Latin tattoos never seem to go out of style. Agree, there is something mystical in the language spoken by one of the most ancient cultures. And starting from the 1st century AD, many European settlements communicated through it. Unfortunately, today the Latin language is considered completely dead, but great phrases in it are still in great demand and respect. Many people choose some kind of Latin inscription for a tattoo. Most often these are philosophical, love and family themes.
Today it is difficult to independently translate the required inscription for a tattoo, but many resources have been created on the Internet for this. However, as you yourself understand, you should not completely trust them. Check the translation in more than one source before applying words to your body. Many people act quite reasonably, using long-established and proven phrases in Latin. It's a mistake to think that this narrows your choices. There are so many Latin phrases that you may have difficulty with the final definition. Our selection today is entirely devoted to tattoo inscriptions in Latin with translation.
Latin inscriptions for tattoos
Motivational tattoo inscriptions in Latin
The Latin language is great for phrases that motivate and inspire a person to do something. It was spoken by the great generals and rulers of Rome; it was during that era that many well-known sayings were born. Here are some of them:
- non ducor duco - I am not a follower, I lead myself.
- semper ad meliora - moving only forward is the best solution.
- dum vita est, spes est - as long as I breathe, I hope.
- Recordare quia ego Dominus - remember that you must live.
- Sed anima plus est quam manere - life is more than just being on this earth.
- Ille vincit qui se vincit - the one who can defeat himself wins.
- Faber est quisque fortunae suae - every person is the creator of his own destiny.
- Qui estis - be who you are.
- Nunc aut numquam - now or never.
- Dicere non audeamus - have the courage to say no.
- Rectum, quia honestum est - do what you think is right, because it is right.
- Te obtinuit amittere duobus proeliis vincere - before winning main fight, the previous ones must be sacrificed.
- Aut vincere, aut mori - either win or die.
- Certum voto pete finem - set yourself only achievable goals (i.e. don’t fly in the clouds).
- Facta sunt potentiora verbis - actions are stronger than words.
- Nunquam retrorsum, semper ingrediendum - not a step back, always forward.
Love tattoo lettering in Latin
As the Romans themselves said, even the Gods are subject to love. Not a single living creature on the planet can do without it. For some, love brings a feeling of euphoria and joy, for others it brings pain and suffering. Many people strive to immortalize their feelings, whatever they may be, on their body. Here are some of them:
- Amantes sunt amentes - lovers are mad.
- Amor etiam deos tangit - even gods are subject to love.
- Amor, ut lacrima, ab oculo oritur, in cor cadit - love, like a tear, is born from the eyes and falls on the heart.
- Castigo te non quod odio habeam, sed quod amem - I punish you not because I hate you, but because I love you.
- Felix, qui quod amat, defendere fortiter audit - happy is he who boldly takes under his protection what he loves.
- Finis vitae, sed non amoris - life ends, but not love.
- In venere semper certat dolor et gaudium - pain and joy always compete in love.
- nunc scio quid sit amor - now I know what love means.
- omnia vincit amor - love conquers all obstacles.
- si vis amari ama - if you want to be loved, love yourself.
- Amor gignit amorem - love begets love.
- Una in perpetuum - together forever.
- Tecum vivere amem, tecum obeam libens - I want to live and die with you.
- Tuus perdite sodalis amans - forever your loving soul mate.
- Numquam te amare desistam - I will never stop loving you.
- Amor meus amplior quam verba est - my love is more than words.
- ecum vivere amem, tecum obeam libens - with you I would like to live, with you I would like to die.
- Sine amore, nihil est vita - life is meaningless without love.
- Mea vita et anima es - you are my life and soul.
Philosophical tattoo inscriptions in Latin
A lot of things in life require reflection. Life is not an easy thing. Every person strives to somehow realize himself, achieving his goals through many obstacles. Some believe that life is a thorny path, others believe that this path is very short. These thoughts were not alien to the ancient philosophers. It is thanks to them that today we have many beautiful Latin phrases on eternal philosophical topics that make us think. Here are some of them:
- Vitam diligere. Amabit te - love life, it will love you back.
- De vita nusquam abruptis - never regret.
- Tolle quod dat vitam - take what life offers you.
- Video faciem optimism vitam specula - I look at life only with optimism.
- Vita difficile est. Te potest esse difficilius - life is cruel, but you can be tougher.
- Non quae libri vita docet - life teaches what is not written about in books.
- Populus, populi ad vitam resurgit - people come, people go, but life goes on.
- Vita multas tempestates sedat aliqua - life - striped.
- Omnes vulnerant, ultima necat - every hour wounds, the last one kills.
- Perigrinatio est vita - life is a journey.
In previous articles on the topic of tattoos with translation, we have already given examples of the most original ideas. Today, such options have not escaped our attention. I would especially like to highlight the tattoo inscription (Latin with translation) in the form of three crossed circles, reminiscent of. More than one Latin phrase can fit on such a tattoo. For some, this can be a real salvation.
on the backAlso, for those who want to place more text on their body, we can offer this option. Latin stitches always look very attractive on the shoulder blade. This design suits both boys and girls. Remember Angelina Jolie.
Phrases and sayings for tattoos are a very popular trend in body art. Sayings are decorated with ornaments, flowers, thematic designs, and the quotes themselves are filled with beautiful fonts to give the tattoo uniqueness and highlight the character of the text.
The Latin language or Latin is a unique, one of the most ancient written languages. Classical Latin refers to the literary language that achieved its greatest expressiveness and syntactic harmony in the works of Cicero, Caesar, Virgil, Horace and Ovid. Along with ancient Greek, Latin has long served as a source for the formation of international socio-political and scientific terminology. Aphorisms, catchphrases and quotes in Latin about love are a rich source of inspiration among tattoo lovers.
Beautiful phrases for tattoos in Latin with translation
Magna res est amor.
Love is a great deal.
Vale et me ama.
Farewell and love me.
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 the gods are subject to love.
Amor non est medicabilis herbis.
Love cannot be cured with herbs. (there is no cure for love. Ovid, “Heroids”)
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.
Febris erotica.
Love fever.
Ira odium generat, concordia nutrit amorem.
Anger gives rise to hatred, agreement feeds love.
Antiquus amor cancer est.
Old love is not forgotten.
Castigo te non quod odio habeam, sed quod amem.
I punish you not because I hate you, but because I love you.
Amantium irae amoris integratio est.
The wrath of lovers is the renewal of love.
Dum spiro, amo atque credo.
As long as I breathe, I love and believe.
Felix, qui quod amat, defendere fortiter audet.
Happy is he who boldly takes under his protection what he loves.
A nullo diligitur, qui neminem diligit.
Nobody loves someone who doesn't love anyone.
Finis vitae, sed non amoris.
Life ends, but not love.
In venere semper certat dolor et gaudium.
In love, pain and joy always compete.
Jucundissimus est amari, sed non minus amare.
It is very pleasant to be loved, but it is no less pleasant to love yourself.
Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris.
Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.
I hate and love. You ask why I do this?
I don’t know, but I feel that this is happening, and I go out in torment
Omnia vincit amor et nos cedamus amori.
Love conquers everything, and we submit to love.
Amor tussisque non celantur.
You can't hide love and cough
I hate it and love it.
Si vis amari, ama.
If you want to be loved, love.
Prima cartitas ad me.
First love is me.
Cantica giginit amor.
Love gives birth to songs
Amorem canat aetas prima.
Let youth sing about love.
Sola mater amanda est et pater honestandus est.
Only a mother is worthy of love, only a father is worthy of respect.
To be loved, be worthy of love.
Vivamus atque amemus.
Let's live and love.
Amantes sunt amentes!
Lovers are crazy!
Animae dimidium meae.
Half of my soul
Amor dolor.
Love is suffering.
Con amore.
With love.
1. Scientia potentia est. Knowledge is power.
2. Vita brevis, ars longa. Life is short, art is forever.
3. Volens - nolens. Willy-nilly.
4. Historia est magistra vita. History is the teacher of life.
5. Dum spiro, spero. While I breathe I hope.
6. Per aspera ad astra! Through hardship to the stars
7. Terra incognita. Unknown land.
8. Homo sapiens. A reasonable person.
9. Sina era est studio. Without anger and passion
10. Cogito ergo sum. I think, therefore I exist.
11. Non scholae sed vitae discimus. We study not for school, but for life.
12. Bis dat qui cito dat. He who gives quickly gives twice.
13. Clavus clavo pellitur. Fight fire with fire.
14. Alter ego. Second "I".
15. Errare humanum est. Humans tend to make mistakes.
16. Repetitio est mater studiorum. Repetition is the mother of learning.
17. Nomina sunt odiosa. Names are hateful.
18. Otium post negotium. Rest after business.
19. Mens sana in corpore sano. In a healthy body healthy mind.
20. Urbi et orbi. To the city and the world.
21. Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas. Plato is my friend but the truth is dearer.
22. Finis coronat opus. The end is the crown of the matter.
23. Homo locum ornat, non locus hominem. It is not the place that makes a person, but the person that makes the place.
24. Ad majorem Dei gloriam. To the greater glory of God.
25. Una hirundo ver non facit. One swallow does not make spring.
26. Citius, altius, fortius. Faster, higher, stronger.
27. Sic transit gloria mundi. This is how earthly glory passes.
28. Aurora Musis amica. Aurora is a friend of the muses.
29. Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis. Times change, and we change with them.
30. Non multa, sed multum. Not much, but a lot.
31. E fructu arbor cognoscitur. A tree is recognized by its fruit.
32. Veni, vidi, vici. I came, I saw, I conquered.
33. Post scriptum. After what is written.
34. Alea est jacta. Die is cast.
35. Dixi et animam salvavi. I said this and thereby saved my soul.
36. Nulla dies sine linea. Not a day without a line.
37. Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi. What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the Bull.
38. Felix, qui potuti rerum cogoscere causas. Happy is he who knows the cause of things.
39. Si vis pacem, para bellum. If you want peace, prepare for war.
40. Cui bono? Who benefits?
41. Scio me nihil scire. I know that I don't know anything.
42. Nosce te ipsum! Know yourself!
43. Est modus in rebus. There is a measure in things.
44. Jurare in verba magistri. Swear by the words of the teacher.
45. Qui tacet, consentire videtur. Silent means consent.
46. In hoc signo vinces! Under this banner you will win. (With this you will win!)
47. Labor recedet, bene factum non abscedet. Difficulties will go away, but the good deed will remain.
Non est fumus absque igne. There is no smoke without fire.
49. Duobus certantibus tertius gaudet. When two fight, the third rejoices.
50. Divide et impera! Divide and rule!
51. Corda nostra laudus est. Our hearts are sick with love.
52. O tempora! Oh more! Oh times, oh morals!
53. Homo est animal sociale. Man is a social animal.
54. Homo homini lupus est. Man is a wolf to man.
55. Dura lex, sed lex. The law is harsh but fair.
56. O sancta simplicitas! Holy simplicity!
57. Hominem quaero! (Dioqines) Looking for a man! (Diogenes)
58. At Kalendas Graecas. To the Greek Kalends (After the rain on Thursday)
59. Quo usque Catlina, abuter patientia nostra? How long, Catiline, will you abuse our patience?
60. Vox populi - vox Dei. The voice of the people is the voice of God.
61. In vene veritas. The truth is in the wine.
62. Qualis rex, talis grex. As is the pop, so is the arrival.
63. Qualis dominus, tales servi. As is the master, so is the servant.
64. Si vox est - canta! If you have a voice, sing!
65. I, pede fausto! Walk happily!
66. Tempus consilium dabet. Time will show.
67. Barba crescit, caput nescit. The hair is long, the mind is short.
68. Labores gigunt hanores. Work brings honor.
69. Amicus cognoscitur in amore, more, ore, re. A friend is known in love, character, speech, and deeds.
70. Ecce homo! Here's a man!
71. Homo novus. A new person, an "upstart".
72. In pace litterae florunt. For the sake of peace, science flourishes.
73. Fortes fortuna juiat. Fortune favors the brave.
74. Carpe diem! Seize the moment!
75. Nostra victoria in concordia. Our victory is in harmony.
76. Veritatis simplex est orato. True speech is simple.
77. Nemo omnia potest scire. Nobody can know everything.
78. Finis coronat opus. The end is the crown of the matter.
79. Omnia mea mecum porto. I carry everything I have with me.
80. Sancta sanctorum. Holy of holies.
81. Ibi victoria ubi concordia. There is victory where there is agreement.
82. Experentia est optima magistra. Experience is the best teacher.
83. Amat victoria curam. Victory loves care.
84. Vivere est cogitare. Living means thinking.
85. Epistula non erubescit. The paper doesn't turn red.
86. Festina lente! Hurry up slow!
87. Nota bene. Remember well.
88. Elephantum ex musca facis. To make mountains out of molehills.
89. Ignorantia non est argumentum. Denial is not proof.
90. Lupus non mordet lupum. A wolf doesn't bite a wolf.
91. Vae victis! Woe to the vanquished!
92. Medice, cura te ipsum! Doctor, heal yourself! (Luke 4:17)
93. De te fabula narrative. A fairy tale is being told about you.
94. Tertium non datur. There is no third.
95. Age, quod agis. Do what you do.
96. Do ut des. I give so that you can give too.
97. Amantes - amentes. Lovers are mad.
98. Alma mater. University.
99. Amor vincit omnia. Love conquers all.
100. Aut Caesar, aut nihil. It's all or nothing.
101. Aut - aut. Or or.
102. Si vis amari, ama. If you want to be loved, love.
103. Ab ovo ad mala. From egg to apple.
104. Timeo danaos et dona ferentes. Fear the Danaans who bring gifts.
105. Sapienti sat est. This is said by a man.
106. Periculum in mora. The danger is in delay.
107. O fallacem hominum spem! O deceiving human hope!
108. Quoandoe bonus dormitat Homerus. Sometimes our good Homer dozes.
109. Sponte sua sina lege By your own urge.
110. Pia desideria Good intentions.
111. Ave Caesar, morituri te salutant Those going to death, Caesar, salute you!
112. Modus vivendi Lifestyle
113. Homo sum: humani nihil a me alienum puto. I am a man, and nothing human is alien to me.
114. Ne quid nimis Nothing beyond measure
115. De qustibus et coloribus non est disputantum. Every man to his own taste.
116. Ira furor brevis est. Anger is a short-term frenzy.
117. Feci quod potui faciant meliora potentes I did everything I could. Whoever can do it better.
118. Nescio quid majus nascitur Iliade. Something greater than the Iliad is born.
119. In medias res. Into the middle of things, to the very essence.
120. Non bis in idem. Once is enough.
121. Non sum qualis eram. I'm not the same as I was before.
122. Abussus abussum invocat. Misfortunes never come alone.
123. Hoc volo sic jubeo sit pro ratione voluntas. I command so, let my will be the argument.
124. Amici diem perdidi! Friends, I lost a day.
125. Aquilam volare doces. Teaching an eagle to fly.
126. Vive, valeque. Live and be healthy.
127. Vale et me ama. Be healthy and love me.
128. Sic itur ad astra. This is how they go to the stars.
129. Si taces, consentus. Those who are silent agree.
130. Littera scripta manet. What is written remains.
131. Ad meliora tempora. Until better times.
132. Plenus venter non studet libenter. A full belly is deaf to learning.
133. Abussus non tollit usum. Abuse does not negate use.
134. Ab urbe conita. From the foundation of the city.
135. Salus populi summa lex. The good of the people is the highest law.
136. Vim vi repellere licet. Violence can be repelled by force.
137. Sero (tarle) venientibus - ossa. Late arrivals get the bones.
138. Lupus in fabula. Easy to remember.
139. Acta est fabula. The show is over. (Finita la comedy!)
140. Legem brevem esse oportet. The law should be brief.
141. Lectori benevolo salutem. (L.B.S.) Hello kind reader.
142. Aegri somnia. Dreams of a patient.
143. Abo in pace. Go in peace.
144. Absit invidia verbo. May they not condemn me for these words.
145. Abstractum pro concreto. Abstract instead of concrete.
146. Acceptissima semper munera sunt, auctor quae pretiosa facit. The best gifts are those whose value lies in the giver himself.
147. Ad impossibilia nemo obligatur. No one is forced to do the impossible.
148. Ad libitum. Optional.
149. Ad narrandum, non ad probandum. To tell, not to prove.
150. Ad notam. For your information.
151. Ad personam. Personally.
152. Advocatus Dei (Diavoli) Advocate of God. (Devil).
153. Aeterna urbs. The eternal City.
154. Aquila non captat muscas. The eagle doesn't catch flies.
155. Confiteor solum hoc tibi. I confess this only to you.
156. Cras amet, qui nunquam amavit quique amavit cras amet. Let the one who has never loved love tomorrow, and the one who has loved, let him love tomorrow.
157. Credo, quia verum (absurdum). I believe because it is the truth (it is absurd).
158. Bene placito. Of your own free will.
159. Cantus cycneus. A swan song.
Ab altero expectes, alteri quod feceris.
Expect from another what you yourself have done to another.
Ad pulchritudinem ego excitata sum, elegantia spiro et artem efflo.
I am awakened to beauty, breathe grace and radiate art.
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.
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.
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 the gods are subject to love.
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 the road, or I’ll pave it myself.
Aut vincere, aut mori.
Either win or die.
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).
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.
Descensus averno facilis est.
The path to hell is easy.
Deus ipse se fecit.
God created himself
Dum spiro, spero!
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 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.
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.
Forsomnia versas.
Blind chance changes everything (the will of blind chance).
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.
How more people have, the more they want to have.
Homo hominis amicus est.
Man is friend to man.
Homo homini lupus est.
Man is a wolf to man.
(Plautus, "Donkeys")
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.
Ignoscito saepe alteri, nunquam tibi.
Forgive others often, never forgive yourself.
(Publilius, Sentences)
Imago animi vultus est.
The face is the mirror of the soul.
Imperare sibi maximum imperium est.
To command oneself is the greatest power.
In aeternum.
Forever, forever.
In Daemon Deus!
There is God in the Demon!
In dubio abstine.
When in doubt, refrain.
Infandum renovare dolorem.
To resurrect the terrible (literally: “unspeakable”) pain
(that is, talk about the sad past).
(Virgil, "Aeneid")
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 memory.
Inter arma silent legs.
When weapons thunder, the laws are silent.
Inter parietes.
Within four walls.
In tyrannos.
Against tyrants.
In vino veritas, in aqua sanitas.
Truth is in wine, health is in water.
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.
Lupus non mordet lupum.
A wolf will not bite a wolf.
Lupus pilum mutat, non mentem.
The wolf changes its fur, not its nature.
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 quia pulvis est.
Remember that you are dust.
Natura abhorret vacuum.
Nature abhors a vacuum.
Naturalia non sunt turpia.
Natural is not shameful.
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 backward.
Nunquam retrorsum, semper ingrediendum.
Not one step back, always forward.
Nusquam sunt, qui ubique sunt.
Those who are everywhere are nowhere.
Odi et amo.
I hate it and love it.
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 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 ones.
Pecunia non olet.
Money doesn't smell.
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 proverb.)
Perigrinatio est vita.
Life is a journey.
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)
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.
(Cf. Russian. Silence is a sign of consent.)
Do you want a Latin tattoo? For your attention - Aphorisms with translation and commentary.
Tattoo in Latin
A contrario
On the contrary
In logic, a method of proof that involves proving the impossibility of a proposition that contradicts what is being proven.
Ab ovo usque ad mala
“From eggs to apples”, i.e. from beginning to end
Lunch among the ancient Romans usually began with an egg and ended with fruit.
Abyssus abyssum invocat
The abyss calls to the abyss
Like leads to like, or one disaster leads to another disaster.
Ad notice
“For a note”, for your information
Aditum nocendi perfido praestat fides ("In Latin")
Trust placed in a treacherous person gives him the opportunity to do harm
Seneca, “Oedipus”
Advocatus diaboli ("In Latin")
Devil's Advocate
In an extended sense, the devil's advocate is the defender of a hopeless cause in which the person defending it does not believe.
Alea jacta est (“About Latin”)
"The die is cast", there is no turning back, all bridges are burned
In 44 BC. e. Julius Caesar decided to seize sole power and crossed the Rubicon River with his troops, thereby breaking the law and starting a war with the Roman Senate.
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.
Amicus Socrates, sed magis amica veritas
Socrates is my friend, but truth is dearer
The expression goes back to Plato and Aristotle.
Amor non est medicabilis herbis
Love cannot be treated with herbs, i.e. there is no cure for love
Ovid, “Heroids”
Anni currentis
Current year
Anno Domini
From the birth of Christ, into the year of the Lord
Form of date designation in Christian chronology.
Ante annum
Last year
Aquila non captat muscas
An eagle does not catch flies, Latin proverb
Asinus Buridani inter duo prata
Buridanov's donkey
A person hesitating between two equal possibilities. It is believed that the philosopher Buridan, proving the inconsistency of determinism, gave the following example: a hungry donkey, on both sides of which lie two identical and equidistant armfuls of hay, will not be able to prefer either of them and will ultimately die of hunger. This image is not found in the writings of Buridan.
Aurea mediocritas
Golden mean
The formula of practical morality, one of the main provisions of Horace’s everyday philosophy, which found expression in his lyrics; also used to describe mediocre people. Horace
Auribus tento lupum
I hold the wolf by the ears
I'm in a hopeless situation. , Latin proverb
Out Caesar, out nihil
Either Caesar or nothing
Wed. Russian It's either hit or miss. The source of the motto was the words of the Roman Emperor Caligula, who explained his immoderate extravagance by the fact that “you must live either by denying yourself everything, or like a Caesar.”
Ave Caesar, imperator, morituri te salutant
Hello Caesar, Emperor, those going to death salute you
Greeting from Roman gladiators addressed to the emperor.
Beati pauperes spiritu, quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, Matthew 5:3
Benefacta male locata malefacta arbitror
I consider blessings done to an unworthy person to be evil deeds.
Cicero
Cadmea victoria
"Cadmian victory", a victory won at an excessively high cost and tantamount to defeat, or a victory disastrous for both sides
The expression arose on the basis of a legend about a duel in the fight for Thebes, founded by Cadmus, the sons of Oedipus - Eteocles and Polyneices. This duel ended with the death of both warring brothers.
Caesarem decet stantem mori
It is fitting for Caesar to die standing, Suetonius's account of the last words of Emperor Vespasian
Calamitas virtutis occasio
Adversity is the Touchstone of Valor
Seneca
Cantus cycneus
a swan song
“He says that just as the swans, having sensed the gift of prophecy from Apollo, to whom they are dedicated, foresee what a gift death will be for them, and die singing and with joy, so should all the good and wise do the same.”
Cicero, Tusculan Conversations, I, 30, 73
Castigat ridento mores
“Laughter castigates morals”
The motto of the Comedy Theater (Opera Comique) in Paris. Originally, the motto of the Italian troupe of comic actor Dominic (Dominico Brancolelli) in Paris, composed for it by the New Latin poet Santel (XVII century).
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem delendam esse
And besides, I maintain that Carthage must be destroyed
A persistent reminder, a tireless call for something. The Roman senator Marcus Porcius Cato, no matter what he had to express his opinion on in the Senate, added: “And besides, I believe that Carthage should not exist.”
Charta (epistula) non erubescit
Paper (letter) does not turn red
Citius, altius, fortius!
Faster, higher, stronger!
The motto of the Olympic Games, adopted in 1913 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Clipeum post vulnera sumere
Take up a shield after being wounded
Wed. Russian After a fight they don’t wave their fists.
Cloaca maxima
Great cesspool, great cesspool
In ancient Rome there was a large canal for draining city waste.
Cogitations poenam nemo patitur
No one is punished for thoughts, One of the provisions of Roman law (Digests)
Cogito, ergo sum
I think therefore I am
The position on the basis of 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, Elements of Philosophy, I, 7, 9
Concordia parvae res crescunt, discordia maximae dilabuntur
With agreement (and) small states (or affairs) grow, with discord (and) great ones are destroyed
Sallust, "Jugurthine War"
Conscientia mille testes
Conscience is a thousand witnesses, Latin proverb
Consuetudo est altera natura
Habit is second nature
Habit creates, as it were, a kind of second nature.
Cicero, “On the Supreme Good and the Supreme Evil,” V, 25, 74 (in a statement of the views of the philosophers of the Epicurean school)
Cornu copiae
Cornucopia
The origin of the expression is associated with the Greek myth of the goddess Amalthea, who fed the baby Zeus with goat's milk. The goat broke off its horn on a tree, and Amalthea, filling it with fruits, offered it to Zeus. Subsequently, Zeus, having overthrown his father, Kronos, turned the goat that fed him into a constellation and its horn into a wonderful “horn of plenty.”
Ovid, "Fasti"
Corruptio optimi pessima
The fall of the good is the most evil fall
Credat Judaeus Apella
“Let the Jew Apella believe this,” that is, let anyone believe it, just not me
Horace, "Satires"
Credo, quia verum
I believe it because it's ridiculous
A formula that clearly reflects the fundamental opposition between religious faith and scientific knowledge of the world and is used to characterize blind, non-reasoning faith.
De gustibus non disputandum est
Tastes could not be discussed
Wed. Russian There is no comrade for the taste and color.
De mortuis aut bene, aut nihil
About the dead it's either good or nothing
A probable source is Chilo’s saying “do not speak ill of the dead.”
Decies repetita placebit
And if you repeat it ten times you will like it
Horace, “The Science of Poetry”
Decipimur specie recti
We are deceived by the appearance of right
Horace, “The Science of Poetry”
Deest remedii locus, ubi, quae vitia fuerunt, mores fiunt
There is no place for medicine where what was considered a vice becomes a custom
Seneca, “Letters”
Delirium tremens
"Trembling delirium", delirium tremens
An acute mental illness resulting from prolonged alcohol abuse.
Desire in loco
Go crazy where it's appropriate
Horace, “Odes”
Deus ex machina
God ex machina
A technique of ancient tragedy, when a tangled intrigue received an unexpected outcome through the intervention of a god who appeared through a mechanical device.
In modern literature, the expression is used to indicate an unexpected resolution difficult situation.
Dies diem docet
Day teaches day
A brief formulation of the thought expressed in the verse of Publication Sir: “The next day is the student of the previous day.”
Dies irae, dies illa
That day, the day of wrath
The beginning of a medieval church hymn is the second part of a funeral mass, a requiem. The hymn is based on the biblical prophecy of the day of judgment, "The Prophecy of Zephaniah", 1, 15.
Diluvii testes
Witnesses of the flood (i.e., ancient times)
About people with outdated, archaic views.
Divide et impera
Divide and rule
The Latin formulation of the principle of imperialist policy, which arose in modern times.
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
The saying of Cleanthes, translated into Latin by Seneca.
Dura lex, sed lex
The law is harsh, but it's the law
No matter how harsh the law is, it must be respected.
Ecce spectaculum dignum, ad quod respiciat intentus operai suo deus
Here is a sight worthy of God looking back at his creation
Seneca, “On Providence”
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.
Ego sum rex Romanus et supra grammaticos
I am the Roman Emperor and I am above the grammarians
Words said, according to legend, at the Council of Constance by the Emperor Sigismund in response to an instruction given to him that by using the word schisma in the feminine gender, he violated Latin grammar.
Ergo bibamus
So let's have a drink
Title and greeting of Goethe's drinking song.
Esse oportet ut vivas, non vivere ut edas
You have to eat to live, not live to eat
A 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.”
Et tu quoque, Brute!
And you Brute!
Words allegedly spoken by Caesar before his death, stabbed to death by twenty-three swords of the conspirators.
Etiam innocentes cogit mentiri dolor
Pain makes even the innocent lie
Publilius, “Sentences”
Ex ipso fonte bibere
Drink from the source itself, i.e. go to the original source
Cicero, "On Duties"
Ex malis eligere minima
Choose the least of two evils
Ex nihilo nihil fit
Nothing comes from nothing; nothing comes from nothing
Paraphrase of the main position of Epicurean philosophy in Lucretius
Fac-simile(from fac+simile “do like this”)
Exact copy
Peren. display of one phenomenon in another.
Facilis descensus Averni
The path through Avernus is easy, that is, the path to the underworld
Lake Avernus near the city of Cuma in Campania was considered the threshold of the underworld.
Feci quod potui, faciant meliora potentes
I did everything I could, whoever can do it better
A paraphrase of the formula with which the Roman consuls concluded their reporting speech, transferring powers to their successor.
Fiat lux
Let there be light
And God said: Let there be light. And there was light. , Bible, Genesis, I, 3
Hoc est vivere bis, vita posse priore frui
To be able to enjoy the life you have lived means to live twice
Martial, "Epigrams"
Homo homini lupus est
Man is a wolf to man
Plautus, "Donkeys"
Homo proponit, sed deus disponit
Man proposes, but God disposes
Goes back to Thomas a à Kempis, whose source was the Bible, Proverbs of Solomon “A man’s heart determines his way, but it is up to the Lord to direct his steps.”
Igni et ferro
Fire and iron
The original source of the expression goes back to the first aphorism of Hippocrates: “What medicine cannot cure, iron cures; what iron cannot cure, fire cures.” Cicero and Livy used the expression “to destroy with fire and sword.” Bismarck proclaimed the policy of unifying Germany with iron and blood. The expression became widely known after the publication of the novel “With Fire and Sword” by Henryk Sienkiewicz.
Ignoscito saepe alteri, nunquam tibi
Forgive others often, never forgive yourself.
Publilius, Sentences
Imperitia pro culpa habetur
Ignorance is imputable, Roman Law Formula
In pace leones, in proelio cervi
In time of peace - lions, in battle - deer
Tertullian, “On the Crown”
In sensu strictiori
In a narrower sense
In silvam non ligna feras insanius
Less madness would be to carry firewood into the forest
Horace, "Satires"
In vino veritas
The truth is in the wine
Wed. Pliny the Elder: “It is generally accepted to attribute truthfulness to wine.”
In vitium ducit culpae fuga
The desire to avoid a mistake draws you into another
Horace, "The Science of Poetry"
Infelicissimum genus infortunii est fuisse felicem
The greatest misfortune is to be happy in the past
Boethius
intelligent pauca
For those who understand, a little is enough
Ira furor brevis est
Anger is a momentary insanity
Horace, "Epistle"
Is fecit cui prodest
Made by someone who benefits
Jus primae noctis
First night right
The custom by which a feudal lord or landowner could carry out the first wedding night with the bride of his beloved vassal or serf.
Leave fit, quote bene fertus 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"
Manus manum lavat
Hand washes hand
A proverbial expression dating back to the Greek comedian Epicharmus.
Margaritas ante porcos
Cast pearls before swine
“Do not give holy things to dogs; and do not throw pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces.” , Gospel of Matthew, 7, 6
Memento mori
memento Mori
A form of greeting exchanged upon meeting between monks of the Trappist order, founded in 1664. It is used both as a reminder of the inevitability of death, and in a figurative sense - about imminent danger.
Nigra in candida vertere
Turn black into white
Juvenal, "Satires"
Nihil est ab omni parte beatum
“There is nothing prosperous in all respects,” 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"
Non cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum
“Not every person manages to get to Corinth,” dear, not accessible to everyone. Corinthian hetaera* Laida, famous for her beauty, was accessible only to the rich who came to her from all over Greece, which is why a common saying among the Greeks arose: “not everyone can sail to Corinth is being communicated." One day Demosthenes secretly came to Laida, but when she asked him to give ten thousand drachmas**, he turned away with the words: “I do not pay ten thousand drachmas for repentance.”
* - in Dr. Greece educated unmarried woman leading a free, independent lifestyle.
** - approximately the price of four kilograms of gold.
Nunc est bibendum
Now I need to drink
Horace, "Odes"
O imitatores, servum pecus!
O imitators, slave herd!
Horace, "Epistle"
O sancta simplicitas!
Oh holy simplicity
A phrase attributed to the Czech reformer, hero of the national liberation movement Jan Hus. According to legend, Hus, being burned at the stake, uttered these words when some old woman, out of pious motives, threw an armful of brushwood into the fire.
O tempora! Oh more!
O times! O morals!
“Speech against Catiline”, “O times! O morals! The Senate understands this, the consul sees it, and he [Catiline] lives.”
Cicero
Oderint dum metuant
Let them hate, as long as they are afraid
Words of Atreus from the tragedy Actium named after him. According to Suetonius, this was the favorite saying of Emperor Caligula.
Omne ignotum pro magnifico est
Everything unknown seems majestic
Tacitus, “Agricola”
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 grab 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, referring to his spiritual wealth.
Optimum medicamentum quies est
The best medicine is peace
Medical aphorism, authored by the Roman physician Aulus Cornelius Celsus.
Panem et circenses
Meal'n'Real
An exclamation that expressed the basic demands of the Roman crowd in the era of the Empire.
Per aspera ad astra
"Through hardship to the stars"; through difficulties to a high goal
Per risum multum debes cognoscere stultum
You should recognize a fool by his frequent laughter, Medieval proverb
Periculum in mora
“The danger is in delay”, i.e. delay is dangerous
Titus Livius, “History”, “When there was already more danger in delay than in violating military order, everyone fled in disorder.”
Persona grata
Desirable or trusted person
Post scriptum (postscriptum) (abbreviated P.S.)
After what was written
Postscript at the end of the letter.
Primus inter pares
First among equals
A formula characterizing the position of the monarch in a feudal state.
Pro et contra
Pros and cons
Quae sunt Caesaris Caesari
Caesar's to Caesar
“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's”—Jesus's answer to the Pharisees who asked whether Caesar (i.e., the Roman emperor) should be paid the wages he demanded. , Gospel of Luke, 20, 25
Qui habet aures audiendi, audiat
He who has ears to hear, let him hear, Matthew 11, 15
Qui tacet – consentire videtur
He who remains silent is considered to have agreed
Wed. Russian Silent means consent.
Quid brevi fortes jaculamur aevo multa?
Why should we strive for so much in a fast-paced life?
Horace, "Odes"
Quot capita, tot sensus
So many heads, so many minds
Wed. Terence, “Formion”: How many people, so many opinions.
Rideamus!
Let's laugh!
Risus sardonicus
Sardonic laughter
According to the explanation of the ancients, laughter resembles a convulsive grimace caused by the poisoning of a plant growing on the island of Sardinia. poisonous grass.
Salus reipublicae – suprema lex
The good of the state is the highest law
Paraphrase from “Let the good of the people be the supreme law.”
Salve, maris stella
Hello, Star of the Sea
Option initial words Catholic church hymn “Ave, maris stella” (9th century) - Mary was considered a guide to sailors due to the erroneous convergence of her name (ancient Hebrew Mirjam) with the Latin word mare “sea”.
Scio me nihil scire
I know that I know nothing
Latin translation of the freely interpreted words of Socrates.
Wed. Russian Learn forever, you'll die a fool.
Si vis pacem, para bellum
If you want peace, prepare for war
Source – Vegetius. Also Wed. Cicero: “If we want to enjoy peace, we have to fight” and Cornelius Nepos: “Peace is created by war.”
Solitudinem faciunt, pacem appelant
They create a desert and call it peace
From the speech of the British leader Kalgak, calling on his fellow tribesmen to decisively oppose the Romans who invaded their country.
Tacitus, Agricola
Summa summarum
“Sum of sums”, i.e. the final total or overall total
In ancient times, the phrase was used to mean “a set of things” or “the universe.”
Suum cuique
To each his own, that is, to each what belongs to him by right, to each according to his deserts, Provision of Roman law
Tarde venientibus ossa
He who comes late gets bones, Latin proverb
Tempus edax rerum
All-consuming time
Ovid, “Metamorphoses”
Terra incognita
Unknown land; trans. something completely unknown or inaccessible area
On ancient geographical maps, unexplored parts of the earth's surface were designated this way.
Tertium non datur
There is no third; there is no third
In formal logic, this is how one of the four laws of thinking is formulated - 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 it, then there cannot be a third, middle judgment between them.
Tibi et igni
“For you and fire”, i.e. read and burn
Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes
Fear 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.
Tranquillas etiam naufragus horret aquas
The shipwrecked man fears still waters
Wed. Russian Burnt child dreads the fire.
Ovid, "Epistle from Pontus"
Urbi et orbi
"To the city and the world"; to the whole world, to everyone and everyone
Usus tyrannus
Custom is a tyrant
Varietas delectat
Variety is fun
Phaedrus, "Fables"
Veni, vidi vici
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. e. over the Pontic king Pharnaces.
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"
Viva vox alit plenius
“Living speech nourishes more abundantly,” that is, what is presented orally is more successfully absorbed than what is written
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