

—  Horace, 65-8 BC, Roman poet

41 likes
MartialSi post fata venit gloria, non propero.

If glory comes after death, I hurry not.

—  Martial, 43-104 AD, Roman poet of epigrams

30 likes
Latin phraseSic transit gloria mundi.

Thus passes the glory of the world.

—  Latin phrase

29 likes
Latin proverbFama volat.

Fame flies.

—  Latin proverb

12 likes
  
  Mistakes
OvidCui peccare licet, peccat minus.

Who is allowed to make mistakes, makes fewer mistakes.

—  Ovid, 43 BC-17 AD, Roman poet

76 likes
Latin proverbErrare Humanum est.

To err is human.

—  Latin proverb

22 likes
HoraceSplendide mendax.

Splendidly false.

—  Horace, 65-8 BC, Roman poet

11 likes
  
  Irreversible
Julius CaesarAlea jacta est.

The die is cast.

—  Julius Caesar, 100-44 BC, Roman general & Consul

(when crossing Rubicon river to attack Rome)

46 likes
  
  Loss
CiceroMale parta male dilabuntur.

What has been wrongly gained is wrongly lost.

—  Cicero, 106-43 BC, Roman orator & statesman

17 likes
  
  Suffering
OvidPerfer et obdura, dolor hic tibi proderit olim.

Be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful to you.

—  Ovid, 43 BC-17 AD, Roman poet

159 likes
  
  Danger
Latin phraseIn cauda venenum.

The poison is in the tail.

—  Latin phrase

(for something that looks harmless, but is actually bad or dangerous)

20 likes
  
  Degradation
CiceroO tempora! Ο mores!

O, the times! O, the morals!

—  Cicero, 106-43 BC, Roman orator & statesman

38 likes
  
  Poverty
Publilius SyrusInopiae desunt multa, avaritiae omnia.

Poverty is the lack of many things, avarice is the lack of all things.

—  Publilius Syrus, 1st cent. AD, Roman author of maxims

30 likes
TerentiusSine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus.

Without Ceres and Bacchus, Venus freezes.

—  Terentius, c. 185-159 BC, Roman comic playwright

(meaning: without bread and wine, love freezes)

17 likes
  
  Destruction
Cato the ElderCarthago delenda est!

Carthage must be destroyed!

—  Cato the Elder, 234-149 BC, Roman statesman & writer

(Cato used the phrase as the conclusion to all his speeches)

18 likes
  
  Hunger
Latin proverbFabas indulcet fames.

Hunger sweetens the beans.

—  Latin proverb

23 likes
  

page 5 of 6










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