When thinking about Latin phrases, you must imagine Romans in their traditional togas (their robes), swords, and wine. Celebrations and laughter when a battle was won.
But Romans and other contemporaries had their experiences when it comes to life and death – and so their words of wisdom are still popular and commonly used by the modern minds ( Also, short Latin phrases sound absolutely cool)
Latin Quotes about Life:
Many Latin words have a deep meaning, especially when it comes to life, hope, wisdom, and personal growth. Here are some powerful Latin phrases about life:
- Dum spiro spero – While I breathe I hope
- Veni vidi vici – I came, I saw, I conquered
- Sapere aude – Dare to be wise
- Ad astra per aspera – To the stars through difficulties
- Faber est suae quisque fortunae – The architect of his own fortune
- Magna est vis consuetudinis – Great is the power of habit
- Acta non verbal – Deeds not words
- Non ducor duco – I am not led, I lead
- Verba volant, scripta manent – Spoken words fly away, written words remain
- Carpe diem – Seize the day
- Ex nihilo nihil fit – Nothing comes from nothing
- Esto quod es – Be what you are
- Dum vita est, spes est – While there is life, there is hope
- Vince malum bono – Overcome evil with good
- Vive ut vivas – Live so that you may live
- Fortes fortuna adiuvat – Fortune favors the brave
- Gutta cavat lapidem [non vi sed saepe cadendo] –A water drop hollows a stone [not by Force, but by falling often]
- Mens agitat molem – The mind moves the mass
- Faber est suae quisque fortunate – Every man is the artisan of his own fortune
- Semper sursum – Always aim high
- Faciam quodlibet quod necesse est – I’ll do whatever it takes
- Ego te provoco – I challenge you
- Acta non verbal – Actions speak louder than words
- Tuum est – It’s up to you
- Utrinque apparatus – Ready for anything
- Cras es noster – The future is ours
- Labor omnia vincit – Hard work conquers all.
- Scientia ipsa potentia est – Knowledge itself is power
Take Life into your own Hands:
Latin Quotes about Death
Death doesn’t always portray death, it can portray an ending, the unknown and finality. Here are some great Latin quotes about death:
- Mors certa, hora incerta – Death is certain, its hour is uncertain
- Ex duris gloria – From suffering comes glory
- De omnibus dubitandum – Be suspicious of everything
- Dictum factum – What is said is done
- Dictum meum pactum – My word is my bond
- Mulgere hircum – To milk a male goat (trying to do sth that is impossible)
- Finis coronat opus – The end crowns the work ( the goal gives value to the labor)
- Manus manum lavat – One hand washes the other
- Faciam ut mei memineris – I’ll make you remember me
- Factum fieri infectum non potest – It is impossible for a deed to be undone
- Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis – The times are changing, and we change in them
- Qui totum vult totum perdit – The one who wants all, loses all
- Dulce periculum – Danger is sweet
- Melius abundare quam deficere – Better too much than not enough.
- Factum fieri infectum non potest – It can’t be undone
- Aut viam inveniam aut faciam – I will either find a way or make one
- Alea iacta est – The die is cast (there is no way back)
- Memento mori – Remember you must die
These cool Latin phrases about Life and Death are great inspirations for life, but also educate us about how we should see ourselves in our lives, and how we should act. Some of these meaningful Latin quotes (translated at that) are still used on a common basis. For example, in Germany, we still use the term “one hand washes the other” or “eine Hand wäscht die Andere” when we help other people and they help us in return.
That’s it for today’s post – Need more inspiration? Then check out the following posts!
A full list of Latin sayings can be found on Wikipedia
