55 proverbs and expressions in Latin
Latin proverbs have always been known and studied by many people , scholars of the old language of the Roman Empire.
In fact, many education systems around the world accept this type of teaching and try to make the youth of today aware of the wisdom of those days, the origin of which is certainly interesting and in many cases is lost due to new technologies and the greater influence of other contemporary languages, among others.
The most famous Latin proverbs
Today we have here
a list of the most famous Latin proverbs (not all of them) and we can see their translation and meaning. We have also included some Latin sayings and expressions that may have a meaning that has lasted until our days.
1. Alea iacta est
- Translation: The die is cast .
That’s what you say when someone does something and you’re not a hundred percent sure of the outcome. The die is cast, we can only hope.
2. Alma mater
- Translation: Nurturing mother .
It is used to designate a person who is the architect or promoter of a project.
3. Amor omnia vincit
- Translation: E l love conquers all .
This is said when one goes through adversities in love, however it is expected that love will be able to overcome any obstacle.
4. Beatus ille
- Translation: Blessed was that time .
It is used to make reminiscence to the past, showing nostalgia for past times.
5. Carpe diem
- Translation: A .
It is used to emphasize the need to live life on the edge.
6. Esse est deus
- Translation: S er is god .
7. Gaudeamus igitur iuvenes dum sumus
- Translation: Let’s enjoy it while we’re still young .
The phrase says it all, to enjoy and not doubt for a second how beautiful life is
8. Habemus papam
- Translation: T enemos papa .
When a new Pope is elected from Rome and has already been elected by the Vatican curia (black smoke and white smoke).
9. Hic et nunc
- Translation: Here and now .
It points to the present moment, the instant before us.
10. In albis
- Translation: Blank .
When an actor goes blank in the middle of the stage, for example.
11. In extremis
- Translation: In the last moments .
When you do something at the last second, like turn in a college paper.
12. On site
Translation: On the site .
It is often used as follows: “The thief was discovered on the spot; at the place of the robbery”.
13. Ipso facto
Translation: By the same token; automatically .
To the second, without delay.
14. Odi et amo
- Translation: Or gave and love .
The love-hate relationship, so common in many love couples.
15. Plus ultra
- Translation: Beyond .
Phrase used by a right-wing sector in Spain.
16. Quid pro quo
- Translation: One thing for another .
It is used to designate a consensual exchange of favors between
Be faithful. A very important phrase to refer to honor and loyalty between individuals.
18. Tempus fugit
Translation: Time escapes .
We’re getting old and we have no way of capturing time.
19. Veni, vidi, vici
- Translation: I came, I saw, I conquered .
Said by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. It is used to express joy when we achieve a feat without too much effort and with solvency.
20. Ad infinitum
- Translation: To infinity .
A locution used to designate that something tends towards infinity, which has no known end.
21. De parvis grandis acervus erit
- Translation: Small things nourish big things .
An expression to show that constant effort pays off.
22. Nune aut nunquam
- Translation: Now or never .
This locution is used when we want to say that now is the time.
23. Res non verba
- Translation: Facts, not words .
When we want to warn that actions are more important than words.
24. Sine die
- Translation: Indefinitely. No agreed date .
It is used to indicate that something (a project, an event) has no definite date, or that it can be extended indefinitely in time.
Mens sana in corpore sano
- Translation: Healthy mind in healthy body .
A knowledge that comes from the ancient Romans: if we are in full physical health, we will be in full psychological health.
26. Gloria in excelsis Deo
- Translation: Glory to God in the highest .
A phrase to praise God.
27.De gustibus et colon bus non est disputandum
- Translation: On tastes and colors there is no dispute .
In our days, this Latin expression has mutated into the following expression: “on tastes there is nothing written”.
28. Errare humanum est
- Translation: To err is human .
29.Casus belli
- Translation: Cause of war .
It is used to indicate the event that gives rise to a war.
30.Ars longa, vita brevis
- Translation: Art is long, life is short .
A phrase pronounced by Hippocrates (460-357 BC), considered the father of medicine.
31.Delirium tremens
- Translation: Delirium and trembling .
Delirium tremens is a mental illness suffered by some people addicted to alcohol.
32.Ad hoc
- Translation: For a specific purpose; expressly .
33.Ad hominem
- Translation: Against the man .
An argumentative fallacy that points to the person, not to his or her opinion on a matter under discussion.
We hope you liked this list of Latin expressions and phrases , although it is large it is not complete, if you search in Google you can find other proverbs not so famous but also very interesting.
34.Hic Rhodus, hic salta
- Translation: Here’s Rhodes, jump in here!
It is used to impel someone to demonstrate something that in theory is easily verifiable.
35.Abusus non tollit usum
- Translation: Abuse does not negate use (tixag_
36. Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas
- Translation: Although power is absent, his will is praiseworthy.
A phrase that contrasts the power and willpower behind a project.
37. Forest fortuna adiuvat
- Translation: Fortune smiles on the brave.
Creating situations of opportunity requires courage, but it’s lucky.
38. Faber est suae quisque fortunae
- Translation: Every man is the artisan of his future.
A proverb that talks about the idea of the future built by oneself.
39. Malum quidem nullum esse sine aliquo bono
- Translation: There is no evil without good.
This Latin proverb is reminiscent of the old idea of Yin and Yang.
40. Si vis amari, ama
- Translation: If you want to love, love.
It could be interpreted as a small sample of humanist philosophy.
41. Sweet bellum inexpertis
Translation: War is sweet to those who have not lived it.
The perception of such situations of violence changes radically when experienced first-hand.
42. Etiam capillus unus habet umbram
- Translation: Even a single hair has its shadow.
The smallest aspects of life have their downside.
43. Ubi concordia, ibi victoria
- Translation: Where there is unity there is victory.
A defense of teamwork.
44. Dum viviumus, vivamus
- Translation: When we live, let us live.
This Latin proverb has a markedly vitalistic character.
45. Extinctus ambitur idem
Translation: The man who is hated will be loved after his death.
An apparent paradox about how we perceive people.
46. Dum excusare credis, accusas
- Translation: When you think you’re making excuses, you’re accusing yourself.
A clever proverb about feeling guilty.
47. Fluctuat nec mergitur
- Translation: It’s shaken by the waves but it doesn’t sink.
A proverb about resilience.
48. Forsan miseros meliora sequentur
- Translation: For those in misery, perhaps better things will happen .
A phrase that speaks of hope.
49. Manus manum lavat
- Translation: One hand washes the other hand.
A phrase that speaks to the agreements that are made in the shadows.
50. Vires acquirit eundo
- Translation: It gains strength as it goes.
Filming increases the power you have over your surroundings.
51. Amicitiae nostrae memoriam spero sempiternam fore
- Translation: I hope the memories of our friendship are eternal.
A phrase about emotional ties.
52. Amare et sapere vix deo conceditur
- Translation: Even the gods find it hard to love and know at the same time. (tixag__
The most urgent needs must be addressed first.
54. Vitam regit fortuna, non sapientia
- Translation: Fortune, not wisdom, rules lives.
One of the Latin proverbs that emphasize the importance of luck.
55. Vitanda est improba siren desidia
- Translation: You have to avoid that temptation, the laziness.
This phrase invites you to live in a proactive way.