Magis inepte, quam ineleganter.(MAGIS INEPTE, KVAM INELEGANTER.)
More ridiculous than ugly.
Suetonius in “The Divine Claudius” about the emperor: “He also composed eight books about his life, written not so much tastelessly as stupidly.”
Magister bibendi(MASTER BIBANDI).
Drinking teacher; drinking party manager; master of drinking.
Magni nominis umbra(MAGNI NOMINIS UMBRA.)
The shadow of a great name (about a person who survived the time of his glory and success or about a descendant of a great person).
From Lucan.
Magnum opus(MAGNUM OPUS).
The main work.
Mala gallina - malum ovum(MALYA TALLINA - MALYUM OVUM).
A bad chicken is a bad egg.
Wed. Russian: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Mala herba cito crescit(MALIA HERBA CYTO CRESCIT).
Thin grass grows quickly.
Proverb.
Male cuncta ministrat impetus(MALE KUNKTA MINISTRAT IMPETUS).
Passion is a bad leader.
From Papinia Station.
Mali principit - malus finis Mali(PRINCIPLES - MALUS FINIS).
Bad beginning, bad ending.
From Terence.
Malesuada fames(MALEZUADA FAMES).
Hunger is a bad advisor.
From V e r g i l i a.
Malo cum Platone errare, quam cum aliis recte sentire(MALO KUM PLYATONE ERRARE, KVAM KUM ALIIS REKTE SENTIRE).
It is better to be wrong with Plato than to be right with others. Or: It is better to be wrong with a wise man than to be right with fools.
Malum consillium est, quod mutari non potest(MALYUM CONSILLIUM EST, KVOD MUTARI NON POTEST).
A bad decision is one that cannot be changed.
From Publilius Syrus (1st century BC).
Malum nullum est sine aliquo bono(MALUM NULLUM EST SINE ALIQUO BONO).
Every cloud has a silver lining.
Proverb found in Pliny the Elder.
Malus animus(MALUS ANIMUS).
Bad intention.
Malus eventus(MALUS EVENTUS).
Bad case; bad incident.
Mane et nocte(MANE ETH NOKTE).
Morning and night.
Manifestum non eget probatione(MANIFESTUM NON EGET PROBATIONE).
The obvious does not need proof.
Manus manum lavat(MANUS MANUM LYAVAT).
The hand washes the hand.
A proverb found in Petronius and Seneca.
Mare interbibere(MARE INTERBIBERE).
Drink the sea, i.e. do the impossible.
The source is a legend told by Plutarch (c. 46 - c. 127) about the resolution of a controversial issue between the Ethiopian and Egyptian kings.
Materia subtilis(MATERIA SUBTILIS).
Thin, delicate material.
Materia tractanda(MATERIA TRACTANDA).
Subject of discussion, conversation.
Mater natura(MATER NATURA).
Nature is mother.
Mater pia(MATER PIA).
Tender, kind mother.
Mea culpa(MEA KULPA).
My fault; sinful.
Mea, memoria(MEA MEMORIA).
In my memory.
Mea parvitas(MEA PARVITAS).
My insignificance (derogatory about myself).
From Valerius Maximus (1st century AD).
Medice, cura te ipsum!(MEDICE, KURA TE IPSUM!)
Doctor, heal yourself!
Gospel of Luke, 4, 23. The proverb that Jesus Christ used in a conversation with the inhabitants of Nazareth: “He said to them: Of course, you will say to Me the proverb: Physician, heal yourself; do also here, in your fatherland, what we heard it happened in Capernaum."
Mel in ore, verba lactis, fel in corde, fraus in factis(MEL IN ORE, VERBA LYAKTIS, FEL IN CORDE, FRAUS IN FACTIS).
Honey on the tongue, milk in words, bile in the heart, deception in deeds.
An ancient epigram on the Jesuits.
Melius non incipient, quam desinent(MELIUS NON INCIPENT, QUAM DESIENT).
It's better not to start than to stop halfway.
From Senek.
Memento mori(MEMENTO MORI).
Memento Mori!
A form of greeting exchanged upon meeting between monks of the Trappist order, founded in 1664.
Memento quod es homo(MEMENTO KVOD ES HOMO).
Remember that you are human.
From F. Bacon (1561-1626).
Mendax in uno, mendax in omnibus(MENDAX IN UNO, MENDAX IN OMNIBUS).
He who lies about one thing lies about everything.
Mens agitate molem(MENS AGITAT PRAYER).
The mind moves the mass, i.e. thought sets matter in motion.
From Virgil.
Mens sana in Sogroge sano(MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO).
In a healthy body healthy mind.
From Yu venal.
Meo voto(IEO VOTO).
In my opinion.
Merito fortunae(MARITO FORTUNE).
On a happy occasion.
Mihi nihil aliud virile sexus esset(MIHI NIKHIL ALIUD VIRILE SEXUS ESSET).
If I have anything masculine, it is a sign of gender.
From Petronius Arbiter.
Mihi vindicta, ego retribuam.(MIHI VINDICTA, EGO RETRIBUAM).
Vengeance is mine, and I will repay.
Romans 12, 19.
Militavi pop sine gloria.(MILITAVI NON SINE GLORIA).
I fought not without glory.
From Horace.
Minima de malis(MINIMA DE MALIS).
The lesser of two evils (choose).
Minus habens(MINUS HABANS).
Having little (about a person of small abilities).
Miserable dictu(MIZERABILE DIKTU).
Regrettable.
Mixture verborum(MIXTURE VERBORUM).
Verbal jumble.
Modo vir, modo femina(MODO VIR, MODO FEMINA).
Either a man or a woman.
From Ovid.
modus agendi(MODUS AGENDI).
Modus operandi.
Modus cogitandi(MODUS COGITANDI).
Way of thinking.
modus dicendi(MODUS DICENDI).
Manner of expression.
modus vivendi(MODUS VIVENDI).
Lifestyle.
Moilia tempora fandi(MOLLIA TEMPORA FANDI).
A time convenient for conversation.
More majorum(MORE MAJORUM).
According to the custom of our ancestors; as it was done in the old days.
Mors animae(MORS ANIME).
Death of the soul.
Mors ultima ratio(MORS ULTIMA RATION).
Death is the final reason for everything.
Mortem effugere nemo potest.(MORTEM EFFUGERE NEMO POTEST).
No one can escape death.
From Cicero.
Multa nocent(MULTA NOTE).
A lot of harm.
Multa, non-multum(MULTA, NON MULTUM).
A lot, but not much, i.e. large in quantity, but insignificant.
Multa paucis(MULTA PAUCIS).
Much in little, that is, short and clear.
Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi(MULTI SUNT VOKATI, PAUCI VERO ELECTI).
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Gospel of Matthew, 20, 16. In his parable, Jesus Christ compares the kingdom of heaven with the owner of the house, who hired workers in his vineyard. He paid everyone the same for the work: both those who came in the morning and those who came at the end of the day. One of those who hired a job in the morning began to grumble about the injustice of such payment. But the owner of the vineyard answered him like this: “Take what is yours and go; I want to give this last one the same as I give you; am I not in a position to do what I want? Or is your eye envious because I am kind? So they will be.” The last are first, and the first are last; for many are called, but few are chosen.”
Multum in parvo(MULTUM IN PARVO).
Much in little (about great content in a small volume).
Multum, non-multa(MULTUM, NON MULTUM).
A lot, not a lot (read, do).
Proverb; found in Pliny the Elder: “You ask how I would advise you to study in your long solitude... Do not forget to carefully select authors in each genre. After all, you must, as they say, read a lot, not a lot.” Also from Quintilian: “We must develop the mind and develop a style by reading a lot, and not by reading a lot.”
Mundus uqiversus exercet histrioniam(MUNDUS UNIVERSUS EKSERZET HISTRIONIAM).
The whole world is engaged in acting.
From Petronius Arbiter.
Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur(MUNDUS VULT DECIPI, ERGO DECIPIATUR).
The world wants to be deceived, so let it be deceived.
The aphorism is attributed to Pope Paul IV (1555-1559); found in a truncated form in some medieval authors.
Munerum animus optimus est(MUNERUM ANIMUS OPTIMUS EST).
The best of gifts is intention, i.e. A gift is not expensive - love is expensive.
Mus in pice(MUS IN PICE).
Mouse in peas (about a situation from which it is difficult to get out).
Mutatis mutandis(MUTATIS MUTANDIS).
By changing what needs to be changed; with changes; with reservations; in accordance with the situation and conditions.
Mutato nomine(MUTATO NOMINE).
Under a different name.
Mysterium magnum(MYSTERIUM MAGNUM).
Great miracle; great mystery.
From Jacob Boehme (1575-1624).
Below are 170 Latin catchphrases and proverbs with transliteration (transcription) and accents.
Sign ў denotes a non-syllable sound [y].
Sign g x denotes a fricative sound [γ] , which corresponds to G in the Belarusian language, as well as the corresponding sound in Russian words God, yeah and so on.
- A mari usque ad mare.
[A mari uskve ad mare].
From sea to sea.
Motto on the coat of arms of Canada. - Ab ovo usque ad mala.
[Ab ovo uskve ad malya].
From eggs to apples, that is, from beginning to end.
The Romans' lunch began with eggs and ended with apples. - Abiens abi!
[Abiens abi!]
Leaving go! - Acta est fabŭla.
[Acta est fabula].
The show is over.
Suetonius, in The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, writes that Emperor Augustus, on his last day, asked his friends as they entered whether they thought he had “played the comedy of life well.” - Alea jacta est.
[Alea yakta est].
Die is cast.
Used in cases where they talk about an irrevocably made decision. The words spoken by Julius Caesar as his troops crossed the Rubicon River, which separated Umbria from the Roman province of Cisalpine Gaul, i.e. Northern Italy, in 49 BC. e. Julius Caesar, breaking the law according to which he, as a proconsul, could command an army only outside of Italy, led it, finding himself on Italian territory, and thereby started a civil war. - Amīcus est anĭmus unus in duōbus corporĭbus.
[Amicus est animus unus in duobus corporibus].
A friend is one soul in two bodies. - Amīcus Plato, sed magis amīca verĭtas.
[Amicus Plato, sed magis amika veritas].
Plato is my friend, but truth is dearer (Aristotle).
Used when they want to emphasize that truth is above all. - Amor tussisque non celantur.
[Amor tussiskve non tselyantur].
You can't hide love and a cough. - Aquila non captat muscas.
[Aquila non captat muscas].
The eagle doesn't catch flies. - Audacia pro muro habētur.
[Aўdatsia about muro g x abetur].
Courage replaces walls (literally: there is courage instead of walls). - Audiātur et altĕra pars!
[Audiatur et altera pars!]
Let the other side be heard too!
On impartial consideration of disputes. - Aurea mediocritas.
[Aўrea mediocritas].
The Golden Mean (Horace).
About people who avoid extremes in their judgments and actions. - Aut vincere, aut mori.
[Aut vintsere, aut mori].
Either win or die. - Ave, Caesar, moritūri te salūtant!
[Ave, Caesar, morituri te salutant!]
Hello, Caesar, those going to death salute you!
Greeting of the Roman gladiators, - Bibāmus!
[Beebamus!]
<Давайте>Let's have a drink! - Caesărem decet stantem mori.
[Tesarem detset stantem mori].
It is fitting for Caesar to die standing. - Canis vivus melior est leōne mortuo.
[Canis vivus melior est leone mortuo].
A living dog is better than a dead lion.
Wed. from Russian proverb “Better a bird in the hand than a pie in the sky.” - Carum est, quod rarum est.
[Karum est, kvod rarum est].
What is valuable is what is rare. - Causa causārum.
[Caўza kaўzarum].
Cause of causes (main reason). - Cave canem!
[Kawe kanem!]
Be afraid of the dog!
Inscription on the entrance of a Roman house; used as a general warning: be careful, attentive. - Cedant arma togae!
[Tsedant arma toge!]
Let the weapon give way to the toga! (Let peace replace war.) - Clavus clavo pellĭtur.
[Klyavus klyavo pallitur].
The wedge is knocked out by the wedge. - Cognosce te ipsum.
[Kognosce te ipsum].
Know yourself.
Latin translation Greek saying inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. - Cras melius fore.
[Kras melius forê].
<Известно,>that tomorrow will be better. - Cujus regio, ejus lingua.
[Kuyus regio, eius lingua].
Whose country is the language. - Curriculum vitae.
[Curriculum vitae].
Description of life, autobiography. - Damnant, quod non intellĕgunt.
[Damnant, quod non intellegunt].
They judge because they don't understand. - De gustĭbus non est disputandum.
[De gustibus non est disputandum].
There should be no arguing about tastes. - Destruam et aedificābo.
[Destruam et edifikabo].
I will destroy and build. - Deus ex machina.
[Deus ex makhina].
God from the machine, i.e. an unexpected ending.
In ancient drama, the denouement was the appearance of God in front of the audience from a special machine, who helped resolve a difficult situation. - Dictum est factum.
[Diktum est factum].
No sooner said than done. - Dies diem docet.
[Dies diem dotset].
One day teaches another.
Wed. from Russian proverb “The morning is wiser than the evening.” - Divĭde et impĕra!
[Divide et impera!]
Divide and rule!
The principle of Roman aggressive policy, adopted by subsequent conquerors. - Dixi et anĭmam levāvi.
[Dixie et animam levavi].
He said it and relieved his soul.
Biblical expression. - Do, ut des; facio, ut facias.
[Do, ut des; facio, ut facias].
I give that you give; I want you to do it.
A Roman law formula establishing the legal relationship between two persons. Wed. from Russian with the expression “You give me - I give you.” - Docendo discĭmus.
[Dotsendo discimus].
By teaching, we learn ourselves.
The expression comes from a statement by the Roman philosopher and writer Seneca. - Domus propria - domus optima.
[Domus propria - domus optima].
Your own home is the best. - Dónec erís felíx, multós numerábis amícos.
[Donek eris felix, multos numerabis amikos].
As long as you are happy, you will have many friends (Ovid). - Dum spiro, spero.
[Dum spiro, spero].
While I breathe I hope. - Duōbus litigantĭbus, tertius gaudet.
[Duobus litigantibus, tertius gaўdet].
When two people quarrel, the third one rejoices.
Hence another expression - tertius gaudens ‘third rejoicing’, i.e. a person who benefits from the strife of the two sides. - Edĭmus, ut vivāmus, non vivĭmus, ut edāmus.
[Edimus, ut vivamus, non vivimus, ut edamus].
We eat to live, not live to eat (Socrates). - Elephanti corio circumtentus est.
[Elephanti corio circumtentus est].
Endowed with elephant skin.
The expression is used when talking about an insensitive person. - Errāre humānum est.
[Errare g x umanum est].
To err is human (Seneca). - Est deus in nobis.
[Est de "us in no" bis].
There is God in us (Ovid). - Est modus in rebus.
[Est modus in rebus].
There is a measure in things, that is, there is a measure for everything. - Etiám sanáto vúlnĕre, cícatríx manét.
[Etiam sanato vulnere, cikatrix manet].
And even when the wound has healed, the scar remains (Publius Syrus). - Ex libris.
[Ex libris].
“From Books”, bookplate, sign of the owner of the book. - Éxēgí monument(um)…
[Exegi monument (mind)…]
I erected a monument (Horace).
The beginning of Horace's famous ode on the theme of the immortality of the poet's works. The ode caused a large number of imitations and translations in Russian poetry. - Facile dictu, difficile factu.
[Facile diktu, difficile factu].
Easy to say, hard to do. - Fames artium magister.
[Fames artium master]
Hunger is a teacher of the arts.
Wed. from Russian proverb “The need for invention is cunning.” - Felicĭtas humāna nunquam in eōdem statu permănet.
[Felitsitas g x umana nunkvam in eodem statu permanet].
Human happiness is never permanent. - Felicĭtas multos habet amīcos.
[Felicitas multos g x abet amikos].
Happiness has many friends. - Felicitātem ingentem anĭmus ingens decet.
[Felicitatem ingentem animus ingens detset].
A great spirit deserves great happiness. - Felix criminĭbus nullus erit diu.
[Felix criminibus nullus erith diu].
No one will be happy for long with crimes. - Felix, qui nihil debet.
[Felix, qui nig x il debet].
Happy is the one who owes nothing. - Festina lente!
[Festina tape!]
Hurry slowly (do everything slowly).
One of the common sayings of Emperor Augustus (63 BC - 14 AD). - Fiat lux!
[Fiat luxury!]
Let there be light! (Biblical expression).
In a broader sense, it is used when talking about grandiose achievements. The inventor of printing, Guttenberg, was depicted holding an unfolded sheet of paper with the inscription “Fiat lux!” - Finis corōnat opus.
[Finis coronat opus].
End crowns the work.
Wed. from Russian proverb “The end is the crown of the matter.” - Gaúdia príncipiúm nostrí sunt saépe dolóris.
[Gaўdia principium nostri sunt sepe doleris].
Joys are often the beginning of our sorrows (Ovid). - Habent sua fata libelli.
[G x abent sua fata libelli].
Books have their own destiny. - Hic mortui vivunt, hic muti loquuntur.
[G x ik mortui vivunt, g x ik muti lekvuntur].
Here the dead are alive, here the dumb speak.
The inscription above the entrance to the library. - Hodie mihi, cras tibi.
[G x odie mig x i, kras tibi].
Today for me, tomorrow for you. - Homo doctus in se semper divitias habet.
[G x omo doctus in se semper divitsias g x abet].
learned man always has wealth in itself. - Homo homini lupus est.
[G x omo g x omini lupus est].
Man is a wolf to man (Plautus). - Homo propōnit, sed Deus dispōnit.
[G h omo proponit, sed Deus disponit].
Man proposes, but God disposes. - Homo quisque fortūnae faber.
[G x omo quiskve fortune faber].
Every person is the creator of his own destiny. - Homo sum: humāni nihil a me aliēnum (esse) puto.
[G x omo sum: g x umani nig x il a me alienum (esse) puto].
I am a man: nothing human, as I think, is alien to me. - Honōres mutant mores.
[G x onores mutant mores].
Honors change morals (Plutarch). - Hostis humāni genĕris.
[G x ostis g x umani generis].
The enemy of the human race. - Id agas, ut sis felix, non ut videāris.
[Id agas, ut sis felix, non ut videaris].
Act in such a way as to be happy, and not to appear (Seneca).
From "Letters to Lucilius". - In aquā scribĕre.
[In aqua skribere].
Writing on water (Catullus). - In hoc signo vinces.
[In g x ok signo vinces].
Under this banner you will win.
The motto of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, placed on his banner (IV century). Currently used as a trademark. - In optĭmā formā.
[In optimal form].
In top shape. - In tempŏre opportūno.
[In tempore opportuno].
At a convenient time. - In vino veritas.
[In wine veritas].
The truth is in the wine.
Corresponds to the expression “What is on the sober mind is on the tongue of the drunk.” - Invēnit et perfēcit.
[Invenit et perfecit].
Invented and improved.
Motto of the French Academy of Sciences. - Ipse dixit.
[Ipse dixit].
He said it himself.
An expression characterizing the position of thoughtless admiration for someone's authority. Cicero, in his essay “On the Nature of the Gods,” quoting this saying of the students of the philosopher Pythagoras, says that he does not approve of the manners of the Pythagoreans: instead of proving their opinion, they referred to their teacher with words ipse dixit. - Ipso facto.
[Ipso facto].
By the very fact. - Is fecit, cui prodest.
[Is fecit, kui prodest].
It was done by someone who benefits (Lucius Cassius).
Cassius, the ideal of a fair and intelligent judge in the eyes of the Roman people (hence Yes another expression judex Cassiānus ‘fair judge’), in criminal trials always raised the question: “Who benefits? Who benefits from this? The nature of people is such that no one wants to become a villain without calculation and benefit for themselves. - Latrante uno, latrat statim et alter canis.
[Latrante uno, latrat statim et alter canis].
When one barks, the other dog immediately barks. - Legem brevem esse oportet.
[Legham bravem essay opportet].
The law should be brief. - Littĕra scripta manet.
[Littera scripta manet].
The written letter remains.
Wed. from Russian proverb “What is written with a pen cannot be cut out with an axe.” - Melior est certa pax, quam sperāta victoria.
[Melior est certa pax, kvam sperata victoria].
Better is certain peace than hope of victory (Titus Livius). - Memento mori!
[Memento mori!]
Memento Mori.
The greeting that was exchanged at a meeting by the monks of the Trappist order, founded in 1664. It is used both as a reminder of the inevitability of death, the transience of life, and in a figurative sense - of a threatening danger or of something sorrowful or sad. - Mens sana in corpŏre sano.
[Mens sana in korpore sano].
A healthy mind in a healthy body (Juvenal).
Usually this saying expresses the idea of harmonious human development. - Mutāto nomĭne, de te fabŭla narrātur.
[Mutato nomine, de te fabula narrative].
The tale is told about you, only the name (Horace) is changed. - Nec sibi, nec altĕri.
[Nek sibi, nek alteri].
Neither yourself nor anyone else. - Nec sibi, nec altĕri.
[Nek sibi, nek alteri].
Neither yourself nor anyone else. - Nigrius pice.
[Nigrius pice].
Blacker than tar. - Nil adsuetudĭne majus.
[Nil adsvetudine maius].
There is nothing stronger than habit.
From a cigarette brand. - Noli me tanĕre!
[Noli me tangere!]
Dont touch me!
Expression from the Gospel. - Nomen est omen.
[Nomen est omen].
“A name is a sign, a name foreshadows something,” that is, a name speaks about its bearer, characterizes him. - Nomĭna sunt odiōsa.
[Nomina sunt odioza].
Names are hateful, that is, naming names is undesirable. - Non progrĕdi est regrĕdi.
[Non progradi est regradi].
Not going forward means going backwards. - Non sum, qualis eram.
[Non sum, kvalis eram].
I am not the same as I was before (Horace). - Nota bene! (NB)
[Nota bene!]
Pay attention (lit.: notice well).
A mark used to draw attention to important information. - Nulla dies sine lineā.
[Nulla diez sine linea].
Not a day without a touch; not a day without a line.
Pliny the Elder reports that the famous ancient Greek painter Apelles (IV century BC) “had the habit, no matter how busy he was, not to miss a single day without practicing his art, drawing at least one line; this gave rise to the saying.” - Nullum est jam dictum, quod non sit dictum prius.
[Nullum est yam diktum, quod non sit diktum prius].
They don’t say anything anymore that hasn’t been said before. - Nullum pericŭlum sine pericŭlo vincĭtur.
[Nullum periculum sine perikulyo vincitur].
No danger can be overcome without risk. - O tempŏra, o mores!
[O tempora, oh mores!]
Oh times, oh morals! (Cicero) - Omnes homĭnes aequāles sunt.
[Omnes g x omines equales sunt].
All people are the same. - Omnia mea mecum porto.
[Omnia mea mekum porto].
I carry everything I have with me (Biant).
The phrase belongs to one of the “seven wise men” Biant. When hometown Priene was taken by the enemy and the inhabitants, in flight, tried to take with them more of their belongings, someone advised him to do the same. “That’s what I do, because I carry everything that’s mine with me,” he answered, meaning that only spiritual wealth can be considered an inalienable property. - Otium post negotium.
[Ocium post negocium].
Rest after work.
Wed: If you’ve done the job, go for a walk with confidence. - Pacta sunt servanda.
[Pakta sunt sirvanda].
Contracts must be respected. - Panem et circenses!
[Panaem et circenses!]
Meal'n'Real!
An exclamation that expressed the basic demands of the Roman crowd in the era of the Empire. The Roman plebs put up with the loss of political rights, being satisfied with the free distribution of bread, cash distributions and the organization of free circus shows. - Par pari refertur.
[Par pari refertur].
Equal is given to equal. - Paupĕri bis dat, qui cito dat.
[Paўperi bis dat, kwi tsito dat].
The poor are doubly benefited by those who give quickly (Publius Sirus). - Pax huic domui.
[Pax g x uik domui].
Peace to this house (Gospel of Luke).
Greeting formula. - Pecunia est ancilla, si scis uti, si nescis, domĭna.
[Pekunia est ancilla, si scis uti, si nescis, domina].
Money, if you know how to use it, is a servant; if you don’t know how to use it, then it is a mistress. - Per aspĕra ad astra.
[Per asper ad astra].
Through thorns to the stars, that is, through difficulties to success. - Pinxit.
[Pinksit].
Wrote.
The artist's autograph on the painting. - Poētae nascuntur, oratōres fiunt.
[Poete naskuntur, oratores fiunt].
People are born poets, they become speakers. - Potius mori, quam foedāri.
[Potius mori, kvam fedari].
It's better to die than to be disgraced.
The expression is attributed to Cardinal James of Portugal. - Prima lex historiae, ne quid falsi dicat.
[Prima lex g x history, ne quid falsi dikat].
The first principle of history is to prevent lies. - Primus inter pares.
[Primus inter pares].
First among equals.
A formula characterizing the position of the monarch in the state. - Principium - dimidium totus.
[Principium - dimidium totius].
The beginning is half of everything (everything). - Probātum est.
[Probatum est].
Approved; accepted. - Promitto me laboratūrum esse non sordĭdi lucri causā.
[Promitto me laboraturum esse non sordidi lukri ka "ўza].
I promise that I will not work for the sake of despicable gain.
From the oath taken when receiving a doctorate in Poland. - Putantur homĭnes plus in aliēno negotio vidēre, quam in suo.
[Putantur g x omines plus in alieno negocio videre, kvam in suo].
It is believed that people see more in someone else’s business than in their own, that is, they always know better from the outside. - Qui tacet, consentīre vidētur.
[Kwi tatset, konsentire videtur].
It seems that the one who is silent agrees.
Wed. from Russian proverb “Silence is a sign of consent.” - Quia nomĭnor leo.
[Quia nominor leo].
For I am called a lion.
Words from the fable of the Roman fabulist Phaedrus (end of the 1st century BC - first half of the 1st century AD). After the hunt, the lion and the donkey shared the spoils. The lion took one share for himself as the king of beasts, the second as a participant in the hunt, and the third, he explained, “because I am a lion.” - Quod erat demonstrandum (q. e. d.).
[Kvod erat demonstrandum]
Q.E.D.
The traditional formula that completes the proof. - Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi.
[Kvod litset Yovi, non litset bovi].
What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull.
According to ancient myth, Jupiter in the form of a bull kidnapped the daughter of the Phoenician king Agenor Europa. - Quod tibi fiĕri non vis, altĕri non fecĕris.
[Kvod tibi fieri non vis, alteri non fetseris].
Don't do to others what you don't want to do to yourself.
The expression is found in the Old and New Testaments. - Quos Juppĭter perdĕre vult, dementat.
[Kvos Yuppiter perdere vult, dementat].
Whomever Jupiter wants to destroy, he deprives of reason.
The expression goes back to a fragment of the tragedy of an unknown Greek author: “When a deity prepares misfortune for a person, he first of all takes away his mind with which he reasons.” The above briefer formulation of this thought was apparently first given in the edition of Euripides, published in 1694 in Cambridge by the English philologist W. Barnes. - Quot capĭta, tot sensūs.
[Kvot kapita, tot sensus].
So many people, so many opinions. - Rarior corvo albo est.
[Rarior corvo albo est].
More rare than the white crow. - Repetitio est mater studiōrum.
[Repetizio est mater studiorum].
Repetition is the mother of learning. - Requiescat in pace! (R.I.P.).
[Requieskat in patse!]
May he rest in peace!
Latin gravestone inscription. - Sapienti sat.
[Sapienti sat].
Enough for those who understand. - Scientia est potentia.
[Sciencia est potentia].
Knowledge is power.
An aphorism based on a statement by Francis Bacon (1561–1626), an English philosopher, the founder of English materialism. - Scio me nihil scire.
[Scio me nig h il scire].
I know that I know nothing (Socrates). - Sero venientĭbus ossa.
[Sero venientibus ossa].
Those who come late (are left) with bones. - Si duo faciunt idem, non est idem.
[Si duo faciunt idem, non est idem].
If two people do the same thing, it is not the same thing (Terence). - Si gravis brevis, si longus levis.
[Si gravis brevis, si lengus lewis].
If the pain is excruciating, it is not long-lasting; if it is long-lasting, it is not painful.
Citing this position of Epicurus, Cicero in his treatise “On the Supreme Good and the Supreme Evil” proves its inconsistency. - Si tacuisses, philosŏphus mansisses.
[Si takuisses, philosophus mansisses].
If you had remained silent, you would have remained a philosopher.
Boethius (c. 480–524) in his book “On the Consolation of Philosophy” tells how someone who boasted of the title of philosopher listened for a long time in silence to the scolding of a man who exposed him as a deceiver, and finally asked mockingly: “Now you understand that I am really a philosopher ?”, to which I received the answer: “Intellexissem, si tacuisses” 'I would have understood this if you had remained silent.' - Si tu esses Helĕna, ego vellem esse Paris.
[Si tu esse G x elena, ego vellem esse Paris].
If you were Helen, I would like to be Paris.
From a medieval love poem. - Si vis amāri, ama!
[Si vis amari, ama!]
If you want to be loved, love! - Sí vivís Romaé, Romā́no vivito more.
[Si vivis Rome, Romano vivito more].
If you live in Rome, live according to Roman customs.
New Latin poetic saying. Wed. from Russian proverb “Don’t meddle in someone else’s monastery with your own rules.” - Sic transit gloria mundi.
[Sic transit glöria mundi].
This is how worldly glory passes.
These words are addressed to the future pope during the installation ceremony, burning a piece of cloth in front of him as a sign of the illusory nature of earthly power. - Silent legs inter arma.
[Silent leges inter arma].
Laws are silent among weapons (Livy). - Similis simili gaudet.
[Similis simili gaudet].
The like rejoices in the like.
Corresponds to Russian. proverb “A fisherman sees a fisherman from afar.” - Sol omnĭbus lucet.
[Salt omnibus lucet].
The sun is shining for everyone. - Sua cuīque patria jucundissĭma est.
[Sua kuikve patria yukundissima est].
Everyone has their own best homeland. - Sub rosā.
[Sub rose].
“Under the rose,” that is, in secret, secretly.
For the ancient Romans, the rose was an emblem of mystery. If a rose was hung from the ceiling above the dining table, then everything that was said and done “under the rose” was not to be disclosed. - Terra incognita.
[Terra incognita].
Unknown land (in a figurative sense - an unfamiliar area, something incomprehensible).
On ancient geographical maps, these words denoted unexplored territories. - Tertia vigilia.
[Terzia vigilia].
"Third Watch"
Night time, i.e. the period from sunset to sunrise, was divided among the ancient Romans into four parts, the so-called vigilia, equal to the duration of the changing of guards in military service. The third vigil is the period from midnight to the beginning of dawn. - Tertium non datur.
[Tertium non datur].
There is no third.
One of the provisions of formal logic. - Theātrum mundi.
[Theatrum mundi].
World stage. - Timeó Danaós et dona feréntes.
[Timeo Danaos et dona faires].
I am afraid of the Danaans, even those who bring gifts.
Words of the priest Laocoon, referring to a huge wooden horse, built by the Greeks (Danaans) supposedly as a gift to Minerva. - Totus mundus agit histriōnem.
[Totus mundus agit g x istrionem].
The whole world is playing a play (the whole world is actors).
Inscription on Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. - Tres faciunt collegium.
[Tres faciunt collegium].
Three make up the council.
One of the provisions of Roman law. - Una hirundo non facit ver.
[Una g x irundo non facit ver].
One swallow does not make spring.
Used in the sense of ‘one should not judge too hastily, based on one action’. - Unā voce.
[Una votse].
Unanimously. - Urbi et orbi.
[Urbi et orbi].
“To the city and the world,” that is, to Rome and the whole world, for general information.
The ceremony for electing a new pope required that one of the cardinals clothe the chosen one with the robe, uttering the following phrase: “I invest you with Roman papal dignity, so that you may stand before the city and the world.” Currently, the Pope begins his annual address to the believers with this phrase. - Usus est optĭmus magister.
[Uzus est optimus magister].
Experience is the best teacher. - Ut amēris, amabĭlis esto.
[Ut ameris, amabilis esto].
To be loved, be worthy of love (Ovid).
From the poem “The Art of Love.” - Ut salūtas, ita salutabĕris.
[Ut salutas, ita salutaberis].
As you greet, so you will be greeted. - Ut vivas, igĭtur vigĭla.
[Ut vivas, igitur vigilya].
To live, be on your guard (Horace). - Vade mecum (Vademecum).
[Vade mekum (Vademekum)].
Come with me.
This was the name of a pocket reference book, index, guide. The first to give this name to his work of this nature was the New Latin poet Lotikh in 1627. - Vae soli!
[Ve so"li!]
Woe to the lonely! (Bible). - Vēni. Vidi. Vici.
[Venya. See. Vitsi].
Came. Saw. Victorious (Caesar).
According to Plutarch, with this phrase Julius Caesar reported in a letter to his friend Amyntius about the victory over the Pontic king Pharnaces in August 47 BC. e. Suetonius reports that this phrase was inscribed on a tablet carried before Caesar during the Pontic triumph. - Verba movent, exempla trahunt.
[Verba movent, sample trag x unt].
The words excite, the examples captivate. - Verba volant, scripta manent.
[Verba volant, scripta manent].
Words fly away, but what is written remains. - Verĭtas tempŏris filia est.
[Veritas temporis filia est].
Truth is the daughter of time. - Vim vi repellĕre licet.
[Vim vi rapellere litset].
Violence can be repelled by force.
One of the provisions of Roman civil law. - Vita brevis est, ars longa.
[Vita brevis est, ars lenga].
Life is short, art is eternal (Hippocrates). - Vivat Academy! Vivant professōres!
[Vivat Akademiya! Vivant professores!]
Long live the university, long live the professors!
A line from the student anthem "Gaudeāmus". - Vivĕre est cogitāre.
[Vivere est cogitare].
Living means thinking.
The words of Cicero, which Voltaire took as a motto. - Vivĕre est militāre.
[Vivere est militar].
To live is to fight (Seneca). - Víx(i) et quém dedĕrát cursúm fortúna perégi.
[Vix(i) et kvem dederat kursum fortuna peregi].
I have lived my life and walked the path assigned to me by fate (Virgil).
The dying words of Dido, who committed suicide after Aeneas abandoned her and sailed from Carthage. - Volens nolens.
[Volens nolens].
Willy-nilly; whether you want it or not.
Latin catchphrases taken from the textbook.
The expression is used in Latin in two versions with the same meaning (Who benefits? Who benefits from this? Who benefits?):
Cui bono? (kui bono)
Cui prodest? (kui prodest)
The expression was repeatedly used in his speech by Cicero (, 106 - 43 BC). For example, in the speech “In Defense of Milo”, as well as in the speech “In Defense of Roscius of America”, XXX, 84: L.:
""The famous L. Cassius, whom the Roman people considered the fairest and wisest judge, always raised the question in criminal trials: "Who benefited from this?" In life we see that no one dares to become a criminal without calculation and benefit for himself."
Source: Latin-Russian and Russian-Latin dictionary winged words and expressions. - M.: Russian Language. N.T. Babichev, Ya.M. Borovskaya. 1982.
Examples
(1818 - 1883)
A. I. Turgenev - N. I. Turgenev, 22.VII 1827:
“This morning he preached to the Russian and Polish and French ladies the system of Ad. Smith - and the stupidity of the human race, which turned so late to simple truths. - There is a lot of information, and intelligence, and clear concepts from dealing with intelligent people. But cui bono?"
(1812 - 1870)
A. I. Herzen - F. Pulsky, 29.IV 1861:
“Not having the slightest opportunity to make inquiries here, I turned to some of our Hyperborean friends with a request. They answer me that they have never heard anything about this. In my opinion, this is neither proof nor refutation. However, the goal is not very clear, it seems to me - cui bono all this?"
K. A. Timiryazev
Science in modern life:
"The time is not yet distant when scientific research was met with the question cui bono- what's the use? Now it is more likely to become boring with such an endless list of what science has given to humanity and, let us note, thanks not only to the inventor, as is usually thought, but precisely to the researcher."
V. S. Soloviev
Comments on the lecture by P. N. Milyukov:
“To me, as a publicist, for whom what is important is not what is made up and how certain phenomena occur, but what they lead to ( cui bono), - it was necessary to emphasize - that Slavophilism, with all its abstract merits, has now in fact turned only into a support and decoration of such tendencies, which I consider not only false, but detrimental to Russia."
The most complete list!
Selection beautiful phrases and popular aphorisms in Latin, sayings and quotes with translation for tattoos. Lingua latina is one of the most ancient languages, the appearance of which dates back to the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. e.
Wise Latin sayings are often used by contemporaries as inscriptions for tattoos or as independent tattoos in a beautiful font.
Phrases for tattoos in Latin
Audaces fortuna juvat.
(translation from Latin)
Happiness favors the brave.
Contra spent spero.
I hope without hope.
Debellare superbos.
Crush the pride of the rebellious.
Errare humanum est.
Est quaedam flere voluptas.
There is something of pleasure in tears.
Ex veto.
By promise, by vow.
Faciam ut mei memineris.
Quote from the work of the ancient Roman author Plautus.
I'll make sure you remember me.
Fatum.
Fate, rock.
Fecit.
I did it, I did it.
Finis coronat opus.
End crowns the work.
Gaudeamus igitur, Juvenes dum sumus!.
Let's have fun while we're young.
Gutta cavat Lapidem.
A drop wears away a stone.
Literally: Gutta cavat lapidem, consumitur anulus usu – A drop chisels a stone, the ring wears out from use. (Ovid)
Hoc est in votis.
That's what I want.
Homo homini Lupus est.
Man is a wolf to man.
Homo Liber.
Free man.
In hac spe vivo.
I live by this hope.
The truth is in the wine.
Magna res est amor.
Love is a great deal.
Malo mori quam foedari.
Better death than dishonor.
Ne cede malls.
Don't be discouraged by misfortune.
Noll me tangere.
Dont touch me.
Omnia mea mecum Porte.
I carry everything that’s mine with me.
Per aspera ad astra.
Through hardship to the stars.
The option is also used Ad astra per aspera– to the stars through thorns.
The famous saying is attributed to Lucius Annaeus Seneca, an ancient Roman philosopher.
Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi.
What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull.
A Latin phraseological unit that defines that there is no and cannot be equality among people.
Suum cuique.
To each his own.
Ubi bene, ibi patria.
Where it is good, there is homeland.
The original source appears to be in the comedy Plutus by the ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes.
Vale et me ama.
Farewell and love me.
Cicero ended his letters with this phrase.
I came, I saw, I conquered!
Laconic notice of Caesar about his victory over Pharnaces, son of Mithridates, at Cela, 47 BC.
Vlvere militare est.
Live means fight.
Vivere est cogitare
Living means thinking.
Words of the Roman statesman, writer and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC)
Ab altero expectes, alteri quod feceris.
Expect from another what you yourself have done to another.
Abiens, abi!
Leaving go!
Adversa fortuna.
Evil rock.
Aequam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem.
Try to maintain presence of mind even in difficult circumstances.
Aetate fruere, mobili cursu fugit.
Take advantage of life, it is so fleeting.
Ad pulchritudinem ego excitata sum, elegantia spiro et artem efflo.
I am awakened to beauty, breathe grace and radiate art.
Actum ne agas.
What you're done with, don't come back to.
Aliena vitia in oculis habemus, a tergo nostra sunt.
Other people's vices are before our eyes, ours are behind our backs.
Aliis inserviendo consumor.
I waste myself in serving others.
The inscription under the candle as a symbol of self-sacrifice, cited in numerous editions of collections of symbols and emblems.
Amantes sunt amentes.
Lovers are crazy.
Amicos res secundae parant, adversae probant.
Friends are made by happiness, misfortune tests them.
Amor etiam deos tangit.
Even gods are subject to love.
Amor non est medicabilis herbis.
Love cannot be cured with herbs. (i.e. there is no cure for love. Ovid, “Heroids”)
Amor omnia vincit.
Love conquers everything.
Amor, ut lacrima, ab oculo oritur, in cor cadit.
Love, like a tear, is born from the eyes and falls on the heart.
Antiquus amor cancer est.
Old love is not forgotten.
Audi, multa, loquere pauca.
Listen a lot, talk little.
Audi, vide, sile.
Listen, watch and be silent.
Audire ignoti quom imperant soleo non auscultare.
I'm ready to listen to stupidity, but I won't listen.
Aut viam inveniam, aut faciam.
Either I’ll find a way, or I’ll pave it myself.
Aut vincere, aut mori.
Either win or die.
Aut caesar, aut nihil.
Either Caesar or nothing.
Beatitudo non est virtutis praemium, sed ipsa virtus.
Happiness is not a reward for valor, but it is valor itself.
Castigo te non quod odio habeam, sed quod amem.
I punish you not because I hate you, but because I love you.
Certum voto pete finem.
Set yourself only clear goals (i.e. achievable).
Cogitationes poenam nemo patitur.
No one is punished for thoughts.
(One of the provisions of Roman law (Digest)
Cogito, ergo sum.
I think, therefore I exist. (The position based on which the French philosopher and mathematician Descartes tried to build a system of philosophy, free from elements of faith and based entirely on the activity of reason. René Descartes, “Principles of Philosophy”, I, 7, 9.)
Conscientia mille testes.
Conscience is a thousand witnesses. (Latin proverb)
Dolus an virtus quis in hoste requirat?
Who will decide between cunning and valor when dealing with the enemy? (Virgil, Aeneid, II, 390)
Ducunt volentem fata, nolentem trahunt.
Fate leads those who want to go, but drags those who don’t want to go. (Cleanthes' saying, translated into Latin by Seneca.)
Esse oportet ut vivas, non vivere ut edas.
You have to eat to live, not live to eat. (Medieval maxim paraphrasing the ancient sayings of Quintilian: “I eat to live, but I do not live to eat” and Socrates: “Some people live to eat, but I eat to live.”)
Hoc est vivere bis, vita posse priore frui.
To be able to enjoy the life you have lived means to live twice. (Martial, Epigrams)
Etiam innocentes cogit mentiri dolor.
Pain makes even the innocent lie. (Publius, "Sentences")
Ignoscito saepe alteri, nunquam tibi.
Forgive others often, never forgive yourself. (Publius, "Sentences")
Infandum renovare dolorem.
To resurrect the terrible, unspeakable pain again, to talk about the sad past. (Virgil, "Aeneid")
Homo homini lupus est.
Man is a wolf to man. (Plautus, “Donkeys”)
Consultor homini tempus utilissimus.
Time is the most useful adviser to a person.
Corrige praeteritum, praesens rege, cerne futurum.
Correct the past, manage the present, provide for the future.
Cui ridet Fortuna, eum ignorat Femida.
Whoever Fortune smiles on, Themis does not notice.
Cujusvis hominis est errare; nullius, nisi insipientis in errore perseverare.
It is common for every person to make mistakes, but only a fool tends to persist in a mistake.
Cum vitia present, paccat qui recte facit.
When vices flourish, those who live honestly suffer.
Damant, quod non intelegunt.
They judge because they don't understand.
De gustibus non disputandum est.
Tastes could not be discussed. (The Russian equivalent is the proverb “There is no friend according to taste”)
De mortuis aut bene, aut nihil.
About the dead it’s either good or nothing. (A probable source is Chilon’s saying “Do not slander the dead”)
Descensus averno facilis est.
The path to hell is easy.
Deus ipse se fecit.
God created himself.
Divide et impera.
Divide and rule. (Latin formulation of the principle of imperialist policy, which arose in modern times.)
Dura lex, sed lex.
The law is harsh, but it is the law. The meaning of the Latin phrase is: No matter how severe the law, it must be obeyed.
While I breathe I hope!
Dum spiro, amo atque credo.
As long as I breathe, I love and believe.
Edite, bibite, post mortem nulla voluptas!
Eat, drink, there is no pleasure after death!
From an old student song. A common motif of ancient inscriptions on tombstones and table utensils.
Educa te ipsum!
Educate yourself!
Esse quam videri.
Be, not seem to be.
Ex nihilo nihil fit.
Nothing comes from nothing.
Ex malis eligere minima.
Choose the least of two evils.
Ex ungue leonem.
You can recognize a lion by its claws.
Ex ungua leonem cognoscimus, ex auribus asinum.
We recognize a lion by its claws, and a donkey by its ears.
Experience est optima magistra.
Experience is the best teacher.
Facile omnes, cum valemus, recta consilia aegrotis damus.
When we are healthy, we easily give good advice to the sick.
Facta sunt potentiora verbis.
Acts are stronger than words.
Factum est factam.
What's done is done (a fact is a fact).
Fama clamosa.
Loud glory.
Fama volat.
The earth is full of rumors.
Feci quod potui, faciant meliora potentes.
I did everything I could, let anyone who can do it do better.
(A paraphrase of the formula with which the Roman consuls concluded their reporting speech, transferring powers to their successor.)
Felix, qui quod amat, defendere fortiter audet.
Happy is he who boldly takes under his protection what he loves.
Feminae naturam regere desperare est otium.
Having decided to pacify a woman’s temperament, say goodbye to peace!
Festina lente.
Hurry up slowly.
Fide, sed cui fidas, vide.
Be vigilant; trust, but be careful who you trust.
Fidelis et forfis.
Loyal and brave.
Finis vitae, sed non amoris.
Life ends, but not love.
Flagrante delicto.
At the crime scene, red-handed.
Forsomnia versas.
Blind chance changes everything (the will of blind chance).
Fortes fortuna adjuvat.
Fate helps the brave.
Fortiter in re, suaviter in modo.
Firm in action, gentle in handling.
(Persistently achieve the goal, acting gently.)
Fortunam citius reperis, quam retineas.
Happiness is easier to find than to maintain.
Fortunam suam quisque parat.
Everyone finds their destiny themselves.
Fructus temporum.
Fruit of time.
Fuge, late, tace.
Run, hide, be silent.
Fugit irrevocabile tempus.
Irreversible time is running out.
Gaudeamus igitur.
So let's have fun.
Gloria victoribus.
Glory to the winners.
Gustus legibus non subiacet.
Taste does not obey laws.
Gutta cavat lapidem.
A drop wears away a stone.
Heu conscienta animi gravis est servitus.
Worse than slavery is remorse.
Heu quam est timendus qui mori tutus putat!
He is terrible who considers death to be good!
Homines amplius oculis, quam auribus credunt.
People believe their eyes more than their ears.
Homines, dum docent, discunt.
People learn by teaching.
Hominis est errare.
Humans tend to make mistakes.
Homines non odi, sed ejus vitia.
It is not the person I hate, but his vices.
Homines quo plura habent, eo cupiunt ampliora.
The more people have, the more they want to have.
Homo hominis amicus est.
Man is a friend to man.
Homo sum et nihil humani a me alienum puto.
I am a man, and nothing human is alien to me.
Ibi potest valere populus, ubi leges valent.
Where the laws are in force, the people are strong.
Igne natura renovatur integra.
With fire, all nature is renewed.
Imago animi vultus est.
The face is the mirror of the soul.
Imperare sibi maximum imperium est.
To command oneself is the greatest power.
Forever, forever.
In Daemon Deus!
There is God in the Demon!
In dubio abstine.
When in doubt, refrain.
Infelicissimum genus infortunii est fuisse felicem.
The greatest misfortune is to be happy in the past.
Incertus animus dimidium sapientiae est.
Doubt is half of wisdom.
In pace.
In peace, in peace.
Incedo per ignes.
I walk among the fire.
Incertus animus dimidium sapientiae est.
Doubt is half of wisdom.
Injuriam facilius facias guam feras.
It's easy to offend, harder to endure.
In me omnis spes mihi est.
All my hope is in myself.
In memoriam.
In mind.
In pace leones, in proelio cervi.
In times of peace - lions, in battle - deer. (Tertullian, “On the Crown”)
Inter arma silent legs.
When weapons thunder, the laws are silent.
Inter parietes.
Within four walls.
In tyrannos.
Against tyrants.
The truth is in the wine. (Cf. Pliny the Elder: “It is generally accepted to attribute truthfulness to wine.”) A very common phrase in tattoos!
In vino veritas, in aqua sanitas.
Truth is in wine, health is in water.
In vitium ducit culpae fuga.
The desire to avoid a mistake draws you into another. (Horace, "The Science of Poetry")
In venere semper certat dolor et gaudium.
In love, pain and joy always compete.
Ira initium insaniae est.
Anger is the beginning of madness.
Jactantius maerent, quae minus dolent.
Those who show their grief the most are those who mourn the least.
Jucundissimus est amari, sed non minus amare.
It is very pleasant to be loved, but it is no less pleasant to love yourself.
Leve fit, quod bene fertur onus.
The load becomes light when you carry it with humility. (Ovid, "Love Elegies")
Lucri bonus est odor ex re qualibet.
The smell of profit is pleasant, no matter where it comes from. (Juvenal, “Satires”)
Lupus non mordet lupum.
A wolf will not bite a wolf.
Lupus pilum mutat, non mentem.
The wolf changes its fur, not its nature.
Manus manum lavat.
The hand washes the hand.
(A proverbial expression dating back to the Greek comedian Epicharmus.)
Mea mihi conscientia pluris est quam omnium sermo.
My conscience is more important to me than all the gossip.
Mea vita et anima es.
You are my life and soul.
Melius est nomen bonum quam magnae divitiae.
A good name is better than great wealth.
Meliora spero.
Hoping for the best.
Mens sana in corpore sano.
In a healthy body healthy mind.
Memento mori.
Memento Mori.
(A form of greeting that was exchanged when meeting monks of the Trappist Order. It is used both as a reminder of the inevitability of death and, in a figurative sense, of threatening danger.)
Memento quia pulvis est.
Remember that you are dust.
Mores cuique sui fingit fortunam.
Our fate depends on our morals.
Mors nescit legem, tollit cum paupere regem.
Death does not know the law; it takes both the king and the poor man.
Mors omnia solvit.
Death solves all problems.
Mortem effugere nemo potest.
No one can escape death.
Natura abhorret vacuum.
Nature abhors a vacuum.
Naturalia non sunt turpia.
Natural is not shameful.
Nihil est ab omni parte beatum.
Nothing is good in every way
(i.e. there is no complete well-being Horace, “Odes”).
Nihil habeo, nihil curo.
I have nothing - I don’t care about anything.
Nitinur in vetitum semper, cupimusque negata.
We always strive for the forbidden and desire the forbidden. (Ovid, "Love Elegies")
Nolite dicere, si nescitis.
Don't say if you don't know.
Non est fumus absque igne.
There is no smoke without fire.
Non ignara mali, miseris succurrere disco.
Having experienced misfortune, I learned to help those who suffer. (Virgil)
Non progredi est regredi.
Not moving forward means going backwards.
Nunquam retrorsum, semper ingrediendum.
Not one step back, always forward.
Nusquam sunt, qui ubique sunt.
Those who are everywhere are nowhere.
Oderint dum metuant.
Let them hate, as long as they are afraid. (The words of Atreus from the tragedy Actium named after him. According to Suetonius, this was the favorite saying of Emperor Caligula.)
Odi et amo.
I hate it and love it.
Omne ignotum pro magnifico est.
Everything unknown seems majestic. (Tacitus, Agricola)
Omnes homines agunt histrionem.
All people are actors on the stage of life.
Omnes vulnerant, ultima necat.
Every hour hurts, the last one kills.
Omnia mea mecum porto.
I carry everything that’s mine with me.
(When the city of Priene was taken by the enemy and the inhabitants in flight tried to capture more of their things, someone advised the sage Biant to do the same. “That’s what I do, because I carry everything I have with me,” he answered, meaning your spiritual wealth.)
Omnia fluunt, omnia mutantur.
Everything flows, everything changes.
Omnia mors aequat.
Death equals everything.
Omnia praeclara rara.
Everything beautiful is rare. (Cicero)
Omnia, quae volo, adipiscar.
I achieve everything I want.
Omnia vincit amor et nos cedamus amori.
Love conquers everything, and we submit to love.
Optimi consiliarii mortui.
The best advisors are dead.
Optimum medicamentum quies est.
The best medicine is peace.
(Medical aphorism, authored by the Roman physician Aulus Cornelius Celsus.)
Pecunia non olet.
Money doesn't smell.
Per aspera ad astra.
Through hardship to the stars. (Through difficulties to a high goal.)
Per fas et nefas.
By hook or by crook.
Per risum multum debes cognoscere stultum.
You should recognize a fool by his frequent laughter. (Medieval set expression.)
Perigrinatio est vita.
Life is a journey.
Persona grata.
A desirable or trusted person.
Petite, et dabitur vobis; quaerite et invenietis; pulsate, et aperietur vobis.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. (Matt. 7:7)
First among equals. (Formula characterizing the position of the monarch in a feudal state.)
Quae fuerant vitia, mores sunt.
What were vices are now morals.
Quae nocent - docent.
What harms, it teaches.
Qui nisi sunt veri, ratio quoque falsa sit omnis.
If the feelings are not true, then our whole mind will turn out to be false.
Qui tacet – consentire videtur.
Whoever remains silent is considered to have agreed. (Russian analogy: Silence is a sign of consent.)
Quid quisque vitet, nunquam homini satis cautum est in horas.
No one can know when to look out for danger.
Quo quisque sapientior est, eo solet esse modestior.
The smarter a person is, the more modest he is usually.
Quod cito fit, cito perit.
What is soon done, soon falls apart.
Quomodo fabula, sic vita; non quam diu, sed quam bene acta sit refert.
Life is like a play in a theater; It's not how long it lasts that matters, but how well it's played.
Respue quod non es.
Throw away what is not you.
Scio me nihil scire.
I know that I know nothing.
(Latin translation of the freely interpreted words of Socrates. Compare Russian. Learn for a century, die a fool.)
Sed semel insanivimus omnes.
We all get mad someday.
Semper mors subest.
Death is always near.
Sequere Deum.
Follow the will of God.
Si etiam omnes, ego non.
Even if everything is, it’s not me. (i.e. Even if everyone does, I won't)
Si vis amari, ama.
If you want to be loved, love.
Si vis pacem, para bellum.
If you want peace, prepare for war.
(Source - Vegetius. Also cf. Cicero: “If we want to enjoy peace, we have to fight” and Cornelius Nepos: “Peace is created by war.”)
Sibi imperare maximum imperium est.
The highest power is power over oneself.
Similis simili gaudet.
Like rejoices in like.
Sic itur ad astra.
This is how they go to the stars.
Sol lucet omnibus.
The sun is shining for everyone.
Sola mater amanda est et pater honestandus est.
Only a mother is worthy of love, only a father is worthy of respect.
Sua cuique fortuna in manu est.
Everyone has their own destiny in their hands.
Suum cuique.
To each his own
(i.e. to each what belongs to him by right, to each according to his deserts, Provision of Roman law).
Tanta vis probitatis est, ut eam etiam in hoste diligamus.
The power of honesty is such that we value it even from an enemy.
Tanto brevius omne tempus, quanto felicius est.
The faster time flies, the happier it is.
Tantum possumus, quantum scimus.
We can do as much as we know.
Tarde venientibus ossa.
Those who come late get bones. (Latin proverb)
Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis.
Times change, and we change with them.
Tempus fugit.
Time is running out.
Terra incognita.
Unknown land
(trans. something completely unknown or an inaccessible area on ancient geographical maps, this is how unexplored parts of the earth's surface were designated).
Tertium non datur.
There is no third; there is no third.
(In formal logic, one of the four laws of thinking is formulated this way - the law of the excluded middle. According to this law, if two diametrically opposed positions are given, one of which affirms something, and the other, on the contrary, denies, then there will be a third, middle judgment between them can not.)
Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito!
Do not submit to trouble, but boldly go towards it!
Ubi nihil vales, ibi nihil velis.
Where you are not capable of anything, you should not want anything.
Ut ameris, amabilis esto.
To be loved, be worthy of love.
Utatur motu animi qui uti ratione non potest.
He who cannot follow the dictates of the mind, let him follow the movements of the soul.
Varietas delectat.
Variety is fun.
Verae amititiae sempiternae sunt.
True friendship is eternal.
A well-known and very popular phrase for tattoos:
I came, I saw, I conquered.
(According to Plutarch, with this phrase Julius Caesar reported in a letter to his friend Amyntius about his victory in the battle of Zela in August 47 BC over the Pontic king Pharnaces.)
Veni, vidi, fugi.
He came, he saw, he ran away.
Phrase for a tattoo with humor :)
Victoria nulla est, Quam quae confessos animo quoque subjugat hostes.
True victory is only when the enemies themselves admit defeat. (Claudian, “On the sixth consulate of Honorius”)
Vita sine libertate, nihil.
Life without freedom is nothing.
Viva vox alit plenius.
Living speech nourishes more abundantly
(i.e., what is presented orally is more successfully absorbed than what is written).
Vivamus atque amemus.
Let's live and love.
Vi veri vniversum vivus vici.
I conquered the universe with the power of truth during my lifetime.
Vivere est agere.
To live means to act.
Vivere est vincere.
To live means to win.
Carpe diem!
Winged Latin expression translates as “live in the present”, “seize the moment”.
The entire phrase goes like this: “ Aetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero. - Time: seize the moment, trust the future as little as possible.”
You'll probably be surprised to notice how many Latin words you already know. Hundreds of words, for example such as memo, alibi, agenda, census, veto, alias, via, alumni, affidavit And versus, are used in English as abbreviations, for example: i.e. (id est, that is) and etc. (et cetera, and the rest). Some Latin phrases are so firmly rooted in English and Russian that we use them without even thinking about the fact that they are borrowed: bona fide(in good faith - conscientious) alter ego(other self - another me), persona non grata(unwelcome person - unwanted person), vice versa(position turned - vice versa), carpe diem(seize the day - seize the moment, enjoy the day), cum laude(with praise - with honor), alma mater(nourishing mother - nursing mother) and quid pro quo(this for that - then for this). Many languages have adopted other, less banal phrases from Latin. Remember them and use them whenever possible.
1. AURIBUS TENEO LUPUM
Literal translation: “I hold the wolf by the ears.” The proverb is taken from the work “Phormion” by the Roman playwright Terence. It means “to be in a hopeless situation,” “between two fires.” The English equivalent is “Holding a tiger by the tail.”
2. BARBA NON FACIT PHILOSOPHUM
“A beard does not make you a philosopher,” “having a beard does not mean that you are a philosopher.” The Romans were very fond of associating a beard with intelligence. Eg, " Barba crescit, caput nescit"(the beard has grown, but there is no intelligence).
3. BRUTUM FULMEN
Apparently, this aphorism was invented by Pliny the Elder. Expression " Brutum fulmen" literally translated means “meaningless lightning,” that is, empty threats.
4. CAESAR NON SUPRA GRAMMATICOS
The phrase was born when one of the Roman emperors made a linguistic error in his public speech. When this oversight was pointed out to him, the emperor angrily declared that since he was the emperor, from now on this mistake would be considered not an error, but the norm. To which one of the council members replied: “ Caesar non supra grammaticos", or “The Emperor is not above the grammarians” (and Caesar is not above the grammarians). This phrase became a popular saying that began to be used in defense of grammar.
5. CARPE NOCTEM
Is the “night” analogue of the expression “ Carpe diem" and translates as “enjoy the night.” This phrase can be used to motivate someone (including yourself) to finish all the tasks during the day, and leave the evening time for rest.
6. CARTHAGO DELENDA EST
At the height of the Punic Wars (wars between Rome and Carthage, 264–146 BC), the Roman statesman Cato the Elder ended all his speeches in the Senate (regardless of their topic) with the phrase “ Carthago delenda est", or "Carthage must be destroyed" (Carthage must be destroyed). His words quickly became a popular motto in ancient Rome. The phrase means a persistent call to fight an enemy or obstacle.
7. CASTIGAT RIDENDO MORES
Literally translated it means “morals are castigated with laughter.” This motto was coined by a French poet who believed that in order to change the rules, it is necessary to show how absurd they are.
8. CORVUS OCULUM CORVI NON ERUIT
“A raven will not peck out a crow’s eye.” The aphorism means the presence of common interests (often selfish) between people who do not betray each other and act together.
9. CUI BONO?
Literal translation: “Who benefits from this?”, “In whose interests is this?” A question that often helps determine who is the culprit of a crime. In general, in English this phrase is used to question the benefit of an action.
Cui prodest scelus Is fecit. Seneca "Medea" Whoever benefits from crime, He committed it. Translation by S. Solovyov
10. ET IN ARCADIA EGO
Nicolas Poussin "The Arcadian Shepherds"Arcadia was a region in Ancient Greece, whose inhabitants were mostly shepherds and farmers. They led a calm and measured life away from the noise and bustle. Latin saying " Et in Arcadia ego" literally translated as “and in Arcadia I.” The painting “The Arcadian Shepherds” by French artist Nicolas Poussin depicts four shepherds looking at an old tombstone on which this Latin saying is engraved. The “I” in this expression is seen as death, which reminds mortals that even in the quietest, happiest and most carefree place, people will inevitably end.
11.EX NIHILO NIHIL FIT
Presumably, this statement belongs to the Roman philosopher Lucretius and is translated into Russian as “from nothing nothing comes.” This phrase is used as a reminder that a person does any work in order to achieve something.
12. FELIX CULPA
It was originally a religious term referring to the biblical fall of Adam and Eve. " Felix culpa"(literally translated “lucky guilt”) means a mistake that subsequently had a favorable outcome.
13. HANNIBAL AD PORTAS
Hannibal was a Carthaginian commander who waged a life-and-death war against the Roman Empire. In Russian the expression “ Hannibal ad portas" literally translated as "Hannibal at the gates", that is, "enemy at the gates". Among the Romans, the image of Hannibal subsequently became something of a scarecrow, and parents often told their naughty children the phrase “ Hannibal ad portas" to slightly scare them into behaving properly.
14. HIC MANEBIMUS OPTIME
When in 390 BC. e. The Gauls invaded Rome, and the Senate met to discuss whether to abandon the city and flee for safety. According to the Roman historian Livy, a centurion named Marcus Furius Camillus, addressing the Senate, exclaimed: “ Hic manebimus optime!”(literally translated “we’ll live wonderfully here”). His words soon began to be used figuratively to express an unshakable determination to stand his ground, despite all difficulties.
15. HOMO SUM HUMANI A ME NIHIL ALIENUM PUTO
“I am a man and I believe that nothing human is alien to me” - This is a phrase from the work of the Roman writer Terence. In Terence, this phrase has a certain ironic connotation: in a conversation between two neighbors, one reproaches the other for interfering in other people’s affairs and gossiping, to which the other objects: “I am a man, and nothing human is alien to me.” Since then, the phrase has practically become a motto and can be used, for example, to emphasize that the speaker, like everyone else, is not alien to human weaknesses and delusions. This phrase can also mean respect for people of other cultures.
16. IGNOTUM PER IGNOTIUS
An analogue of the phrase “ Obscurum per obscurius"(the obscure by the more obscure - explain the unclear to the even more unclear). Phrase " Ignotum per ignotius"(the unknown by the more unknown - explain the unknown to even more unknown) refers to useless explanations that, instead of helping a person understand the meaning, confuse him even more.
17. IMPERIUM IN IMPERIO
Means « an empire within an empire » - “an empire within an empire”, “a state within a state”. In the literal sense, it can mean that a certain structure (state, city, etc.) is located on the territory of another, larger structure, but legally it is autonomous. Allegorically, this is an association of people living according to their own special laws, which differ from the generally accepted ones.
18. PANEM ET CIRCENSES
Translated into Russian as “bread and circuses.” It means a basic need (food) and one of the main desires of a person (entertainment). The Roman satirist Juvenal contrasted these aspirations with the heroic past:
This people has long forgotten all their worries, and Rome, which once gave out everything: legions, and power, and a bunch of lictors, is now restrained and restlessly dreams of only two things: Bread and circuses! Juvenal "Satires". Book four. Satire tenth. Translation by F. A. Petrovsky
19. VELOCIUS QUAM ASPARAGI COQUANTUR
When something had to happen quickly, the Romans said: “Faster than a bunch of asparagus can be boiled.” Some sources attribute this phrase to the Roman Emperor Augustus, but unfortunately there is no evidence that this is exactly the case.
20. VOX NIHILI
While the phrase " Vox populi" means "voice of the people", the phrase " Vox nihili" means "empty sound". This phrase can be used to indicate a meaningless statement.
Based on
What interesting Latin expressions are you familiar with? Share them in the comments.
