55 Latin Proverbs and Expressions

Latin teachings that can help us understand life from a new perspective.

Latin proverbs have always been known and studied by many people, scholars of the old language of the Roman Empire.Latin proverbs have always been known and studied by many people, scholars of the old language of the Roman Empire.

In fact, many education systems in the world accept this type of teachings and try to make the youth of today know the wisdom of those days, whose origin is certainly interesting and in many cases is lost due to, among others, new technologies and the greater influence of other contemporary languages.

The most famous Latin proverbs

Today we have here a list of the most famous Latin proverbs (but not all of them) (but not all) and we can see their translation and meaning. We have also included some Latin sayings and expressions that may have a meaning that has lasted until today.

1. Alea iacta est

• Translation: The die is cast. 

That's what they say when someone does something and is not one hundred percent sure of the result they will get. The die is cast, we can only wait.

2. Alma mater

• Translation: Nurturing mother.

It is used to designate a person who is the architect or promoter of a project.

3. Amor omnia vincit

• Translation: Amor omnia vincit: Eove conquers all. 

This is said when going through adversities in love, however it is expected that love will be able to overcome any obstacle.

4. Beatus ille

• Translation: Blessed is that time. 

It is used to make reminiscence to the past, showing nostalgia for past times.

5. Carpe diem

• Translation: Aseize the moment. 

It is used to emphasize the need to live life to the limit.

6. Esse est deus

• Translation: Ser is god.

7. Gaudeamus igitur iuvenes dum sumus

• Translation: Let us enjoy ourselves then, while we are still young.

The phrase says it all, to enjoy and not to doubt for a second how beautiful life is.

8. Habemus papam

• Translation: Te have a pope. 

When a new pope is elected from Rome and has already been chosen by the Vatican curia (black smoke and white smoke).

9. Hic et nunc

• Translation: Here and now. 

It points to the present moment, the instant before us.

10. In albis

• Translation: Blank.

When an actor goes blank in the middle of the stage, for example.

11. In extremis

• Translation: In the last moments.. 

When you do something at the last second, such as turning in a college paper.

12. In situ

Translation: On the spot.

Often used in the following way: "The thief was discovered on the spot; at the scene of the robbery".

13. Ipso facto

Translation: By the same fact; automatically..

At the second, without delay.

14. Odi et amo

• Translation: Odio and love. 

The love-hate relationship, so common in many sentimental couples.

15. Plus ultra

• Translation: Beyond.

Phrase used by a right-wing sector in Spain.

16. Quid pro quo

• Translation: One thing for the other.

Used to designate a consensual exchange of favors between two people.

17. Semper fidelis

• Translation: Always faithful.

To be faithful. A very important phrase to refer to honor and loyalty between individuals.

18. Tempus fugit

Translation: Time escapes.. 

We grow old and we have no way of capturing time.

19. Veni, vidi, vici

• Translation: I came, I saw, I conquered. 

Said by the Roman emperor Julius Caesar. It is used to express joy when we achieve a feat without too much effort and with solvency.

20. Ad infinitum

• Translation: To infinity.

A locution used to designate that something tends towards infinity, that it has no known end.

21. De parvis grandis acervus erit

• Translation: From little things great things are nourished..

An expression to point out that constant effort bears fruit.

22. Nune aut nunquam

• Translation: Now or never.

This locution is used when we want to say that now is the time.

Res non verba

• Translation: Deeds, not words..

When we want to warn that actions are more important than words.

24. Sine die

• Translation: Indefinitely. Without an agreed date.

It is used to indicate that something (a project, an event) has no definite date, or that it can be prolonged indefinitely in time.

Mens sana in corpore sano

• Translation: Healthy mind in a healthy body.

A knowledge that comes to us from the ancient Romans: if we are in full physical health, we will be in full psychic health.

26. Gloria in excelsis Deo

• Translation: Glory to God in the highest.

A phrase to praise God.

27. De gustibus et colon bus non est disputandum

• Translation: On tastes and colors there is no dispute. 

In our days, this Latin expression has mutated into the following expression: "about tastes there is nothing written".

28. Errare humanum est

• Translation: To err is human: To err is human.

29. Casus belli

• Translation: Cause of war..

It is used to indicate the event that gives reason for a war.

30. Ars longa, vita brevis

• Translation: Art is long, life is short. 

A phrase uttered by Hippocrates (460-357 BC), considered the father of medicine.

31. Delirium tremens

• Translation: Delirium tremens.

Delirium tremens is a mental illness suffered by some people addicted to alcohol.

32. Ad hoc

• Translation: For a specific purpose; expressly.

33. Ad hominem

• Translation: Against the man.

Argumentative fallacy that points to the person, not his opinion on a matter being debated.

We hope you liked this list of Latin expressions and phrases.Although it is large it is not complete, if you search in Google you can find other proverbs not so famous but also very interesting.

34. Hic Rhodus, hic salta

• Translation: Here is Rhodes, jump here!

It is used to impel someone to prove something that in theory is easily provable.

35. Abusus non tollit usum

• Translation: Abuse does not nullify use..

It is used to express that even if something has been misused, it does not mean that it cannot be useful or good in another sense or when properly used.

36. Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas

• Translation: Even though the power is absent, his will is praiseworthy.

A phrase contrasting the power and willpower behind a project.

37. Forest fortuna adiuvat

• Translation: Fortune smiles on the brave.

Creating situations of opportunity requires courage but brings luck.

38. Faber est suae quisque fortunae

• Translation: Every man is the craftsman of his future.

A proverb that talks about the idea of the future built by oneself.

39. Malum quidem nullum esse sine aliquo bono.

• Translation: There is no evil without something good.

This Latin proverb is reminiscent of the old idea of Yin and Yang.

40. Si vis amari, ama

• Translation: If you want to love, love.

It could be interpreted as a small sample of humanist philosophy.

41. Dulce bellum inexpertis

Translation: War is sweet to those who have not lived through it.

The perception of such situations of violence changes radically when it is experienced firsthand.

42. Etiam capillus unus habet umbram

• Translation: Even a single hair has its shadow.

The tiniest aspects of life have their downside.

43. Ubi concordia, ibi victoria

• Translation: Where there is unity there is victory.

A defense of teamwork.

44. Dum viviumus, vivamus

• Translation: When we live, let us live.

This Latin proverb has a strong vitalist character.

45. Extinctus ambitur idem

Translation: The man who is hated will be loved after his death.

An apparent paradox about how we perceive people.

46. Dum excusare credis, accusas.

• Translation: When you think you are excusing yourself, you are accusing yourself.

A witty proverb about feeling guilty.

47. Fluctuat nec mergitur

• Translation: It is tossed by the waves but does not sink.

A proverb about resilience.

48. Forsan miseros meliora sequentur

• Translation: For those in misery, perhaps better things will happen.. 

A phrase in which hope is spoken of.

49. Manus manum lavat

• Translation: One hand washes the other hand.

A phrase that talks about agreements reached in the shadows.

50. Vires acquirit eundo

• Translation: You gain strength as you go along.

Shooting causes one's power over the environment to increase.

51. Amicitiae nostrae memoriam spero sempiternam fore

• Translation: I hope that the memories of our friendship will be eternal.

A phrase about emotional bonds.

52. Amare et sapere vix deo conceditur.

• Translation: Even gods find it hard to love and know at the same time. 

A reflection on the irrational character of love.

53. Ad praesens ova cras pullis sunt meliora.

• Translation: Today's eggs are better than tomorrow's chickens.

It is necessary to attend to the most urgent needs first.

54. Vitam regit fortuna, non sapientia.

• Translation: Fortune, not wisdom, governs lives.

One of the Latin proverbs that emphasize the importance of luck.

55. Vitanda est improba siren desidia.

• Translation: That temptation, idleness, is to be avoided.

This phrase invites us to live in a proactive way.