46 Powerful Latin Phrases to actually Boost your Life and Sound Smart

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:

  1. Dum spiro spero While I breathe I hope
  2. Veni vidi vici I came, I saw, I conquered
  3. Sapere aude  – Dare to be wise
  4. Ad astra per aspera  – To the stars through difficulties
  5. Faber est suae quisque fortunae  – The architect of his own fortune
  6. Magna est vis consuetudinis  – Great is the power of habit 
  7. Acta non verbal  – Deeds not words 
  8. Non ducor duco  – I am not led, I lead
  9. Verba volant, scripta manent  – Spoken words fly away, written words remain
  10. Carpe diem  – Seize the day
  11. Ex nihilo nihil fit  – Nothing comes from nothing 
  12. Esto quod es  – Be what you are
  13. Dum vita est, spes est  – While there is life, there is hope 
  14. Vince malum bono Overcome evil with good 
  15. Vive ut vivas  – Live so that you may live
  16. Fortes fortuna adiuvat Fortune favors the brave
  17. Gutta cavat lapidem [non vi sed saepe cadendo]  –A water drop hollows a stone [not by Force, but by falling often]
  18. Mens agitat molem  – The mind moves the mass
  19. Faber est suae quisque fortunate Every man is the artisan of his own fortune
  20. Semper sursum Always aim high 
  21. Faciam quodlibet quod necesse est  – I’ll do whatever it takes
  22. Ego te provoco  – I challenge you
  23. Acta non verbal  – Actions speak louder than words
  24. Tuum est It’s up to you
  25. Utrinque apparatus  – Ready for anything 
  26. Cras es noster  – The future is ours
  27. Labor omnia vincit  – Hard work conquers all. 
  28. Scientia ipsa potentia est Knowledge itself is power

Take Life into your own Hands:

Latin Quotes overview

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:

  1. Mors certa, hora incerta Death is certain, its hour is uncertain 
  2. Ex duris gloria  – From suffering comes glory 
  3. De omnibus dubitandum Be suspicious of  everything
  4. Dictum factum What is said is done
  5. Dictum meum pactum My word is my bond
  6. Mulgere hircumTo milk a male goat (trying to do sth that is impossible) 
  7. Finis coronat opusThe end crowns the work ( the goal gives value to the labor) 
  8. Manus manum lavatOne hand washes the other
  9. Faciam ut mei memineris I’ll make you remember me 
  10. Factum fieri infectum non potestIt is impossible for a deed to be undone
  11. Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illisThe times are changing, and we change in them 
  12. Qui totum vult totum perditThe one who wants all, loses all
  13. Dulce periculumDanger is sweet
  14. Melius abundare quam deficereBetter too much than not enough.
  15. Factum fieri infectum non potestIt can’t be undone
  16. Aut viam inveniam aut faciamI will either find a way or make one
  17. Alea iacta estThe die is cast (there is no way back) 
  18. 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!

End picture showing a roman toga

A full list of Latin sayings can be found on Wikipedia