Latin, the language of ancient Rome, holds a treasure trove of wisdom about life and existence. From the profound to the practical, these timeless phrases capture the essence of human experience. This article explores 10 sub-themes, each delving into different aspects of life, showcasing how Latin expressions remain relevant and resonate with modern times. Whether advising on perseverance, reflecting on the temporary nature of life, or embracing the pursuit of knowledge, these quotes offer valuable insights and inspiration applicable to our everyday lives. Let these Latin words of wisdom serve as a guide, encouraging contemplation and providing clarity in our life's journey.
Quotes on Wisdom
“Aquila non capit muscas.” (The eagle does not catch flies.)
“Omnia mutantur, nihil interit.” (Everything changes, nothing perishes.)
“Sapere aude.” (Dare to know.)
“Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas.” (Happy is he who can discover the cause of things.)
“Scientia potentia est.” (Knowledge is power.)
“In vino veritas.” (In wine, there is truth.)
“Sunt lacrimae rerum.” (There are tears for things.)
“Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.” (I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts.)
“Audi alteram partem.” (Hear the other side.)
“Verba volant, scripta manent.” (Spoken words fly away, written words remain.)
“Docendo discimus.” (By teaching, we learn.)
“Ipsa scientia potestas est.” (Knowledge itself is power.)
Quotes on Courage
“Fortes fortuna adiuvat.” (Fortune favors the brave.)
“Audentis fortuna iuvat.” (Fortune helps the bold.)
“Qui audet adipiscitur.” (He who dares, wins.)
“Non progredi est regredi.” (Not to go forward is to go backward.)
“Audaces fortuna juvat.” (Fortune favors the bold.)
“Nulla tenaci invia est via.” (For the tenacious, no road is impassable.)
“Per aspera ad astra.” (Through difficulties to the stars.)
“Incepto ne desistam.” (May I not shrink from my purpose.)
“Virtute et armis.” (By virtue and arms.)
“Si vis pacem, para bellum.” (If you want peace, prepare for war.)
“Vincit qui se vincit.” (He conquers who conquers himself.)
“Vivere militare est.” (To live is to fight.)
Quotes on Love
“Amor vincit omnia.” (Love conquers all.)
“Ubi amor, ibi dolor.” (Where there is love, there is pain.)
“Amor est vitae essentia.” (Love is the essence of life.)
“Omnia vincit amor.” (All is conquered by love.)
“Amoris vulnus idem sanat, qui facit.” (The wound of love can only be healed by the one who made it.)
“Cor ad cor loquitur.” (Heart speaks to heart.)
“Hic amor haeret.” (This love sticks.)
“Semper fidelis.” (Always faithful.)
“Amare et sapere vix deo conceditur.” (Even a god finds it hard to love and be wise at the same time.)
“Igne natura renovatur integra.” (Through fire, nature is reborn whole.)
“In aeternum.” (For eternity.)
“Ad infinitum.” (To infinity.)
Quotes on Time
“Tempus fugit.” (Time flies.)
“Carpe diem.” (Seize the day.)
“Memento mori.” (Remember you must die.)
“Dum loquimur, fugerit invida aetas.” (While we speak, envious time will have fled.)
“Hora fugit.” (The hour flees.)
“Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis.” (Times change, and we change with them.)
“Ab aeterno.” (From eternity.)
“Dies diem docet.” (Day teaches day.)
“Vita brevis, ars longa.” (Life is short, art is long.)
“Tempus edax rerum.” (Time, devourer of all things.)
“Collige virgo rosas.” (Gather, girl, the roses.)
“Punctum temporis.” (A point in time.)
Quotes on Mortality
“Memento vivere.” (Remember to live.)
“Respice post te, mortalem te esse memento.” (Look behind you, remember you are mortal.)
“Ars longa, vita brevis.” (Art is long, life is short.)
“Vita hominis est brevis.” (The life of man is short.)
“Indignus qui interficit impetu territus.” (The unworthy man who is killed is frightened by the charge.)
“Post mortem nihil est.” (After death, nothing is.)
“Cineri gloria sera venit.” (Glory comes too late to the dead.)
“Fugit irreparabile tempus.” (Irretrievable time flies.)
“Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.” (Seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow.)
“Dum vivimus, vivamus.” (While we live, let us live.)
“Horae quidem cedunt et dies et menses et anni.” (Hours indeed pass, and so do days and months and years.)
“Aspice utinam hanc lucem!” (Look, I wish this light!)
Quotes on Happiness
“Mens sana in corpore sano.” (A sound mind in a sound body.)
“Beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam.” (Happy is the man who finds wisdom.)
“Ubi bene, ibi patria.” (Where it is well with me, there is my country.)
“Modo vincis, modo vinceris.” (Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.)
“Omnia nobis aliena sunt, tempus tantum nostrum est.” (All the things that belong to us, time alone is ours.)
“Quam bene vivas refert, non quam diu.” (It matters not how long you live, but how well.)
“Semper in altum.” (Always onto the heights.)
“Quod felix faustumque sit.” (May it be happy and prosperous.)
“Nunc est bibendum.” (Now is the time to drink.)
“Semper fi.” (Always faithful.)
“Utinam logica falsa tuam philosophiam totam suffodiant!” (May faulty logic undermine your entire philosophy!)
“Volens et potens.” (Willing and able.)
Quotes on Perseverance
“Labor omnia vincit improbus.” (Perseverance overcomes all obstacles.)
“Gutta cavat lapidem.” (Dripping hollows out rock.)
“Ad astra per aspera.” (To the stars through difficulties.)
“Agendo gnavus semper est.” (Through action, one is always energetic.)
“Vince te ipsum.” (Conquer yourself.)
“Dum spiro, spero.” (While I breathe, I hope.)
“Non sibi, sed patriae.” (Not for self, but for country.)
“Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo.” (If I cannot move heaven, I will raise hell.)
“Mens agitat molem.” (Mind moves matter.)
“Acta, non verba.” (Deeds, not words.)
“Esto quod es.” (Be what you are.)
“Ne te quaesiveris extra.” (Do not look outside yourself.)
Quotes on Knowledge
“Ipsa sciens nihil scit.” (She who knows, knows nothing.)
“Nihil sine ratione.” (Nothing without reason.)
“Non scholae, sed vitae discimus.” (We do not learn for school, but for life.)
“Nihil obstat.” (Nothing stands in the way.)
“Qui scribit, bis legit.” (Who writes, reads twice.)
“Nemo nascitur sapiens, sed fit.” (No one is born wise, but becomes so.)
“Juniores ad laborem, seniores ad sapientiam.” (The young to work, the old to wisdom.)
“Cogito, ergo sum.” (I think, therefore I am.)
“Sapientia est potentia.” (Wisdom is power.)
“Tabula rasa.” (Blank slate.)
“Discere docendo.” (Learn by teaching.)
“Modo et forma.” (Method and form.)
Quotes on Friendship
“Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur.” (A sure friend is known in unsure times.)
“Fidus Achates.” (A faithful friend.)
“Nemo solus satis sapit.” (Nobody is wise enough alone.)
“Unus amicus, nullus amicus.” (One friend, no friend.)
“Ut ameris, amabilis esto.” (To be loved, be loveable.)
“Pares cum paribus.” (Equals with equals.)
“Fors fortis amici.” (The chance of a strong friend.)
“Hinc lucem et pocula sacra.” (From this place, light and sacred draughts.)
“In magno magni capiuntur flumine pisces.” (In a great river, great fish are captured.)
“Quod est necessarium est licitum.” (What is necessary is lawful.)
“Gladiator in arena consilium capit.” (A gladiator takes counsel on the arena floor.)
“Verae amicitiae sempiternae sunt.” (True friendships are eternal.)
Quotes on Change
“Ceteris paribus.” (All other things being equal.)
“Natura nihil frustra facit.” (Nature does nothing in vain.)
“Nihil est ab omni parte beatum.” (Nothing is blessed on every side.)
“Mutatis mutandis.” (With the necessary changes having been made.)
“Nunc aut nunquam.” (Now or never.)
“Omne initium difficile est.” (Every beginning is difficult.)
“Incepta vita nova.” (A new life has begun.)
“Novus ordo seclorum.” (A new order of the ages.)
“Qui statuit aliquid parte inaudita altera aequum licet statuerit haud aequus fuerit.” (He who decides something without hearing both sides, though he may have decided fairly, is not himself fair.)
“Panta rhei.” (Everything flows.)
“In tempore opportuno.” (In the nick of time.)
“In statu quo ante bellum.” (In the state existing before the war.)
Final words
Exploring these Latin quotes about life reveals insights that transcend time and culture. These sayings distill complex philosophical thoughts into memorable expressions, encapsulating the timeless nature of human understanding. Each quote provides a lens through which to view our struggles, joys, and transitions. They remind us of the continuous thread of human existence, advising us to dare, cherish our connections, embrace change, and pursue wisdom. The Romans understood life's brevity and the wealth of possibility it offered, pushing us to make the most of our days. Let these ancient words serve as a companion in your ongoing journey, as they have for countless individuals before.
