Archive for the Latin Category

Latin Quotes

Sat, 31st Jan 2004 by Alfie.

I started collecting Latin quotes to use within my ‘Quote of the Moment’ bar on my web page, but decided against putting them all in because of the sheer volume I had found.

These have been collected from many books, web pages, and even Asterix comics :)

Latin Quote Translation
a capite ad calcem From head to heel
a cruce salus Salvation by or from the cross
a Deo et rege From God and the king
a die From that day
a fortiori For the stronger reason
a maximis ad minima From the greatest to the least
a posse ad esse From possibility to reality
a posteriori From what follows
a priori From what goes before
a verbis ad verbera From words to blows
ab extra From without
ab incunabilis From the cradle
ab initio From the beginning
ab origine From the origin
ab ovo usque ad mala From beginning to end
ab ovo From the egg
ab uno disce omnes From a single instance infer the whole
ab urbe condita From the building of the city
absens haeres non erit Out of sight, out of mind
absit invidia Let there be no ill will
Acta est fabula Drama has been acted out
ad arbitrium At will
ad captandum vulgus To please the rabble
ad extremum To the extreme
ad gustum To one’s taste
ad hominem to the individual
Ad infinitum To infinity
ad internecionem To extermination
ad libitum At pleasure
ad modum In the manner of
ad multos annos For many years
ad nauseam So as to disgust or nauseate
ad patres dead
ad rem To the purpose
ad summum To the highest point or amount
ad unguem exactly
ad unum omnes To a man
ad vivum to the life
adsum I am here
aequo animo With a calm mind
aetatis suae Of his or her age
age quod agis attend to your business
agnes Dei lamb of God
Alea jacta est The die is cast
alere flammam To feed the flame
Aliena nobis, nostra plus aliis placent Other people’s things are more pleasing to us, and ours to other people
Aliquando bonus dormitat Homerus Even good Homer had a bad day
Aliquando et insanire iucundum est It is sometimes pleasant even to act like a madman
alma mater Kind or benign mother
alter ego Another self
alter ipse amicus A friend is another self
alterum tantum As much more
Altius, Citius, Fortius Taller, faster, stronger
amantium irae amoris integratio Lovers’ quarrels are the renewing of love
Amicus curiae Friend of the court
amicus humani generis A friend of the human race
amor patriae Love of country
anguis in herba A snake in the grass
animo et fide Courageously and faithfully
anno aetatis suae In the year of his or her age
anno humanae salutis In the year of man’s redemption
anno salutis In the year of redemption
annus mirabilis A year of wonders
ante bellum Before the war
ante lucem Before daybreak
ante meridiem Before noon
arbiter elegantiarum A judge or authority in matters of taste
arcana caelestia Celestial secrets
arcana imperii State secrets
ardentia verba Words that burn
argumentum ad crumenam An appeal to one’s interest
argumentum ad invidiam an appeal to low passions
argumentum ad judicium An argument appealing to the judgment
argumentum baculinum An appeal to force
Arma virumque cano I sing of arms and a man
ars est celare artem True art is to conceal art
Ars gratia artis Art for the sake of art
Ars longa, vita brevis Art is long, life is short
artium magister Master of arts
asinus ad lyram An awkward fellow
Assiduus usus uni rei deditus et ingenium artem saepe vincit Constant practice devoted to one subject often outdoes both intelligence and skill
at spes non fracta But hope is not yet crushed
Audaces fortuna juvat Fortune favors the bold
audi alteram partem Hear the other side
Audi partem alterum Hear the other side
aurea mediocritas The golden mean
Auri sacra fames The cursed hunger for gold
Aut Caesar, aut nihil Either Caesar or nothing
aut vincere aut more death or victory
auxilium ab alto Help from on high
Ave atque vale Hail and farewell
beatae memoriae Of blessed memory
Beati pauperes spiritu Blessed are the poor in spirit
bella matribus detestata War so detested by mothers
bella! Horrida bella War! Horrid war
bellum internecinum A war of extermination
bene orasse est bene studuisse To have studied well is to have prayed well
Bene qui latuit bene vixit He who has lived in obscurity has lived well.
bis dat qui cito dat He gives twice who gives quickly or opportunely
bis peccare in bello non licet One must not blunder twice in war
bis pueri senes Old men are twice boys
Bis repetita placent The things that please are repeated again and again
bona fide In good faith
Bona fide Good faith
bona fides Good faith
brevi manu offhand
brevis esse laboro, obscurus fio If I labor to become brief, I become obscure
cadit quaestio there is no discussion
caeca est invidia Envy is blind
caetera desunt The rest is wanting
caeteris paribus Other things being equal
candida Pax White-robed peace
cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator a man who has nothing has nothing to lose
cantate Domino Sing unto the Lord
Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero Seize the day, trust as little as possible in tomorrow
Carpe diem Seize the day
casus belli A cause justifying war
Catapultam habeo, nisi aurum omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam I have a catapult, give me all the gold, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head
causa sine qua non An indespensible cause
Caveat emptor Let the buyer beware
cedant arma togae let violence give place to law
circuitus verborum A circumlocution
circulus in probando vicious circle
clarior e tenebris Brighter from obscurity
clarum et venerabile nomen An illustrious and venerable name
Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum I think that I think, therefore I think that I am
Cogito Ergo Doleo I think therefore I am depressed
Cogito ergo sum I think therefore I am
commune bonum A common good
communi consensu By common consent
condito sine qua non An indespensible condition
conjunctis viribus With united powers
consilio et animis By wisdom and courage
consilio et prudentia By wisdom and prudence
constantia et virtute By constancy and virtue
consuetudo pro lege servatur Custom is held as law
contra bonos mores Contrary to good morals
Contraria contraiis curantur Opposites are cured by opposites
copia verborum A plentiful supply of words
coram nobis In our presence
crambe repetita Cabbage warmed up the second time
crede quod habes, et habes Believe that you have it, and you have it
credo, quia absurdum I believe it, because it is absurd
credula res amor est Love is ready to believe
crescit amor nummi, quantum ipsa pecunia crescit The love of money grows as our wealth increases
crescit eundo It increases as it goes
crux A cross
Cryptica scriptura Hidden discourse
cucullus non facit monachum Do not trust to appearances
cui Fortuna ipsa cedit To whom Fortune herself yields
culpam paena premit comes Punishment follows close behind crime
cum grano, cum grano salis With a grain of salt
cum privilegio With privilege
cum tacent, clamant their silence is more expressive than words
currente calamo With a running pen
da locum melioribus Give place to your betters
damnant quod non intelligunt They condemn what they do not understand
dare pondus fumo attach importance to trifles
data et accepta Expenses and receipts
de die in diem From day to day
De facto According to fact
De gustibus non disputandum est In matters of taste there is no dispute
De jure According to law
de lana caprina about any worthless object
de minimis non curat lex The law does not concern itself with trifles
de mortius nil nisi bonum Let nothing be said of the dead but what is good
De mortuis nil nisi bene Speak nothing but good of the dead
de nihilio nihil, in nihilum nil posse reverti From nothing nothing is made, and nothing that exists can be reduced to nothing
de novo Anew
de omnibus rebus, et quibusdam aliis Almost everything, and something more besides
de profundis Out of the depths
deceptio vicus An optical illusion
decori decus addit avito He adds honor to the ancestral honors
Dei gratia by the grace of God
Delenda Carthago Carthago must be destroyed
delenda est Carthago Carthage must be utterly destroyed
Deo adjuvante, non timendum With the help of God there is nothing to be afraid of
Deo duce With God for a leader
Deo favente With the favor of God
Deo gratias Thanks be to God
Deo juvante With the help of God
Deo monente God giving warning
Deo volente God willing
Deo, non fortuna From God, not from Chance
Desinit in piscem mulier formosa superne A woman who is beautiful above ends in a fishtail
Deus ex machine God from within the machine (actually ‘God without the machine’, ‘without’ meaning outside)
Dico per spiritum sanctum I speak by means of the Holy Spirit
Diem perdidi I have lost the day
Dignus est intrare He is worthy to enter
dii majorum gentium The gods of the superior houses
dii penates Household gods
disjecta membra Scattered remains
do ut des I give that you may give
docendo discimus We learn by teaching
Dominus vobiscum The Lord be with you
domus et placens uxor Home and the good wife
Donec eris felix, multos numerabis amicos As long as you are fortunate, you will have many friends
dramatis personae The characters of the play
dulce est desipere in loco It is pleasant to play the fool at times
dulce et decorum est pro patria mori It is sweet and glorius to die for one’s country
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori It is sweet and fitting to die for the Fatherland
dum spiro, spero While I breathe, I hope
Dum spiro, spero Where theres life, theres hope
dum vivimus, vivamus Let us live while we live
durante vita During life
Dux femina facti A woman was the leader of the deed
e pluribus unum One out of, or composed of, many
E pluribus unum One out of many
e re nata According to the exigency
ecce homo Behold the man
ego et rex meus My king and I
eheu! fugaces labuntur anni. Alas! our fleeting years pass away
elapso tempore The time having elapsed
eo animo With that design
eo nomine By that name
epulis accumbere divum To sit down at the banquet of the gods
Errare humanum est To err is human
esse quam videri To be, rather than to seem
est modus in rebus There is a middle course in all things
esto perpetua Let it endure forever
esto quod esse videris Be what you seem to be
et caetera And the rest
et id genus omne And everything of the sort
Et nunc, reges, intelligite; erudimini, qui judicati terram And now, kings, understand; you who decide the fate of the Earth, educate yourselves
et sequentes, et sequentia And those that follow
et sic de caeteris And so of the rest
et sic de similibus And so of similar things
Et tu, Brute You too, Brutus
eventus stultorum magister Fools must be taught by experience
ex abundantia Out of the abundance
ex adverso From the opposite side
ex aequo et bono According to what is right and good
ex animo Heartily
ex capite From the head
ex cathedra From the chair or pulpit
ex concesso From what has been conceded
ex curia Out of court
ex delicto From the crime
Ex Deo nascimur, in Jesu mortimur, per spiritum sanctum reviviscimus From god we are born, in Jesus we die, by the Holy Spirit we live again
ex facto jus oritur The law arises from the fact
ex mera gratia Through mere favour
ex mero motu Of his own free will
ex necessitate rei From the urgency of the case
ex officio By virtue of office
ex parte On one part or side
ex post facto After the deed is done
Ex post facto Resulting after the fact
ex quocunque capite For whatever reason
ex tacito Tacitly
ex tempore Off hand
ex ungue leonem You may tell the lion by his claws
excelsior Higher
exceptio probat regulam The exception proves the rule
exceptis excipiendis Due allowances having been made
Exegi monumentum aere perennius I have raised a monument more durable than bronze
exempla sunt odiosa Examples are offensive
exempli gratia By way of example
exeunt omnes All go out
exeunt They go out
exitus acta probat The result justifies the deed
experientia docet stultos Experience teaches even fools
experimentum crucis A crucial test
experto crede Believe one who has tried it, or who speaks from experience
expertus meduit Having had experience of it, he dreads it
expressis verbis In express terms
extinctus amabitur idem The same man will be loved after his death
extra muros Outside the walls
faber fortunae suae a self-made man
faber quisque fortunae suae Every man is the architect of his own fortune
fac simile An exact imitation
facile est inventis addere It is easy to improve what has been already invented
facile princeps The acknowledged chief
Facilis descensus averno The descent to Hell is easy
faenum habet in cornu beware of him
faex populi The scum of the population
fama clamosa A current scandal
fama nihil est celerius Nothing travels more swiftly than scandal
fama semper vivat May his fame last forever
fas est et ab hoste doceri It is right to be taught even by an enemy
fata obstant The Fates oppose
fata viam invenient The Fates will find out a way
fax mentis incendium gloriae The passion for glory is the torch of the mind
felicitas multos habet amicos Prosperity has many friends
Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas Fortunate is he who has been able to learn the causes of things
felo de se a suicide
ferae naturae Of a wild nature
festina lente Make haste slowly
Festina lente Hurry slowly
fiat experimentum in corpore vili Let the experiment be made on a body of no value
fiat justitia ruat caelum Let justice be done though the heavens should fail
Fiat lux Let there be light
fide et amore By faith and love
fide et fiducia By fidelity and confidence
fide et fortitudine By fidelity and fortitude
fide, non armis By faith, not by force of arms
fide, sed cui vide Trust, but see whom you are trusting
fidei coticula crux The cross is the touchstone of faith
fidei defensor Defender of the faith
fides et justitia Fidelity and justice
fides Punica treachery
fidus et audax Faithful and bold
fieri facias A legal paper authorizing execution on the goods of a debtor
filius nullius an illegitimate son
filius terrae one of low origin
finis coronat opus The end crowns the work
flagrante bello While the war was raging
flagrante delicto In the commission of the crime
flamma fumo est proxima where there’s smoke there’s fire
flecti, non frangi To be bent, not broken
flosculi sententiarum Flowers of fine thoughts
Fluctuat nec mergitur It is tossed by the waves but it does not sink
fons et origo malorum The source and origin of our miseries
forte scutum salus ducum A strong shield is the safety of leaders
fortes fortuna juvat Fortune favors the brave
forti et fideli nihil difficile Nothing is difficult to the brave and faithful
fortiter et recte With fortitude and rectitude
fortiter in re With firmness in action
fortiter, fideliter, feliciter Boldly, faithfully, successfully
fortuna favet fatuis Fortune favors fools
Fortuna favet fortibus Fortune favours the brave
fortunae filius A spoiled child of Fortune
frangas, non flectes You may break me, but you shall not bend me
fruges consumere nati born only to eat
fugit irreparabile tempus Irrecoverable time glides away
functus officio Having discharged his duties
furor arma ministrat one uses any weapon in a rage
furor loquendi A rage for speaking
furor scribendi A rage for writing
gaudeamus igitur Therefore let us rejoice
gaudet tentamine virtus Virtue rejoices in temptation
genius loci The genius or presiding spirit of the place
gloria in excelsis Deo Glory to God in the highest
gloria Patri Glory be to the Father
Gloria victis Glory to the defeated
glossa diple A double tongue
gradu diverso, via una The same road by different steps
gratia placendi For the sake of pleasing
gratis dictum Mere assertion
graviora manent the worst is yet to come
graviora quaedam sunt remedia periculis Some remedies are worse than the disease
Habeas corpus Produce the body
Haec veritas est This is the truth
haud longis intervallis At frequent intervals
helluo librorum A devourer of books
heu pietas! heu prisca fides Alas! for piety! Alas! for our ancient faith
hic et ubique Here and everywhere
hic jacet Here lies
hic labor, hoc opus est Here is labor, here is toil
hinc illae lacrimoe Hence these tears
Hoc opus, hic labor est This is work, this is toil!
hodie mihi, cras tibi It is my lot today, yours to-morrow
homo multarum literarum A man of many letters
homo solus aut deus aut daemon A man to live alone must be either a god or a devil
homo sum; humani nihil a me alienum puto I am a man; and I consider nothing that concerns mankind a matter of indifference to me
honores mutant mores Honors change manners
honos habet onus Honor is burdened with responsibility
horresco referens I shudder as I tell the story
hortus siccus an herbarium
humanum est errare To err is human
hunc tu caveto Beware of him
id genus orarte All that class
Ignorantia legis neminem excusat Ignorance of the law is no excuse
ignorantia non excusat legem Ignorance is no plea against the law
ignoratio elenchi Ignorance of the point in dispute
ignoti nulla cupido There is no desire for that which is unknown
ignotum per ignotius (To explain) a thing not understood by one still less understood
Ilias malorum a host of evils
Illiud Latine dici non potest You can’t say that in Latin
imitatores, servum pecus a servile herd
immedicabile vulnus An incurable wound
imo pectore From the bottom of one’s heart
impari marte With unequal military strength
impedimenta Luggage
impertum in imperio A government existing within another
implicite By implication
impos animi Of weak mind
in actu in reality
in aequilibrio In equilibrium
in aeternum For ever
in articulo mortis At the point of death
in caelo quies There is rest in heaven
in camera in secret
in capite In chief
in curia In court
in dubio In doubt
in esse In being
in extenso At length
in extremis In very bad circumstances
in flagrante delicto In the commission of the act
in forma pauperis As a poor man
in futuro In future
In hoc signo vinces In this sign you shall conquer
in limine On the threshold
in loco parentis In the place of a parent
in loco upon the spot
in medias res In the very midst of things
in memoriam In memory of
in nomine In the name of
in nuce In a nutshell
in omnia paratus Prepared for all things
in pace In peace
in perpetuam rei memoriam In everlasting remembrance of the event
in perpetuum For ever
in pleno In full
in posse In possible existence
in propria persona In one’s own person
in puris naturalibus stark naked
in re In the matter of
in rerum natura In the nature of things
in saecula saeculorum For ever
in situ In its proper position
in statu quo In its former state
in suspenso In suspense
in te, Domine, speravi In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust
in terrorem In terror
in totidem verbis In so many words
in toto In the whole
in transitu in course of transit
in utroque fidelis Faithful in both
in vacuo In a vacuum
in vino veritas In wine there is truth
infra dignitatem Beneath one’s dignity
inopem copia fecit Abundance has made him poor
Intelligenti pauca Few words suffice for he who understands
inter alia Among other things
inter arma leges silent In the time of war the laws are silent
inter canem et lupum twilight
inter nos Between ourselves
inter se Amongst themselves
inter spem et metum Between hope and fear
interdum vulgus rectum videt Sometimes the rabble see what is right
intra muros Within the walls
intra parietes private
inverso ordine In an inverse order
ipse dixit He himself has said it
ipsissima verba The identical words
ipso facto By the fact itself
Ipso facto By that very fact
ipso jure By the law itself
ira furor brevis est Anger is a brief madness
Ira furor brevis est Anger is a brief madness
Ita diis placuit Thus it pleased the gods
ita est It is so
Ita est Thus it is
ita lex scripta est Such is the written law
jacta alea est The die is cast
januis clausis With closed doors
joci causa For the sake of a joke
jucundi acti labores The remembrances of past labor is sweet
judicium Dei The judgment of God
judicium parium aut leges terrae the laws of the land
jure divino By divine law
jure humano By human law
juris peritus One learned in the law
jus civile The civil law
jus divinum The divine law
jus et norma loquendi The law and rule of speech
jus gentium The law of nations
jus gladii The right of the sword
jus possessionis The right of possession
jus proprietatis The right of property
jus summum saepe summa malitia est Extreme law is often extreme wrong
labitur et labetur in omne volubilis aevum It glides on, and will glide on for ever
labor ipse voluptas Labor itself is a pleasure
labor omnia vincit Labor overcomes all difficulties
Labor omnia vincit Work conquers all
laborare est orare Work is prayer
laborum dulce lenimen The sweet solace of our labors
lapis philosophorum The philosopher’s stone
lapsus calami A slip of the pen
lapsus linguae A slip of the tongue
lapsus memoriae A slip of the memory
lares et penates Household gods
Latine loqui coactus sum I have this compulsion to speak Latin
laudator tempotis acti One who praises the good old days
laudum immensa cupido An insatiable desire for praise
laus Deo Praise to God
lector benevole Kind, or gentle, reader
Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus We are slaves of the law so that we may be able to be free
lex loci The law of the place
lex non scripta The common law
lex scripta The statute law
lex talionis The law of retaliation
lex terrae The law of the land
Libenter homines id quod volunt credunt Men gladly believe that which they wish for
licentia vatum The licence allowed to poets
lis letem generat Strife begets strife
lite pendente During the trial
litem lite resolvere To settle strife by strife
litera scripta manet The written character remains
loci communes Common places
loco citato In the place quoted
locus classicus A classical passage
locus criminis The scene of the crime
locus in quo The place in which
longo intervallo By or with a long interval
lucri causa For the sake of gain
lupus est homo homini one man preys on another
lupus in fabula talk of the devil and he will appear
lusus naturae A freak of nature
magister ceremoniarum A master of the ceremonies
magna civitas, magna solitudo A great city is a great solitude
magna est veritas et praevalebit Truth is mighty, and will prevail
magna est vis consuetudinis Great is the power of habit
magnas inter opes inops Poor in the midst of great wealth
magnum bonum A great good
magnum opus A great undertaking
magnum vectigal est parsimonia Thrift is itself a good income
Major e longinquo reverentia Greater reverence from afar.
mala fide With bad faith
mali exempli Of a bad example
mali principii malus finis The bad end of a bad beginning
malis avibus with bad omens
malo modo In an evil manner
malus pudor False shame
manibus pedibusque tooth and nail
manu forti With a strong hand
manu propria With one’s own hand
mare clausum A closed sea
mars gravior sub pace latet A more serious warfare is concealed by seeming peace
materiem superabat opus The workmanship was more valuable than the raw material
me judice in my opinion
Medice, cur ate ipsum Physician, heal yourself
medio tutissimus ibis You will travel safest in a middle course
mediocria firma Moderate things are surest
memor et fidelis Mindful and faithful
memoria in aeterna In eternal remembrance
mens sana in corpore sano A sound mind in a healthy body
Mens sana in corpore sano A sound mind in a sound body
Mens sana non potest vivre in corpere sicco A healthy mind cannot live in a dry body
mens sibi conscia recti A mind conscious of its own rectitude
meo periculo At my own risk
meo voto At my own wish
Mihi crede et mecum in aeternitate vivebis Believe me and you will live with me in eternity
mihi cura futuri My care is for the future
Mihi ignosce. Cum homine de cane debeo congredi Excuse me. I’ve got to see a man about a dog
mirabile dictu Wonderful to relate
mirabile visu Wonderful to see
modo et forma In manner and form
modus operandi The manner of working
Modus operandi Method of operation
mollia empora fandi The favourable moment for speaking
more majorum After the manner of our ancestors
more suo In his usual manner
Morituri te salutamus We who are about to die salute you
mors janua vitae Death is the gate of [everlasting] life
mors omnibus communis Death is common to all men
mos pro lege Usage has the force of law
motu proprio Of his own accord
multum in parvo Much in little
mutatis mutandis The necessary changes being made
mutato nomine, de te fabula narratur With a mere change of name the story is acceptable to you
nascimur poetae, fimus oratores We are born poets, we become orators by training
natale solum The land of one’s birth
naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret Though you may drive out nature with a pitchfork, she will always come back
ne (non) plus ultra Nothing further
ne cede malis, seal contra audentior ito Do not yield to misfortunes; on the contrary, go more boldly to meet them
ne fronti crede Don’t trust to appearances
ne puero gladium Do not entrust a sword to a boy
ne tentes, aut perfice Do not attempt, or carry it out thoroughly
nec mors, nec requies Neither delay, nor rest
nec prece, nec pretio Neither by entreaty nor bribery
nec scire fas est omnia We are not allowed to know all things
nec temere, nec timide Neither rashly nor timidly
necessitas non habet legem Necessity knows no law
nefasti dies Unlucky days
nemine contradicente No one contradicting
nemine dissentiente No one dissenting
Nemo est supra leges No one is above the law
nemo fuit repente turpissimus No man becomes a villain all at once
nemo me impune lacessit No one provokes me with impunity
nemo mortalium omnibus boris sapit No man is wise at all times
Nemo sine vitio est No one is without fault
nemo solus satis sapit No man is sufficiently wise of himself
nervi belli pecunia Money is the sinews of war
nihil tetigit quod non ornavit He touched nothing without embellishing it
nil admirari To be astonished at nothing
nil conscire sibi, nulla pallescere culpa To be conscious of no fault, to turn pale at no accusation
nil desperandum never despair
nil nisi cruce no reward without suffering
nimium ne crede colori Do not trust too much to your good looks
nisi Dominus, frustra Unless the Lord is with us, our labor is vain
nitor in adversum I strive against opposition
nobilitas sola est atque unica virtus Virtue is the true and only nobility
nolens volens Whether willing or not
noli me tangere Touch me not
Nolo contendere No contest
Non compos mentis Not mentally competent
non deficiente crumena While the money lasts
non est inventus He is not found
non ignara mali, miseris succurrere disco Not unacquainted with misfortune, I learn to assist the wretched
non libet It does not please me
Non licet omnibus adire Corinthum Not everyone is permitted to go to Corinth
non multa, sed multum Not many things, but much
non nobis solum nati sumus We are not born for ourselves alone
non omne licitum honestum Every lawful act is not necessarily honorable
Non omnia possumus omnes We cannot all do everything
non omnis possumus omnes We cannot, all of us, do everything
non passibus aequis Not with equal steps
non quis, sed quid Not who, but what
non sequitur It does not follow
non sibi, sed patriae Not for himself, but for his native land
non sum qualis eram I am not what I once was
nosce te ipsum Know yourself
Nosce te ipsum Know thy self
noscitur e sociis A man is known by the company he keeps
nota bene Mark well
novus homo a new man
nudis verbis In plain words
nulli secundus Second to none
Nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuit There has not been any great talent without an element of madness
nunc aut nunquam Now or never
Nunc est bibendum Now it is time to drink
nunquam minus solus quam cum solus Never less alone than when alone
O fortunates nimium, sua si bona norint agricolas Oh! blessed beyond all bliss are the farmers, if they but knew their happiness.
O fortunatos nimium, sua si bona norint O more than happy, if they only knew their advantages
O tempora! o mores! Oh! the times! Oh! the morals!
obiit He (or she) died
obiter dictum A thing said incidentally
obscurum per obscurius Explaining an obscurity by something still more obscure
oderint dum metuant Let them hate so long as they fear
odium theologicum The hatred of theologians
officina gentium The workshop of the world
ohe! iam satis Oh! There is now enough
omne ignotum pro magnifico Everything unknown is taken for magnificent
omne solam forti patria est Every land is a brave man’s home
omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci He has gained every point who has mixed the useful and the agreeable
omnem movere lapidem To turn every stone
omnia ad Dei gloriam All things for the glory of God
omnia mors aequat Death levels all distinctions
omnia mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis All things are subject to change and we change with them
omnia vincit amor, nos et cedamus amori Love conquers all things, let us too yield to love
Omnia vincit amor Love conquers all
omnia vincit labor Labor conquers all things
omnis amans amens Every lover is demented
Omnium rerum principia parva sunt Everything has a small beginning.
Onus probandi The burden of proof
operae pretium est It is worth while
ora et labora Pray and work
ora pro nobis Pray for us
orate pro anima Pray for the soul (of)
orator fit, poeta nascitur The orator is made; the poet is born
ore rotundo With loud resounding voice
otiosa sedulitas Laborious trifling
otium cum dignitate Ease with dignity
otium sine dignitate Ease without dignity
Otium sine litteris mors est et himinis vivi sepultura Leisure without literature is death, or rather the burial of a living man
pace tua By your leave
pace By leave of
pacta conventa The conditions agreed on
pallida mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas regumque turres Pale Death, with impartial foot, knocks at the cottages of the poor and the palaces of kings
palmam qui meruit ferat Let him bear the palm who has deserved it
Panem et circenses Bread and circuses
par negotiis neque supra Equal to, but not above his business
par nobile fratrum A noble pair of brothers
pars pro toto The part for the whole
particeps criminis An accessory in the crime
parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus The mountains are in labor; a ridiculous mouse will be born
parva componere magnis To compare small things with great ones
pater familias The father of the family
pater noster Our father
pater patriae The father of his country
patris gar esti pas’ hin an pratte tis en Every land where a man is successful is his native land
pax orbis terrarum the sovereignty of the world
Pax Romana The Peace of Rome
pax vobiscum Peace be with you
Pax vobiscum Peace be with you
per ambages By circuitous ways
per angusta ad augusta Through trial to triumph
Per aspera ad astra Through adversity to the stars
Per diem Per day
per fas et nefas Through right and wrong
per gradus Gradually
per interim In the meantime
per mare, per terras By sea and land
per saltum By a leap
per se for its own sake
Perfer at obdura; dolor hic tibi proderit olim Be patient and tough; one day this pain will be useful to you
periculum in mora There is danger in delay
petitio principii A begging of the question
placet It seems right
Plaudite cives! Applaud, citizens!
pondere, non numero By weight, not by number
pons asinorum The bridge of asses
populus vult decipi, decipiatur The people wish to be deceived, let them be deceived
post bellum auxilium Aid after the war
praemonitus, praemunitus Forwarned, forearmed
Prehende uxorem meam, sis! Take my wife, please
prima facie At the first glance
principiis obsta Resist the first advances
prior tempore, prior jure first come first served
pro bono publico For the public good
pro Deo et ecclesia For God and the Church
pro forma As a matter of form
pro memoria As a memorial
pro rege, lege, grege For the king, the law, and the people
Pro tempore For the time being
probatum est It is proved
probitas laudatur et alget Honesty is praised, and left to starve
proh pudor For shame
Publicam bonum privato est praeferendumont The public good is preferred to the private good
quae fuerunt vitia mores sunt What were once vices are now in fashion
quae nocent, docent Things which injure, instruct
Quaedam iura non scripta sed omnibus scriptis certiora sunt Some laws are unwritten but they are better established than all written ones
qualis ab incepto processerit et sibi constet as he begins, let him go on, and be consistent with himself
qualis rex, talis grex Like king, like people
qualis vita, finis ira As life is, so will its end be
quamdiu se bene gesserit As long as he behaves himself
Quando omni flunkus moritati When all else fails, play dead.
quanti est sapere How valuable is wisdom
quantum libet As much as you like
quantum meruit As much as he deserved
quantum mutatus ab illo How changed from what he was
quem di diligunt adolescens moritur He whom the gods love dies young
Qui habet aures audiendi audiat He who has ears, let him understand how to listen
qui nimium probat, nihil probat He who proves too much proves nothing
Qui non est hodie cras minus aptus erit He who is not prepared today will be less so tomorrow
qui non proficit, deficit He who does not advance, loses ground
qui tacet consentire videtur He who keeps silent is assumed to consent
qui timide rogat docet negare He who asks timidly courts denial
quid faciendum? What is to be done?
Quid novi? What’s new?
quid nunc? What now?
quid pro quo One thing for another
Quid quid latine dictum sit, altum videtur Whatever is said in Latin sounds profound.
quid rides? Why do you laugh?
quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Who shall keep the keepers?
Quis, quod, ui, quibus auxiliis, cur, quomodo, quando? Who, what, where, in what ways, why how and when?
quo animo With what intention
quo fas et gloria ducunt Where duty and glory lead
quo fata vocant Whither the Fates call
Quo vadis Whither goest thou?
quoad hoc To this extent
quocunque modo In whatever manner
quocunque nomine Under whatever name
quod avertat Deus! God forbid!
quod bene notandum Which is to be especially noted
Quod erat demomstrandum Which was to be demonstrated
quod erat demonstrandum Which was to be proved
quod erat faciendum Which was to be done
quod hoc sibi vult? What does this mean?
Quod me nutrit me destruit What nourishes me also destroys me
Quomodo vales How are you?
quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat Those whom God wills to destroy he first deprives of their senses
Quot capita, tot sensus There are as many opinions as there are heads
quot homines, tot sententiae Many men, many minds
Quot hominess, tot sententiae There are as many opinions as there are people
Quousque tandem? How long?
Radix lecti Couch potato
ratione soli According to the soil
re infecta The business being unfinished
recte et suaviter Justly and mildly
rectus in curia Upright in court
Redde Caesari quae sunt Caesaris Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s
relata refero I tell the tale as I heard it
religio loci The spirit of the place
rem acu tetigisti you have described it accurately
remis velisque with all one’s might
requiescat in pace May he rest in peace
res angusta domi limited means
res est sacra miser A man in distress is a sacred object
res gestae exploits
res judicata A matter decided
respice finem Look to the end
resurgam I shall rise again
ride si sapis Laugh if you are wise
ridere in sromacho To laugh inwardly
ruat caelum Let the heavens fall
Ruber et Niger Red and Black
rudis indigestaque moles A rude and undigested mass
rus in urbe A residence in or near town
Saepe creat molles aspera spina rosas Often the prickly thorn produces tender roses.
sah,o lure Without prejudice
salvo pudore Without offense to modesty
sapere aude Dare to be wise
sat cito, si sat bene Quickly enough if well enough
satis eloquentiae, sapientiae parurn Eloquence enough, but too little wisdom
satis superque Enough, and more than enough
secundum artem According to the rules of art
semel abbas, semper abbas Once an abbot, always an abbot
semel insanivimus omnes We have all been mad at some time
semper avarus eget The avaricious man is always in want
Semper fidelis Always faithful
semper idem Always the same
semper paratus Always prepared
semper timidum scelus Crime is always fearful
Sempre ubi sub ubi Always where under where
Sentio aliquos togatos contra me conspirare I think some people in togas are plotting against me
sepultus buried
sequiturque patrem, non passibus aequis He follows his father, but not with equal steps
sero venientibus ossa The bones for those who come late
serus in caelum redeas May it be long before you return to heaven
Serva me, servabo te Serve me and I will serve you
servare modum To keep within bounds
si Deus nobiscum, quis contra nos? If God is with us, who shall be against us?
Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes If you can read this you’re overeducated
si monumenturn requiris, circumspice If you seek my monument, look around
si parva licet comportere magnis If it be lawful to compare small things with great
si vis pacem, para bellum If you wish for peace, prepare for war
Si vis pacem, para bellum If you want peace, prepare for war
Sic ad nauseam And so on to the point of causing nausea
sic eunt fata hominum Thus go the destinies of men
sic itur ad astra Thus do we reach the stars
sic passim So in various places
sic semper tyrannis Ever thus to tyrants
sic transit gloria mundi So the glory of this world passes away
Sic transit gloria mundi Thus passes away the glory of the world
sic volo, sic jubeo, stat pro ratione voluntas Thus I will, thus I command, my pleasure stands for a reason
sicut ante As before
sicut patribus, sit Deus nobis May God be with us, as he was with our fathers
sile et philosophus esto Hold your tongue and you will pass for a philosopher
Silent leges inter arma During war, the laws are silent
simili gaudet simili Like loves like
similia similibus curantur Like things are cured by like
simplex munditiis Simple, in neat attire
sine cura Without care or change
sine dubio Without doubt
sine mora Without delay
sine praejudicio Without prejudice
sine qua non an indispensable condition
Singularis Porcus Wild boar
Sol lucet omnibus The sun shines for everyone
solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant They make a wilderness and call it peace
Sona si Latine loqueris Honk if you speak Latin
spes sibi quisque Let each man’s hope be in himself
sponte sua Spontaneously
sta, viator, heroem calcas Stop, traveler, thou treadest on a hero’s dust
stat magni nominis umbra He stands the shadow of a mighty name
status quo ante bellum The state in which the belligerents were before war commenced
status quo The state in which
stemmata quid faciunt? Of what value are pedigrees?
studium immane loquendi An insatiable desire for talking
sua cuique voluptas Every man has his own pleasures
suaviter in modo, fortiter in re Gentle in manner, resolute in execution
sub colore juris Under color of law
sub paena Under a penalty
sub rosa secretly
sub silentio In silence
sub specie Under the appearance of
sub voce Under such or such a word
sublata causa, tollitur effectus The effect ceases when the cause is removed
sui generis unique
summum jus, summa injuria est The rigor of the law is the height of oppression
sumptibus publicis At the public expense
suo marte. By his own powers or skill
suppressio veri, suggestio falsi The suppression of the truth is the suggestion of a falsehood
surgit amari aliquid Something bitter arises
Sursum corda Lift up your hearts
suum cuique Let each have his own
suus cuique mos Every one has his own particular habit
tangere ulcus to reopen a wound
tantaene animis caelestibus irae Can such anger dwell in heavenly minds?
Tarditas et procrastinatio odiosa est Delay and procrastination is hateful
telum imbelle sine ictu A weak argument
tempori parendum We must move with the times
tempus edax rerurn Time the devourer of all things
tempus fugit Time flies
tempus omnia revelat Time reveals all things
tenax propositi Firm of purpose
teres atque rotundus A man polished and complete
terra firma the continent
terra incognita An unknown land
teste By the evidence of
timeo Danaos et dona ferentes I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts
Timeo Danaos et Dona ferentes I fear the Greeks even when bearing gifts
tot homines, quot sententiae So many men, so many minds
trahit sua quemque voluptas Each man is led by his own taste
transeat in exemplum Let it pass into a precedent
trium literarum homo a thief
truditur dies die One day follows hard on another
Tu quoque fili You too, son!
uberrima fides Implicit faith
ubi bene ibi patria Where one is well off, there is his country
ubi jus incertum, ibi jus nullurn Where the law is uncertain, there is no law
ubi mel ibi apea Where the honey is, there are the bees
Ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant Where they create desolation, they call it peace
ubi tres medici, duo athei Where there are three physicians there are two atheists
ultima ratio regum The last argument of kings
Un idea perplexi na The idea is strange to us
unguibus et rostro With claws and beak
unguis in ulcere A nail in the wound
Unitate, fortior In unity, stronger
usque ad nauseam To disgust
usus loquendi Usage in speaking
ut infra As stated or cited below
ut supra As stated or cited above
uti possidetis As you now possess
Uti, non abuti To use, not abuse
Utinam barbari spatium proprium tuum invadant May barbarians invade your personal space
vade in pace Go in peace
Vade retro Get thee behind me
vae victis Woe to the conquered
Vae victo, vae victis Woe to the vanquished men, woe to the vanquished people
Vah! Denuone Latine loquebar? Me ineptum. Interdum modo elabitur Oh! Was I speaking Latin again? Silly me. Sometimes it just sort of slips out
valeat quantum valere potest Let it pass for what it is worth
Vanitas vanitatum et omnia vanitas Vanity of vanities, all is vanity
variae lectiones Various readings
varium et mutabile semper femina Woman is always a changeable and capricious thing
veluti in speculum As in a mirror
venalis populus, venalis curia patrum The people and the senators are equally venal
vendidit hic auro patriam He sold his country for gold
Veni vidi vici I came, I saw, I conquered
venia necessitati datur necessity has no law
venienti occurrite morbo prevention is better than cure
venit summa dies et ineluctabile tempus The last day has come, and the inevitable doom
ventis secundis With favorable winds
vera incessu patuit dea She stood revealed, an undoubted goddess in her walk
Verbum sapienti sat A word to the wise is sufficient
verbum sat sapienti A word is sufficient for a wise man
veritas odium parit Truth begets hatred
Veritas odium parit Truth breeds hatred
veritatis simplex oratio est The language of truth is simple
vestigia … nulla retrorsum no stepping back
Vestis virum reddit The clothes make the man
vexata quaestio A disputed question
vi et armis By main force
via media A middle course
via trita, via tutissima The beaten path is safest
Victrix causa deis placuit, sed victa Catoni The victorious cause pleased the gods, the defeated one pleased Cato
Victurus te saluto He who is about to win salutes you
Video meliora proboque deteriora sequor I see the better way and approve it, but I follow the worse way
video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor I see and approve the better course, but I follow the worse
vilius argentum est auro, virtutibus aurum Silver is of less value than gold, gold than virtue
vincet amor patriae The love of country will prevail
Vinum et musica laetificant cor Wine and music gladden the heart
vir bonus dicendi peritus A good man skilled in the art of speaking
viresque acquirit eundo Rumor gains strength as she travels
virtute officii By virtue of one’s office
virum volitare per ora To hover on the lips of men
vis comica Comic power or talent
Vis comica Sense of humour
vis consilii expers mole ruit sua Force, without judgment, fails by its own weight
vita hominis sine literis mors est The life of man without literature is death
vitam impendere vero To risk one’s life for the truth
vix ea nostra voco I scarcely call these things our own
volenti non fit injuria No injury is done to a consenting party
vox clamantis in deserto The voice of one crying in the wilderness
vox et praeterea nihil A voice and nothing more
vox faucibus haesit His voice died in his throat
Vox populi vox Dei The voice of the people is the voice of God
vultus animi janua et tabula The countenance is the portrait and picture of the mind
zonam perdidit He has lost his purse

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