Here’s a list of popular and well-known Latin maxims from various sources.

If you have a correction or contribution, please email me or leave a comment.

Latin maxims

Ab ovo usque ad mala

From the egg right to the apple (i.e. from the beginning to the end). (Horatius, Ars poetica)

Abiit, excessit, evasit, erupit

He has left, absconded, escaped and disappeared. (Cicero, In Catilinam)

Accipere quam facere praestat injuriam

It is better to suffer an injustice than to do an injustice. (Cicero, Tusculanae disputationes)

Acta est fabula, plaudite!

The play is over, applaud! (Suetonius, Vitae Caesarum, Divus Augustus. Said to have been emperor Augustus' last words. The phrase was often used at the end of Roman plays, to let the audience know that they had reached the end of the piece.)

Ad Kalendas Graecas

Until the Greek Kalendae. (Suetonius, Vitae Caesarum, Divus Augustus. To postpone something "ad Kalendas Graecas" meant it would never be done - the Roman name Kalendae for the first day of the month didn't have a Greek equivalent.)

Ad nocendum potentes sumus

We have the power to harm. (Seneca Philosophus, De ira)

Aegroto, dum anima est, spes esse dicitur

It is said that for a sick man, there is hope as long as there is life. (Cicero, Ad Atticum)

Aequam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem

Remember, when life's path is steep, to keep your mind even. (Horatius, Carmina)

Agnosco veteris vestigia flammae

I recognize the vestige of that fading flame. (Vergilius, Aenis)

Aliena nobis, nostra plus aliis placent

We like other people's (things) the best; others like ours. (Publilius Syrus)

Aliis si licet, tibi non licet

Even though it is permitted for others, it isn't permitted for you. (Terentius, Heautontimorumenos. Cf. quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi and duo cum faciunt idem, non est idem.)

Amantium irae, amoris integratio est

The anger of lovers is what brings love together. (N/A)

Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur

A sure friend shows himself in the uncertain. (A friend in need is a friend indeed.) (Ennius, quoted by Cicero.)

Amicus curiae

Friend of the court (N/A; legal maxim referring to a party that is allowed to provide information to a court even though the party is not directly involved in the case at hand.)

Amicus verus est rara avis

A true friend is a rare bird. (N/A)

Amor animi arbitrio sumitur, non ponitur

We choose to love, we do not choose to cease loving. (Publilius Syrus)

Amor et melle et felle est fecundissimus

Love is rich with both honey and venom. (Plautus, Cistellaria)

Amor vincit omnia et nos cedamus amori

Love conquers all and let us yield to love. (Vergilius, Eclogae)

Aquila non captat muscas

The eagle doesn't capture flies. (N/A)

Argentum accepti, dote imperium vendidi

I have accepted the money and for a dowry sold my freedom. (Plautus, Asinaria)

Ars longa, vita brevis

Art is long, life is short. (Seneca Philosophus, De brevitate vitae)

At non effugies meos iambos

But you cannot escape my iambi. (Catullus, fragments)

At vindicta bonum vita iucundius ipsa

But revenge is sweeter than life itself. (Juvenalis, Saturae)

Audentes fortuna iuvat

Fortune favors the brave. (Vergilius, Aenis)

Audiatur et altera pars

May the other part also be heard. (N/A. Cf. Qui statuit aliquid parte inaudita altera, aequum licet statuerit.)

Augescunt aliae gentes, aliae minuuntur; inque brevi spatio mutantur saecia animantum et quasi cursores vitae lampada tradunt

Some people increase, others diminish; and in a short space, the generations of living creatures are changed and like runners pass on the torch of life. (Lucretius, De Rerum Natura)

Aurora Musis amica

Dawn is friend of the muses. (Early bird catches the worm.) (N/A)

Ave, imperator, morituri te salutant

Hail, emperor, those who will die salute you. (Suetonius, Vitae Caesarum, Claudius. The fighters' greeting to the emperor before gladiatorial games.)

Bellaque matribus detestata

The war, hated by mothers. (Horatius, Carmina)

Bene qui latuit, bene vixit

One who lives well, lives unnoticed. (Ovidius, Tristia)

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. (From the Sanctus of the Catholic mass.)

Beneficium accipere libertatem est vendere

To accept a favor is to sell freedom. (Publilius Syrus)

Bibamus, moriendum est

Let us drink, death is inevitable. (Seneca Rhetor, Controversiae)

Bibere humanum est, ergo bibamus

To drink is human, let us therefore drink. (N/A)

Bis dat qui cito dat

He gives twice, who gives promptly. (Publilius Syrus)

Brevis ipsa vita est sed malis fit longior

Our life is short but is made longer by misfortunes.

Caelum, non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt

They change the sky, but not their souls, who hasten across the sea. (Horatius, Epistulae)

Canis timidus vehementius latrat quam mordet

A timid dog barks more violently than it bites. (Curtius Rufus)

Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero!

Pluck the day; do not expect anything from tomorrow! (Horatius, Carmina)

Cave canem!

Beware of the dog! (Inscription at the entry of Roman houses.)

Caveat emptor

Buyer beware (N/A)

Cedant arma togae, concedat laurea laudi

May arms yield to the toga (the gown of peace), may the glory of war give way to the glory of peaceful feats. (Cicero, Poetica fragmenta)

Certum est, quia impossibile

It is certain, because it is impossible. (Tertullianus, De carne Christi. Later in the form Credo, quia absurdum - I believe, although it is absurd.)

Cito enim arescit lacrima, praesertim in alienis malis

Tears dry quickly, especially when they are for others' misfortunes. (Cicero, De partitione oratoria)

Cogitationis poenam nemo patitur

Nobody should be punished for his thoughts. (Corpus Iuris Civilis. Cf. liberae sunt nostrae cogitationes.)

Commodum ex iniuria sua nemo habere debet

No person ought to have advantage from his own wrong. (N/A)

Concordia parvae res crescunt, discordia maximae dilabuntur

Through unity the small thing grows, through disunity the largest thing crumbles. (Sallustius, Jugurtha)

Coniecturalem artem esse medicinam

Medicine is the art of guessing. (Aulus Cornelius Celsus, De medicina)

Consuetudinis magna vis est

The force of habit is great. (Cicero, Tusculanae disputationes)

Consuetudo quasi altera natura

Habit is our second nature. (Cicero, De finibus)

Contraria contrariis curantur.

The opposite is cured with the opposite. (Hippocrates)

Contumeliam si dices, audies

If you insult, you will be insulted. Plautus, Pseudolus)

Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges

The more corrupt the state is, the more numerous are the laws. (Tacitus, Annales)

Credo certe ne cras

I believe with certainty that there is no tomorrow. (A famous tomb inscription.)

Crescit amor nummi, quantum ipsa pecunia crevit

The love of wealth grows as the wealth itself grows. (Juvenalis, Saturae)

Cui bono?

To whose profit? (Cicero, Pro Milone)

Cui peccare licet peccat minus

One who is allowed to sin, sins less. (Ovidius, Amores)

Cui placet obliviscitur, cui dolet meminit

He forgets that which pleases him, but remembers the pain he suffers. (Cicero, Pro Murena)

Cuiusvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare

Anybody can err, but only the fool persists in his fault. (Cicero, Philippicae orationes. Often quoted errare humanum est, ignoscere divinum - to err is human, to forgive divine.)

Cum grano salis

With a grain of salt (Plinius the Elder?)

Cum tacent, clamant

When they are silent, they cry out. (Cicero, In Catalinam)

Cura posterior

A later concern. (N/A)

De gustibus non est disputandum

You should not argue about taste. (N/A)

De mortuis nihil nisi bene

Nothing but good about the dead. (Cheilon of Sparta; quoted by Horatius)

De nihilo nihil

Nothing comes from nothing. (Lucretius, De rerum natura)

Deus ex machina

A god from the machine. (Originally an expression from the ancient Greek theater, where the conflict often was solved by a god who entered the stage with the help of some kind of machinery. Today often used in a transferred sense about an unexpected and unlikely denouement of a dramatic situation.)

Deus nobiscum, quis contra?

If God is for us, who can be against us? (Versio Vulgata, Rom. 8.31)

Dictum, factum

Said and done. (Terentius, Heautontimorumenos)

Diem perdidi!

I have lost a day! (Suetonius, Vitae Caesarum, Titus. Said to have been exclaimed by Emperor Titus when a day had passed without him doing good to somebody.)

Difficile est saturam non scribere

It is hard not to write satire. (Juvenalis, Saturae)

Dii minores

Lesser gods (Cicero, Tusculanae disputationes. About the "lower class" gods in Roman mythology; sometimes used jokingly about people who aren't very important or less important than others present.)

Dimidium facti qui coepit habet

Half is done when the beginning is done. (Horatius, Epistulae)

Dimidium facti, qui coepit, habet

He has done half, who has begun. (Horatius, Epistula)

Dira necessitas

The dire necessity. (Horatius, Carmina)

Docendo discimus

We learn by teaching. (After Seneca Philosophus, homines dum docent discunt - men learn while they teach.)

Dulce bellum inexpertis

War is sweet for those who haven't experienced it. (Translated from Pindaros)

Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori

It is sweet and glorious to die for one's country. (Horatius, Carmina)

Dulcis vita

A pleasant life. (Lucretius, De rerum natura)

Dum excusare credis, accusas

When you believe you are excusing yourself, you are accusing yourself. (St. Jerome (probably one of his disciples), Epistulae)

Dum inter homines sumus, colamus humanitatem

As long as we are among humans, let us be humane. (Seneca Philosophus, De ira)

Dum spiro, spero

While I breathe, I hope. (Cicero, Epistulae ad Atticum)

Duo cum faciunt idem, non est idem

When two do the same thing, it isn't the same (i.e. one can get away with doing something while another cannot.) (Terentius, Adelphoe. Cf. quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi and aliis si licet, tibi non licet.)

Ecce homo!

Behold the man! (Versio Vulgata, Ioh. 19.5)

Epistula non erubescit

A letter doesn't blush. (Cicero, Epistulae ad familiares)

Est autem fides credere quod nondum vides; cuius fidei merces est videre quod credis

Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe. (St. Augustine, Sermones)

Est deus in nobis

There is a god inside us. (Ovidius, Fasti)

Est quaedam flere voluptas

There is a kind of pleasure in crying. (Ovidius, Tristia)

Et in Arcadia ego

I, too, have been in Arcadia. (I.e. Death is in Arcadia as well.) (N/A)

Et tu, Brute

And you, my Brutus. (Julius Caesar's words when he saw his favorite, Brutus, among his assassins. In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, the words are in Latin, but according to Suetonius, they were in Greek - if ever said.)

Ex iniuria ius non oritur

Right can not grow out of injustice (N/A; a legal maxim)

Ex oriente lux, ex occidente lex

From the east the light, from the west the law. (N/A)

Ex ungue leonem

You know the lion from its claw. (N/A)

Exegi monumentum aere perennius

I have made a monument more permanent than copper. (Horatius, Carmina; referring to his poems.)

Exitus acta probat

The result validates the deeds. (Ovidius, Heroides. Cf. finis coronat opus.)

Exoriare aliquis nostris ex ossibus ultor

May an avenger one day raise from my bones. (Vergilius, Aenis)

Extra ecclesiam nulla salus

Outside the Church, no salvation. (Cyprianus, Epistulae)

Faber est suae quisque fortunae

Every man is the artisan of his own fortune. (Appius Claudius Caecus)

Facilius est multa facere quam diu

It is easier to do many things than to do one for a long time. (Quintilianus, Institutio oratoria)

Facis de necessitate virtutem

You make necessity a virtue. (St. Jerome, Adversus Rufum)

Facito aliquid operis, ut te semper diabolus inveniat occupatum

Always do something, so that the devil always finds you occupied. (St. Jerome, Epistulae)

Factum est illud, fieri infectum non potest

Done is done, it cannot be made undone. (Plautus, Aulularia)

Fama crescit eundo

The rumor grows as it goes. (N/A; cf. Vergilius, Aenis)

Fama volat

The rumor has wings. (Vergilius, Aenis)

Fas est et ab hoste doceri

One should also learn from one's enemy. (Ovidius, Metamorphoses)

Favete linguis

Honor (the ceremony) with your tongues (i.e., be devoutly quiet). (Horatius, Carmina; the Roman)

Favete linguis

Honour (the ceremony) with your tongues (i.e., be devoutly quiet). (Horatius, Carmina; the Roman priest's exhortation to the people to be quiet during the sacred ceremonies.)

Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt

(Men readily believe what they want to believe. (Julius Caesar, Commentarii de bello Gallico)

Finis coronat opus

The ending crowns the work. (N/A. Cf. exitus acta probat.)

Fortuna multis dat nimis, nulli satis

Fortune gives many too much but nobody enough.

Gloria in altissimis Deo et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace towards men of good will. (Versio Vulgata, Luc. 2.14)

Graeca sunt, non leguntur

It is Greek, you don't read that. (N/A)

Grammatici certant, et adhuc sub iudice lis est

The scholars quarrel, and the case lies still undecided in the hands of the judge. (On that point the learned disagree.) (Horatius, Ars poetica)

Gutta cavat lapidem, non vi sed saepe cadendo

The drop excavates the stone, not with force but by falling often.

Haec ego non multis (scribo), sed tibi: satis enim magnum alter alteri theatrum sumus

I write this not to the many, but to you only, for you and I are surely enough of an audience for each other. (Epicurus, quoted by Seneca Philosophus.)

Hannibal ante portas

Hannibal before the gates. (Cicero, Philippicae orationes)

Haud semper errat fama, aliquando et eligit

rumor is not always in error, sometimes it chooses. (Tacitus, Agricola)

Hic Rhodus, hic salta!

Here is Rhodes; jump here! (According to legend, said to a man who boasted that he had made a huge jump on Rhodes.)

Hinc illae lacrimae

Hence these tears. (Terentius, Andria)

Hoc tempore obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit

In these days friends are won through flattery, the truth gives birth to hate. (Terentius, Andria)

Hominem ad duas res, ut ait Aristoteles, ad intelligendum et ad agendum, esse natum

Man is born to two things, as Aristotle says: to understand and to act. (Cicero, De finibus)

Homo novus

A new (self-made) man (Used about somebody who had gained success but wasn't of the nobility. Cicero was a typical homo novus.)

Honor est praemium virtutis

Honor is virtue's reward. (Cicero, Brutus)

Honores mutant mores

The honors change the customs. (Power corrupts.) (N/A)

Horas non numero nisi serenas

I count only the bright hours. (Inscription on ancient sundials.)

Humanum amarest, humanum autem ignoscerest

It is human to love, it is also human to forgive.

Iacta alea est!

The die is cast! (According to Suetonius, said by Julius Caesar when he crossed the Rubicon.)

Id certum est quod certum reddi potest

That is certain that can be made certain. (N/A)

Idem velle atque idem nolle, ea demum firma amicitia est

(To want) the same in intentions and disinclinations is what makes a firm friendship. (Sallustius, Bellum Catilinae)

Ignorantia juris nocet

Ignorance of the laws harm. (N/A; legal maxim used to show that ignorance about the laws and regulations in force cannot be used in court as grounds for an acquittal, or even as mitigating circumstances.)

Ille dolet vere, qui sine teste dolet

He mourns honestly who mourns without witnesses. (Martialis, Epigrammaton liber)

Illi robur et aes triplex circa pectus erat, qui fragilem truci commisit pelago ratem primus

As hard as oak and three times bronze was the heart of him who first committed a fragile vessel to the keeping of wild waves. (Horatius, Carmina)

Imitatores, servum pecus!

Imitators, you slavish crowd! (Horatius, Epistulae)

Imperium et libertas

Autocracy and freedom (Tacitus, Agricola; praise to the Emperor Nerva for having been able to combine two otherwise incompatible things.)

Impossibilium nulla obligatio est

Nobody has any obligation to the impossible. (Corpus Iuris Civilis: Digesta)

In aere aedificare

Build (castles) in the air. (St. Augustine, Confessiones)

In dubiis non est agendum

In dubious cases, you should not act. (N/A)

In magnis et voluisse sat est

To once have wanted is enough in great deeds. (Propertius, Elegies)

In spiritu et veritate

In spirit and truth (Versio Vulgata, Ioh. 4.24)

In vino veritas

In wine is truth (N/A)

Inde ira et lacrimae

Hence wrath and tears. (Juvenalis, Saturae)

Ingenia levitas et erudita vanitas

Inborn levity and learnt vanity. (Cicero, Pro Flacco)

Iniqua nunquam regna perpetuo manent

Stern masters do not reign long. (Seneca Philosophus, Medea)

Iniuria non excusat iniuriam

One wrong does not justify another. (N/A)

Innocue vivite, numen adest

Live without faults; the deity is present. (Ovidius, Ars amandi)

Inquietum est cor nostrum, donec requiescat in te

Our heart is anxious until it finds peace in you. (St. Augustine, Confessiones)

Inter pocula

Between the cups (Vergilius, Georgica)

Invita Minerva, ut aiunt

Against Minerva's will, as they say (i.e. without aptitude and qualifications). (Cicero, De officiis)

Ira furor brevis est

Anger is a brief insanity. (Horatius, Epistulae)

Is fecit, cui prodest

He has done it, whom it gains. (N/A)

Iucundi acti labores

Surmounted labors are pleasant. (Cicero, De finibus)

Iurare in verba magistri

Swear on the master's words.

Labor improbus omnia vincit

Assiduous labor conquers everything. (Vergilius, Georgica)

Latet anguis in herba

A snake lies in the grass. (Vergilius, Eclogae)

Laudant illa, sed ista legunt

Some (writing) is praised, but other is read. (Martialis, Epigrammaton liber)

Leges bonae ex malis moribus procreantur

Good laws are born of bad customs. (Macrobius, Saturnalia)

Libenter homines et id quod volunt, credunt

What men wish, they like to believe (Julius Caesar, Commentarii de bello Gallico)

Liber librorum

The Book of Books (I.e., the Bible)

Liber mihi opus est

I need a book. (N/A)

Liberae sunt nostrae cogitationes

Our thoughts are free. (Cicero, Pro Milone. Cf. Cogitationis poenam nemo patitur.)

Libertas inaestimabilis res est

Liberty is a thing beyond all price. (Corpus Iuris Civilis: Digesta)

Licentia poetica

Poetic licence. (Seneca Philosophus, Quaestiones naturales)

Longum iter est per praecepta, breve et efficax per exempla

The way is made long through rules, but short and effective through examples. (Seneca Philosophus, Epistulae morales)

Lucus a non lucendo

A grove is so called because it doesn't glow. (After Quintilianus, De institutione oratoria. Often used as an example of incorrect etymology.)

Lupus est homo homini

Man is man's wolf. (Plautus, Asinaria)

Lupus in fabula

The wolf in the tale. (I.e. speak of the wolf, and he will come)

Magna vis veritatis quae facile se per se ipsa defendat

Great is the power of truth that can easily defend itself with its own force. (N/A)

Magnas inter opes inops

A pauper in the midst of wealth. (Horatius, Carmina)

Maior e longinquo reverentia

Reverence grows at a distance. (Tacitus, Annales)

Male parta male dilabuntur

What has been wrongly gained is wrongly lost. (Ill-gotten gains seldom prosper.) (Cicero, Philippicae orationes)

Malum quidem nullum esse sine aliquo bono

There is no evil without something good. (Plinius the Elder, Naturalis historia)

Manum de tabula!

(Remove) your hand from the board! (Enough! Hold it!) (Cicero, Epistulae ad familiares)

Manus manum lavat

One hand washes the other. (Seneca Philosophus, Apocolocyntosis)

Margaritas ante porcos iacere

Throw pearls before the swine. (Versio Vulgata, Matt. 7.6)

Mater artium necessitas

Necessity is the mother of invention. (N/A)

Mea mihi conscientia pluris est quam omnium sermo

My conscience means more to me than all speech. (Cicero, Epistulae ad Atticum)

Medice, cura te ipsum!

Physician, heal thyself! (Versio Vulgata, Luc. 4.23)

Medicus curat, natura sanat

The physician treats, nature cures. (N/A)

Medio tutissimus ibis

You will go safest in the middle. (Ovidius, Metamorphoses)

Melius est praevenire quam praeveniri

Better to forestall than to be forestalled. (N/A)

Melius frangi quam flecti

It is better to break than to bend. (N/A)

Mendacem memorem esse oportet

A liar needs a good memory. (Quintilianus, De institutione oratoria)

Mendaci homini, ne verum quidem dicenti, credere solemus

Liars aren't believed even when they are telling the truth. (Cicero, De divitatione)

Mens agitat molem

The mind moves the matter. (Vergilius, Aenis)

Mens sana in corpore sano

A sound mind in a sound body. (Juvenalis, Saturae)

Mirabile dictu

Wonderful to relate. (Vergilius, Aenis)

Mors ultima linea rerum est

Death is everything's final limit. (Horatius, Epistulae)

Multos timere debet, quem multi timent

He has to fear many who is feared by many. (Publilius Syrus, Sententiae. Also in Seneca Philosophus as necesse est multos timeat, quem multi timent, "it is necessary for him who is feared by many to fear many.")

Multum legendum esse, non multa

You should read much, not many (books). (Plinius the Younger; often quoted only as multum non multa, "much, not many".)

Nam curiosus nemo est, quin sit malevolus

For nobody is curious, who isn't malevolent. (Plautus, ?)

Nam tua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet

It is your business when your neighbor's house is on fire. (Horatius, Epistulae)

Navigare necesse est

To sail is necessary. (From Plutarchos)

Ne bis in idem

Not twice the same. (Canones apostulorum; a legal maxim meaning that a person cannot be sentenced)

Ne bis in idem

Not twice the same. (Canones apostulorum; A person cannot be sentenced twice for the same crime.)

Ne furtum facias

Thou shalt not steal. (The seventh commandment.)

Ne quid nimis

Nothing in excess. (Terentius, Andria)

Nec quicquam insipiente fortunato intolerabilius fieri potest

Nothing is more insufferable than a successful fool. (Cicero, De amicitia)

Necessitas non habet legem

Necessity knows no law. (N/A)

Nemo ante mortem beatus

Nobody should be called happy before his death. (Ovidius, Metamorphoses)

Nemo autem regere potest nisi qui et regi

But nobody can rule who cannot also be ruled. (Seneca Philosophus, De ira)

Nemo enim fere saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanit

Almost nobody dances sober, unless he happens to be insane. (Cicero, Pro Murena)

Nemo me impune lacessit

Nobody insults me with impunity. (The motto of the Scottish crown.)

Nemo nascitur artifex

Nobody is born an artist. (N/A)

Nemo risum praebuit, qui ex se coepit

Nobody is laughed at, who laughs at himself. (Seneca Philosophus, De providentia)

Nemo sine vitio est

Nobody is without fault. (N/A)

Nervos belli, pecuniam. (Nervus rerum.)

The nerve of war, money. (The nerve of things.) (Cicero, Pilippicae orationes)

Nihil agere delectat

It is pleasant to do nothing. (Cicero, De oratore)

Nihil est ab omni parte beatum

Nothing is good in every part. (Horatius, Carmina)

Nihil est incertius vulgo

Nothing is more uncertain than the (favor of the) crowd. (Cicero, Pro Murena)

Nihil in hominum genere rarius perfecto oratore inveniri potest

Nothing is more unusual amongst mankind than the perfect speaker. (Cicero, De oratore)

Nihil inimicius quam sibi ipse

Nothing is more hostile than oneself against oneself. (Man is his own worst enemy.) (Cicero, Ad atticum)

Nihil peccat nisi quod nihil peccat

His only fault is that he doesn't have any faults. (Plinius the Younger, Epistulae)

Nihil tam munitum quod non expugnari pecunia possit

No fort is so strong that it cannot be taken with money. (Cicero, In Verrem)

Nil admirari

To admire nothing. (Horatius, Epistulae; described as a condition for human happiness.)

Nil agit exemplum, litem quod lite resolvit

Not much worth is an example that solves one quarrel with another. (Horatius, Satirae)

Nil desperandum!

Never despair! (Horatius, Carmina)

Noli equi dentes inspicere donati

Do not look a gift horse in the mouth. (St. Jerome, Commentarius in epistulam Pauli ad Ephesos)

Noli me tangere!

Don't touch me! (Versio Vulgata, Ioh. 20.17)

Noli turbare circulos meos!

Don't upset my calculations! (Said to have been Archimedes' words to a Roman soldier during the conquest of Syracuse. The soldier answered by slaying him.)

Nomen et omen

Name and omen (the name forebodes). (Plautus, Persa)

Nomina sunt odiosa

Names are hateful. (Cicero, Pro Roscio)

Non amo te, Sabidi, nec possum dicere quare: hoc tantum possum dicere, non amo te

I do not like you, Sabidius, but I can't say why: I can only say this, I do not like you. (Martialis, Epigrammaton liber)

Non est vivere, sed valere vita est

It is not to live but to be healthy that makes a life. (Martialis, Epigrammata)

Non est, crede mihi, sapientis dicere "Vivam." Sera nimis vita est crastina: vive hodie

Believe me, "I shall live" is not the saying of a wise man. Tomorrow's life is too late: live today. (Martialis, Epigrammata)

Non mortem timemus, sed cogitationem mortis

We do not fear death, but the thought of death. (Seneca Philosophus, Epistulae morales)

Non omne quod licet honestum est

Not everything that is permitted is honest. (Corpus Iuris Civilis: Digesta)

Non omne quod nitet aurum est

Not all that glitters is gold. (N/A)

Non omnia possumus omnes

Everybody cannot do everything. (Vergilius, Eclogae)

Non omnis moriar

I will not die entirely. (Horatius, Carmina - in reference to his written work.)

Non qui parum habet, sed qui plus cupit, pauper est

It is not the man who has little, but the man who craves more, that is poor. (Seneca Philosophus, Epistulae morales)

Non scholae sed vitae discimus

We do not learn for school, but for life. (Seneca Philosophus, Epistulae morales)

Non sibi se soli natum meminerit (homo), sed patriae, sed suis. (Aliis, non sibi.)

A man should remember that he is not born solely for his own sake, but for his country, and for his family. (For others, not for oneself.) (Cicero, De finibus)

Non ut edam vivo, sed ut vivam edo

I do not live to eat, but eat to live. (Quintilianus, Instituitio oratoria)

Nosce te ipsum

Know thyself (Inscription at the temple of Apollo in Delphi.)

Nuda veritas

The naked truth (Horatius, Carmina)

Nulla regula sine exceptione

No rule without exception. (N/A)

Nulla res carius constat quam quae precibus empta est

Nothing is so expensive as that which you have bought with pleas. (Seneca Philosophus, De beneficiis)

Nullum esse librum tam malum ut non aliqua parte prodesset

No book is so bad that no part of it is useful. (Plinius the Younger, Epistulae)

Nullum est iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius

Nothing is said that hasn't been said before. (Terentius, Eunuchus)

Numero deus impare gaudet

God loves odd numbers. (Vergilius, Eclogae)

Numquam magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuit

There has never been a great spirit without a touch of insanity. (Seneca Philosophus, De tranquillitate animis)

Numquam non paratus

Never unprepared. (N/A)

Numquam sapiens irascitur

The wise man never flies into a rage. (Cicero, Pro Murena)

Numquam se minus solum quam cum solus esset

You are never so little alone as when you are alone. (Cicero, De officiis)

Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libero pulsanda tellus

Now is the time for drinking, now free feet will beat the earth.

O fortunatam natam me consule Romam!

Oh, how lucky Rome is to have been born under my consulate! Cicero, De consulatu suo)

O tempora! O mores!

O times! O customs! (Cicero, In Catilinam)

Oderint, dum metuant

May they hate me, if only they fear me. (Suetonius, Vitae Caesarum, Caligula)

Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris. Nescio. Sed fieri sentio et excrucior

I hate and I love. Perhaps you ask me why. I don't know. But I feel, tormented, that it is so. (Catullus, Carmina)

Odi profanum vulgus et arceo

I loathe the uneducated mass and keep them away from me. (Horatius, Carmina. Hence the expression "vulgus profanum", the uneducated mass.)

Oleum et operam perdidi

I have wasted oil and toil. (Plautus, Poenulus; the young girl's complaint about ointments as beauty preparation, and Cicero, Ad Atticum; about the oil in the reading lamp.)

Omen accipio

I accept the omen. (A good omen.) (Cicero, De divitatione.)

Omne ignotum pro magnifico est

We have great notions of everything unknown. (Tacitus, Agricola)

Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci

He has won every vote who mingles profit with pleasure. (Horatius, Ars Poetica)

Omnia mea mecum porto

All that is mine, I carry with me. (Cicero, Paradoxa)

Omnia mutantur, nihil interit

Everything changes, nothing perishes. (Ovidius, Metamorphoses)

Omnia praeclara rara

All excellent things are rare. (Cicero, De amicitia)

Omnia vincit amor; et nos cedamus amori

Love conquers all things; let us too surrender to love. (Vergilius, Eclogae)

Omnibus omnia

Everything for everybody. (Versio Vulgata, 1 Cor. 9.22)

Omnis una manet nox

The same night awaits us all. (Horatius, Carmina)

Omnium rerum principia parva sunt

Everything has a small beginning. (Cicero, De finibus)

Optima enim est legum interpres consuetudo

Practice is the best interpreter of the law. (Corpus Iuris Civilis: Digesta)

Otium cum dignitate

Rest with dignity. (Cicero, De oratore)

Otium sine litteris mors est et hominis vivi sepultura

Rest without reading is like dying and being buried alive.

Pacta sunt servanda

Agreements are to be kept. (Cicero, Philippicae Orationes)

Paete, non dolet

It doesn't hurt, Paetus. (Acc. to Plinius's, Epistulae, the Roman woman Arria's words to her husband Caecina Paetus, who had taken part in an uprising against Emperor Claudius and been sentenced to commit suicide. When her husband hesitated, she plunged the dagger into her own chest and then gave it to him with these words.)

Panem et circencses

Bread and circuses (Juvenalis, Saturae; referring to the distribution of corn and the setting up of circuses that kept the popular favor in Rome.)

Pars maior lacrimas ridet et intus habet

You smile at your tears but have them in your heart. (Martialis, Epigrammaton liber)

Pater patriae

Father of the country. (Cicero, Pro Sestio. Honorific given to Cicero after the conflict with Catalina in 63 B.C.)

Pater, peccavi

Father, I have sinned. (Versio Vulgata, Luc. 15.17)

Per aspera ad astra

Through difficulties to the stars. (Origin unknown; Seneca Philosophus, Hercules)

Per tot discrimina rerum tendimus in Latium

Through so many dangers, we arrived in Latium. (Vergilius, Aenis)

Pereant, qui ante nos nostra dixerunt!

Damn them, who before us have said what we wanted to say! (St. Jerome, In Ecclesiasten commentarius)

Periculum in mora

Danger in delay (Livius, Ab urbe condita)

Perierat totus orbis, nisi iram finiret misericordia

The entire world would have perished unless compassion had limited the hatred. (Seneca Rhetor, Controversiae)

Pessimum inimicorum genus, laudantes

The worst kind of enemies, are those who can praise. (Tacitus, Agricola)

Pisces natare oportet

Fish has to swim (i.e. when you eat fish, you have to drink). (Petronius Arbiter, Satiricon)

Post festum

After the feast (i.e. too late) (Plato, Gorgias)

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc

After this, therefore because of it. (N/A; used to describe an error in logical reasoning.)

Potius sero quam numquam

It's better late than never. (Livius, Ab urbe condita)

Praeterea censeo Carthaginem esse delendam

Furthermore, I believe Carthage should be destroyed. (Cato the Elder. After a journey to Carthage, the Roman senator concluded every speech before the senate with this phrase, no matter the topic of discussion.)

Primum est non nocere

First of all, do no harm. (Hippocrates; The maxim has become an ethical guiding principle in medicine.)

Principiis obsta, sero medicina paratur cum mala per longas convaluere moras

Resist in the beginning; too late is the medicine prepared when evil has grown strong for a long time. (Ovidius, Remedia amoris)

Pro aris et focis

For house and hearth. (Cicero, De natura deorum)

Pro patria, pro liberis, pro aris atque focis suis certare

For the country, for freedom, for house and hearth is our fight. (Sallustius, Bellum Catilinae)

Probae etsi in segetem sunt deteriorem datae fruges, tamen ipsae suaptae enitent

A good seed, planted even in poor soil, will bear rich fruit by its own nature. (Accius, Atreus)

Promoveatur ut amoveatur

Let him be promoted to get him out of the way. (N/A)

Proximus sum egomet mihi

I am closest to myself. (Charity begins at home.) (Terentius, Andria)

Pulvis et umbra sumus

We are dust and shadow.

Qualis rex, talis grex

Like master, like man. (N/A)

Quam bene vivas refert, non quam diu

The important thing isn't how long you live, but how well you live. (Seneca Philosophus, Epistulae morales)

Quam multa non desidero!

How much there is that I do not want! (Cicero, Tusculanae disputationes; said to have been exclaimed by Socrates.)

Quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus

Sometimes, even the good Homer slumbers. (Horatius, Ars poetica)

Quem di diligunt adolescens moritur

He whom the gods love dies young. (Plautus, Bacchides)

Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum

Let him who wishes for peace prepare for war. (Vegetius. Also quoted si vis pacem, para bellum.)

Qui dormit, non peccat

One who sleeps doesn't sin. (N/A)

Qui genus jactat suum, aliena laudat

He who boasts of his descent, praises the deeds of another. (Seneca Philosophus, Hercules furens)

Qui ignorabat, ignorabitur

One who is ignorant will remain unnoticed. (N/A)

Qui nimium probat, nihil probat

One who proves too much, proves nothing. (N/A)

Qui statuit aliquid parte inaudita altera, aequum licet statuerit, haud aequus fuit

One who passes sentence on something without having heard the other part isn't just, even if the sentence is just. (Seneca Philosophus, Medea. Cf. audiatur et altera pars.)

Qui tacet, consentit

Silence gives consent. (N/A)

Quia natura mutari non potest idcirco verae amicitiae sempiternae sunt

Since nature cannot change, true friendships are eternal. (Horatius)

Quid me nutruit me destruit.

That which nourishes me, destroys me. (N/A)

Quid rides? Mutato nomine de te fabula narratur

Why are you laughing? Change the name and the story is about you. (Horatius, Satirae)

Quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentes

Whatever this may be, I fear the Greeks even when they're bringing gifts. (Vergilius, Aenis. The priest Laokoon's warning when seeing the Trojan horse.)

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Who is to guard the guards themselves? (Iuvenalis, Saturae)

Quis, quid, ubi, quibus auxiliis, cur, quomodo, quando?

Who, what, where, with what, why, how, when? (N/A)

Quo vadis, Domine?

Where are you going, Lord? (Question said to be asked by St. Peter when he, fleeing the Rome and the persecutions of the Christians by emperor Nero, met Jesus at the city gates.)

Quod bonum, felix faustumque sit!

May it be good, fortunate and prosperous! (Words spoken when the Roman senate opened its session. Quoted by Cicero in De divitatione)

Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi

What Jupiter may do, the ox may not. (I.e., what is permitted for a high-ranking person isn't permitted for everybody. Cf. aliis si licet, tibi non licet. and duo cum faciunt idem, non est idem.)

Quod scripsi, scripsi

What I have written, I have written. (Versio Vulgata, Ioh. 19.22)

Quot homines, tot sententiae: suus quique mos

How many men, so many thoughts: everyone has his customs. (Terentius, Phormio)

Quousque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientia nostra?

How long now, Catalina, will you abuse our patience? (Cicero, In Catilinam. The beginning of Cicero's first speech against Catalina.)

Relata refero

I tell what I have been told. (Herodotos)

Rem tene, verba sequentur

Keep to the subject and the words will follow. (Cato the Elder, acc. to Iulius Victor)

Rerum concordia discors

The concord of things through discord. (Horatius, Epistulae)

Rerum omnium magister usus

Experience is teacher of all things. (Julius Caesar, Commentarii de bello civili)

Res severa est verum gaudium

True joy is a serious thing. (Seneca Philosophus, Epistulae morales)

Respice post te, mortalem te esse memento

Look around you, remember that you are mortal. (According to Tertullianus, words whispered by a slave when his master entered Rome in triumph after winning a battle.)

Ridentem dicere verum, quid vetat?

What prohibits us to tell the truth laughing (through a joke)? (Horatius, Satirae)

S.P.Q.R. (Senatus Populusque Romanus)

The Senate and the Roman people (Abbreviation used on banners and the like in ancient Rome to show the world the unity between the Roman people and its rulers. Still officially used in Rome.)

Saepe creat molles aspera spina rosas.

Often the prickly thorn produces tender roses (Ovidius)

Salus populi suprema lex esto

Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law. (Cicero, De legibus)

Sapere aude!

Dare to be wise! (Horatius, Epistulae)

Sapiens ipse fingit fortunam sibi

The wise man creates his destiny himself. (Plautus, Trinummus)

Sat sapienti

Enough for a wise man. (Plautus, Persa)

Satis est potuisse videri

It is enough to seem to have the power. (Vergilius, Eclogae)

Satius est impunitum relinqui facinus nocentis, quam innocentem damnari

It is better that a crime is left unpunished than that an innocent man is punished. (Corpus Iuris Civilis: Digesta)

Secundae res mire sunt vitiis obtentui

Prosperity has a wonderful way of hiding faults. (Sallustius, Epistulae ad Caesarem)

Sed fugit interea, fugit irreparabile tempus

But meanwhile, the irreplaceable time escapes. (Vergilius, Georgica. Usually, you only quote the last three words.)

Semel emissum volat irrevocabile verbum

Once released, the word flies irrevocably. (Horatius, Epistulae)

Semper idem

Always the same. (Cicero, Tusculanae disputationes. Said to have been Xantippa's words about Socrates' facial expression.)

Senectus est natura loquacior

Old age is talkative by nature. (Cicero, De senectute)

Serva me, servabo te

Save me and I will save you. (Petronius Arbiter)

Si dis placet

If it pleases the gods (N/A)

Si libet, licet

If it pleases you, it is allowed. (Scriptores historiae augustae; said to have been the "stepmother" Julia's response when her "stepson" Emperor Carcalla wanted her for his wife.)

Si vis amari, ama

If you want to be loved, love (Seneca Philosophus, Epistulae morales)

Si vis pacem, para bellum

If you want peace, prepare for war. (From Vegetius; a version of qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.)

Sic erat in fatis

Thus it was written in destiny. (Ovidius, Fasti)

Sic itur ad astra

Thus, you go to the stars (i.e. gain reputation) (Vergilius, Aenis)

Sic volo, sic iubeo

I want this, I order this. (Juvenalis, Saturae)

Silent enim leges inter arma

Laws are silent in times of war. (Cicero, Pro Milone.)

Sine ira et studio

Without anger or bias. (Tacitus, Annales, about his history writing)

Sit venia verbo

Let the word be allowed. (If I may say so.) (A rewording of venia sit dicto, the said should be allowed; Plinius the Younger, Epistulae.)

Solitudinem faciunt, pacem appelant

They made a desert and called it peace. (Tacitus, Agricola)

Spemque metumque inter dubii

Hover between hope and fear. (Vergilius, Aenis)

Stat magni nominis umbra

He stands in the shadow of a great name. (Lucanus, Pharsalia. Said about Pompey.)

Stat sua cuique dies, breve et irreparabile tempus omnibus est vitae

The day is decided for each and everyone, the lifespan is short and irreplaceable for everybody. (Vergilius, Aenis)

Studium discendi voluntate, quae cogi non potest, constat

Study depends on the good will of the student, a quality that cannot be secured by compulsion. (Quintilianus, Institutio oratoria)

Stultum est timere quod vitare non potes

It is foolish to fear what you cannot avoid. (Publilius Syrus)

Summum ius, summa iniuria

The extreme law is the greatest injustice. (Cicero, De officiis)

Suum cuique

To each and every one his own. (Cicero, De officiis)

Suus cuique mos

Everyone has his customs.

Tamdiu discendum est, quamdiu vivas

We should learn as long as we may live. (We live and learn.) (Seneca Philosophus, Epistulae morales)

Tantae molis erat Romanam condere gentem

So great a burden was it to establish the Roman race. (Vergilius, Aeneis)

Tempora quid faciunt

The times do change. (Martialis, Epigrammaton liber)

Tetigisti acu

You have hit the nail on the head.

Ubi bene, ibi patria

Where one is happy, there is one's homeland. (Pacuvius, Teucer)

Unus multorum

One of many. (Horatius, Satirae)

Unus sed leo

One, but (it is) a lion. (Translated from Aesop. The lioness to the vixen who boasted about her having many cubs when the lioness only had one.)

Urbs aeterna

The eternal city (i.e. Rome) (Tibullus)

Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas

Although the power is lacking, the will is commendable. (Ovidius, Ex Ponto)

Ut saepe summa ingenia in occulto latent

How often do not the greatest geniuses remain hidden. (Plautus, Captivi)

Ut sementem feceris, ita metes

As you sow, so shall you reap.

Utilius est autem absolvi innocentem quam nocentem causam non dicere

It is more important that the innocent is acquitted than that the guilty is not brought to justice. (Cicero, Pro Roscio Amerino)

Vae victis!

Woe to the conquered! (Livius, Praefatio)

Vare, legiones redde!

Varus, give me back my legions! (Acc. to Suetonius, exclaimed by Emperor Augustus when he heard that his governor Quintilius Varus and three entire legions had been killed in an ambush in the Teutoburger Forest.)

Variatio delectat

There's nothing like change! (Cicero, De divinatione)

Veni, vidi, vici

I came, I saw, I conquered. (Written by Julius Caesar about his rapid victory in the Battle of Zela.)

Vera esse facimus nosmet ipsi

We ourselves create the truth. (N/A)

Verba volant, (littera) scripta manet

Words fly away, the written (letter) remains. (N/A)

Veritas vos liberabit

The truth will set you free. (Versio Vulgata, Ioh. 8.32)

Vestigia terrent

The footprints frighten me. (Horatius, Epistulae. From a story about a fox who saw footprints lead into, but not out of a lion's den.)

Vestis virum reddit

The clothes make the man. (Quintilianus?)

Vide quam mihi persuaserim te me esse alterum

See, how convinced I am that you are my second self. (Cicero, Epistulae ad familiares)

Videant consules ne quid detrimenti capiat respublica

May the (Roman) consuls see to that no damage comes to the state. (Phrase that gave the Roman consuls absolute power when the state was in a severe crisis. Quoted by Cicero in In Catilinam.)

Vincere scis, Hannibal, victoria uti nescis

You know how to be victorious, Hannibal, but not how to take advantage of victory. (According to Livius, words said by Hannibal's brother Hasdrubal when Hannibal did not attack Rome immediately after his victory at Cannae.)

Virtus est medium vitiorum

Virtue is a middle course between vices. (Horatius, Epistulae)

Vitiis nemo sine nascitur

No-one is born without faults. (Horatius, Satirae)

Vivere est cogitare

To live is to think. (Cicero, Tusculanae disputationes)

Vox populi, vox Dei

The voice of the people is the voice of God. (Translated from Homer, The Odyssey)

Vulnerant omnes, ultima necat

All of them wound, the last one kills. (Referring to the hours; inscription sometimes found on clocks in churches and public spaces.)

Suggested Reading:

A Dictionary of Latin Words and PhrasesThis authoritative and highly browsable guide provides an enlightening account of the meaning and history of Latin words and phrases that have entered... Read More >