Talk

Latin Phrases

Accius (L. Accius) - Oderint dum metuant (Atreus) -Let them hate me provided they fear me"

á Kempis, Thomas "De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum" Of two evils, the lesser must always be chosen

Appius Claudius (App. Claudius Caecus) Est unusquisque faber ipsae suae fortunae Every man is the artisan of his own fortune

Negotium populo Romano melius quam otium committi - The Roman people understand work better than leisure

Arria the Elder

Paete, non dolet (after stabbing herself in 43 BC)

It does not hurt, Paetus

Augustus (Imperator C. Iulius Caesar Octavianus Augustus)

Acta est fabula (last words)

The play is over
Festina lente

Make haste slowly
Quintili Vare, legiones redde!

Quintilius Varus, give me back my legions!

Bacon, Francis

Ipsa scientia potestas est

Knowledge itself is power

St. Benedict

Ora et labora

Pray and labor

Brennus

Vae victis! (after capturing Rome in 390 BC)

Woe to the conquered!

Burrus (Sex. Afranius Burrus)

Ego me bene habeo (last words)

With me all is well

Caesar (C. Iulius Caesar)

Alea iacta est (after crossing the Rubicon in 49 BC)

The die is cast
Et tu, Brute? (supposed last words)

Even you, Brutus?
Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres (Comentarii De Bello Gallico, I.1)

All of Gaul is divided into three parts
Hoc voluerunt (after battle of Munda in 45 BC)

They wished this
Libenter homines id quod volunt credunt (Comentarii De Bello Gallico, III.18)

Men gladly believe that which they wish for
Meos tam suspicione quam crimine iudico carere oportere (after divorce of Pompeia in 62 BC)

I feel that members of my family should never be suspected of breaking the law
Puri sermonis amator (said of Terence)

A lover of pure speech
Veni, vidi, vici (after battle of Zela in 47 BC)

I came, I saw, I conquered

Caligula (Imperator C. Iulius Caesar Augustus)

Utinam populus Romanus unam cervicem haberet!

If only the Roman people had one neck!

Cato the Elder (M. Porcius Cato)

Carthago delenda est (end of every speech)

Carthage must be destroyed
Vir bonus, dicendi peritus (definition of an orator)

A good man, skilled in speaking

Catullus (C. Valerius Catullus)

Cui dono lepidum novum libellum? (1, 1)

To whom do I give my new elegant little book?
Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem (76, 13)

It is difficult to suddenly give up a long love
Disertissime Romuli nepotum (49, 1)

Most eloquent of the descendants of Romulus (to Cicero)
Frater, ave atque vale (101, 10)

Brother, hello and good-bye
Ille mi par esse deo videtur (51, 1)

He seems to me to be equal to a god
Odi et amo (85, 1)

I hate and I love
Risu inepto res ineptior nulla est (39, 16)

There is nothing more foolish than a foolish laugh
Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus (5, 1)

Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love

Cervantes

Bis dat qui cito dat (Don Quixote)

He gives twice who quickly gives

Chilon

De mortuis nihil nisi bonum

Say nothing but good about the dead

Cicero (M. Tullius Cicero)

Assiduus usus uni rei deditus et ingenium et artem saepe vincit

Constant practice devoted to one subject often outdues both intelligence and skill
Aura popularis

The popular breeze
Consensus audacium

An agreement of rash men (a conspiracy)
Cui bono?

For whose benefit is it?
Cum tacent clamant (In Catilinam I)

When they remain silent, they cry out
Excitabat fluctus in simpulo

He was stirring up billows in a ladle
Ex tempore

From the moment
Inhumanitas omni aetate molesta est

Inhumanity is harmful in every age
In virtute sunt multi ascensus

There are many degrees in excellence
Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus

We are slaves of the law so that we may be able to be free
Num barbarorum Romulus rex fuit?

Romulus was not a king of barbarians, was he?
O praeclarum custodem ovium lupum!

An excellent protector of sheep, the wolf!
O tempora! O mores! (In Catilinam I)

Oh, the times! Oh, the morals!
Patria est communis omnium parens

The fatherland is the common parent of us all
Quam se ipse amans- sine rivali!

Himself loving himself so much- without a rival!
Quo usque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientia nostra? (In Catilinam I)

How long will you abuse our patience, Catiline?
Saepe ne utile quidem est scire quid futurum sit

Often it is not even advantageous to know what will be
Salus populi suprema lex

The safety of the people is the supreme law
Simia quam similis, turpissimus bestia, nobis!

How like us is that very ugly beast the monkey
Tamquam alter idem

As if a second self
Tarditas et procrastinatio odiosa est

Delay and procrastination is hateful
Trahimur omnes laudis studio

We are all drawn by our eagerness for praise
Ut sementem feceris ita metes

As you sow so will you reap
Videtis quantum scelus contra rem publicam vobis nuntiatum sit?

How great an evil do you see that may have been announced by you against the Republic?
Vixerunt (said of the Catilinarian conspirators)

They have lived (They are dead)

Curtius Rufus (Q. Curtius Rufus)

Canis timidus vehementius latrat quam mordet

A timid dog barks more violently than it bites
Medici graviores morbos asperis remediis curant

Doctors cure the more serious diseases with harsh remedies

Dionysius Cato

Struit insidias lacrimis cum femina plorat

When a woman weeps, she is setting traps with her tears

Ennius (Q. Ennius)

At tuba terribili sonitu taratantara dixit

But the trumpet sounded with its terrible taratantara
Moribus antiquis res stat Romana virisque

On ancient ways and heroes stands the Roman state
O Tite tute Tati tibi tanta, tyranne, tulisti

Oh, you tyrant, Titus Tatius! You took such great things for yourself!

Erasmus

Vix ulla tam iniqua pax, quin bello vel aequissimo sit potior (Querela Pacis)

Scarcely is there any peace so unjust that it is better than even the fairest war

Florus (P. Annius Florus)

Ego nolo Caesar esse

I don't want to be Caesar

Gellius (A. Gellius)

Video barbam et pallium; philosophum nondum video

I see the beard and cloak, but I don't yet see a philosopher

Hippocrates

Ars longa, vita brevis

Art is long, life is short

Horace (Q. Horatius Flaccus)

Ab ovo usque ad mala

From the egg right to the apples (From start to finish)
Aequam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem

Remember to keep a clear head in difficult times
Amoto quaeramus seria ludo

Joking aside, let us turn to serious matters
Auream mediocritatem

Golden mean
Aut insanit homo, aut versus facit (Satires, II.vii.117)

The fellow is either mad or he is composing verses
Bella detesta matribus

Wars, the horror of mothers
Bis repetita placent

The things that please are those that are asked for again and again
Caelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt (Epistulae, I.xi.8

They change the sky, not their soul, who run across the sea
Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero (Odes, I.xi.1)

Seize the day, trust as little as possible in tomorrow
Consule Planco

In the consulship of Plancus (In the good old days)
Coram populo

In the presence of the people
Culpam poena premit comes

Punishment closely follows guilt as its companion
Dente lupus, cornu taurus petit

The wolf attacks with his fang, the bull with his horn
Disiecti membra poetae

Limbs of a dismembered poet
Dulce est desipere in loco

It is sweet to relax at the proper time
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori (Odes)

It is sweet and glorious to die for one's country
Eheu fugaces labuntur anni (Odes)

Alas, the fleeting years slip by
Est modus in rebus (Satires)

There is a middle ground in things
Exegi monumentum aere perennius

I have erected a monument more lasting than bronze
Extinctus amabitur idem (Epistles)

The same man will be loved when he is dead
Favete linguis (Odes)

Keep quiet
Genus irritabile vatum (Epistles, II.2.109)

The irritable race of poets
Maecenas atavis edite regibus (Odes, I.1)

Maecenas, born of monarch ancestors
Nec verbum verbo curabis reddere fidus interpres

As a true translator you will take care not to translate word for word
Nil desperandum

Don't despair
Non omnia moriar

Not all of me will die
Nunc est bibendum

Now we must drink
Pallida Mors (Odes)

Pale Death
Quid rides? Mutato nomine de te fabula narratur

What are you laughing at? Just change the name and the joke's on you
Ridentem dicere verum quid vetat?

What forbids a laughing man from telling the truth?
Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet

He who feared he would not succeed sat still
Simplex munditiis

Unaffected by manners
Splendide mendax

Splendidly false
Vis consili expers mole ruit sua

Brute force bereft of wisdom falls to ruin by its own weight
Vitanda est improba siren desidia (Satires, II.iii.14)

One must avoid that wicked temptress Laziness

Juvenal (D. Iunius Iuvenalis)

Insanabile cacoëthes scribendi (Satires)

An incurable passion to write
Maxima debetur puero reverentia

The greatest respect in owed to a child
Mens sana in corpore sano

A sound mind in a sound body
Nemo malus felix

No bad man is lucky
Nemo repente fuit turpissimus (Satires, II.83)

No one ever became thoroughly bad in one step
Panem et circenses

Bread and circuses
Probitas laudatur et alget (Satires, I.74)

Honesty is praised and left in the cold
Rara avis in terris nigroque simillima cycno (Satires, VI.165)

A rare bird upon the earth and very much like a black swan
Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes? (Satires, VI.347-8)

But who will guard the guardians themselves?

Laberius (D. Laberius)

Necesse est multos timeat quem multi timent (referring to Caesar)

He must fear many, whom many fear

Livius Andronicus (L. Livius Andronicus)

Virum mihi, Camena, insece versutum (Odissia, I.1)

Tell me, O Muse, of the skillful man

Livy (T. Livius)

Caeca invidia est

Envy is blind
Res ad triarios rediit

The situation has come down to the triarii

Lucan (M. Annaeus Lucanus)

Nil actum reputa si quid superest agendum

Don't consider that anything has been done if anything is left to be done

Lucilius (C. Lucilius)

O curas hominum! O quantum est in rebus inane!

Ah, human cares! Ah, how much futility in the world!

Lucretius (T. Lucretius Carus)

Aeneadum genetrix, hominum divomque voluptas (De Rerum Natura, I.1)

Mother of Aeneas, pleasure of men and gods
Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum (De Rerum Natura, I.101)

So potent was religion in persuading to evil deeds

Manilius (M. Manilius)

Per varios usus artem experientia fecit

Practice has brought skill through different exercises

Naevius (Cn. Naevius)

Fato Metelli Romae fiunt consules

The Metelli become consuls of Rome by fate
Novem Iovis concordes filiae sorores (Bellum Poenicum, I.1)

You nine daughters of Jupiter, sisters of one heart

Nero (Imperator L. Domitius Ahenobarbus Augustus)

Qualis artifex pereo! (last words)

What an artist I die!

Ovid (P. Ovidius Naso)

A cane non magno saepe tenetur aper

A boar is often held by a not-so-large dog
Alere flammas

To feed the flames
Amor tussisque non celantur

Love, and a cough, are not concealed
Ars est celare artem

It is art to conceal art
Bene qui latuit bene vixit (Tristia)

He who has lived in obscurity has lived well
Donec eris felix, multos numerabis amicos; tempora si fuerint nubila, solus eris (Tristia)

As long as you are lucky, you will have many friends; if cloudy times appear, you will be alone
Gutta cavat lapidem

Dripping hollows out rock
Ingenio maximus, arte rudis (said of Ennius)

Greatest in genius, rough in skill
Leve fit, quod bene fertur, onus

A burden which is done well becomes light
Materiam superabat opus

The workmanship surpassed the subject matter
Militat omnis amans et habet sua castra Cupido

Every lover is a soldier and has his camp in Cupid
Omnia iam fient fieri quae posse negabam

Everything which I said could not happen will happen now
Perfer et obdura; dolor hic tibi proderit olim

Be patient and tough; one day this pain will be useful to you
Qui non est hodie cras minus aptus erit

He who is not prepared today will be less so tomorrow
Rident stolidi verba Latina

Fools laugh at the Latin language
Saepe creat molles aspera spina rosas

Often the prickly thorn produces tender roses

Persius (A. Persius Flaccus)

Gigni de nihilo nihil; in nihilum nil posse reverti (Satires, III.83-84)

Nothing can be produced from nothing; nothing can be returned into nothing

Pervigilium Veneris

Cras amet qui numquam amavit quique amavit cras amet

Let him love tomorrow who has never loved and let he who has loved love tomorrow

Petrarch

Vos vestros servate, meos mihi linquite mores

You keep to your own ways and leave mine to me

Petronius (C. Petronius Arbiter)

Cito fit quod dii volunt

What the gods want happens soon
In alio pediculum, in te ricinum non vides

You see a louse on someone else, but not a tick on yourself

Plautus (T. Maccius Plautus)

Flamma fumo est proxima (Curculio)

Flame follows smoke
Mus uni non fidit antro

A mouse does not rely on just one hole

Pliny the Elder (C. Plinius Secundus)

Bruta fulmina et vana (Natural History, II.xliii.113)

Thunderbolts that strike blindly and in vain

Pliny the Younger (C. Plinius Caecilius Secundus)

Difficile est tenere quae acceperis nisi exerceas

It is difficult to retain what you may have learned unless you should practice it
Nullus est liber tam malus ut non aliqua parte prosit

There is no book so bad that it is not profitable in some part

Propertius (Sex. Propertius)

Expertus dico, nemo est in amore fidelis (Elegiae, II.34.3)

I say as an expert, no one is faithful in love
Nescio quid maius nascitur Iliade (about the Aeneid)

Something greater than the Iliad now springs to birth

Quintilian (M. Fabius Quintilianus)

Mendacem oportet esse memorem

A liar must have a good memory
Satura tota nostra est

Satire is wholly ours

Sallust (C. Sallustius Crispus)

Esse quam videri bonus malebat (Bellum Catilinae, LIV.6)

He (Cato) prefered to be good rather than seem good

Seneca the Elder (L. or M. Annaeus Seneca)

Quaedam non iura scripta sed omnibus scriptis certiora sunt

Some laws are unwritten, but they are better established than all written ones

Seneca the Younger (L. Annaeus Seneca)

Aliquando et insanire iucundum est

It is sometimes pleasant even to act like a madman
Bonitas non est pessimis esse meliorem

It is not goodness to be better than the worst
Colossus magnitudinem suam servabit etiam si steterit in puteo

A giant will keep his size even though he will have stood in a well
Curae leves loquuntur ingentes stupent (Phaedra)

Light cares speak, great ones are speechless
Diligentia maximum etiam mediocris ingeni subsidium

Diligence is a very great help even to a mediocre intelligence
Facilius per partes in cognitionem totius adducimur

We are more easily led part by part to an understanding of the whole
Fallaces sunt rerum species

The appearances of things are deceptive
Gladiator in arena consilium capit

The gladiator is making his plan in the arena (i.e. too late)
Maiorum consuetudini deditus (about his father)

Devoted to the tradition of his ancestors
Non est ad astra mollis e terris via (Hercules Furens, 437)

There is no easy way from the earth to the stars
Non est ars quae ad effectum casu venit

That which achieves its effect by accident is not art
Nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuit (De tranquillitate animi, XVII.10)

There has not been any great talent without an element of madness
Nullum saeculum magnis ingeniis clausum est

No era is closed to closed to great intelects
Otium sine litteris mors est et hominis vivi sepultura (Epistualae morales LXXXII.3)

Leisure without literature is death, or rather the burial of a living man
Potest ex casa magnus vir exire

A great man can come from a hut
Praeceptores suos adulescens veneratur et suspicit

A young man respects and looks up to his teachers
Qui dedit beneficium taceat; narrat qui accepit

Let him who has given a favor be silent; let he who has received it tell it
Timendi causa est nescire

Ignorance is the cause of fear

Syrus (Publilius Syrus)

Aliena nobis, nostra plus aliis placent

Other people's things are more pleasing to us, and ours to other people
Amare et sapere vix deo conceditur

Even a god finds it hard to love and be wise at the same time
Beneficium accipere libertatem est vendere

To accept a favor is to sell one's freedom
Etiam capillus unus habet umbram

Even one hair has a shadow
Malum consilium quod mutari non potest

It is a bad plan that cannot be changed
Stultum est timere quod vitare non potes

It is foolish to fear that which you cannot avoid

Tacitus (P. Cornelius Tacitus)

Bonum virum facile crederes, magnum libenter (Agricola)

You might believe a good man easily, a great man with pleasure
Omnium consensu capax imperii nisi imperasset (Annales, said of Galba)

By general consent, he would have been capable of ruling, had he not ruled
Ubi solitudinem faciunt pacem appellant (Agricola, 30)

When they make a desolation they call it peace

Terence (P. Terentius Afer)

Amantium irae amoris integratio'st (Andria)

The quarrels of lovers are the renewal of love
Dictum sapienti sat est

A word to the wise is sufficient
Fortes fortuna adiuvat

Fortune helps the brave
Homo sum: humani nihil a me alienum puto (Heauton Timorunmenos)

I am a man; I think nothing human is alien to me
Nullum'st iam dictum quod non sit dictum prius (Eunuchus)

Nothing is already said which wasn't said before
Quot homines tot sententiae (Phormio)

So many men, so many thoughts
Senectus ipsast morbus (Phormio)

Old age itself is a disease
Tacent, satis laudant

Their silence is enough praise

Seneca the Elder (L. or M. Annaeus Seneca)

Quaedam non iura scripta sed omnibus scriptis certiora sunt

Some laws are unwritten, but they are better established than all written ones

Tertullian (Q. Septimius Florens Tertullianus)

Certum est quia impossibile (De Carne Christi, V)

It is certain because it is impossible

Titus (Imperator T. Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus Augustus)

Amici, diem perdidi

Friends, I have lost a day

Varro (M. Terentius Varro Reatinus)

Divina natura dedit agros, ars humana aedificavit urbes (De re rustica, III.1)

Divine nature gave us fields, human skill built our cities
Non omnes qui habent citharam sunt citharoedi

Not all who own a lyre are lyre-players

Vegetius (Flavius Vegetius Renatus)

Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum (Epitoma rei militaris, Prologue, 3)

If you want peace prepare for war

Vespasian (Imperator T. Flavius Vespasianus Augustus)

Vae puto deus fio (last words)

Alas, I think I am becoming a god

Virgil (P. Vergilius Maro)

Ab uno disce omnes

Learn all from one thing
Annuit coeptis

He has smiled on our undertakings
Arcades ambo

Arcadians both
Arma virumque cano (Aeneid, I.1)

I sing of arms and a man
Aspirat primo Fortuna labori

Fortune smiles upon our first effort
Auri sacra fames

The cursed hunger for gold
Bella horrida bella

Wars, horrid wars
Dabit deus his quoque finem (Aeneid)

God will even grant an end to these [troubles]
Dis aliter visum

It seemed otherwise to the gods
Dux femina facti

The leader of the deed was a woman
E pluribus unum (Moretum)

One out of many
Equo ne credite, Teucri. Quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentes (Aeneid, II.48)

Don't trust the horse, Trojans. Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks even bearing gifts
Experto credite

Trust the expert
Facilis descensus Averno

Easy is the descent to Avernus (Aeneid, VI.126)
Fama volat (Aeneid)

Rumor flies
Fata obstant (Aeneid)

The Fates oppose
Fata viam invenient (Aeneid)

The Fates will find a way
Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas (Georgics)

He is fortunate who had been able to learn the causes of things
Fidus Achates (Aeneid)

Faithful Achates
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit

Perhaps one day it will be pleasant to remember even these things
Latet anguis in herba (Eclogues, III.94)

A snake lies hidden in the grass
Mantua me genuit, Calabri rapuere, tenet nunc Parthenope, cecini pascua, rura, duces (Epitaph)

Mantua gave me birth, Calabri snatched me away, now Parthenope holds me; I sang of shepherds, pastures, and heroes
Omnia vincit amor, et nos cedamus amori (Eclogues, X.69)

Love conquers all, and let us yield to it
Quorum pars magna fui (Aeneid, II.6)

Of which I was a great part
Sicelides Musae, paulo maiora canamus (Eclogues, IV.1)

Sicilian Muses, let us sing of slightly grander things
Tantae molis erat Romanam condere gentem (Aeneid, I.33)

So great a task it was to found the Roman race
Tu regere imperio populos, Romane, memento (Aeneid, VI.851)

You, Roman, remember to rule peoples with your power

Wotton, Sir Henry

Disputandi pruritas ecclesiarum scabies (Panegyric to King Charles)

An itch for disputation is the mange of the churches

Wren, Sir Christopher

Si monumentum requiris circumspice (epitaph in St. Paul's Cathedral)

If you seek a monument, look around

ab absurdo

from the absurd
ab aeterno

from eternity
ab asino lanam

wool from an ass
ab extra

from the outside
ab imo pectore

from the bottom of the chest
ab incunabulis

from infancy
ab initio

from the beginning
ab intra

from within
ab irato

from an angry man
ab origine

from the very beginning
ab ovo

from the egg (from the very beginning)
absit invidia

let ill will be absent
absit omen

may the omen be absent (asks for protection against evil)
abusus non tollit usum

misuse does not nullify proper use
a capite ad calcem

from head to toe
accessit

he/she came close
Acheruntis pabulum

food of Acheron
ad absurdum

to absurdity
ad arbitrium

at pleasure
ad augusta per angusta

to honors through narrow spaces
ad captandum vulgus

in order to win over the masses
ad eundem gradum

to the same degree
ad gloriam

for glory
ad gustum

to one's taste
ad hoc

for this purpose (a temporary committee)
ad Kalendas Graecas

At the Greek Kalends (never)
ad litteram

to the letter
ad nauseam

to the point of nausea
ad patres

to the fathers (dead)
ad populum

to the people
ad praesens ova cras pullis sunt meliora

eggs today are better than chickens tomorrow
ad quem

to whom
ad referendum

for referring
adsum

I am present
ad unguem

to the fingernail
ad unum omnes

all to one
ad usum Delphini

for the Dauphin's use (expurgated)
ad utrumque paratus

prepared for either
ad verbum

to the word
adversa

things noted
adversaria

that which has been turned to (a journal)
ad vitam aeternam

for eternal life
ad vitam aut culpam

for life or until a misdeed
aeger

sick
aegrotat

he/she is sick
aequo animo

with a calm mind
aeternum vale

farewell forever
a fortiori

with stronger reason
a fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

a precipice in front, wolves behind
age quod agis

do what you are doing
albae gallinae filius

son of a white hen
albo lapillo notare diem

to mark a day with a white stone
alias (dictus)

otherwise called
alieni generis

of a different kind
alieni iuris

of another's law
aliquando bonus dormitat Homerus

sometimes even good Homer dozes
alter ego

second self
alma mater

nurturing mother
alter ego

another I
altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi

the deepest rivers flow with the least sound
alumnus

foster child
amantes sunt amentes

lovers are lunatics
a maximis ad minima

from the greatest to the least
amicus humani generis

friend of the human race
amicus usque ad aras

a friend all the way to the altars
amor nummi

love of money
amor patriae

love of country
amor proxomi

love of one's neighbor
animal bipes implume

a two-legged animal without feathers (human being)
animal disputans

an argumentative animal (human being)
animal rationale

a rational animal (human being)
annus mirabilis

a remarkable year
ante bellum

before the war
ante partum

before childbirth
apologia pro vita sua

a defense of his life
a posteriori

from what comes after
apparatus criticus

critical matter
a priori

from what comes before
aqua et igni interdictus

forbidden water and fire (banished)
aqua pura

pure water
aqua vitae

water of life (alcohol)
a quo

from which
arbiter bibendi

judge of drinking
arbiter elegantiae

master of taste
arbitrio suo

on his/her own authority
arcanum arcanorum

secret of secrets
arma non servant modum

armies do not preserve (show) restraint
arma tuentur pacem

arms maintain peace
arrectis auribus

with ears pricked up
ars amandi

the art of loving
ars artium

the art of arts (logic)
ars moriendi

the art of dying
arte perire sua

to perish by one's own creation
artes perditae

lost arts
asinus asinum fricat

the ass rubs the ass
a tergo

from behind
audaces fortuna iuvat

fortune helps the bold
audi et alteram partem

hear the other side too
aureo hamo piscari

to fish with a golden hook
aurora australis

the southern dawn
aurora borealis

the northern dawn
auspicium melioris aevi

omen of a better time
aut bibat aut abeat

let him either drink or depart
aut Caesar aut nihil

either Caesar or nothing
aut disce aut discede

either learn or leave
aut viam inveniam aut faciam

I will either find a way or make one
beatae memoriae

of blessed memory
beati possidentes

blessed are those who possess
bis vivit qui bene vivit

he lives twice who lives well
bona fide

in good faith
bonis avibus

under good birds (under favorable signs)
bonum vinum laetificat cor hominis

good wine gladdens a person's heart
cacoëthes carpendi

a mania for finding fault
cacoëthes loquendi

a mania for talking
caput mortuum

death's head
caput mundi

head of the world (i.e. Rome)
castigat ridendo mores

he corrects manners by laughing at them
casus belli

an occasion for war
casus foederis

an occasion for a treaty
causa sine qua non

a cause without which not (a necessary cause)
causa causans

an initiating cause
caveant consules ne quid detrimenti respublica capiat

beware, consuls, that the republic is not harmed (formal request for a dictator)
caveat emptor

let the buyer beware
cave canem

beware of the dog
cave quid dicis, quando, et cui

beware what you say, when, and to whom
cessante causa cessat et effectus

when the cause ceases, so does the effect
cetera desunt

the rest are missing
ceteris paribus

other things being equal
coitus interruptus

interrupted coitus
compos mentis

of sound mind
compos sui

master of himself
conditio sine qua non

a condition without which not (a necessary condition)
coniunctis viribus

with united powers
consensus

agreement
consensus gentium

agreement of the nations
consilio et armis

by counsel and by arms
contraria contrariis curantur

opposites are cured by opposites
cornucopia

horn of plenty
corrigenda

things to be corrected
credo quia absurdum est

I believe it because it is unreasonable
cuius regio eius religio

whose the region, his the religion
cum grano salis

with a grain of salt
cum laude

with praise
cum privilegio

with privilege
Curia pauperibus clausa est

The Senate house is closed to the poor
currente calamo

with the pen running on
curriculum vitae

the course of one's life
custos morum

guardian of morals
dabit qui dedit

he who has given will give
damnat quod non intelligunt

they condemn what they do not understand
de asini umbra disceptare

arguing about the shadow of an ass
de bono et malo

of good and bad
deceptio visus

deception of vision
de diem in die

from day to day
de facto

from the fact
de gustibus non est disputandum

it must not be disputed about taste
de integro

from a new
de minimis non curat praetor

a praetor does not care about petty matters
de novo

from a new
de omni re scibili et quibusdam aliis

of everything one can know and several other things
de pilo pendet

it hangs by a hair
de profundis

out of the depths
de proprio motu

of one's own motion
deus ex machina

a god out of a machine
dies faustus

a day bringing good fortune
dies infaustus

a day bringing bad fortune
divide et impera

divide and conquer
dixi

I have spoken
docendo discimus

we learn by teaching
doctus cum libro

learned with a book
dramatis personae

characters of the play
ducit amor patriae

love of country guides
dum vita est spes est

while there's life, there's hope
dura lex sed lex

the law is hard, but it is the law
ecce signum

behold the sign
e contrario

on the contrary
editio cum notis variorum

an edition with the notes of various people
editio princeps

first edition
editio vulgata

common edition
eiusdem farinae

of the same flour
Elizabeth regina

Elizabeth the queen
emeritus

having served his time
ense et aratro

with sword and plow
ergo

therefore
errare humanum est

to err is human
erratum (plur. errata)

error
et hoc genus omne

and everything of this kind
etiam atque etiam

again and again
et nunc et semper

now and forever
et sic de similibus

and so of similar things
ex aequo et bono

according to what is just and good
ex animo

from the heart
ex cathedra

from the chair
exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis

the exception establishes the rule in cases not excepted
exeat

he/she may go forth
exeunt

they leave
exit

he/she leaves
exitus acta probat

the end justifies the means
ex mero motu

out of simple impulse
ex more

according to custom
ex officio

out of one's duty or office
ex pede Herculem

Hercules from the foot
experientia docet

experience teaches
ex tempore

from the moment
facta, non verba

deeds, not words
Fata viam invenient

The Fates will find a way
fide, non armis

by faith, not arms
fortuna caeca est

fortune is blind
genus homo

the human race
Helluo librorum

A glutton for books (bookworm)
homo sapiens

man having sense (human being)
hostis humani generis

enemy of the human race
Ilium fuit

Troy no longer exists
imperium et libertas

empire and freedom
in absentia

in absence
in forma pauperis

in the manner of a poor man
in loco parentis

in place of a parent
in medias res

into the middle of things
in memoriam

in memory [of]
in omnia paratus

prepared for all things
in perpetuum

into perpetuity
in propria persona

in one's own person
in re

in the matter of
in statu quo

in the situation in which [it was before]
in toto

in the whole
inter alia

among other things
inter nos

between us
ipse dixit

he himself said it
ipsissima verba

the very words
ipso facto

by the fact itself
ius gentium

the law of nations
lex scripta

the written law
littera scripta manet

the written letter lasts
lux ex oriente

light from the east
Magna Charta

the Great Paper
magna cum laude

with great praise
magnum bonum

great good
magnum opus

a great work
mare clausum

a closed sea
materia medica

medical material
me duce tutus eris

under my leadership you will be safe
me iudice

I being judge (in my opinion)
Memento mori

Remember to die (whispered into the ear of a general during a triumphal procession)
mihi cura futuri

my concern is the future
mirabile dictu

wonderful to say
multum in parvo

much in little
ne plus ultra

no more beyond (nothing better)
non compos mentis

not in possession of one's senses
nosce te ipsum

know thyself
Nova Scotia

New Scotland
novus homo

a new man [in politics]
nunc pro tunc

now as of then
obiter dictum

said by the way (incidentally)
omnia reliquit servare rem publicam

he left everything to save the state
pauci quos aequus amat Iuppiter

the few whom fair-minded Jupiter loves
pax in bello

peace in the midst of war
pax vobiscum

peace be with you
per annum

by the year
per capita

by heads or individuals
per diem

by the day
per se

by itself
persona non grata

an unwelcome person
poeta nascitur, non fit

The poet is born, not made
possunt quia posse videntur

they can because they think they can
post bellum, auxilium

aid after the war
post mortem

after death
primus inter pares

first among equals
pro forma

for form
pro patria

for one's country
quid pro quo

something for something
quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi

what is permitted to Jupiter is not permitted to a cow
ratio et consilium propriae ducis artes

reason and deliberation are the proper skills of a general
rex regnant sed non gubernat

the king reigns but does not govern
semper idem

always the same thing
semper paratus

always prepared
sequens mirabitur aetas

the following age will be amazed
sine die

without a day [being set]
sine qua non

without which not (a necessity)
status quo

the situation in which [it was before]
sub rosa

under the rose (hidden)
Sub sole nihil novi est

There's nothing new under the sun
sui generis

of one's own kind
summa cum laude

with highest praise
summum bonum

the highest good
sursum corda

lift up your hearts
tempus fugit

time flies
terra firma

solid earth
terra incognita

an unknown land
Ultima Thule

Farthest North
una voce

with one voice, unanimously
Urbem latericiam invenit, marmoream reliquit

He found the city a city of bricks; he left it a city of marble (The boast of Augustus)
urbs et orbis

city and world
Vanitas vanitatum et omnia vanitas

Vanity of vanities, and all [is] vanity
Velle est posse

To be willing is to be able
Verbum sapienti sat est

A word to the wise is sufficient
Vestis virum facit

Clothes make the man
via media

a middle way or course
vice versa

in reverse
victoria, non praeda

victory, not loot
virginibus puerisque

for girls and boys
Volo, non valeo

I am willing but unable
vox humana

the human voice

ab abusu ad usum non valet consequentia

the consequences of abuse do not apply to general use (rights abused by some are still rights)
absolvo

I acquit
adhuc sub iudice lis est

the case is still before the court
ad litem

for the suit or action
ad quod damnum

to what damage (writ used for assessing damage relating to land taken for public use)
ad vitam

for life
a latere

from the side (collateral)
a mensa et toro

from table and bed (legal separation)
amicus curiae

friend of the court
argumentum ab auctoritate

proof from authority
argumentum ab incovenienti

an appeal from inconvenience
argumentum ad absurdum

an argument based on the absurdity (of opponent's argument)
argumentum ad captandum

an appeal to capture (popular passions)
argumentum ad crumenam

an appeal based on the pocketbook
argumentum ad hominem

argument against the man (against opponent's character)
argumentum ad invidiam

an appeal to envy
argumentum ad rem

an argument against the matter at hand
argumentum baculinum

an appeal to force
cadit quaestio

the argument falls
certiorari

to be made certain (writ calling for review by a higher court)
contra bonos mores

against good morals
coram iudice

in the presence of a judge
coram nobis

before us (writ correcting an injury caused by a mistake of the court)
coram non iudice

in the presence of one not a judge (a judge who does not have jurisdiction)
corpus delicti

the body of the crime
corpus iuris

body of law
damnum absque iniuria

loss without injury
de facto

according to fact
de iure

according to law
ex parte

from a part
ex post facto

resulting after the fact
modus operandi (M.O.)

method of operating
prima facie

on the first face [of it]
pro bono publico

for the public good
sub iudice

before the court
subpoena

under penalty (a summons to court)

A.A.S. (anno aetatis suae)

in the year of his/her age
A.B. (Artium Baccalaureus)

Bachelor of Arts
a.c. (ante cenam)

before a meal
A.C. (ante Christum)

before Christ
A.D. (anno domini)

in the year of the Lord
a.d. (aure dextra)

right ear
ad inf., ad infin. (ad infinitum)

to infinity
ad int. (ad interim)

in the meantime
A.E.I.O.U. (Austriae est imperare orbi universo)

It is Austria's destiny to rule the whole world
ad fin. (ad finem)

near the end [of the page]
ad lib., ad libit. (ad libitum)

at pleasure
ad loc. (ad locum)

to the place
ad val. (ad valorem)

according to the value
ae., aet., aetat. (aetatis)

of age, aged
aet.su., A.S. (aetatis suae)

of his/her age
Ag (argentum)

silver
agit. (agita)

shake
A.H. (anno Hegirae)

in the year of the Hegira
a.l. (aure laeva)

left ear
A.M. (anno mundi)

in the year of the world
A.M. (ante meridiem)

before midday
A.M. (ante mortem)

before death
A.M. (Artium Magister)

Master of Arts
A.M.D.G. (Ad maiorem Dei gloriam)

To the greater glory of God
aq (aqua)

water
A.R. (anno regni)

in the year of the reign
a.s. (aure sinistra)

left ear
a.u. (aure utra)

each ear
Au (aurum)

gold
a.u.c. (ab urbe condita, anno urbis conditae)

from the founding of the city
B.A. (Baccalaureus Artium)

Bachelor of Arts
B.D. (Baccalaureus Divinitatis)

Bachelor of Divinity
b.i.d. (bis in die)

twice a day
B.L. (Baccalaureus Legum)

Bachelor of Laws
B.Lit. (Baccalaureus Lit[t]erarum)

Bachelor of Literature (or Letters)
B.M. (Baccalaureus Medicinae)

Bachelor of Medicine
B.Mus. (Baccalaureus Musicae)

Bachelor of Music
B.Phil. (Baccalaureus Philosophiae)

Bachelor of Philosophy
B.S., B.Sc. (Baccalaureus Scientiae)

Bachelor of Science
c. (cum)

with
ca., cir., circ. (circa)

about
cf. (confer)

compare
C.M. (Chirurgiae Magister)

Master of Surgery
C.O.B.Q. (cum omnibus bonis quiescat)

May he rest with all good souls
Cu (cuprum)

copper
d. (denarius)

penny
D.D. (Divinitatis Doctor)

Doctor of Divinity
del. (delineavit)

he/she drew [it]
D.G. (Dei Gratia)

By the grace of God
D.Lit. (Doctor Litterarum)

Doctor of Literature
D.M. (Doctor Medicinae)

Doctor of Medicine
D.O.M. (Deo Optimo Maximo)

To God, the best and greatest
D.O.M. (Domino Optimo Maximo)

To the Lord, best and greatest
d.s.p. (decessit sine prole)

Died without issue
D.T.'s (Delirium tremens)

Trembling delirium
D.V. (Deo volente)

God willing
ead. (eadem)

the same (female) author as before
e.g. (exempli gratia)

for [the sake of an] example
et al. (et alii, et alia)

and others
etc. (et cetera)

and the rest, and so forth
et seq. (et sequens, et sequentes, et sequentia)

and the following
et ux. (et uxor)

and wife
excud. (excudit)

he/she struck this
ex lib. (ex libris)

from the library of
F.D. (Fidei Defensor)

Defender of faith
Fe (ferrum)

iron
fec. (fecit)

he/she made [it]
ff. (foliis)

on the [following] pages
fl. (floruit)

he/she flourished
ft. (fiat, fiant)

make
gt. (gutta)

drop
gtt. (guttae)

drops
hab. corp. (habeas corpus)

you may have the body
H.J.S. (hic iacet sepultus)

here lies buried
H.R.I.P. (hic requiescit in pace)

here rests in peace
h.s. (hora somni)

at the hour of sleep (bedtime)
ib., ibid. (ibidem)

in the same place
id. (idem)

the same
i.e. (id est)

that is
I.H.S. (in hoc signo)

in this sign (the cross)
in loc. (in loco)

in the place
I.N.R.I. (Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum)

Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews
inv. (invenit)

he invented [it]
J.C.D. (Iuris Civilis Doctor)

Doctor of Civil Law
J.D. (Iuris Doctor)

Doctor of Law
J.U.D. (Iuris Ultriusque Doctor)

Doctor of both Civil and Canon Law
lb. (libra)

pound
l.c., loc. cit. (loco citato)

in the place cited
LL. D. (Legum Doctor)

Doctor of Laws
loq. (loquitur)

he (she, it) speaks
l.s. (locus sigilli)

place of the seal
m.(meridies)

midday
M.A. (Magister Artium)

Master of Arts
M.D. (Medicinae Doctor)

Doctor of Medicine
m. ft. (misce et fiat)

mix and make
M.O. (modus operandi)

method of operating
Na (natrium)

sodium
N.B. (Nota bene)

Note well
nem. con. (nemine contradicente)

no one contradicting (unanimously)
no. (numero)

by number
non obst. (non obstante)

notwithstanding
non pros. (non prosequitur)

he does not prosecute
non seq. (non sequitur)

it does not follow
N.P. (nisi prisus)

no protest
n.p.o. (non per os)

not through the mouth (not orally)
n.r. (non repetatur)

do not repeat
ob. (obiit)

he died
o.d. (oculo dextro)

right eye
o.l. (oculo laevo)

left eye
op. cit. (opere citato)

in the work cited
o.s. (oculo sinistro)

left eye
o.u. (oculo utro)

each eye
Pb (plumbum)

lead
p.c. (post cenam)

after a meal
p.d. (per diem)

by the day
per an. (per annum)

by the year
per cent. (per centum)

per hundred
Ph. D. (Philosophiae Doctor)

Doctor of Philosophy
P.M. (post meridiem)

after midday
p.o. (per os)

through the mouth (orally)
p.r.n. (pro re nata)

as the need arises
pro tem. (pro tempore)

for the time, temporarily
prox. (proximo mense)

next month
P.S. (post scriptum)

written after
Q. (quasi)

as it were, almost
q.d. (quaque die)

every day
Q.E.D. (quod erat demonstrandum)

which was to be shown
Q.E.F. (quod erat faciendum)

which was to be done
q.i.d. (quater in die)

four times a day
Q.P., q. pl. (quantum placet)

as much as you please
qq.v. (quae vide)

which see
q.s. (quantum satis)

as much as is sufficient
q.s. (quantum sufficiat)

as much as may suffice
q.v. (quod vide)

which see
R. (regina, rex)

Queen, King
R.I.P. (Requiescat in pace)

May he rest in peace
Rx. (recipe)

take
s. (solidus)

shilling
Sb (stibium)

antimony
sc. (scilicet)

that is to say
S.C. (Senatus Consultum)

decree of the Senate
S.C.U. (Senatus Consultum Ultimum)

final decree of the Senate (martial law)
s.d. (sine die)

without [appointing] a day
seq., seqq. (sequentia)

following
s.i.d. (semel in die)

once a day
Sn (stannum)

tin
s.o.s. (si opus sit)

if needed
s.p. (sine prole)

without issue
S.P.Q.R. (Senatus Populusque Romanus)

The Senate and the Roman People
ss (semis)

one half
s.s.s (stratum super stratum)

layer upon layer
stat. (statim)

immediately
S.T.B. (Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus)

Bachelor of Sacred Theology
S.T.D. (Sacrae Theologiae Doctor)

Doctor of Sacred Theology
S.T.P. (Sacrae Theologiae Professor)

Professor of Sacred Theology
s.v. (sub vero)

under the word
tal. (talis)

of such
t.b. (tubercle bacillus)

tuberculosis
t.i.d. (ter in die)

three times a day
U.D. (ut dictum)

as directed
ult. (ultimo mense)

last month
viz. (videlicet)

namely
vox pop. (vox populi)

voice of the people
V.R. (Victoria Regina)

Queen Victoria
vs. (versus)

against
v.s. (vide super)

see above

abyssus abyssum invocat

hell calls hell
a cruce salus

salvation from the cross
acta sanctorum

deeds of the saints
ad clerum

to the clergy
a Deo et Rege

from God and the King
Adeste Fideles

O come, all ye faithful
ad limina apostolorum

to the thresholds of the Apostles
ad perpetuam rei memoriam

for the perpetual remembrance of the thing
advocatus diaboli

devil's advocate
Agnus Dei

Lamb of God
apage Satanas

begone, Satan
auxilio ab alto

by aid from high
Ave Maria

Hail Mary
Beata Virgo Maria

Blessed Virgin Mary
beati pacifici

blessed are the peacemakers
beati pauperes spiritu

blessed are the poor in spirit
beatus

the blessed one
caeli enarrant gloriam Dei

the heavens bespeak the glory of God
confiteor

I confess
Congregatio de Propaganda Fide

Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith
consummatum est (Christ's last words, John 19:30)

it is completed
Dei gratia

by the grace of God
Deo favente

with God's favor
Deo gratias

[we give] thanks to God
Deo iuvante

with God's help
Deo optimo maximo

to God, the best and greatest
Deo volente

God willing
Deus Misereatur

May God Have Mercy
Deus vobiscum

God be with you
Deus vult

God wills it
Dies Irae

Day of Wrath
Domino optimo maximo

to the Lord, the best and greatest
Dominus providebit

The Lord will provide
ecce homo

behold the man
fiat lux

let there be light
fiat voluntas Tua

Thy will be done
homo proponit, sed Deus disponit

man proposes, but God disposes
in nomine Domini

in the name of the Lord
legatus a latere

advisor from the side
Pater Noster

Our Father (Lord's Prayer)
promotor fidei

promoter of the faith
Te Deum

Thee, God [we praise]
vox populi vox Dei

the voice of the people is the voice of God

Alabama- Audemus iura nostra defendere

We dare defend our rights
Arizona- Ditat Deus

God enriches
Arkansas- Regnat populus

The people rule
Colorado- Nil sine numine

Nothing without the divine will
Connecticut- Qui transtulit sustinet

He who transplanted sustains
Idaho- Esto perpetua

May she live forever
Kansas- Ad astra per aspera

To the stars through difficulties
Maine- Dirigo

I direct
Maryland- Crescite et multiplicamini

Increase and multiply
Massachusetts- Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem

By the sword she seeks peaceful quiet under liberty
Michigan- Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice

If you seek a lovely peninsula, look about you
Mississippi- Virtute et armis

By valor and arms
Missouri- Salus populi suprema lex esto

Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law
New Mexico- Crescit eundo

It grows as it goes
New York- Excelsior

Ever upward
North Carolina- Esse quam videri

To be rather than to seem
Oklahoma- Labor omnia vincit

Work conquers all
Oregon- Alis volat propriis

He flies by his own wings
South Carolina (1)- Animis opibusque parati

Prepared in mind and resources
South Carolina (2)- Dum spiro, spero

While I breathe, I hope
Virginia- Sic semper tyrannis

Thus always to tyrants
West Virginia- Montani semper liberi

Mountaineers are always free
Wyoming- Cedant arma togae

Let arms yield to the toga

Alberta- Fortis et liber

Strong and free
British Columbia- Splendor sine occasu

Splendor without diminishment
Canada- A mari usque ad mare

From sea to sea
Canada (on coins)- Dei gratia

By the grace of God
Chicago- Urbs in horto

A city in a garden
London- Domine, dirige nos

Lead us, Lord
New Brunswick- Spem reduxit

Hope restored
Newfoundland- Quaerite prime regnum Dei

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
Nova Scotia- Munit haec et altera vincit

One defends and the other conquers
Ontario- Ut incepit fidelis sic permanet

As loyal as she began, so she remains
Paris- Fluctuat nec mergitur

She is tossed by the waves but does not sink
Prince Edward Island- Parva sub ingenti

The small under the protection of the great
Puerto Rico- Ioannes est nomen eius

John is his name
Saskatchewan- Multis e gentibus vires

From many peoples, strength
United States- E pluribus unum

One out of many
United States (on seal)- Annuit coeptis

He has smiled on our undertakings
United States (on seal)- Novus ordo seclorum

A new order of the ages
Washington, D.C.- Iustitia Omnibus

Justice for all

Organizations & Institutions

American Federation of Labor- Labor omnia vincit

Work conquers all
Benedictine Order- Domino optimo maximo

To the Lord, best and greatest
Brown University- In Deo speramus

In God we trust
Coast Guard- Semper paratus

Always prepared
Dartmouth College- Vox clamantis in deserto

A voice of one crying in the wilderness
Epicureans- Dum vivimus vivamus

While we live, let us live
Harvard University- Veritas

Truth
Johns Hopkins University- Veritas vos liberabit

The truth will set you free
L.A. Public Library- In libris libertas

In books [there is] freedom
Marine Corps- Semper fidelis

Always faithful
MGM Studios- Ars gratia artis

Art for the sake of art
Oxford University- Dominus illuminatio mea

The Lord is my light
Rollins College- Fiat lux

Let there be light
Society of Jesuits- Ad maiorem Dei gloriam

To the greater glory of God
University of Illinois- Labor omnia vincit

Work conquers all
University of Michigan- Artes, scientia, veritas

Arts, science, truth
University of Texas- Disciplina praesidium civitatis

The instruction [and] protection of the state
Yale University- Lux et veritas

Light and truth

Individuals

Augustus- Festina lente

Make haste slowly
Caligula- Oderint dum metuant

Let them hate me provided they fear me
Constantine- In hoc signo vinces

In this sign you will conquer
English Kings- Defensor fidei

Defender of faith
Figaro (in Beaumarchais' Barber of Seville)- Consilio manuque

By stratagem and manual labor
Frederick III- Austriae est imperare orbi universo

It is Austria's destiny to rule the whole world
Tiberius- Oderint dum probent

Let them hate me provided they respect me

Posted at February 11, 2003 10:56 AM