LATIN MOTTOES AND PHRASES

A

a capite ad calcem: from head to heel; from top to bottom

a coelo usque ad centrum: from the heavens to the center of the earth

a cruce salus: salvation is by (or from) the Cross

a crux nostra corona: the Cross is our crown

a cuspide corona: from a spear a crown (i.e., honor for military exploits)

a Deo et rege: from God and the king

a Deo lux nostra: our light comes from God

a fortiori: with stronger force

a Jove principium: beginning with Jove

a mari usque ad mare: from sea to sea (motto on Canada’s coat of arms)

a posse ad esse: from possibility to actuality

a re decedunt: they wander from the point

a solis ortu usque ad occasum: from the rising to the setting of the sun

a te pro te: from thee for thee

a verbis ad verbera: from words to blows

ab igne ignem: fire from fire

ab initio: from the beginning

ab insomni non custodita Dracone: not guarded by the sleepless dragon

ab Jove principium: from Jove is the beginning of all things (Virgil)

ab ovo usque ad mala: from the egg to the apples (i.e., from appetizer to dessert;

from beginning to end)

ab uno ad omnes: from one to all

ab urbe condita (A.U.C.): from the founding of the city (i.e., Rome)

aberrare a scopo: to miss the mark

abiit ad plures: he is gone to the majority (i.e., he has died) (Petronius)

abnormis sapiens: abnormally wise; wise without learning (Horace)

abscissa virescit: by pruning it grows green

absit omen: may the omen augur no evil

absque labore nihil: nothing without labor

abundat dulcibus vitiis: he abounds with delightful faults (Quintilian)

abyssus abyssum invocat: deep calls unto deep

Acherontis pabulum (or, Acheruntis pabulum): food for Acheron (i.e., marked for

death; bound for hell) (Plautus)

acta est fabula: the play is over (the dying words of Cжsar Augustus)

actum est de me

adscriptus glebæ

actum est de me: it is all over with me! (i.e., all is lost!)

actum est de nobis: it is all over with us!

actum est de republica: it is all over with the Republic!

aculei irriti: ineffectual stings

ad alta virtute: to the heights of my virtue

ad amussim: made exactly by rule

ad aperturam: wherever a book may be opened

ad astra: to the stars (motto of University College, Dublin)

ad astra per ardua: to the stars by steep paths

ad astra per aspera: to the stars through adversities (motto of Kansas)

ad augusta per angusta: to honors through difficulties

ad captandum vulgus: to catch or capture the rabble (i.e., something offered for the

entertainment of the masses)

ad coelos volans: flying to the heavens

ad coelum tendit: he directs his course toward heaven

ad eundem gradum (or, ad eundem): to the same rank (which one previously held)

ad finem: to the end

ad finem fidelis: faithful to the end

ad Græcas kalendas (or calendas): at the Greek calends (i.e., never; there is no

Greek calends)

ad instar omnium: in the likeness of all

ad kalendas (or calendas) Græcas: at the Greek calends (i.e., never; there is no

Greek calends)

ad majorem Dei gloriam (A.M.D.G.): to the greater glory of God (motto of the

Society of Jesus, the Jesuits)

ad meliora vertamur: let us turn to better things

ad metam: to the mark

ad mortem fidelis: faithful till death

ad omnem libidinem projectus homo: a man addicted to every lust

ad perpetuam rei memoriam: for the perpetual remembrance of a thing (or, of the

matter)

ad summum: to the highest point

ad unguem: to a nail; to a T

ad unguem factus homo: a man accomplished to his fingertips (Horace)

ad unum omnes: all to a one; unanimously

ad utrumque paratus: prepared for either case

ad virtus astra: virtue to the stars

ad vitam aut culpam: for life or fault (i.e., till some misconduct be proved)

addere legi justitiam Deo: to add the justice of God to the law

adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini: our help is in the name of the Lord

adjuvante Deo labor proficit: with God’s help, work prospers

adscriptus glebæ: attached to the soil

adstrictus necessitate alis aspicit astra

adstrictus necessitate: bound by necessity (Cicero)

adulescentia deferbuit: the fires of youth have cooled

adversa virtute repello: I repel adversity by valor

ægis fortissima virtus: virtue is the strongest shield

ægrescitque medendo: the medicine increases the disease (Virgil)

ægri somnia vana: the idle or delusive dreams of a sick man (Horace)

æmulus atque imitator studiorum ac laborum: a rival and imitator of his studies

and labors (Cicero)

Æneadum genetrix, hominum divomque voluptas: mother of Aeneas, pleasure of

men and gods (Lucretius)

æquabiliter et diligenter: by equity and diligence

æquam servare mentem: to preserve an equal mind (or even temper)

æquanimiter: with equanimity

æquitas sequitur legem: equity follows the law

æque tandem: equally at length (e.g., when perched, the small bird is as tall as the

tallest tree)

æquo animo: with an even or equitable mind

ære perennius: more lasting than bronze (Horace)

æternum inter se discordant: they are eternally in discord with each other

(Terence)

æternum servans sub pectore vulnus: tending an eternal wound within the heart

Æthiopiem lavare: to wash an Ethiopian

afflavit Deus et dissipantur: God sent forth his breath and they are scattered (an

inscription commemorating the English defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588)

age quod agis: do what you are doing (i.e., attend to the work you have at hand;

mind your own business)

agedum virtus antecedat, tutum erit omne vestigium: if virtue precede us, every

step will be safe (Seneca)

agere pro aliis: to act for others

albæ gallinæ filius: the son of a white hen (i.e., a lucky person)

album calculum addere: to give a white stone (i.e., to cast a favorable vote)

alea belli: the uncertainty of war

alea jacta est: the die is cast (Julius Cжsar, after crossing the Rubicon in 49 BCE)

alea judiciorum: the uncertainty of law

alere flammam: to feed the flame (Ovid)

ales volat propriis: a bird flies to its own (i.e., birds of a feather flock together)

alia tentanda via est: another way must be tried (Virgil)

aliam excute quercum: go, shake some other oak [for your acorns]

alieni temporis flores: flowers of other days

alieno more vivendum est mihi: I must live according to another’s whim (Terence)

alio sub sole: under another sun

alis aspicit astra: flying, he keeps his eye on the stars

alis volat propriis

amor et pax

alis volat propriis: she flies by her own wings (motto of Oregon)

aliud et idem: another and the same

aliusque et idem: another, yet the same (Horace)

alliciunt somnos tempus motusque merumque: time, motion, and wine cause

sleep (Ovid)

allos ego: alter ego (Zeno’s definition of a friend)

alma mater: a dear mother (applied to one’s school; also applied to Mother Earth)

alnus semper floreat: may the Alder always flourish (motto of the Alder family)

alte fert aquila: the eagle bears me on high

alter alterius auxilio eget: the one stands in need of assistance of the other (Sallust)

alter ego: another or second self

alter ego est amicus: a friend is another self (Zeno)

alter ipse amicus: a friend is a second self

altera manu scabunt, altera feriunt: they tickle with one hand and smite with the

other

alterius non sit qui suus esse potest: let no man be slave of another who can be his

own master (motto of Paracelsus)

altiora peto: I seek higher things

amabilis insania: a fine frenzy

ambigendi locus: room for doubt

amentium, haud amantium: of lunatics, not lovers

amici, diem perdidi: friends, I have lost a day (Emperor Titus, as quoted by

Suetonius)

amicis semper fidelis: always faithful to friends

amicitia, etiam post mortem durans: friendship enduring even after death

amicitia reddit honores: friendship gives honors

amicitia sine fraude: friendship without deceit

amicum lædere ne joco quidem licet: a friend must not be injured, even in jest

(Publilius Syrus)

amicus amico: a friend to a friend

amicus animæ dimidium: a friend is half of one’s soul

amicus curiæ: a friend to the court (i.e., an impartial adviser in a case)

amicus est tanquam alter idem: a friend is, as it were, a second self (Cicero)

amicus humani generis: a friend of the human race

amicus usque ad aras: a friend as far as the altar (i.e., a friend in everything save

religion; or, a friend to the point of sacrifice or death)

amo: I love

amo probos: love proved

amo ut invenio: I love as I find

amor et honor: love and honor

amor et oboedientia: love and obedience

amor et pax: love and peace

amor patriæ aperto vivere voto

amor patriæ: love of country

amor proximi: love of neighbor

amor vincit omnia: love conquers all things

amore patriæ vincit: the love of country conquers

amore sitis uniti: be united in love

anchora salutis: the anchor of salvation

anguis in herba: a snake in the grass

anima in amicis una: one mind among friends

anima mundi: the soul of the world

animæ dimidium meæ: the half of my own life (Horace)

animis illabere nostris: you will steal into our hearts

animis opibusque parati: prepared in minds and resources (a motto of South Carolina)

animo et fide: by courage and faith

animo, non astutia: by courage, not by craft

animus et prudentia: courage and discretion

animus homini, quicquid sibi imperat, obtinet: the mind of man can accomplish

whatever it resolves to do

animus non deficit æquus: a well-balanced mind is not wanting (i.e., equanimity

does not fail us)

animus, non res: mind, not property (or possessions)

animus tamen idem: my mind is still the same

animus valet: courage avails

anno Domini (A.D.): in the year of our Lord

anno urbis conditæ (A.U.C.): in the year of the founding of the city (i.e., Rome)

annona cara est: corn is dear

annoso robore quercus: an oak in aged strength

annuit coeptis: He (God) has favored our undertaking (a motto of the United States

of America)

annus mirabilis: the wonderful year (i.e., a year filled with wonders)

ante ferit, quam flamma micet: it strikes before the flame flickers

ante omnia: before everything else

ante tubam trepidat: he trembles before the trumpet sounds (i.e., he cries before he

is hurt) (Virgil)

anthropos physei zoön politikon: man is by nature a political being (Aristotle, from

the Greek)

antidoti salubris amaror: the bitterness of the healing antidote

antiqua homo virtute ac fide: a man of ancient virtue and fidelity (Terence)

antiquam obtinens: possessing antiquity

antiquum assero decus: I claim ancient honor

apage Satanus! (also, apage Satana!): away with you, Satan!

aperto vivere voto: to live with unconcealed desire (i.e., to live life as an open book

or as an honest person) (Persius)

apio opus est

asinus ad lyram

apio opus est: there is need of parsley (i.e., someone is dying, parsley being strewn

over a person’s grave)

aquila non capit muscas: an eagle does not catch flies

aquilæ senectus: the old age of the eagle (Terence)

aranearum telas texere: to weave spiders’ webs (i.e., spinning a tall tale or weaving

an intricate argument)

arbiter bibendi: the judge of the drinking (i.e., the master of the feast)

arbiter elegantiarum: the judge of elegant affairs (i.e., the master of ceremonies)

arbiter formæ: the judge of beauty

arbitrii mihi jura mei: my laws are my will

Arcades ambo: Arcadians both (Virgil)

arcana imperii: state secrets

arcus, artes, astra: the bow, arts, and stars

ardenter amo: I love fervently

ardentia verba: glowing words

ardua petit ardea: the heron seeks high places

arena sine calce: sand without cement (i.e., an unconnected or disjointed speech)

(Suetonius)

arenæ mandas semina: you are sowing grain in the sand

arma parata fero: I carry arms in readiness

arma tuentur pacem: arms maintain peace

armat spinat rosas: the thorn arms the rose

arrectis auribus adsto: I wait with listening ears (Virigil)

ars adeo latet arte sua: so art lies hid by its own artifice (Ovid)

ars æmula naturæ: art is nature’s rival (Apuleius)

ars artium omnium conservatrix: the art of preserving all other arts (i.e., printing)

ars deluditur arte: craft deceived by craft

ars est celare artem: true art is to conceal art (Ovid)

ars gratia artis: art for art’s sake (motto of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

ars longa, vita brevis: art is long, life is short (adapted from Hippocrates)

ars naturam adjuvans: art aiding nature

arte conservatus: preserved by skill

arte et marte: by skill and valor

arte magistra: by the aid of art (Virgil)

arte perire sua: to perish by one’s own trickery (i.e., to be caught in one’s own trap)

artes honorabit: he will honor (or adorn) the arts

artes, scientia, veritas: arts, science, truth (motto of the University of Michigan)

ascendo: I rise

asinum sub fræno currere docere: to teach an ass to obey the rein (i.e., to labor in

vain)

asinus ad lyram: an ass at the lyre (i.e., to be unmusical or all thumbs) asinus asinum fricat Augiæ cloacas purgare

asinus asinum fricat: the ass rubs the ass (i.e., one fool rubs another fool’s back;

mutual praise)

asinus in tegulis: an ass on the roof tiles

asinus in unguento: an ass among perfumes (i.e., one who cannot appreciate the

finer things)

asinus inter simias: an ass among apes (i.e., a fool among people who make a fool of

him)

aspice et imitare: look and imitate

aspicit unam: it sees one only

aspiro: I aspire

astra castra, numen lumen: the stars my camp, the gods my light

astra regunt homines, sed regit astra Deus: the stars govern men, but God

governs the stars

astræa redux: return of the goddess of justice

astutior coccyge: craftier than a cuckoo (i.e., a bird that lays its eggs in another

bird’s nest)

at spes infracta (or, at spes non fracta): but hope is not broken

Athanasius contra mundum: Athanasius against the world (a reference to the stand

made by St. Athanasius against heresy in the early fourth century CE)

aucto splendore resurgo: I rise again with increase of splendor

auctor ego audendi: I am the author of my daring

audaces fortuna juvat: fortune helps the brave

audaces fortuna juvat timidosque repellit: fortune assists the bold and repels the

coward

audaces juvo: I assist the bold

audacia et industria: boldness and diligence

audacia pro muro habetur: courage protects like a wall (Sallust)

audacter et sincere (or, audaciter et sincere): boldly and sincerely

audax et celer: bold and swift

aude aliquid dignum: dare something worthy

aude contemnere opes: dare to despise riches (Virgil)

aude sapere: dare to be wise

aude, tace, fuge: listen, be silent, flee

audemus jura nostra defendere: we dare to defend our rights (motto of Alabama)

audentes Deus ipse juvat: God himself favors the brave (Ovid)

audentes (or audaces) fortuna juvat: fortune aids (or favors) the bold (Virgil)

audentum Forsque Venusque juvant: Fortune and Love favor the brave (Ovid)

audio sed taceo: I hear, but say nothing

auditque vocatus Apollo: and Apollo hears when called upon (a reference to poetic

inspiration) (Virgil)

Augiæ cloacas purgare: to cleanse the Augean stables (i.e., to accomplish a difficult

and disagreeable work) (Seneca)

Augusto felicior, Trajano melior

ave Maria, gratia plena

Augusto felicior, Trajano melior: a more fortunate man than Augustus, a more

excellent man than Trajan (Eutropius)

aura popularis: the popular breeze (i.e., popular favor) (Cicero)

aurea mediocritas (or, auream mediocritatem): the golden mean (Horace)

aureæ compedes: golden shackles

auream quisquis mediocritatem diligit: someone who loves the golden mean

(Horace)

aureo hamo piscari (or, aureo piscari hamo): to fish with a golden hook (i.e., gold

is the surest of lures)

auri sacra fames: accursed hunger for gold (Virgil)

auribus teneo lupum: I hold a wolf by the ears (i.e., I am in desperate trouble)

(Terence)

aurora musis amica (est): dawn is the friend of the Muses

aurum e stercore: gold from dung

aurum huic olet: he smells the money (Plautus)

auspice Christo: under the guidance of Christ

auspicium melioris ævi: a pledge of better times (motto of the Order of St. Michael

and St. George)

Austriæ est imperare orbi universo (A.E.I.O.U.): all the world is to be ruled by

Austria (motto of Frederick III)

ausus est vana contemnere: he dared to scorn vain fears

aut amat aut odit mulier: nil (or nihil) est tertium: woman either loves or hates:

there is no(thing) in between (Publilius Syrus)

aut bibat aut abeat: either drink or go away

aut Cæsar aut nihil: either Cжsar or nothing (motto of Cжsar Borgia)

aut Cæsar aut nullus: he will be either Cжsar or nobody

aut cum hoc aut in hoc: either with this or on this

aut disce aut discede: either learn or depart

aut inveniam viam aut faciam: either I will find a way or make one

aut mors aut victoria: either death or victory

aut suavitate aut vi: either by gentleness or by force

aut vincam aut periam: either win or perish

aut vincere aut mori: either victory or death

autumnus—libitinæ quæstus acerbæ: autumn—the harvest of bitter death

(Horace)

auxilium ab alto: help from on high

auxilium meum a Domino: my help comes from the Lord

auxilium meum ab alto: my help is from above

avaritia huius sæculi: the avarice of this generation

ave atque vale: hale (or hail) and farewell

ave Maria, gratia plena (also, ave Maria, plena gratia): hail Mary, full of grace avi memorantur avorum bos in lingua

avi memorantur avorum: my ancestors recall their ancestors (i.e., my ancestral line

is long)

avi numerantur avorum: I follow a long line of ancestors

avitæ gloriæ memor: mindful of ancestral glory

avito viret honore: he flourishes upon ancestral honors (i.e., his honor is not of his

own doing)

B

basis virtutum constantia: constancy is the foundation of virtue

beatæ memoriæ: of blessed memory

beati pacifici: blessed are the peace makers (St. Matthew 5:9)

beati pauperes spiritu: blessed are the poor in spirit

beati qui durant: blessed are they that endure

bella, detesta matribus: wars, the horror of mothers (Horace)

bella, horrida bella: wars, horrible wars (Virgil)

bella matronis detestata: wars detested by mothers (Horace)

bellicæ virtutis præmium: the reward of valor in war

bello ac pace paratus: prepared in war and peace

bello palmam fero: I bear the palm in war

bellua multorum capitum: the many-headed monster (i.e., the mob)

bellum omnium in omnes: a war of all against all

bellum, pax rursus: a war, and again a peace (Terence)

bene dissere est finis logices: to dispute well the chief end of logic

bene est tentare: it is as well to try

bene merentibus: to the well-deserving

bene tenax: rightly tenacious

benedictus qui tollit crucem: blessed is the one who bears the Cross

benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini: blessed is the one who comes in the name

of the Lord (St. Matthew 21:9)

benigno numine: by the favor of heaven; by divine favor

bibere venenum in auro: to drink poison from a golden cup

bivium virtutis et vitii: the two paths (or crossroads) of virtue and of vice

blandæ mendacia linguæ: the lies of a flattering tongue

bona fide: in good faith

bona fide polliceor: I promise in good faith

bonis avibus: under favorable auspices

bonis omnia bona: all things are good to the good

bonis vel malis avibus: under good or evil auspices

bos in lingua: an ox on the tongue (i.e., hush money: certain coins in Athens were

imprinted with an ox)

brutum fulmen

Carthago delenda est

brutum fulmen (or, fulmen brutum): a harmless thunderbolt (i.e., an empty

threat)

C

cacoëthes carpendi: an itch for finding fault

cacoëthes loquendi: an itch for speaking

cacoëthes scribendi: an itch for writing

cadenti porrigo dextram: I extend my right hand to one who is falling

cæca regens vestigia filo: guiding blind steps by a thread

cælestis veritas origo: the source of heavenly truth

cæli enarrant gloriam Dei: the heavens tell of the glory of God

cælitus impendet: it hangs in the heavens

cælitus mihi vires: my strength is from heaven

cælo imperium Jovis extulit ales: the bird of Jupiter raised the empire to the heavens

cælum, non animum: the clime, not the mind

calco sub pedibus: I trample it under my feet

callida junctura: skillful arrangement (Horace)

candide et caute: with candor and caution

candide et constanter: with candor and constancy; frankly and firmly

candide sincere: candidly and sincerely

candor dat viribus alas: sincerity gives wings to strength

candor illesus: purity unharmed

cane pejus et angue: worse than a dog or a snake

canina facundia: dog eloquence (i.e., snarling) (Appius)

canis in præsepi: a dog in the manger (neither will it let the ox eat the hay nor will it

eat the hay itself)

capistrum maritale: the matrimonial halter (Juvenal)

capitis nives: the snowy locks of the head (Horace)

captivus ob gulam: captured by gluttony

captus nidore culinæ: caught by the odor of the kitchen

caput inter nubila condit: it hides its head amid the clouds (i.e., fame) (Virgil)

caput mortuum: dead head (i.e., the worthless remains; a numbskull)

caput mundi: the head of the world (i.e., Rome)

caret: it is wanting

caret initio et fine: it lacks beginning and end

caritas fructum habet: charity bears fruit

carmen triumphale: a song of triumph

carpe diem: seize the day (i.e., make the most of the present) (Horace)

carpere et colligere: to pick and gather

Carthago delenda est: Carthage must be destroyed (Cato the Elder)

cassis tutissima virtus chalepa ta kala

cassis tutissima virtus: virtue is the safest helmet

casta moribus et integra pudore: of chaste morals and unblemished modesty

(Martial)

castigat ridendo mores: it corrects manners by laughing at them (i.e., comedy)

Cato contra mundum: Cato against the world

caute, non astute: cautiously, not craftily

cautus semper viret: the cautious man always flourishes

cave a signatis: beware of those who are marked

cave!, adsum: beware!, I am present

cave canem: beware of the dog

cave!, Deus videt: beware!, God sees

cave paratus: beware while prepared

caveat actor: let the doer beware (of the consequences)

caveat emptor: let the buyer beware

caveat venditor: let the seller beware

caveat viator: let the traveler beware

cavendo tutus: safe by taking heed

cavete a canibus: beware of the dogs

cedamus amori: let us yield to love

cedant arma: let arms yield

cedant arma togæ: let arms yield to the toga (i.e., let the military yield power to civil

authority) (Cicero; motto of Wyoming)

cede Deo: yield to God (Virgil)

cede nullis: yield to no one

cedo nulli: I yield to no one

celer et audax: swift and daring

celer et fidelis: swift and faithful

celer et vigilans: quick and watchful

celeritas: swiftness

celeritas et veritas: swiftness and truth

celeriter: swiftly

cernit omnia Deus vindex: there is an avenging God who sees all

certa salutis anchora: the sure anchor of salvation

certavi et vici: I have fought and conquered

certior in coelo domus: a surer home in heaven

certum scio: I know for certain

cervus lacessitus leo: the stag provoked becomes a lion

cessit victoria victis: victory has yielded to the vanquished

cetera quis nescit?: the rest who does not know?

ceterum censo: but my decided opinion is (Cato)

chalepa ta kala: what is good (or excellent) is difficult (a Greek phrase)

chaos, rudis indigestaque moles compositum jus fasque animi

chaos, rudis indigestaque moles: chaos, a rough and unordered mass (Ovid)

Christi crux est mea lux: the Cross of Christ is my light

Christo duce feliciter: happily, under the guidance of Christ

Christo duce vincamus: let us conquer with Christ as leader

Christo et Ecclesiæ: for Christ and for the Church

cicatrix manet: the scar remains

cita mors ruit: death is a swift rider (Horace)

citius, altius, fortius: faster, higher, stronger (motto of the modern Olympic Games)

civilitas successit barbarum: civilization succeeds barbarism (territorial motto of

Minnesota)

civis Romanus sum: I am a citizen of Rome (Cicero)

civium in moribus rei publicæ salus: the welfare of the state [depends upon] the

morals of its citizens (motto of the University of Florida)

clamamus, Abba, Pater: whereby we cry, Abba, Father (after Galatians 4:6)

clarior e tenebris (also, clarior ex tenebris): [I shine] more brightly from the

darkness (or from obscurity)

clarior ex obscuro: [I shine] more brightly from obscurity

clarior hinc honos: hence the brighter honor

clariora sequor: I follow brighter things

claris dextra factis: a right hand employed in glorious deeds

claritate dextra: with a bright light to the right

clarum et venerabile nomen: a bright and venerable name

classicum canit: the trumpet sounds attack

clementia in potentia: clemency in power

coelestem spero coronam: I hope for a heavenly crown

coelitus datum: given by heaven

coelitus mihi vires: my strength is from heaven

coelo solo salo potentes: rely on heaven alone

coelum non animum: you may change your climate, not your mind

coelum non solum: heaven not earth

coelum versus: heavenward

coetus dulces valete: fare you well (Catullus)

cogito ergo sum (also, ego cogito, ergo sum): I think, therefore I am (Descartes)

colligavit nemo: no one has bound me

colubrem in sinu fovere: to hold a snake in one’s bosom (Phжdrus)

comitas inter gentes: comity among nations

commodum non damnum: a convenience not an injury

communi consensu: by common consent

communia proprie dicere: to express commonplace things with propriety (said of

accomplished actors) (Horace)

compos mentis: of sound mind

compositum jus fasque animi: law and equity (Persius) conabimur contra stimulum calces

conabimur: we will try

conanti dabitur: it will be given to him who strives

conantia frangere frangunt: they break those which are trying to break them

concordia: harmony

concordia discors (or, discors concordia): harmony in discord; a dissonant

harmony (i.e., agreeing to differ) (Horace and Ovid)

concordia insuperabilis: unconquerable harmony

concussus surgo: though shaken, I rise (or, when struck I rise)

confide recte agens: doing rightly be confident

confido: I trust

confido et conquiesco: I trust and I am completely at rest

confido in probitate: I trust in my probity (i.e., honesty or uprightness)

conjuncta virtuti fortuna: fortune is joined to bravery

Consanguineus Lethi Sopor: Sleep, the Brother of Death

conscia mens recti: a mind conscious of integrity (Ovid)

conscientia mille testes: conscience is as a thousand witnesses

consensus audacium: an agreement of rash men (i.e., a conspiracy) (Cicero)

consensus facit legem: consent makes law

consensus tollit errorem: consent takes away error

consequitur quodcunque petit: he attains whatever he attempts

consilia et facta: by thought and deed

consilio et animis: by counsel (wisdom) and courage

consilio et prudentia: by counsel (wisdom) and prudence

consilio manque: by work and by counsel (wisdom)

consilio, non impetu: by counsel (wisdom), not impulse

constans et fidelis: constant and faithful

constans et fidelitate: constant and with faithfulness

constantia comes victoriæ: perseverance, a companion of victory

constantia et virtute: by constancy and virtue (or valor)

consuetudinis magna vis est: great is the force of habit (Cicero)

consuetudo est altera lex: custom is a second law

consuetudo est secunda natura: custom is a second nature (St. Augustine)

consuetudo pro lege servatur: custom is observed as law

consuetudo quasi altera natura: habit is as second nature (Cicero)

consule Planco: when Plancus was consul (i.e., in my younger days; in the good old

days) (Horace)

consummatum est: it is finished (St. John 19:30; one of the Seven Last Words of

Christ)

contemnit tuta procellas: secure, she despises storms

contra bonos mores: against good morals

contra stimulum calces: you kick against the goad (i.e., your opposition is in vain)

(Terence)

copiose et opportune

crux mihi ancora

copiose et opportune: plentiful and in time

cor ad cor loquitur: heart speaks to heart (Cardinal Newman)

cor et manus: heart and hand

cor mundum crea in me, Deus: create in me a clean heart, O God (Psalm 51:10)

cor nobile, cor immobile: a noble heart is an immovable heart

cor unum, via una: one heart, one way

coram Domino Rege: before the Lord our King (also, coram domino rege: before

our lord the king)

coram nobis: before us

coram populo: in the presence of the people (Horace)

corda serata fero: I carry a heart locked up (pun on Lockhart family name)

coronat virtus cultores suos: virtue crowns her votaries

corpus sine pectore: a body without a soul (Horace)

cos ingeniorum: a whetstone to their wit

crambe repetita: warmed-over cabbage (i.e., the same old thing) (Juvenal)

cras credemus, hodie nihil: tomorrow we will believe, not today

crede Byron: trust Byron (motto of Lord Byron)

credite posteri: believe it, posterity (Horace)

credo, Domine: Lord, I believe

credo et videbo: I believe, and I shall see

credo quia absurdum (est): I believe it because it is absurd (Tertullian)

credo quia impossibile (est): I believe it because it is impossible (attributed to

Tertullia n)

credo ut intelligam: I believe so that I might understand (i.e., belief precedes

knowledge) (St. Augustine)

credula res amor est: a credulous thing is love (Ovid)

crescat scientia, vita excolatur: where knowledge increases, life is enriched (motto

of the University of Chicago)

crescere ex aliquo: raising oneself through the fall of another

crescit eundo: it grows as it goes (motto of New Mexico)

crescit occulto velut arbor ævo: it grows as a tree with a hidden life (Horace)

crescit sub pondere virtus: virtue grows under oppression

crescite et multiplicamini: increase and multiply (motto of Maryland)

crescitur cultu: it is increased by cultivation

creta an carbone notandum: whether to be marked with chalk or charcoal (i.e., as

good or bad)

cribro aquam haurire: to draw water with a sieve

crocodili lacrimæ: crocodile tears (Erasmus)

cruce, dum spiro, fido: while I have breath, I trust in the Cross

cruci dum spiro fido: while I breathe, I trust in the Cross

crux mea stella: the Cross is my star

crux mihi ancora: the Cross is my anchor crux mihi grata quies dant vires gloriam

crux mihi grata quies: the Cross is my pleasing rest

crux salutem confert: the Cross confers salvation

cui bono?: for whose benefit is it? (Cicero)

cui debeo fidus: faithful to whom I owe faith

cui malo?: to whose detriment?; whom does it harm? (Cicero)

cuique suum: to each his own

cujus regio, ejus religio: whose region, his religion (i.e., the faith of the people is

determined by their king)

cum corde: with the heart

cum crepitat, sonora silent: when it rattles, loud words subside

cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum: with love for humanity and hatred of

sins (St. Augustine)

cum grano salis: with a grain of salt (i.e., with some allowance or room for doubt)

(Pliny the Elder)

cum plena est, sit emula solis: when full, she may rival the sun

cum pudore læta foecunditas: happy fecundity accompanied by modesty

cum tacent, clamant: with their silence, they cry out (i.e., silence speaks louder than

words) (Cicero)

cum tempore mutamur: we change with time

cunctando restituit rem: he restored the cause of Rome by delay (Ennius, said of

Fabius)

cuneus cuneum trudit: wedge drives wedge

cur (or quid) me persequeris?: why do you persecute me? (after Acts 9:5)

cura cura repulsa nova: the new drives out the old (Ovid)

curiosa felicitas: nice felicity of expression (Petronius)

curiosis fabricavit inferos: he fashioned hell for the inquisitive (St. Augustine)

currente calamo: with a running pen (i.e., quickly or fluently)

currentem tu quidem: (fig.) you spur a willing horse

currus bovem trahit: the cart draws the ox (i.e., to put the cart before the horse)

cursum intendimus alis: we wing our way

curta supellex: scanty supply of furniture (i.e., meager stock of knowledge)

custodi civitatem, Domine: keep the city, O Lord

custos morum: a guardian of customs (or morals)

D

da gloriam Deo: give glory to God

d-a p-e-c-u-n-i-a-m: give money (C.J. Weber, who called this phrase the Vatican’s

Ten Commandments in Ten Letters)

da veniam lacrymis: forgive these tears

dabit qui dedit: he will give who gave

dant vires gloriam: strength gives glory

dapes inemptæ

Dei irati

dapes inemptæ: dainties unbought (i.e., home produce) (Horace)

dare cervices: give the neck (i.e., submit to the executioner)

dare fatis vela: to give the sails to fate (Virgil)

dare pondus idonea fumo: to give weight to smoke (i.e., to give importance to

trifles) (Persius)

dat Deus incrementum: God gives the increase

data fata secutus: following what is decreed by fate (Virgil)

de die in diem: from day to day

de filo pendet: it hangs by a thread

de fumo in flammam: out of the smoke into the flame (i.e., out of the frying pan and

into the fire)

de industria: industriously

de lana caprina: concerning goat’s wool (i.e., a worthless matter)

de minimis non curat lex: the law does not concern itself with trifles

de monte alto: from a high mountain

de nihilo nihil: from nothing, nothing can come (Persius)

de nimium: not too much

de pilo pendet: it hangs by a hair

de præscientia Dei: of the foreknowledge of God

de profundis: out of the depths

de propaganda fide: for propagating the faith

de publico est elatus: he was buried at the public expense (Livy)

De Sapientia Veterum: On the Wisdom of the Ancients (Francis Bacon, title of a

work)

debellare superbos: to overthrow the proud (Virgil)

debit Deus his quoque finem: God will put an end to these as well (Virgil)

debito justitiæ: by debt of justice

decet imperatorem stantem mori: an emperor ought to die standing (i.e., at his

post) (Vespasian)

decies repetita placebit: though ten times repeated, it still is pleasing (usually said

of a play or a musical masterpiece) (Horace)

decori decus addit avito: he adds honor to his ancestral honor

decrevi: I have decreed

decus et tutamen: honor and defense

dedimus potestatem: we have given power

defendit numerus junctæque umbone phalanges: their numbers and their

compact array protect them (Juvenal)

defensor fidei: defender of the faith (a motto of the English monarchy)

deficiunt vires: strength is wanting

Dei gratia: by the grace of God (a motto of Canada)

Dei gratias: thanks be to God

Dei irati: the wrath of God

Dei memor, gratus amicis Deo servire regnare est

Dei memor, gratus amicis: mindful of God, grateful to friends

Dei plena sunt omnia: all things are full of God (Cicero)

Dei providentia juvat: God’s providence assists

delectando pariterque monendo: by giving pleasure and at the same time

instructing (Horace; said of a well-written book)

delectare in Domino: to delight in the Lord

delenda est Carthago: Carthage must be destroyed (Cato the Elder)

deliciæ humani generis: the delight of mankind (a reference to the Emperor Titus)

deliramenta doctrinæ: the madness of scholars (i.e., delirious with too much

learning)

denique cælum (or, denique coelum): heaven at last (Crusaders’ battle cry)

dens theonina: a slanderous tooth

dente superbo: with a disdainful tooth (Horace)

Deo adjuvante non timendum: with God’s help, nothing need be feared

Deo date: give unto God

deo dignus vindice nodus: a knot worthy of a god to unloose (i.e., a great dilemma)

Deo duce, ferro comitante: God for guide, sword for companion

Deo duce, fortuna comitante: God for guide, fortune for companion

Deo ducente: with God’s guidance

Deo et Patriæ: for God and Country (motto of the University of Saskatchewan)

Deo et regi fidelis: loyal to God and king

Deo favente: with God’s favor

Deo fidelis et patria: faithful to God and country

Deo fidelis et regi: faithful to God and the king

Deo fidens persistas: always faithful to God

Deo gloria noster: our glory to God

Deo gratias: thanks be to God

Deo honor et gloria: to God the honor and glory

Deo ignoto: to the unknown God

Deo juvante: with God’s help (motto of Monaco)

Deo monente: with God’s warning (i.e., a warning from God)

Deo, non fortuna: from God, not fortune (or chance)

Deo, Optimo, Maximo (D.O.M.): to God, the Best, the Greatest (motto of the

Benedictines)

Deo patria tibi: for God, homeland, and yourself

Deo, patriæ, amicis: for God, homeland, and friends

Deo patriæque fidelis: faithful to God and country

Deo, regi, patriæ: to God, king, and country

Deo, regi, vicino: for God, king, and neighbor

Deo, reipublicæ, amicis: to God, the republic, and friends

Deo servire regnare est: to serve God is to reign

Deo volente

Deus tuetur

Deo volente (D.V. or d.v.): God willing

deorum cibus est: it is food for the gods

depressus extollor: having been depressed, I am exalted

desideratum: a thing desired (but sadly lacking)

desiderium spe vacuum: a desire devoid of hope

despicio terrena: I despise earthly things

detur digniori: let it be given to those most worthy

detur pulchriori: let it be given to the most beautiful (the inscription on the golden

apple of discord)

Deum cole, regem serva: worship God, serve the king

Deum colit, qui novit: the one who knows God worships Him (Seneca)

deum esse credimus: we believe in the existence of God

Deus alit eos: God feeds them

Deus avertat!: God forbid!

Deus clypeus meus: God is my shield

Deus dabit vela: God will fill the sails

Deus det!: God grant!

deus est in pectore nostro: there is a god within our heart (Ovid)

Deus est regit qui omnia: there is a God who rules all things

Deus est summum bonum: God is the greatest good

Deus est suum esse: God is his own being

deus ex machina: a god from a machine

Deus fortitudo mea: God is my strength

Deus gubernat navem: God pilots the ship

Deus id vult (or simply, Deus vult): God wills it (rallying cry of the First Crusade)

Deus major columna: God is the greatest of supports

Deus mihi providebit: God will provide for me

Deus misereatur: God be merciful

Deus nobis hæc otia fecit: God has given us this place of rest (Virgil)

Deus nobiscum, quis contra?: God with us, who can be against us?

Deus non reliquit memoriam humilium: God hath not forgotten the humble

Deus noster refugium: our God is our refuge

Deus omnibus quod sat est suppeditat: God supplies enough to all

Deus pascit corvos: God feeds the ravens

Deus pastor meus: God is my shepherd

Deus protector noster: God is our protector

Deus providebit: God will provide

Deus salutaris noster: God our Savior

Deus sive natura: God or nature (Spinoza)

Deus solamen: God is my comfort

Deus tuetur: God defends

Deus vobiscum disce pati

Deus vobiscum: God be with you

Deus vult (also, Deus id vult): God wills [it] (rallying cry of the First Crusade)

dextra cruce vincit: my right hand conquers by the Cross

dextra fideque: by my right hand and my fidelity

dextra mihi Deus: my right hand is to me as a god (Virgil)

dextras dare: to give right hands (i.e., to greet one another or to promise mutual

support)

dextro tempore: at the right time; at a lucky moment

di me tuentur: the gods my protectors (Horace)

di meliora: God forbid!

di (or dii) pia facta vident: the gods see virtuous deeds (Ovid)

dicamus bona verba: let us speak words of good omen (Terence)

dicta docta pro datis: smooth words in place of gifts (Plautus)

dicta fides sequitur: the promise is no sooner given than fulfilled (Ovid)

dicta tibi est lex: the law is laid before you (Horace)

dictis facta suppetant: let deeds suffice for words (Plautus)

dictum factum (also, dictum ac factum): said and done (i.e., no sooner said than

done)

dictum sapienti sat est: a word to the wise is sufficient (Plautus and Terence)

diem perdidi: I have lost a day (i.e., I have done nothing of worth) (attributed to Titus)

dies faustus: a lucky day

dies infaustus: an unlucky day

dignum et justum est: it is right and fitting

dignus hoc indice nodus: a knot worthy to be untied by such hands (i.e., a difficulty

calling for experienced hands) (Horace)

dii majores et minores: gods of a higher and lower degree

Dii rexque secundent: may God and the king favor us

diis aliter visum: it has seemed otherwise to the gods (Virgil)

diligenter et fideliter: diligently and faithfully

diligentia: diligence

diligentia ditat: industry enriches

diligentia fortior: stronger by diligence

dira necessitas: cruel necessity (Horace)

dirige nos, Domine: direct us, O Lord

dirigo: I direct (motto of Maine)

dis aliter visum: it seemed otherwise to the gods (Virgil)

dis bene juvantibus: with the help of the gods

dis ducibus: under the direction of the gods

disce aut discede: learn or leave

disce et doce: learn and teach (motto of the University of Sheffield)

disce pati: learn to endure

discere docendo

Dominus illuminatio mea

discere docendo: to learn by teaching

disciplina, fide, perseverantia: by discipline, fidelity, and perseverance

disciplina præsidium civitatis: the instruction and protection of the state (motto of

the University of Texas)

discors concordia (or, concordia discors): harmony in discord; a dissonant

harmony (i.e., agreeing to differ) (Horace and Ovid)

discretis sua virtus inest: when separated, each has its own virtue

disjecti membra poëtæ: limbs of a dismembered poet (sometimes said of a

plagiarized work) (Horace)

disponendo me, non mutando me: by disposing of me, not by changing me

distantia jungit: it joins things that were apart

ditat Deus: God enriches (motto of Arizona)

ditat servata fides: faith preserved enriches

diversa ab illis virtute valemus: we are strong because our skill differs from theirs

divide et impera: divide and rule

divina natura dedit agros, ars humana ædificavit urbes: divine nature gave us the

fields, human art built our cities (Latin version of the Spanish motto over the Santa

Barbara County Court House) (Varro)

divinitus accidit: it happened miraculously

divitiæ virum faciunt: riches make the man

dixit Dominus: the Lord has spoken it

do ut des: I give that you may give (a maxim of Bismarck)

doce ut discas: teach that you may learn

docendo discimus: we learn by teaching

docta ignorantia: learned ignorance (Nicolas of Cusa)

domi militiæque: at war and at peace

domina omnium et regina ratio: reason is the mistress and queen of all things

(Cicero)

Domine, dirige nos: O Lord, direct us (motto of the city of London)

Domine, illuminatio mea!: O Lord, my light!

Domine, non sum dignus: O Lord, I am not worthy

domini pudet, non servitutis: I am ashamed of my master, not of my servitude

(Seneca)

Domini quid reddam?: what shall I render unto the Lord?

Domino, Optimo, Maximo (D.O.M.): to the Lord, the best, the greatest (alternate

motto of the Benedictine Order)

Dominus a dextris: the Lord is on my right hand

Dominus fecit: the Lord hath done it

Dominus fortissima turris: the Lord is the strong tower

Dominus illuminatio mea: the Lord is my light (motto of Oxford University) Dominus illuminatio mea, et salus dum vivimus, vivamus

Dominus illuminatio mea, et salus mea, quem timebo?: the Lord is my light and

my salvation, whom shall I fear? (Psalm 26:1)

Dominus petra mea: the Lord is my rock

Dominus providebit: the Lord will provide

Dominus vobiscum: the Lord be with you

domitæ naturæ: of a tame nature

domus et placens uxor: a home and a pleasing wife (Horace)

dona nobis pacem: grant us peace

donatio mortis causa: a gift made in prospect of death

donec impleat: until it fill

donec impleat orbem: until it fill the globe

donec totum impleat orbem: until it fills the whole world (motto of the Knights of

the Crescent)

dono dedit: given as a gift

dormitat Homerus: even Homer nods off (i.e., sometimes even the best of us is

caught napping) (Horace)

duabus sellis sedere (also, duabus sedere sellis): to sit in two saddles (or, on two

stools)

ducat amor Dei: let the love of God lead us

duce et auspice: under his guidance and auspices

duces tecum: bring with you

ducit amor patriæ: love of country leads me

ducit Dominus: the Lord leads

ducitur, non trahitur: he is led, not drawn

ductor dubitantium: a guide to those in doubt

dulce domum: sweet home

dulce periculum: sweet danger

dulce quod utile: what is useful is sweet

dulce sodalicium (or, dulce sodalitium): sweet society (i.e., sweet association of

friends)

dulcior melle: sweeter than honey

dulcis pro patria labor: labor for one’s country is sweet

dulcius ex asperis: sweeter after difficulties

dum fortuna fuit: while fortune lasted

dum se bene gesserit: so long as his behavior is good

dum spiritus hos regit artus: so long as the spirit of life controls these limbs (Virgil)

dum spiro, spero: while I breathe, I hope (a motto of South Carolina)

dum tacent clamant: though they are silent, they cry aloud (i.e., their silence speaks

loudly)

dum vita est, spes est: while there is life, there is hope

dum vivimus, vivamus: while we live, let us live (motto of the Epicureans)

dum vivo, prosum

ego sum pastor bonus

dum vivo, prosum: while I live, I do good

duplici spe uti: to have a double hope

durante bene placito (or, durante beneplacito). during his good pleasure; at the

pleasure of

durante vita: during life

durum telum necessitas: necessity is a hard weapon

dux foemina facti (or, dux femina facti): the leader of the action was a woman (Virgil)

dux vitæ ratio: reason is the guide of life

E

e fungis nati homines: men born of mushrooms (i.e., upstarts)

e pluribus unum: out of many one (motto of the United States of America)

e se finxit velut araneus: he spun from himself like a spider (i.e., he relied on his

own resources)

e tellure effodiuntur opes: our wealth is dug out of the earth

ea fama vagatur: that report is in circulation

ecce Agnus Dei: behold the Lamb of God

ecce homo: behold the man (Pontius Pilate, St. John 19:5)

ecce iterum Crispinus!: here’s that Crispinus again! (i.e., said of someone who

shows up at every event) (Juvenal)

ecce quam bonum: behold, how good (motto of the University of the South)

ecce signum: behold the sign (i.e., here is the proof)

Ecclesia non moritur: the Church does not die

edo, ergo ego sum (also, edo, ergo sum): I eat, therefore I am

effloresco: I flourish

ego cogito, ergo sum (also, cogito, ergo sum): I think, therefore I am (Descartes)

ego ero post principia: I will keep behind the first rank (i.e., I will stay out of harm’s

way) (Terence)

ego et rex meus: I and my king (an insolent remark attributed to Cardinal Wolsey)

ego hoc feci: I have done this; this was my doing

ego me bene habeo: with me all is well (last words of Burrus)

ego meorum solus sum meus: I myself am the only friend I have (Terence)

ego nolo Cæsar esse: I don’t want to be Cжsar (Florus)

ego primum tollo, nominor quoniam leo: I will take first, for my name is lion (i.e.,

because I am the strongest) (Phжdrus)

ego spem pretio non emo: I do not purchase hope for a price (i.e., I do not buy a

pig in a poke) (Terence)

ego sum, ergo omnia sunt: I am, therefore all things are

ego sum lux mundi: I am the light of the world (St. John 8:12)

ego sum ostium ovium: I am the gate of the sheep (St. John 10:7)

ego sum pastor bonus: I am the good shepherd (St. John 10:11) ego sum resurrectio et vita esse quam videri

ego sum resurrectio et vita: I am the resurrection and the life (St. John 11:25)

ego sum vitis vera: I am the true vine (St. John 15:1)

ego te intus et in cute novi: I know you even under the skin (Persius)

egomet mi ignosco: I myself pardon myself (Horace)

egomet sum mihi imperator: I am my own ruler (Horace)

elatum a deo non deprimat: upheld by God, I am not depressed

elegantiæ arbiter: the master of taste (Tacitus)

elegit: he has chosen

elephantem ex musca facis: you are making an elephant out of a fly (i.e., making a

mountain out of a molehill)

eloquentia fortitudine præstantior: eloquence, surpassing strength

eloquentia sagitta: eloquence [is] my arrow

emeritus (fem. emerita; pl. emeriti): a veteran (i.e., an honorary title for a person

who has retired from official duties)

emunctæ naris: of nice scent (i.e., discernment) (Horace)

en altera quæ vehat Argo: behold, another Argo to carry them

ense et aratro: with sword and plow

ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem: by the sword she seeks peaceful quiet

under liberty (motto of Massachusetts)

eo instanti: at that instant

eo magis præfulgebant quod non videbantur (pl.): they shone with a greater

splendor the more they were not seen (Tacitus)

eo magis præfulgebat quod non videbatur (sing.): he shone with a greater

splendor the more he was not seen (Tacitus)

eodem collyrio mederi omnibus: to cure all by the same ointment

eodem genere mali: in the same kind of evil

Epicuri de grege porcus (or porcum): a hog from the drove of Epicurus (i.e., a

glutton) (Horace)

epulis accumbere divum: to recline at the feast of the gods (Virgil)

eques ipso melior Bellerophonte: a better horseman than Bellerophon himself

(Horace)

equis virisque: with horse and foot (i.e., with all one’s might)

equo ne credite, Teucri: do not trust the horse, Trojans

erectus, non elatus: exalted but not elated

eripuit coelo fulmen sceptrumque tyrannis: he snatched the lightning from

heaven and the scepter from tyrants (said of Benjamin Franklin)

eris mihi magnus Apollo: you shall be my great Apollo (Virgil)

erit altera merces: the one or the other will be my reward

ero quod spero: I will again hope

errare humanum est: to err is human

errores Ulixis: the wanderings of Ulysses

esse quam videri: to be rather than to seem (motto of North Carolina)

est concordia fratrum

ex necessitate rei

est concordia fratrum: harmony becomes brothers

est deus in nobis: there is a god within us (Ovid)

est egentissimus in sua re: he is in very straitened circumstances

est mihi honori: it reflects well on me

est mihi sorte datum: it is given to me by chance

est nulla fallacia: there is no deceit

est voluntas Dei: it is the will of God

esto fidelis: be faithful

esto perpetua: may she be everlasting (dying words of Paolo Sarpi, said of Venice;

also, motto of Idaho)

esto perpetuum: let it be everlasting

esto quod esse videris: be what you seem to be

esto semper fidelis: be ever faithful

et decus et pretium recti: both the ornament and the reward of virtue

et in Arcadia ego: I too am in Arcadia (a tomb inscription)

et manu et corde: both with hand and heart

et mea messis erit: my harvest will also arrive

et omnes sancti: and all the saints

et sic de ceteris: and so of the rest

et sic de similibus: and so of the like (i.e., this also applies in similar cases)

et vitam impendere vero: keep the truth at the hazard of life (a motto of Rousseau)

etiam periere ruinæ: even the ruins have perished (i.e., there is nothing left) (Lucan)

euge, poëta!: well done, poet! (Persius)

eureka: I have found it (motto of California, from the Greek)

ex abrupto: without preparation

ex abundante cautela: from excessive precaution

ex æquo et bono: justly and equitably

ex arduis perpetuum nomen: from difficulties, lasting fame

ex auribus cognoscitur asinus: an ass is known by its ears

ex bello, pax: from war, peace

ex campo victoriæ: from the field of victory

ex concordia victoriæ spes: hope of victory through union

ex debito justitiæ: from what is due to justice; from a regard to justice

ex dono Dei: by the gift of God

ex duris gloria: from suffering arises glory

ex fide fortis: strong through faith

ex fumo dare lucem: to give light from smoke

ex maximo minimum: from the greatest, least

ex merito: from merit

ex mero motu: from a mere motion, (i.e., of one’s own volition)

ex necessitate rei: from the necessity of the thing ex nihilo nihil fit expertus dico

ex nihilo nihil fit: from nothing, nothing is made

ex officio: by virtue of office (i.e., as a matter of duty)

ex pace ubertas: from peace, plenty

ex pede Herculem: from the foot we judge Hercules

ex pluribus unum facere: from many to make one (St. Augustine)

ex post facto: after the fact

ex scintilla incendium: from a spark a conflagration

ex tempore: on the spur of the moment; unrehearsed (Cicero)

ex umbra in solem: from the shade into the sun

ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem: from shadows and types to the reality

(Cardinal Newman)

ex undis aratra: plows from the waves

ex ungue leonem: from a claw, the lion (i.e., the lion is known by its claws)

ex uno disce omnes: from one learn all (i.e., from one we judge the rest)

ex uno omnia: all things are from one

ex urna resurgam: I shall rise again from the urn (i.e., from the tomb)

ex vitulo bos fit: from a calf an ox grows up

ex vulnere salus: healing (or salvation) from a wound

exaltabit honore: it will exalt with honor

excelsior: ever higher (motto of New York State)

exceptis excipiendis: the requisite exceptions being made

excessere metum mea jam bona: the blessings I now enjoy transcend fear (Ovid)

excessit ex ephebis: he exceeds twenty years (i.e., he has come to the age of

manhood)

excitabat fluctus in simpulo: he was stirring up billows in a ladle (i.e., a tempest in a

teapot) (Cicero)

excitari, non hebescere: to be spirited, not sluggish (Terence)

exclusa opes omnes: all hope is gone (Plautus)

exeat: let him depart

exegi monumentum ære perennius: I have raised a monument more lasting than

bronze (Horace)

exempla sunt odiosa: examples are odious

exercitatio potest omnia: perseverance conquers all things (also, practice makes

perfect)

exoriare aliquis nostris ex ossibus ultor: an avenger shall arise from my bones

(Virgil)

expectada dies aderat: the longed for day is at hand (Virgil)

expende Hannibalem: weigh the dust of Hannibal (Juvenal)

experientia docet: experience teaches (Tacitus)

experimentum crucis: the experience of the cross (i.e., a guidepost for others; also,

truth elicited by force, such as torture)

expertus dico: I speak from experience

expertus loquitur

favete linguis

expertus loquitur: he speaks from experience

expertus metuit: the expert is afraid (i.e., once burnt, twice shy) (Horace)

extinguo: I extinguish

extra ecclesiam nulla salus: there is no salvation outside the Church

extra muros: beyond the walls

extra telorum jactum: beyond throwing range; out of range

extremis malis extrema remedia: extreme remedies for extreme evils

F

faber suæ fortunæ: the maker of his own fortune (Sallust)

fac et excusa: do it and so justify yourself

fac et spera: do and hope

fac simile: do the like (i.e., a close imitation of an original)

facere non possum quin: I cannot but

facile princeps: easily the first (i.e., an undisputed leader)

facilius sit Nili caput invenire: it would be easier to discover the source of the Nile

facinus majoris abollæ: a crime of a very deep dye (i.e., one committed by a

respected person) (Juvenal)

facio liberos ex liberi libris libraque: I make free men out of children with books

and balance (motto of St. John’s College, Annapolis)

facta non verba: deeds not words

factotum: a “do everything” (i.e., a jack-of-all-trades)

factum est: it is done

fæx populi: the dregs of the people

fama clamosa: a current scandal

fama perennis erit: your fame shall be enduring

fama semper vivat!: may his/her fame live forever!

fama volat: the report (or rumor) flies (Virgil)

famam extendere factis: to extend one’s fame by valiant deeds (Virgil)

fare fac: speak and act

fari quæ sentiat: to say what one feels (Horace)

farrago libelli: the medley of that book of mine (Juvenal)

fasti et nefasti dies: lucky and unlucky days

Fata obstant: the Fates oppose (Virgil)

Fata viam invenient: the Fates will find a way (Virgil)

Fata vocant: the Fates call (Virgil)

faveat fortuna: let fortune favor

favente Deo: by God’s favor

favete linguis: favor with your tongues (i.e., be respectful; be silent) (Horace and

Ovid)

fax mentis honestæ gloria fidei coticula crux

fax mentis honestæ gloria: glory is the torch of an honorable mind

fax mentis incendium gloriæ: the flame of (or passion for) glory is the torch of the

mind

fecit: he did it

felices errore suo: happy in their error (Lucan)

felix culpa!: O fault most fortunate! (St. Augustine’s allusion to the Fall of humanity

that necessitated the coming of the Redeemer)

felix hora: a lucky occasion (i.e., a golden opportunity)

felix, heu nimium felix: happy, alas, too happy (Virgil)

feræ naturæ: of a wild nature

ferendo non feriendo: by bearing not by striking

feret ad astra virtus: virtue will bear us to the sky

feriunt summis fulmina (or fulgura) montes: lightning strikes the mountain tops

ferro, non gladio: by iron, not by sword

ferrum ferro acuitur: iron is sharpened by iron

fert palmam mereat: he bears the palm, let him deserve it

fervet opus: the work boils (Virgil)

festina lente: make haste slowly (Suetonius, attributed to Cжsar Augustus)

FIAT (Flatus Ignis Aqua Terra), or fiat: let it be done (air, fire, water, earth)

fiat Dei voluntas: God’s will be done

fiat experimentum in corpore vili: let the experiment be done upon a worthless

body (or object)

fiat ignem: let there be fire

fiat justitia: let justice be done

fiat justitia et pereat mundus: let justice be done though the world perish (motto of

Emperor Ferdinand I)

fiat justitia, ruat cælum (or coelum): let justice be done, though the heavens fall

fiat justitiam, pereat mundus: let justice be done, and the world perish

fiat lux: let there be light (Genesis 1:3; motto of the University of California)

fiat pax florent justitia: let peace be made, justice be done

fiat voluntas tua: Thy will be done (St. Matthew 6:10)

fictio cedit veritati: fiction yields to truth

fide et amore: by faith and love

fide et fiducia: by faith and confidence

fide et fortitudine: by faith and fortitude

fide et labore: by faith and labor

fide et literis: by faith and learning

fide et virtute: by faith and valor

fide fortuna forti: faith is stronger than fortune

fide, non armis: by faith, not by arms

fide, sed cui vide: trust, but be careful whom

fidei coticula crux: the Cross is the touchstone of faith

fidei defensor

flet victus, victor interiit

fidei defensor: defender of the faith (a motto of the English monarchs)

fidelis ad urnam: faithful to the urn (i.e., until death)

fidelis et audax: faithful and daring

fidelis usque ad mortem: faithful even to death

fidelitas vincit: fidelity prevails

fideliter: faithfully

fideliter et constanter: faithfully and firmly

fidem servabo genusque: I will serve faith and family

fidem servo: I keep faith

fidens et constans: faithful and constant

fides ante intellectum: faith before understanding

fides et justitia: fidelity and justice

fides facit fidem: faith creates faith; confidence begets confidence

fides hoc uno, virtusque probantur: virtue and faith are tested by this alone

fides non timet: faith does not fear

fides nos loricat: faith is our breastplate

fides probata coronat: faith approved confers a crown

fides Punica: Punic faith (i.e., treachery)

fides servanda est: faith must be kept (Plautus)

fides sit penes auctorem: credit this to the author (i.e., let the person supplying the

facts be responsible for their accuracy)

fides, spes, charitas: faith, hope, love (1 Corinthians 13:13)

fidus Achates: faithful Achates (a trustworthy friend of Aeneas) (Virgil)

fidus et audax: faithful and daring (or courageous)

fieri facias: cause it to be done; see that it be done

filius istarum lacrymarum: a child of those tears (St. Augustine)

filius nullius: the son of no one (i.e., a bastard son)

filius terræ: the son of the earth (i.e., a person of low birth)

finem respice: look to the end (i.e., consider the outcome)

finem transcendit habendi: he goes beyond the proper limit of acquiring wealth

(Paradin)

finis coronat opus: the end crowns the work

firmior quo paratior: the stronger the better prepared

firmor ad fidem: I am true to the faith

firmus maneo: I remain steadfast

fit via vi: a way is made by force

flagrante bello: while the war blazes (i.e., during hostilities)

flagrante delicto: while the crime blazes (i.e., caught in the act)

flebile ludibrium: a farce to weep at (i.e., a tragic farce)

flecti, non frangi: to be bent, not broken

flet victus, victor interiit: the conquered one weeps, the conqueror is ruined floreat domus fortiter et fideliter

floreat domus: may this house flourish

floreat Etona: may Eton flourish (motto of Eton College)

floreat majestas: let majesty flourish

floreat qui laborat: let the one who labors flourish

flores curat Deus: God takes care of the flowers

floriferis ut apes in saltibus omnia libant: as bees taste of everything in the flowery

meadows (Lucretius)

flos ipse civitatis: the very flower of the state (Apuleius)

flos juventutis (or, flos juvenum): the flower of youth (or, the flower of young men)

(Livy)

flosculi sententiarum: florets of thought

fluctuat nec mergitur: she is tossed by the waves but she does not sink (motto of

Paris, which has a ship as its emblem)

fluctus in simpulo exitare: to raise a tempest in a teapot (Cicero)

fluvius cum mari certas: you but a river, and contending with the ocean

fons et origo: the source and origin

fons et origo mali: the source and origin of the evil

fons malorum: the origin of evil

fons omnium viventium: the fountain of all living things

forensis strepitus: the clamor of the forum

forma flos, fama flatus: beauty is a flower, fame is a breath

fors et virtus miscentur in unum: fortune and valor are mixed into one (Virgil)

fors juvat audentes: fortune favors the brave (Claudian)

forte et fidele: strong and loyal

fortem te præbe: be brave!

fortes fortuna (ad)juvat: fortune favors the strong (or brave) (Terence)

forti non ignavo: to the brave man, not to the coward

fortis atque fidelis: strong and faithful

fortis est ut mors dilectio: love is strong as death (Song of Solomon 8:6)

fortis est veritas: strong is the truth

fortis et celer: strong and swift

fortis et egregius: brave and distinguished

fortis et fidelis: brave and faithful

fortis et hospitalis: strong and hospitable

fortis et liber: strong and free (motto of Alberta)

fortis et velox: strong and swift

fortis fortuna adjuvat: fortune aids the brave (Terence)

fortis in arduis: brave in difficulties

fortiter: boldly

fortiter et fidelis: brave and faithful

fortiter et fideliter: boldly and faithfully

fortiter et honeste

fuimus Troës

fortiter et honeste: boldly and honorably

fortiter et recte: bravely and uprightly

fortiter et suaviter: firmly and mildly

fortiter, fideliter, feliciter: fearlessly, faithfully, successfully

fortiter geret crucem: he will bravely bear the Cross

fortitudine: with fortitude

fortitudine et decore: by boldness and gracefulness

fortitudine et labore: by fortitude and labor

fortitudine et prudentia: by courage and prudence

fortitudo et prudentia: fortitude and prudence

fortuna favente: by the favor of fortune

fortuna favet fatuis: fortune favors fools

fortuna favet fortibus: fortune favors the strong (or brave)

fortuna juvat audaces: fortune favors the brave

fortuna mea in bello campo: fortune is mine in a fair fight

fortuna meliores sequitur: fortune follows the better man (Sallust)

fortuna sequatur: let fortune follow

fortunæ cætera mando: I commit the rest to fortune (Ovid)

fortunæ filius: a child of fortune; a favorite son (Horace)

fortunæ naufragium: a shipwreck of fortune (Apuleius)

fortunæ objectum esse: abandoned to fate

fortunæ vicissitudines: the vicissitudes of fortune

fossoribus orti: sprung from ditch diggers (i.e., from humble origins)

fragrat, delectat, et sanat: it smells sweet, is pleasing, and healthful

frangas, non flectes: you may break me, but you shall not bend me

frons est animi janua: the forehead is the door of the mind (Cicero)

frons hominem præfert: the forehead reveals the man

fronte capillata, post est occasio calva: hairy in front, occasion is bald behind

(Dionysius Cato)

fronti nulla fides: there is no trusting to appearances (Juvenal)

fructo cognoscitur arbor: a tree is known by its fruit

fruges consumere nati: born to consume the fruits of the earth (Horace)

frustra operam: they work in vain; labor lost (Terence)

frustra vigilant: they keep watch in vain; they stand guard in vain

fugaces labuntur anni: the fleeting years glide by

fugam fecit: he has taken to flight

fugit hora: the hour flies (or, time flies) (Ovid)

fugit irreparabile (or inreparabile) tempus: irretrievable time flies (Virgil)

fuimus: we have been (i.e., we have made our mark)

fuimus et sub Deo ermus: we have been, and we shall be under God

fuimus Troës: we were once Trojans (i.e., our day is over) (Virgil)

fuit Ilium gratia Dei

fuit Ilium: Troy was (i.e., its day is over) (Virgil)

fulcrum dignitotis virus: virtue is the support of dignity

fulget virtus: virtue shines forth

fulmen brutum (or, brutum fulmen): a harmless thunderbolt (i.e., an empty threat)

fulminis instar: like lightning

fumos vendere: to sell smoke (Martial)

functus officio: discharged of duty

furens quid foemina possit: that which an enraged woman can accomplish (Virgil)

furor arma ministrat: rage supplies arms (Virgil)

furor loquendi: a rage for speaking

furor poëticus: the poet’s frenzy

furor scribendi: a rage for writing

G

galea spes salutis: hope is the helmet of salvation

Gaude, Maria Virgo: Rejoice, Virgin Mary

gaudeamus (igitur): let us be joyful (therefore)

gaudeo: I rejoice

gaudet tentamine virtus: virtue rejoices in trial (i.e., in being tested)

gaudium adfero: I bring good tidings

genius loci: the presiding genius of the place (Virgil)

gens togata: the nation with the toga (i.e., Rome)

genti æquus utrique: worthy of both families

genus irritabile vatum: the irritable race of poets (Horace)

Gloria in Excelsis Deo: Glory be to God Most High (the “greater doxology”)

gloria invidiam vicisti: glory has vanquished envy (Sallust)

Gloria Patri: Glory be to the Father (the “lesser doxology”)

Gloria Tibi, Domine: Glory be to Thee, O Lord

gloria virtutis umbra: glory is the shadow of virtue (i.e., its attendant and

companion)

gradatim: by degrees; step by step

gradatim plena: full by degrees

gradatim vincimus: we conquer by degrees

gradu diverso, via una: the same way by different steps

Græculus esuriens: hungry young Greek (Juvenal, meant disparagingly)

grandescunt aucta labore: they grow with increase of toil

grata naturam vincit: grace overcomes nature

grata quies: rest is pleasing

grata testudo: the pleasing lyre

gratia Dei: by the grace of God

gratia gratiam parit

haud ignota loquor

gratia gratiam parit: kindness produces kindness

gratia misericordia et pax: grace, mercy, and peace

gratia placendi: the grace (or satisfaction) of pleasing

gratia vobis et pax: grace to you and peace

gratiam referendam: a favor ought to be returned

gratias agimus Tibi: we give Thee thanks

gratis asseritur: brought forth for nothing (i.e., it is asserted without being proved)

gratis dictum: said for nothing

grato animo: with grateful heart (or mind)

graviora manent: more grievous perils remain (i.e., the worst is yet to come)

grex venalium: a venal flock (Suetonius)

H

habemus confitentem reum: we have an accused person who pleads guilty (Cicero)

habent sua fata libelli: books have their own destiny (Terentianus Maurus; also

attributed to Horace)

habeo non habeor: I hold but am not held

habere derelictui rem suam: to neglect one’s affairs (Aulus Gellius)

habere et dispertire: to have and to distribute

habere, non haberi: to hold, not to be held

habes confitentem reum: the robber confesses the crime (Petronius)

habet salem: he has wit; he is witty

habitarunt di quoque sylvas: the gods also dwelt in the woods (Virgil)

hac illac perfluo: I flow this way and that

hac mercede placet: I accept the terms

hac sunt (in) fossa Bedæ venerabilis ossa: in this grave lie the bones of the

Venerable Bede (the inscription on Bede’s tomb)

hac virtutis iter: this is the path to virtue

hæc generi incrementa fides: this faith will bring an increase to our race

hæc omnia transeunt: all these things pass away

hæc studia oblectant: these studies are our delight

hæc tibi dona fero: these gifts I bear to thee (motto of Newfoundland)

hærent infixi pectore vultus: his face is engraved on her heart (Virgil)

Hannibal ad portas: Hannibal is at the gate (i.e., the enemy is close at hand)

(adapted from Cicero)

haud facile emergunt: they do easily rise up

haud ignara ac non incauta futuri: neither ignorant nor careless of the future

(Horace)

haud ignota loquor: I speak of things by no means unknown (i.e., I speak of wellknown

events)

haud inscia ac non incauta futuri hoc Latio restare canunt

haud inscia ac non incauta futuri: neither ignorant nor careless of the future

(Virgil)

haud nomine tantum: not in name alone

haud passibus æquis: with unequal steps (Virgil)

helluo librorum: a devourer of books (i.e., a book worm)

heroum filii: sons of heroes (motto of Wellington College)

heu pietas!, heu prisca fides!: alas for piety!, alas for the ancient faith! (Virgil)

hiatus maxime deflendus: an opening (or deficiency) very much to be deplored

hibernicis ipsis hibernior: more Irish than the Irish themselves

hic domus, hæc patria est: here our home, this our country (Virgil)

hic est mucro defensionis tuæ: this is the point of your defense (Cicero)

hic et nunc: here and now

hic et ubique: here and everywhere; also, here, there, and everywhere

hic et ubique terrarum: here and everywhere throughout the world (motto of the

University of Paris)

hic finis fandi: here was an end to the discourse (i.e., here the speech ended) (Virgil)

hic hæret aqua!: here the water stops! (i.e., here is the difficulty!)

hic jacet: here lies

hic jacet lepus: here lies the hare (i.e., here lies the difficulty)

hic murus aheneus esto: let this be your brazen wall of defense

hic niger est: that one has a dark heart (Horace)

hic Rhodos, hic salta: here is Rhodes, here leap

hic terminus hæret (or hærit): here is the end of all things (Paradin)

hic vigilans somniat: he sleeps awake (Plautus)

hiems subest: winter is at hand

hiera picra: the sacred bitter (i.e., a medicine) (a Greek saying)

hinc illæ lacrymæ (or lacrimæ)!: hence these tears! (Cicero, Horace, and Virgil)

hinc lucem et pocula sacra: from hence we receive light and sacred drafts (motto of

Cambridge University)

hinc orior: hence I rise

hinc sola salus: this is my only salvation

hinc spes effulget: hence hope shines forth

his ducibus: with these as guides

hoc age: this attend (i.e., concentrate)

hoc certum est: this much is certain

hoc erat in votis: this was in my prayers

hoc est corpus meum: this is my body (St. Matthew 26:26)

hoc fac et vives: do this and you shall live

hoc habet!: he has hit! (the cry of the spectators at gladiatorial contests)

hoc indictum volo: I wish this unsaid (i.e., I withdraw the statement)

hoc Latio restare canunt: they predict that this awaits Rome

hoc loco

honor Deo

hoc loco: in this place

hoc majorum virtus: this is the valor of my ancestors

hoc opus: this is (my) work

hoc opus, hic labor est: this is the task, this is the toil (i.e., there’s the rub) (Virgil)

hoc opus, hoc studium: this work, this pursuit (Horace)

hoc signo vinces: by this sign you will conquer

hoc tibi est honori: this reflects well on you

hoc uno Iupiter ultor: with this alone Jupiter punishes

hoc vince: by this conquer (a variation of in hoc signo vinces)

hoc virtutis opus: this is virtue’s work

hoc volo, hoc jubeo: this I wish, this I require (Juvenal)

hoc voluerunt: they wished this (Julius Cжsar, after the Battle of Munda in 45 BCE)

hodie animi nostri, postridie orbis: today our souls, tomorrow the world

hodie mihi, cras tibi: today for me, tomorrow for thee (i.e., mine today, yours

tomorrow)

hodie nihil, cras credo: tomorrow I will trust, not today (Varro)

hodie, non cras: today, not tomorrow

hodie tibi, cras mihi: today you, tomorrow me (Marlowe, in reference to execution)

hoi polloi: the masses (a Greek phrase)

hominem pagina nostra sapit: our page relates to man (Martial)

hominem quæro: I am looking for a man (Phжdrus, after Diogenes)

hominem te esse memento: remember that you are a man

homini necesse est mori: man must die (Cicero)

hominis est errare: to err is human

homo fuge!: fly, oh man!

homo homini lupus: man is a wolf to man (Plautus)

homo mensura: man is the measure (of all things) (Protagoras)

homo multarum literarum: a man of many letters (i.e., of great learning)

homo nullius coloris: a man of no party

homo sum: I am a man

homo trium literarum: a man of three letters (i.e., “fur,” a thief) (Plautus)

homo unius libri: a man of one book (Thomas Aquinas’s definition of a learned

man)

homunculi quanti sunt!: how insignificant men are! (Plautus)

honesta paupertas prior quam opes malæ: poverty with honor is better than

ill-gotten wealth

honesta quam splendida: honorable rather than showy

honeste audax: bold but honest

honestum præfero utili: I prefer honesty to utility

honestum prætulit utili: he has preferred honesty to advantage

honor Deo: honor be to God

Honor est a Nilo Iesus Hominum Salvator (I.H.S.)

Honor est a Nilo: Honor is from the Nile (anagram for Admiral Horatio Nelson,

who won the Battle of the Nile)

honor est præmium virtutis: honor is the reward of virtue (Cicero)

honor et virtus: honor and virtue

honor fidelitatis præmium: honor is the reward of fidelity

honor sequitur fugientem: honor follows the one who flees from her

honor virtutis præmium: honor is the reward of virtue

honorat mors: death confers honor

honores et præmia: honors and rewards

honores mutant mores: honors alter manners

honos alit artes: honor (or fame) nourishes the arts (Cicero)

honos (or honor) virtutes satilles: honor, the attendant of virtue

hora fugit: the hour flies (or, time flies)

horas non numero nisi serenas: I number none but shining hours (an inscription

on a sun dial)

horresco referens: I shudder to relate it (sometimes said facetiously) (Virgil)

horribile dictu!: horrible to tell!

horribile visu!: horrible to see!

horror ubique: terror everywhere (motto of the Scots Guards)

horror vacui: abhorrence of a vacuum

hostis humani generis: an enemy of the human race

huic habeo non tibi: I hold it for him, not for you

humani nihil alienum: nothing that relates to man is alien to me (Terence; a motto

of the Stone family)

humanum est errare: to err is human

humilitate: with humility

hypotheses non fingo: I frame no hypothesis (i.e., I deal entirely with the facts) (Sir

Isaac Newton)

hysteron proteron: the last put first (i.e., to put the cart before the horse) (a Greek

saying)

I

i secundo omine: go, and may all good go with you (Horace)

iacta alea esto (also, jacta alea esto): let the die be cast (Julius Cжsar, as quoted by

Suetonius)

iam iam (or, jam jam): now now (i.e., forthwith)

iamque opus exegi: and now I have finished the work (Ovid)

id genus omne: all the persons of that ilk (Horace)

idem velle atque idem nolle: to like and dislike the same things (Sallust)

idoneus homo: a fit man (i.e., a person of proven ability)

Iesus Hominum Salvator (I.H.S.): Jesus, the Savior of Humanity

ignem gladio scrutare modo

in Christi nomine

ignem gladio scrutare modo: only stir the fire with a sword (Horace)

ignis fatuus (pl. ignes fatui): a foolish fire (i.e., specious words; a will-o’-the-wisp)

ignobile vulgus: the ignoble multitude

ignoramus: we are ignorant

ignorantia facti excusat: ignorance of the fact excuses

ignoratio elenchi: ignoring the point at issue

ignosco tibi: I forgive you (Catullus)

ignotum argenti pondus et auri: an unknown (or untold) mass of silver and gold

(Virgil)

ignotum per ignotius: the unknown explained by the unknown

Ilias malorum: an Iliad of woes

illa victoria viam ad pacem patefecit: by that victory he opened the way of peace

illæso lumine solum: an undazzled eye to the sun (said of an eagle)

ille mi par esse deo videtur: he seems to me to be equal to a god (Catullus)

imitari quam invidere: to imitate rather than envy

imitatores, servum pecus: ye imitators, servile herd (Horace)

immotus: immoveable; ummoved

imo pectore: from the bottom of the heart

impavide: fearlessly

impavidum ferient ruinæ (or, impavidum ruinæ ferient): the ruins strike him

undaunted (Horace)

impendam expendar: I will spend and be spent

impera parendo: command by obeying

imperio regit unus æquo: one [God] rules with just government

imperium et libertas: empire and liberty (Cicero)

imperium in imperio: an empire within an empire (motto of Ohio)

imponere Pelion Olympo: to pile Pelion on Olympus (i.e., to attempt to scale

heaven)

imprimis: first of all

in æternum: forever

in altum: toward heaven

in ambiguo: in doubt

in anima vili: on a subject of little worth

in aqua scribis: you are writing in water (i.e., it is without effect)

in arena ædificas: you are building on sand (i.e., it is in vain)

in articulo mortis: at the point of death

in caducum parietem inclinare: to lean against a falling wall

in cælo quies: in heaven is rest

in cælo salus: in heaven is salvation

in cauda venenum: in the tail is poison (i.e., beware of danger)

in Christi nomine: in Christ’s name

in coelo quies in lumine lucem

in coelo quies: in heaven there is rest

in coelum jacularis: you are aiming at the heavens (i.e., your anger is in vain)

in concussa virtus: unshaken virtue

in copia cautus: cautious amid plenty

in cruce glorior: glory in the Cross

in cruce salus: salvation in the Cross

in cruce spero: I hope in the Cross

in crucifixo gloria mea: I glory in the Crucified One

in Deo confido: I trust in God

in Deo sola spec mea: my hope in God alone

in Deo speramus: in God we trust (motto of Brown University)

in Deo speravi: in God have I trusted

in Deo spero: in God I hope

in diem vivere: to live from hand to mouth

in dies meliora: better things to come

in Domino confido: in the Lord we trust

in Domino et non in arcu meo sperabo: I will rest my hope on the Lord, and not

in my bow

in Domino speravi: in the Lord I have placed my hope

in dubis constans: firm amid dangers

in dulci jubilo: now sing and be joyful (Peter of Dresden)

in dutus virtute ab alto: endued with virtue from above

in eburna vagina plumbeus gladius: a leaden sword in an ivory sheath (Diogenes,

said of a finely dressed person)

in ferrum pro libertate ruebant: for freedom they rushed upon the sword

in fide et in bello fortis: strong both in faith and in war

in fidelitate et veritate universas ab æternitate: in universal faithfulness and truth

from eternity

in flammam flammas, in mare fundis aquas: you add fire to fire, and water to the

sea

in forma pauperis: as a pauper; as a poor man

in foro conscientiæ: before the court of conscience

in hac spe vivo: in this hope I live (from Shakespeare’s Pericles)

in hoc salus: there is safety in this

in hoc signo spes mea: in this sign is my hope (a reference to the Cross of Christ)

in hoc signo vinces: by this sign (the Cross) you will conquer (Emperor

Constantine’s vision at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, 312 CE, which inspired the

Chi-Rho, XP, monogram, the labarum)

in Jehovah fides mea: in Jehovah is my trust

in libris libertas: in books there is freedom (motto of the Los Angeles Public

Library)

in lumine lucem: I may shine in the light

in lumine tuo videbimus lumen

in te, Domine, speravi

in lumine tuo videbimus lumen: in Thy light we shall see the light (motto of

Columbia University)

in malos cornu: my horn against the bad

in medias res: into the midst of things (Horace)

in mediis malis: into the midst of evils (Seneca)

in medio virtus: virtue lies in the mean (i.e., the middle course)

in memoriam: in memory of; to the memory of

in necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas (or charitas): in

things essential unity, in things doubtful liberty, in all things love (Melanthon, after

St. Augustine; a motto of the Disciples of Christ)

in nomine Domini: in the name of the Lord

in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti: in the name of the Father, the Son, and

the Holy Spirit (from the Catholic Mass)

in nova fert animus: my mind inclines to new things

in nubibus: in the clouds

in nuce Iliad: an Iliad in a nutshell

in omnia paratus: in all things prepared; prepared for everything

in omnibus caritas: in all things love

in partibus infidelium: in the unbelieving parts of the world

in periculis audax: bold in dangers

in perpetuam rei memoriam: in everlasting remembrance of an event or thing

in pertusum ingerimus dicta dolium: we are pouring our words into a perforated

cask (Plautus)

in pios usus: for pious uses

in portu quies: rest in port

in propria persona: in his or her own person

in puris naturalibus: in a purely natural state

in recto fides: faith in rectitude

in rerum natura: in the nature of things

in sæcula sæculorum: for ages and ages; forever and ever

in sanguine foedus: a covenant ratified in blood

in scientia veritas, in arte honestas: in science truth, in art honor

in se contexta recurrit: intertwined together, it returns to itself

in se(ipso) totus, teres, atque rotundus: perfect in himself, polished, and rounded

(i.e., a well-rounded man) (Horace)

in serum rem trahere: to draw out the matter to a late hour; to drag on the

discussion (Livy)

in silvam ligna ferre: to carry wood to the forest

in solo Deo salus: salvation in God alone

in statu quo ante bellum: the state in which before the war

in te omnia sunt: everything depends on you

in te, Domine, speravi: in thee, O Lord, have I set my hope

in tempestate floresco inest et formicæ sua bilis

in tempestate floresco: I flourish in the tempest

in tenui labor, at tenuis non gloria: the object of the labor was small, but not the

fame (Virgil)

in terrorem: in terror; as a warning

in theatro ludus: like a scene in a play

in totidem verbis: in so many words

in transitu: in transit; on the passage

in trinitate robur: my strength lies in the Trinity (also, my strength lies in triunity)

in tuo lumine videbimus lumen: In Thy Light we shall see light (motto of Ohio

Wesleyan University)

in utramvis dormire aurem: to sleep on both ears (i.e., to sleep soundly)

in utraque fortuna paratus: prepared for any change of fortune

in utroque fidelis: faithful in both

in utrumque paratus: prepared for both; ready for both

in veritate religionis confido: I trust in the truth of religion

in veritate triumpho: I triumph in the truth

in veritate victoria: victory lies with the truth

in vino veritas: in wine is truth (i.e., under wine’s influence, the truth is spoken)

inanis verborum torrens: an empty torrent of words (Quintilian)

incerta animi decreta resolvet: she will dispel the uncertainties of the mind

incessu patuit dea: by her gait the goddess was revealed (Virgil)

incipe: begin

inclinata resurgit: when pressed down, it raises itself again

inclytus virtute: illustrious by virtue

incoctum generoso pectus honesto: a heart imbued with generous honor (Persius)

incredulus odi: being skeptical, I detest it (Horace)

incudi reddere: to return to the anvil (i.e., to revise or retouch) (Horace)

inde iræ: hence this anger

inde iræ et lacrimæ: hence this anger and these tears (Juvenal)

indictum sit: be it unsaid

indignante invidia florebit justus: the just will flourish in spite of envy

indocilis pauperiem pati: one who cannot learn to endure poverty (Horace)

indocilis privata loqui: one incapable of telling secrets (Lucan)

industria et spe: by industry and hope

industria floremus: by industry we flourish

industria naturam corrigit: industry corrects nature

industria veritas et hospitalis: industry, truth, and hospitality

industriæ nil impossibile: to industry, nothing is impossible

indutus virtute ab alto: anointed with virtue from above

inest clementia forti: clemency belongs to the brave

inest et formicæ sua bilis: even the ant has its bile (i.e., even ants become angry)

inest sua gratia parvis

introite, nam et hic dii sunt

inest sua gratia parvis: even little things have a grace (or charm) of their own

infandum renovare dolorem: to renew an unspeakable grief (adapted from Horace)

infecta pace: without effecting a peace (Terence)

infinita est velocitas temporis: the swiftness of time is infinite (Seneca)

infixum est mihi: I have firmly resolved; I am determined

infra dignitatem: beneath one’s dignity

infringit solido: it breaks against a solid

ingenio et labore: by natural ability and work (motto of the University of Auckland)

ingenio maximus, arte rudis: greatest in genius, rough in skill (Ovid, said of

Ennius)

ingenium superat vires: genius overcomes strength

inopem copia fecit: abundance has made him poor (after Ovid)

inopem me copia fecit: abundance made me poor (Ovid)

insanabile cacoëthes scribendi: an incurable passion to write (Juvenal)

inservi Deo et lætare: serve God and rejoice

instar omnium: like all the others

intaminatis fulget honoribus: he shines with unstained honors

intaminatis honoribus: with unstained (or untarnished) honors

integer vitæ scelerisque purus: blameless of life and free from crime (Horace)

integros haurire fontes: to drink from pure fountains

integrum est mihi: I am at liberty

intellectus merces est fidei: understanding is the reward of faith (St. Augustine)

intelligabilia, non intellectum, fero: I provide you with things intelligible, but not

with intelligence

intemerata fides: faith undefiled

inter canem et lupum: between dog and wolf (i.e., at twilight)

inter cruces triumphans in cruce: amongst troubles, being triumphant in the Cross

inter malleum et incudem: between the hammer and the anvil

inter pocula: over their cups (Persius)

inter pueros senex: an old man among boys

inter sacrum saxumque sto: standing between the knife and the victim (i.e.,

between the hammer and the anvil) (Plautus)

inter spem et metum: between hope and fear

inter vivos: among the living

interim fit aliquid: meanwhile, something is going on (Terence)

interiora vide: look within

interminabilis humanæ vitæ labor: the unending labor of human life

intra verba peccare: to offend in words only

intrepidus maneo: I stand or remain intrepid

introibo ad altare Dei: I will go to the altar of God (from the Catholic Mass)

introite, nam et hic dii sunt: enter, for here too are gods (after Heraclitus) intus et in cute novi hominem Jesus Christus esto mihi

intus et in cute novi hominem: I know the man inside and out (Persius)

invia virtuti nulla est via: no way is impassable to virtue (Ovid)

invicta labore: by labor unconquered

invicta veritate: by unconquered (or invincible) truth

invictus arduis: unconquered in difficulties

invictus maneo: I remain unconquered

invidia gloriæ comes: envy is the attendant of glory (Ovid)

invidia major: superior to envy

inviolabiles telo Cupidinis: those immune to Cupid’s arrow

invita Minerva: Minerva being unwilling (i.e., lacking inspiration)

invitum sequitur honos (or honor): honors follow him unsolicited

Ioannes est nomen eius: John is his name (St. Luke 1:63; motto of Puerto Rico)

ipse amicus: I am my own friend

ipse dixit Dominus: the Lord himself has spoken it

ira leonis nobilis: the anger of the lion is noble

irremeabilis unda: the river from which there is no return (i.e., the river Styx)

(Virgil)

irrevocabile: irrevocable

irritabis crabones: you will stir up the hornets (Plautus)

isthæc in me cudetur faba: that bean will hit me (i.e., I shall have to suffer for this)

(Terence)

it prex cæli: prayer goes heavenward

ita: thus

ita et virtus: thus also virtue

ita lex scripta (est): thus the law is written; such is the law

ita voluerunt, ita factum est: so they willed, so it will be done

ite, missa est: go, the mass is over

iterum virescit: again it grows green

Iupiter merentibus offert: Jupiter rewards the deserving

J

jacta alea esto (or, iacta alea esto): let the die be cast (Julius Cжsar, as quoted by

Suetonius)

jacta est alea (or, jacta alea est): the die is cast (words attributed to Julius Cжsar

upon crossing the Rubicon)

jam jam (or, iam iam): now now (i.e., forthwith)

jam redit et Virgo: now returns the Virgin

jamque opus exegi: and now I have finished the work (Ovid)

januæ mentis: gates of the mind

Jesus Christus esto mihi: let Jesus Christ be mine

Jesus (or Iesus) Hominum Salvator

juvante Deo

Jesus (or Iesus) Hominum Salvator (I.H.S.): Jesus, the Savior of Humanity

Joannes est nomen ejus: his name is John (St. Luke 1:63; motto of Puerto Rico)

Jovis omnia plena: all things are full of Jove

Jubilate Deo: rejoice in God

jucunda rerum vicissitudo: a delightful change of circumstances

judex est lex loquens: a judge is the law speaking

judicio acri perpendere: to weigh with keen judgment (Lucretius)

judicium Dei: the judgment of God (i.e., trial by ordeal)

judicium parium aut leges terræ: judgment of one’s peers or else the laws of the

land (Magna Carta)

judicium subtile videndis artibus: a judgment subtle in discriminating works of art

(Horace)

jugulare mortuos: to stab to death

juncta juvant: things united aid each other (i.e., union is strength)

juniores ad labores: the younger men for labors (i.e., for the heavier work)

Jupiter tonans: Jupiter the thunderer

jurare in verba magistri: to swear by the words of the master

jure divino: by Divine right; by Divine law

jure humano: by human law; by the will of the people

jure, non dono: by right, not by gift

jure repræsentationis: by right of representation

jus et norma loquendi: the rule and law of language

jus gentium: the law of nations (Cicero)

jus gladii: the law of the sword

justi ut sidera fulgent: the just shine as the stars

justissimus unus et servantissimus æqui: just and observant of what is right, as no

other is (Virgil)

justitia et fortitudo invincibilia sunt: justice and fortitude are invincible

justitia et pax: justice and peace

justitia omnibus: justice for all (motto of the District of Columbia)

justitiæ soror fides: faith, the sister of justice

justitiæ tenax: tenacious of justice

justum et tenacem propositi: just and firm of purpose

justum et tenacem propositi virum: a man upright and firm of purpose (Horace)

justus autem ex fide vivit: the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17)

justus et fidelis: just and faithful

justus et propositi tenax: just and firm of purpose

justus propositi tenax: a just person steadfast to his purpose (Horace)

justus ut palma florebit: the just shall flourish as a palm tree

juvant arva parentum: the fields of our ancestors delight [me]

juvante Deo: God helping

kairon gnothi laudumque immensa cupido

K

kairon gnothi: know your opportunity (Pittachus, from the Greek)

Kalendæ Græcæ: the Greek calends (i.e., never; the Greek calendar did not mark the

calends)

kat’ eksochen: by way of excellence; with distinction (a Greek phrase)

Kyrie eleison: Lord, have mercy on us (from the Greek)

L

labor irritus: useless toil; vain labor

labor omnia vincit: labor conquers all things (motto of Oklahoma, the University of

Illinois, and the American Federation of Labor)

labor omnia vincit improbus: persevering labor conquers all things (Virgil)

labora ut in æternum vivas: strive that you may live forever

laborare est orare: to work is to pray

labore: by labor

labore et honore: by labor and honor

labore vinces: by labor will you conquer

laborum dulce lenimen: the sweet solace of my labors (Horace, to his lyre)

labuntur et imputantur: the moments slip away and are entered into our account (a

popular saying for a sundial)

lacrimæ rerum: the tears of things

lacrimæ simulatæ: simulated tears (i.e., crocodile tears)

læso et invicto militi: for our wounded but unconquered soldiery

lambendo paulatim figurant: (fig.) licking a cub into shape (Pliny the Elder)

lapsus linguæ: a slip of the tongue

lapsus ubi?, quid feci?: where did I err?, what did I accomplish? (Alciato)

lascivi soboles gregis: the offspring of a wanton herd (Horace)

lateat scintillula forsan: perchance a little spark of life may lie hidden (motto of the

Humane Society)

latitat: he lurks; he is hidden

laudant quod non intelligunt: they praise what they do not understand

laudari a laudato viro (or, laudari a viro laudato): to be praised by a man of praise

(Cicero)

laudator temporis acti: a praiser of times past (i.e., one who prefers the good old

days) (Horace)

laudatur ab his, culpatur ab illis: praised by some, blamed by others (Horace)

laudes cano heroum: I sing the praise of heroes

laudis avidi, pecuniæ liberales: greedy of praise, lavish of money (Sallust)

laudumque immensa cupido: and an immense desire for praise (i.e., a passion for

praise) (Virgil)

laus Deo

littera scripta manet

laus Deo: praise be to God

leberide cæcior: blinder than a serpent’s sloughed skin

legale judicium parium: the legal judgment of my peers

lege, quæso: I beg you read (a note appended to the top of student papers inviting

tutors to read their work)

leges juraque servat: he observes the laws and statutes

legimus, ne legantur: we read that others may not read (Lactantius, referring to

censors and reviewers)

legite et discite: read and learn

legant prius et postea despeciant: let them read first, and despise afterward (Lope

de Vega)

lene tormentum: gentle torment

lente sed opportune: slowly, but opportunely

Leo de Juda est robur nostrum: the Lion of Judah is our strength

leone fortior fides: faith is stronger than a lion

leonina societas: partnership with a lion (i.e., a “lion’s corporation” in which the

whole of the profits is controlled by the strongest and most powerful member)

leporis vitam vivit: he lives the life of a hare (i.e., always full of fear)

leve et reluis: arise and re-illumine

levis sit tibi terra: may the earth lie light upon you (a tombstone inscription)

levius fit patientia: patience makes it (one’s burden) lighter

liber et erectus: free and upright

libera nos a malo: deliver us from evil

liberavi animam meam: I have freed my soul (St. Bernard)

libertas: liberty

libertas et natale solum: liberty and my native land

libertas in legibus: liberty in the laws

libertas sub rege pio: liberty under a pious king

libido dominatur: the passions have gained control

liceat concedere veris: we are free to yield to truth (Horace)

licentia poëtica: poetic license (Seneca)

ligonem ligonem vocat: he calls a hoe a hoe (i.e., to call a spade a spade)

limæ labor: the labor of the file (i.e., polishing and revising one’s work)

linguæ verbera: lashings of the tongue

lis litem generat: strife begets strife

litem lite resolvere: to settle strife by strife

litera canina: the canine letter (i.e., the letter R, when pronounced very hard)

Literæ Bellerophontis: a Bellerophon’s letter (i.e., a letter requesting that the bearer

be dealt with summarily for an offense)

littera occidit, spiritus vivicat: the letter kills, the spirit gives life (after 2

Corinthians 3:6)

littera scripta manet: the written letter remains

litteræ non erubescunt lux venit ab alto

litteræ non erubescunt: a letter does not blush (Cicero)

litteris dedicata omnibus artibus: dedicated to the letters and all the arts (motto of

the University of Nebraska)

locus penitentiæ: place for repentance

longe aberrat scopo: he wanders far from the goal (i.e., he is wide of the mark)

longe absit: far be it from me; God forbid!

longo sed proximo intervallo: the next, but after a long interval (Virgil)

longo splendescit in usu: with long use it shines

lotis manibus: with washed hands

luce lucet aliena: it shines with a borrowed light (e.g., the moon)

luceat et crescat: let it shine and grow

lucent in tenebris: they shine in darkness

lucernam olet: it smells of the lamp (i.e., of late night toil)

lucis et pacis: light and peace

lucrum Christi mihi: to me, Christ is gain

ludere cum sacris: to play or trifle with sacred things

ludibrium Fortunæ: the plaything of Fortune

ludus, luctus, luxus: gambling, grief, debauchery (i.e., the fruits of drunkenness)

lugete, O Veneres Cupidinesque: weep, all you Venuses and Cupids (Catullus)

lumen coeleste sequamur: may we follow heavenly inspiration

lumen est in Deo: the Light is in God

lumenque juventæ purpureum: the light of purple youth (i.e., the radiant bloom of

youth) (Virgil)

lupus in fabula: the wolf in the fable (i.e., speak of the devil)

lux: light (motto of the University of Northern Iowa)

lux esto: let there be light (motto of Kalamazoo College)

lux et lex: light and law (motto of the University of North Dakota)

lux et veritas: light and truth (motto of Yale University)

lux hominum vita: light, the life of men (motto of the University of New Mexico)

lux in homine factum: the light has been made in man

lux in tenebris: light in darkness

lux in tenebris lucet: the light shines in the darkness

lux/libertas: light/liberty (motto of the University of North Carolina)

lux mihi laurus: the laurel is my light

lux mundi: light of the world (motto of Jessup University)

lux perpetua luceat eis: let perpetual light shine on them

lux sit: let there be light (motto of the University of Washington)

lux sum mundi: I am the light of the world (St. John 9:5)

lux tua via mea: thy light is my way

lux tua vita mihi: your light is my life (from Shakespeare’s Pericles)

lux venit ab alto: light comes from above

lux vitæ

malignum spernere vulgus

lux vitæ: the light of life

M

macte virtute: persevere in virtue (sometimes said sarcastically)

magalia quondam: formerly humble huts stood here (Virgil)

magis mutus quam piscis: quieter than a fish

magister dixit: the master has said so

Magna Carta (or Magna Charta): the Great Charter, signed by King John in 1215

magna comitante caterva: a great crowd accompanying (Virgil)

magna est veritas et prævalebit: truth is mighty and will prevail

magna est vis consuetudinis: great is the force of habit (Cicero)

magnæ spes altera Romæ: another hope of mighty Rome (i.e., a youth of promise)

magnanimiter crucem sustine: bear afflictions with magnanimity (also rendered,

bear up bravely under the Cross)

magnas inter opes inops: poor amid great riches (Horace)

magni nominis umbra: the shadow of a great name (Lucan)

magnificat: it magnifies

magnificat anima mea Dominum: my soul magnifies the Lord (St. Luke 1:46)

magnis excidit ausis: he failed in bold attempts (Ovid)

magno conatu magnas nugas: a great effort for great trifles (i.e., so much work for

so little gain) (Terence)

magnorum haud unquam indignus avorum: never unworthy of his illustrious

ancestors (Virgil)

magnum in parvo: a great amount in a small space

magnus Alexander corpore parvus erat: the great Alexander was small in stature

Magnus Apollo: Great Apollo (i.e., a great oracle)

major sum quam cui possit Fortuna nocere: I am too great for Fortune to harm

(Ovid)

majores pennas nido: wings greater than the nest (i.e., to rise above the position to

which one is born) (Horace)

majoresque cadunt altis de montibus umbræ: and the greater shadows fall from

the lofty mountains (Virgil)

majori cedo: I yield to the one who is greater

majorum consuetudini deditus: devoted to the tradition of his ancestors (Seneca)

mala fides: bad faith

maledicat Dominus: may the Lord curse him

malesuada fames: hunger that impels the crime (Virgil)

mali principii malus finis: the bad end of a bad beginning (i.e., bad beginnings have

bad endings)

malignum spernere vulgus: to scorn the wicked rabble (Horace) malis avibus mediocria firma

malis avibus: with bad birds (i.e., with a bad omen) (Cicero)

malum in se: a thing evil in itself

malum prohibitum: a prohibited evil (i.e., a crime because it is forbidden by law)

manebant vestigia morientis libertatis: there still remained traces of dying liberty

(Tacitus)

manent optima coele: the best things await us in heaven

manet alta mente repostum: it remains stored deep in the mind (Virgil)

manibus pedibusque: with hands and feet; with might and main

manibus victoria dextris: victory by my right hand

manliana: a Manlian (i.e., a harsh and severe sentence; a reference to Titus Manlius,

who ordered his son to be scourged and beheaded for defying his orders)

manu e nubibus: with a hand from the clouds (i.e., help from above)

manu et corde: with hand and heart

manu et mente: with hand and mind (motto of the University of New South Wales)

manu forti: with a strong hand

manum de tabula!: hand of the picture! (i.e., hold!, enough!; do not touch up!)

(Cicero)

manus e nubibus: a hand from the clouds

manus hæc inimica tyrannis: this hand is an enemy to tyrants

manus manum fricat: one hand rubs the other

manus manum lavat: one hand washes the other

mare coelo miscere: to confound sea and sky

mare ditat, rosa decorat: the sea enriches, the rose adorns

margarita e stercore: a pearl from a dunghill

margaritas ante porcos: pearls before swine (after St. Matthew 7:6)

martem accendere cantu: to excite war by song (Virgil)

maturandum: one must make haste

maturato opus est: (fig.) there is need of haste (Livy)

mature fias senex: may you early prove an old man (i.e., may you learn wisdom

beyond your years)

maximus in minimis: greatest in the least; very great in very little things

me, me adsum qui feci: I, the one before you, did the deed (Virgil)

me pompæ provexit apex: the summit of glory has led me on (or has inspired me)

(from Shakespeare’s Pericles)

me stante virebunt: while I stand they will flourish

mea gloria fides: faith is my glory

mea nihil interest: it is all the same to me

mea pila est: I have won

medicas adhibere manus: to touch with a healing hand (Serenus Samonicus)

medice, cura te ipsum: physician, heal thyself (St. Luke 4:23)

mediocria firma: the middle course is most secure (i.e., moderation is safer than

extremes)

medius fidius!

mihi pondera, luxus

medius fidius!: so help me God!

melete to pan: industry is everything (a Greek saying, attributed to Periander)

meliora: better things; or, always better (motto of the University of Rochester)

meliora supersunt: better things remain

meliores priores: the better ones first

melioribus auspiciis: under more favorable auspices

memento mori: remember death

memor esto: be mindful of; think upon

memor et fidelis: mindful and faithful

memorabilia: things to be remembered

memoria in æterna: in eternal remembrance

memoria pii æterna: the memory of the pious is eternal

mendaces, ebriosi, verbosi: liars, drunkards, and wordy people

mendici, mimi, balatrones, et hoc genus omne: beggars, actors, buffoons, and all

that sort of people (i.e., a group of contemptible folk) (Horace)

menin áeide, Thea: sing of wrath, O Goddess (the opening words, in Greek, of

Homer’s Iliad)

mens æqua (rebus) in arduis: a mind undisturbed in adversities

mens agitat molem: mind moves matter (Virgil; motto of the University of Oregon)

mens conscia recti: a mind conscious of uprightness (or integrity)

mens et manus: mind and hand (motto of the Massachusetts Institute of

Technology)

mens immota manet: the mind remains unmoved

mens interrita lethi: a mind undaunted by death (Ovid)

mens invicta manet: the mind remains unconquered

mens sana in corpore sano: a sound mind in a healthy body (Juvenal)

mens sibi conscia recti: a mind conscious of its own integrity (i.e., a good

conscience) (Horace)

mente manuque: with heart and hand

mentis gratissimus error: a most delightful reverie of the mind (i.e., an

hallucination) (Horace)

merces sublimis honorum: the high reward of honor

merum sal: pure salt; genuine Attic wit

metuenda corolla draconis: fear the dragon’s crest

meum et tuum: mine and thine

micat inter omnes: it shines among all (i.e., it outshines all) (Horace)

mihi consulit Deus: God cares for me

mihi cura futuri: my care is for the future (motto of Hunter College)

mihi est propositum in taberna mori: I purpose to end my days in a tavern

mihi et meæ: for me and for mine (motto of Anne Boleyn)

mihi persuasum est: I am persuaded; I firmly believe

mihi pondera, luxus: excess is a burden to me mihi terra, lacusque mors aut honorabilis vita

mihi terra, lacusque: the land and the waters are mine

miles gloriosus: the bragging soldier (Plautus)

militamus sub spe: we fight under [the banner of] hope

minima de malis: the lesser of two evils

minor jurare non potest: a minor cannot swear (i.e., serve on a jury)

mirabile dictu!: wonderful to tell!

mirabile visu!: wonderful to behold!

mirandum naturæ opus: amazing is the work of nature

misera contribuens plebs!: the poor tax-paying people! (Verbцczy)

miserrima vidi: I have seen most miserable things

mitis et fortis: gentle and brave

mobilium turba Quiritium: a crowd of fickle citizens (i.e., Romans) (Horace)

moderata durant: things used in moderation endure (Seneca)

modo et forma: in manner and form

modo vir, modo femina: now as a man, now as a woman (Ovid)

mole ruit sua: it is crushed under its own weight (Horace)

molesta et importuna salutantium frequentia: a troublesome and annoying crowd

of visitors

mollia tempora fandi: favorable occasions for speaking (Horace and Virgil)

mollissima fandi tempora (or, mollissima tempora fandi): the most favorable (or

fitting) occasions for speaking (Virgil and Horace)

molliter manus imposuit: he gently laid hands

molliter ossa cubent: let his bones softly rest (Ovid)

mone sale: advise with salt (i.e., with discretion)

moneo et munio: I advise and defend

moniti meliora sequamur: being admonished, let us follow better counsel (Virgil)

monstrant regibus astra viam: the stars show the way to kings

montani semper liberi: mountaineers are always free (motto of West Virginia)

montes auri pollicens: promising mountains of gold (Terence)

monumentum ære perennius: a monument more lasting than bronze (Horace)

more majorum: after the custom (or manner) of our ancestors

morem fecerat usus: habit had made the custom (Ovid)

mores multorum vidit: he saw the customs of many men (Horace, of Ulysses)

moriamur et in media arma ruamus: let us die, even as we rush into the thick of

the fight (Virgil)

moribus antiquis stat Roma: Rome stands by its ancient morals

moriendo vivo: in dying I live

morior invictus: I die unconquered (i.e., death before defeat)

morituri morituros salutant: those about to die salute those about to die (a

gladiator salute)

morituri te salutamus: we who are about to die salute thee (a gladiator salute)

mors aut honorabilis vita: death or a life of honor

mors Christi mors mortis mihi mutua foecunditas

mors Christi mors mortis mihi: Christ’s death is to me the death of death

mors janua vitæ: death is the gate of life

mors omnia solvit: death dissolves all things

mors omnibus communis: death is common to all things

mors potius macula: death rather than disgrace

mors sceptra ligonibus æquans: death makes scepters equal with hoes

mors tua, vita mea: your death, my life (i.e., you die that I might live)

mortales inimicitias, sempiternas amicitias: be our enmities for time, our

friendships for eternity (Cicero)

mortalitate relicta vivit immortalitate indutus: having left mortality, he lives clad

in immortality

mos pro lege: custom for law

moveo et proficior: I proceed and am more prosperous

moveo et propitior: I rise and am appeased

mox nox: soon night (i.e., night is approaching)

mox nox in rem: night is approaching, let’s get on with the matter

mugitus labyrinthi: the bellowing of the labyrinth (i.e., a weak and predictable

theme from an amateur writer) (Juvenal)

multa acervatim frequentans: crowding together a number of thoughts

multa gemens: groaning deeply; with many a groan (Virgil)

multa paucis: much in little

multa tacere loquive paratus: ready to speak little or to speak much

multa tulit fecitque: much has he suffered and done

multarum palmarum causidicus: an advocate who has won many causes

multis e gentibus vires: from many peoples, strength (motto of Saskatchewan)

multitudo sapientium sanitas orbis: a multitude of the wise is the health of the

world (motto of the University of Victoria, British Columbia)

multum abludit imago: the picture is by no means like (i.e., there is no real

resemblance here) (Horace)

multum demissus homo: a very modest or unassuming man (Horace)

multum in parvo: much in little

multum, non multa: much, not many (Pliny)

mundus vult decipi: the world wishes to be deceived

munit hæc et altera vincit: this one defends and the other conquers (motto of Nova

Scotia)

munus Apolline dignum: a gift worthy of Apollo (Horace)

munus ornare verbis: to enhance the value of a present by words (Terence)

mus in pice: a mouse in tar (i.e., struggling in vain)

musicam diis curæ esse: music is in the care of the gods

mutare vel timere sperno: I spurn either to change or to fear

mutua foecunditas: mutual fecundity nascentes morimur nec metuas, nec optes

N

nascentes morimur: we are born but to die (Manilius)

nati natorum: the children of our children (i.e., posterity) (Virgil)

natio comoeda est: it is a nation of comics (Juvenal, referring to the Greeks)

natura abhorret a vacuo: nature abhors a vacuum

natura appetit perfectum: nature desires perfection

natura majora facit: nature does greater things

natura nihil agit frustra: nature does nothing in vain

natura non facit saltum (or saltus): nature makes no leaps (i.e., there are no gaps in

nature) (Linnæus)

naturæ non artis opus: a work of nature, not of art

natus nemo: not a born soul (Plautus)

naufragium in portu facere: to become shipwrecked in port (Quintilian)

ne cede malis: neither yield to misfortunes (or evils)

ne fronti crede: trust not to appearances

ne Hercules quidem contra duos: not even Hercules could contend against two at

once

ne Jupiter (or Juppiter) quidem omnibus placet: not even Jupiter can please

everyone

ne me perdas: let me not be lost

ne nimium: not too much

ne obliviscaris: do not forget

ne parcas nec spernas: neither spare nor scorn

ne plus ultra: no more beyond (i.e., nothing beyond it; unsurpassed)

ne quid falsi: nothing false

ne teruncius quidem: (fig.) not a penny!

ne timeo nec sperno: I neither fear nor despise

ne vile fano: bring no vile thing to the temple

ne vile velis: incline to nothing vile (or base)

nec ab ordine cedunt: nor do they depart from their rank

nec ab oriente, nec ab occidente: neither from the east nor from the west

nec aspera terrent: not even hardships deter us

nec caput nec pedes: neither head nor tail (i.e., in confusion)

nec cito, nec tarde: neither swiftly nor slowly

nec cupias, nec metuas: neither desire nor fear

nec elatus nec dejectus: neither elated nor dejected

nec fas est, nec posse reor: I deem it neither lawful nor possible

nec habeo, nec careo, nec curo: I have not, I want not, I care not

nec male notus eques: a knight of no stigma (i.e., of good repute)

nec me meminisse pigebit: nor shall I regret to remember

nec metuas, nec optes: neither fear nor desire

nec mora, nec requies

nil debet

nec mora, nec requies: neither delay, nor rest (Virgil)

nec morti esse locum: there is no room for death (Ovid)

nec obolum habet unde restim emat: neither has he a penny left to buy a rope

(i.e., he doesn’t even have money enough to hang himself)

nec omnia, nec semper, nec ab omnibus: neither all, nor always, nor by all

nec placida contentus quiete est: neither is he contented with quiet repose

nec pluribus impar: not equal to many (i.e., a match for the whole world) (motto of

Louis XIV of France)

nec prece nec pretio: neither by entreaty nor by bribery

nec quærere nec spernere honorem: neither to seek nor to spurn honors

nec rege, nec populo, sed utrique: neither for king, nor for people, but for both

nec soli cedit: he yields not even to the sun

nec sorte, nec fato: not by chance nor by fate

nec spe, nec metu: without hope, without fear

nec temere nec timide: neither rashly nor timidly

nec timeo nec sperno: neither do I fear nor despise

necessitas non habet legem: necessity has no law; necessity knows no law (Publilius

Syrus)

nego argumentum: I refuse the argument

nemo me impune lacessit: no one provokes me with impunity (a motto of Scotland)

nemo sic impar sibi: no one was ever so unlike himself

nemo sine cruce beatus: no one is blessed without the Cross

nemo solus sapit: no one is wise alone (i.e., by himself) (Plautus)

nervis alienis mobile lignum: a puppet moved by sticks in the hands of another

nihil alienum: nothing foreign

nihil ex nihilo: nothing comes from nothing

nihil largiundo gloriam adeptus est: he acquired glory without bribery (Sallust)

nihil obstabit eunti: nothing shall oppose him as he goes

nihil quod tetigit non ornavit: he touched nothing which he did not adorn

nihil reliqui: nothing remains

nihil sine labore: nothing without labor

nihil sub sole novum (or, nihil sub sole novi, or, nil novi sub sole): there is

nothing new under the sun (after Ecclesiastes 1:9)

nihil unquam peccavit, nisi quod mortua est: she never once sinned but when she

died (inscription on a wife’s tomb in Rome)

nihil verius: nothing truer

nihilo nisi cruce: with nothing but the Cross

nil admirari: to wonder (or marvel) at nothing (Horace)

nil clarius astris: nothing brighter (or clearer) than the stars

nil conscire sibi: to be conscious of no guilt

nil consuetudine majus: nothing is greater than custom (or habit) (Ovid)

nil debet: he owes nothing

nil desperandum non credis mihi?

nil desperandum: nothing must be despaired of; despair at nothing (Horace)

nil desperandum auspice Deo: nothing to be despaired of under the auspices of

God

nil dicit: he says nothing (i.e., he has no defense to make)

nil impossibile: nothing is impossible

nil moror ictus: I do not care for blows

nil mortalibus arduum est: nothing is too difficult for mortals (Horace)

nil nisi bonum: nothing unless good (i.e., say nothing but good about the dead)

nil nisi Cruce: nothing except by the Cross; no hope but in the Cross

nil penna sed usus: not the wing, but its use

nil sine causa: nothing without a cause

nil sine Deo: nothing without God

nil sine magno labore: nothing without great labor (motto of Brooklyn College)

nil sine numine: nothing without Providence (motto of Colorado)

nil solidum: nothing is firm or solid

nil temere: nothing rashly

nisi Dominus, frustra: unless the Lord, it is in vain (after Psalm 127:1; motto of the

city of Edinburgh, whimsically translated “you can do nothing here unless you are

a lord”)

nitor in adversum: I strive against opposition (Ovid)

nobilis ira: noble in anger

nobilitas sola est atque unica virtus: virtue is the one and only nobility (Juvenal)

noctemque diemque fatigant: they wear out night and day (Virgil)

nodo firmo: in a firm knot

nodos virtute resolvo: through virtue I untie knots

nolens volens: whether willing or not willing (i.e., willy-nilly)

noli irritare leones: do not provoke the lions (motto of the Lyons family)

noli me tangere: touch me not (St. John 20:17; sometimes said of a person who

complains too much)

nolo episcopari: I do not wish to be made a bishop (sometimes said of someone who

feigns rejection of the very thing he or she desires)

nomen atque omen: a name as well as an omen (i.e., an omen in a name) (Plautus)

nomen est; res non est: the name exists, the thing does not

nominis umbra: the shadow of a name

nomiz adelphous tous alethinous philous: count true friends as brothers (a Greek

saying)

non aqua, sed ruina: not with water, but with ruin

non arbitrio popularis auræ: not by the caprice of popular applause

non cedit umbra soli: shade does not yield to the sun

non compos mentis: not sound in mind

non conscire sibi: conscious of no fault

non credis mihi?: don’t you believe me? (Catullus)

non credo tempori

non quo sed quomodo

non credo tempori: I trust not to time

non crux, sed lux: not the Cross, but its light

non deficiente crumena: the purse not failing (i.e., while the money holds out)

(Horace)

non deficit alter: another is not wanting (Virgil)

non degener: not unworthy

non deludere: not to delude

non dolo, sed vi: not by deceit, but by force

non dormis: I sleep not

non dormit qui custodit: the sentinel sleeps not

non erat his locus: this was out of place here (Horace)

non fecimus ipsi: we have not done these things ourselves

non gladio, sed gratia: not by the sword but by grace

non hæc in foedera: not into such alliances as these (Virgil)

non hæc sine numine: these things are not without sanction of the gods

non immemor beneficii: not unmindful of kindness

non inferiora secutus: having followed nothing inferior (Virgil)

non locus virum, sed vir locum ornat: not the place the man, but the man adorns

the place

non mihi, non tibi, sed nobis: not for you, not for me, but for us

non mihi sed Deo et regi: not for myself but for God and the king

non minima sed magma prosequor: I follow not trivial, but important things

non multa, sed multum: not many things, but much

non nimis: not very much; not particularly

non nobis, Domine: not to us, O Lord (Psalm 115:1)

non nobis sed omnibus: not for us but for all

non nobis solum: not for us alone; not merely for ourselves

non nobis solum nati sumus: not for ourselves alone are we born (Cicero)

non nobis solum, sed toto mundo nati: not born for ourselves alone, but for the

whole world

non nova sed nove: not new but a new way

non obscura nec ima: neither obscure nor very low

non olet: it has not a bad smell (i.e., money, no matter its source) (Suetonius)

non omnibus dormio: not for all do I sleep (Cicero)

non omnis moriar: not all of me shall die (Horace, referring to his works)

non passibus æquis: not with equal steps (Virgil)

non prudentia sed victoria: not prudence, but victory

non pugnat sed dormit: instead of fighting, he sleeps

non quam diu, sed quam bene: not how long, but how well

non quis, sed quid: not who, but what

non quo sed quomodo: not by whom but in what manner non rapui, sed recepi nox præsidium nostri

non rapui, sed recepi: I have not taken by violence, but received

non revertar inultus: I shall not return unavenged

non sibi: not for himself

non sibi sed omnibus: not for himself but for all

non sibi sed patriæ: not for himself but for his country

non sibi, sed suis: not for one’s self but for one’s people (motto of Tulane

University)

non sibi sed toti: not for himself but for all

non sine anchora: not without an anchor

non sine dis animosus infans: a spirited child, thanks to the gods (Horace)

non sine jure: not without right

non sine lege capillis: let not your hair be out of order (Ovid)

non sine numine: not without divine aid or approval

non subito delenda: not to be hastily destroyed

non sufficit orbis: the world does not suffice

non sum qualis eram: I am not now what I once was (Horace)

non tali auxilio: not for such aid as this (Virgil)

non temere: not rashly

non terra, sed aquis: not by land, but by water

non ut edam vivo, sed ut vivam edo: I do not live to eat, but I eat to live

(Quintilian)

non vi sed virtute: not by force but by virtue

non relinquam vos orphanos: I will not leave you orphans (St. John 14:18)

non turbetur cor vestrum: let not your heart be troubled (St. John 14:1)

non vobis solum: not for you alone

non vox, sed votum: not a voice, but a wish

non vultus, non color: there is neither the countenance nor the color (i.e., these two

do not compare)

nos duo turba sumus: we two are a multitude (Deucalion to Pyrrha after the deluge,

in Ovid)

nos nostraque Deo: both we and ours are God’s

nosce te ipsum (or, nosce teipsum): know thyself

nosce tempus: know your time (i.e., make hay while the sun shines)

noscitur a sociis (also, noscitur e[x] sociis): he is known by his companions (i.e., by

the company he keeps)

nota bene (N.B.): note well

novacula in cotem: the razor against the whetstone (i.e., he has met his match)

novus homo: a new man (i.e., a person who has risen from obscurity)

novus ordo seclorum: a new order for the ages (a motto of the United States of

America)

nox præsidium nostri: the night is our protection

nox senatum dirimit

O si sic omnis!

nox senatum dirimit: night breaks upon the session (i.e., the meeting is called on

account of darkness)

nuda veritas: the naked truth (Horace)

nugæ canoræ: melodious trifles; a nonsense song (Horace)

nugis addere pondus: to add weight to trifles (Horace)

nugis armatus: armed with trifles

nulla dies sine linea: no day without a line (i.e., no day without something done)

nulla pallescere culpa: not to grow pale at imputation of guilt

nulli desperandum, quamdiu spirat: (fig.) while there is life there is hope

nulli secundus: second to none (Apuleius)

nullius in verba: at the orders of no one

nullo meo merito: I had not deserved it

nullum sine nomine saxum: no stone without a name (or, without a tale to tell)

(Lucan, said of the fate of Troy)

nullum quod tetigit non ornavit: there was nothing he touched that he did not

adorn (epitaph by Samuel Johnson for Oliver Goldsmith)

nullus dolus contra Casum: no cunning against Chance

numine et virtute: by God’s providence and by virtue

numini et patriæ asto: I stand on the side of God and my country

nunc aut nunquam: now or never

nunc dimittis: now let him depart [in peace] (St. Luke 2:29)

nunc est bibendum: now is the time for drinking (Horace)

nunc ille vivit in sinu Abraham: now he lives in Abraham’s bosom (St. Augustine)

nunquam dormio: I never sleep (i.e., I am always on guard)

nunquam non paratus: never unprepared (i.e., always ready)

nunquam obliviscar: I will never forget

nunquam retrorsum: never go back

nutrimentum spiritus: nourishment for the spirit (inscription on the Royal Library

of Berlin)

O

O dea certe!: O, thou who are a goddess surely! (Virgil)

O mors ero mors tua: O death, I will be your death (motto of the Black Society)

O noctes coenæque deum!: O nights and suppers of the gods! (Horace)

O passi graviora!: Oh you, who have suffered greater misfortunes than these!

(Virgil)

O pudor! O pietas!: O modesty! O piety! (Martial)

O sancta damnatio!: O holy condemnation!

O sancta simplicitas!: O sacred simplicity! (Jan Hus, the martyred Czech religious

reformer, upon seeing a woman hurrying to throw a piece of wood on the fire)

O si sic omnis!: O, if all things were thus!

O tempora! O mores! omni exceptione major

O tempora! O mores!: Oh, the times! Oh, the morals! (Cicero)

O vita, misero longa!: O life, long to the wretched!

ob patriam vulnera passi: having suffered wounds for their country

obiter cantare: to sing by the way (i.e., to sing as one goes along)

oblivio paupertatis parens: forgetfulness, parent of poverty

obscuris vera involvens: concealing truth in obscurity; shrouding the truth in

darkness (Virgil; said of political figures)

obscurum per obscurius: explaining something obscure by something more

obscure

obsta principiis (also, principiis obsta): resist the beginning

obstantia nubila solvet: it will dissolve confronting clouds

obstrepuit inter olores: it clamored among the swans

occasionem cognosce: know your opportunity

occupet extremum scabies: let the plague seize the last (i.e., the Devil take the

hindmost!) (Horace)

occurrent nubes: clouds will intervene

oderint dum metuant: let them hate, provided they fear (Cicero and Accius;

disapproved by Seneca)

oderint dum probent: let them hate, provided they approve (attributed to Emperor

Tiberius)

odi et amo: I hate and I love (Catullus)

odi profanum: I hate whatever is profane

odium theologicum: theological hatred (i.e., the animosity engendered by

differences of theological opinion)

odora canum vis: the strong scent of the hounds (Virgil)

olet lucernam: it smells of the lamp (i.e., late-night work)

oleum addere camino: to add fuel to the flame (i.e., to make things worse) (Horace)

oleum et operam perdidi: I have lost both oil and labor (i.e., to lose both time and

trouble) (Plautus)

olla male fervet: the pot boils badly (i.e., it does not look hopeful)

omissis jocis: leaving aside joking (Pliny the Younger)

omne bonum Dei donum: every good thing is a gift of God

omne bonum desuper: all good is from above

omne scibile: everything knowable

omne solum forti patria est: to the brave, every land is his homeland (Ovid)

omne trinum perfectum: every perfect thing is threefold

omne vivum ex ovo: everything living comes from an egg

omnem movere lapidem: to move every stone (i.e., to leave no stone unturned)

omnes composui: I have laid them all to rest (i.e., in the grave) (Horace)

omnes eodem cogimur: we are all drawn to the same place (Horace)

omnes stultos insanire: that all fools are insane (Horace)

omni exceptione major: superior to all exception

omni liber metu

orate fratres

omni liber metu: free from every fear

omni violentia major: too strong for any violence

omnia ad Dei gloriam: all things for the glory of God

omnia bona bonis: to the good all things are good

omnia bonos viros decent: all things are becoming in good men

omnia desuper (or, omnia de super): all things come from above

omnia ejusdem farinæ: all things are of grain (i.e., of the same stuff)

omnia fortunæ committo: I commit all things to fortune

omnia Græce!: everything is Greek! (Juvenal)

omnia jam fient: all things will now come to pass (Ovid)

omnia novit: he knows everything (Juvenal)

omnia orta occident: all things that rise also set (Sallust)

omnia pro bono: all things for the good

omnia subjecisti sub pedibus, oves et boves: you have placed all things beneath

our feet, both sheep and oxen (motto of the Butchers’ Company)

omnia suspendens naso: turning up his nose at everything

omnia tuta timens: fearing all things, even those that are safe (Virgil)

omnia vanitas: all is vanity

omnia venalia Romæ: all things can be bought at Rome

omnia vincit amor: love conquers all things

omnia vincit veritas: truth conquers all things

omnibus hoc vitium est: all have this vice (Horace)

omnium horarum homo: a man ready for whatever may come (Quintilian)

onus quam gravissimus: a most heavy burden

ope et consilio: with help and counsel

opera Dei mirifica: the works of God are wonderful

opera illius mea sunt: his works are mine

operose nihil agunt: they are busy about nothing (Seneca)

opes parit industria: industry produces riches

opiferque per orbem dicor: I am known over the world as the helper

opinione asperius est: it is harder than I thought

opprobrium medicorum: the disgrace of physicians (said of diseases that defy their

skills)

opum furiata cupido: a frenzied lust for wealth (Ovid)

opus Dei: the work of God

opus est: there is work; there is need

ora et labora: pray and work (St. Benedict)

ora pro nobis: pray for us

ora pro nobis peccatoribus: pray for us sinners

orando laborando: by prayer and by toil (motto of Rugby School, England)

orate fratres: pray, brothers

orate pro anima par sit fortuna labori

orate pro anima: pray for the soul of …

orate pro invicem: pray for one another (St. James 5:16)

orate pro nobis: pray for us

orator fit, poëta nascitur: the orator is made, the poet is born

ornat spina rosas, mella tegunt apes: the rose is guarded by thorns, and honey is

protected by bees

ore rotundo: with a round mouth (i.e., with polished speech; a well-turned phrase)

oremus: let us pray

ornatur propriis industria donis: the gifts with which industry is crowned are her

own

ostendo non ostento: I show, not boast

otiosa sedulitas: leisurely zeal

otium cum dignitate: leisure with dignity (Cicero)

otium omnia vitia parit: leisure is the mother of all evil

otium sine dignitate: leisure without dignity

otium sine litteris mors est: leisure without literature is death

ou gnosis, alla praxis: not knowledge only, but practice (a Greek saying)

P

pabulum Acherontis (or, pabulum Acheruntis): food for Acheron (i.e., marked for

death; bound for hell) (Plautus)

pacatum ipse regam avitis virtutibus orbem: I shall rule the world pacified by the

virtues of my ancestors

pace tanti viri: if so great a man will forgive me (sometimes said sarcastically)

pacis et armorum vigiles: vigilant in peace and arms

pæte, non dolet: it does not hurt, Pжtus (after stabbing herself in 43 BCE) (Arria the

Elder)

Pallida Mors: Pale Death (Horace)

palma non sine pulvere: the palm is not obtained without struggle

palma virtuti: the palm to virtue

palmam qui meruit ferat: let him bear the palm who has merited it (motto of Lord

Nelson and of the University of Southern California)

panem et circenses: bread and the circus games (according to Juvenal, the sole

interest of the plebes)

par bene comparatum: a well-matched pair

par negotiis, neque supra: equal to his business and not above it (i.e., he is suited to

his work) (Tacitus)

par nobile fratrum: a noble pair of brothers (Horace)

par pari referto: I give back tit for tat

par sit fortuna labori: let the success be equal to the labor

par ternis suppar

pauca verba

par ternis suppar: the two are equal to the three

parasiticam coenam quærit: he seeks the supper of a parasite

paratus et fidelis: ready and faithful

paratus sum: I am prepared

parce, parce, precor: spare me, spare me, I pray

parcere personis, dicere de vitiis: to spare persons, to condemn crimes (Martial)

parcere subjectis, et debellare superbos: to spare the vanquished and subdue the

proud (Virgil)

parcus deorum cultor et infrequens: a sparing and infrequent worshipper of the

gods (Horace)

parem non fert: he endures no equal

parendo vinces: you will conquer by obedience

pari passu: with equal steps (i.e., neck and neck)

pari ratione: by parity of reason

pars minima sui: the smallest part of itself

Parthis mendacior: more mendacious than the Parthians (Horace)

parva componere magnis: to compare small things with great

parva sub ingenti: the small under the protection of the great (motto of Prince

Edward Island)

parvis componere magna: to compare great things with small (Virgil)

parvum non parvæ amicitiæ pignus: a slight pledge of no small friendship

patent oves, timent canes, intrepidus maneo: the sheep are frightened, the dogs

fear, I stand intrepid

Pater Noster: Our Father

pater patriæ: the father of the country

pathemata mathemata: we learn from the things we suffer (Жsop, from the Greek)

patientia victrix: patience is victorious

patientia vinces: by patience you will conquer

patitur qui vincit: the one who conquers, suffers

patria cara, carior libertas: dear is my homeland, but liberty is dearer

patria est communis omnium parens: our country is the common parent of all

(Cicero)

patria est, ubicumque est bene: wherever we are content, that is our country

(Pacuvius and Cicero)

patriæ fidus: faithful to my country

patriæ infelici fidelis: faithful to my unhappy homeland (i.e., it is my country, wrong

or right)

patriæ pietatis imago: the image of his filial affection (Virgil)

patriis virtutibus: by hereditary virtue

pauca sed bona: few things, but good (i.e., quality, not quantity)

pauca suspexi, pauciora despexi: I have admired few things, I have despised fewer

pauca verba: few words

paulo majora canamus per vias rectas

paulo majora canamus: let us sing of somewhat greater things (Virgil)

paupertatis pudor et fuga: the shame and banishment of poverty (Horace)

pauperum solatio: for the solace of the poor

pax: peace

pax aut bellum: peace or war

pax Domini sit semper vobiscum: the peace of the Lord be with you always

pax huic domui: peace be to this house

pax in bello: peace in war

pax quæritur bello: peace is sought by war (motto of the Cromwell family)

pax vobiscum (or, pax vobis): peace be with you (St. Luke 24:36)

peccavi: I have sinned

pecunia non olet: money does not smell

pedibus timor addidit alas: fear gave wings to his feet (Virgil)

Pelio imponere Ossam: to pile Ossa on Pelion (i.e., to attempt to scale heaven)

Penelopæ telam retexens: unraveling the web of Penelope (Cicero)

per acuta belli: through the perils of war

per angusta ad augusta: through adversity to greatness

per ardua: through difficulties

per ardua ad astra: through adversity to the stars (motto of the Royal Air Force)

per ardua liberi: free through difficulty

per ardua surgo: I rise through difficulties

per aspera ad astra: through adversities to the stars (a variation of ad astra per

aspera, the motto of Kansas)

per crucem ad coronam: by the Cross to a crown

per deos immortales!: for heaven’s sake!

per Deum et ferrum obtinui: I have obtained it by God and my sword

per fas et nefas: through means both fair and foul

per inæqualem motum, respectu totius: by an unequal movement in respect to the

whole (i.e., the differing speeds of planetary movements)

per mare: by sea

per mare per terram (or, per mare per terras): by sea and by land

per obitum: through the death of …

per saltum: by a leap; all at once

per tela per hostes: through arrows and enemies

per tot discrimina rerum: through all manner of calamitous events (Virgil)

per undas et ignes fluctuat nec mergitur: through water and fire she goes

plunging but is not submerged (a motto of Paris, whose symbol is a boat)

per varios casus: by various (mis)fortunes

per varios usus artem experientia fecit: practice has brought skill through

different exercises (Manilius)

per viam dolorosam: by the way of sorrows

per vias rectas: by right ways

per virtutem sentiamque

pons asinorum

per virtutem sentiamque: through virtue and sentiment

pereat iste: let him die himself

percontando a peritis: constantly asking questions of experts (Cicero)

percussus resurgo: struck down I rise again

pereunt et imputantur: they (the hours) pass away and are reckoned against us

(Martial; a saying on a sundial)

perfer et obdura: bear and endure to the end (Ovid)

perfervidum ingenium Scotorum: the very ardent temper of the Scots

perge sed caute: advance but cautiously

periculosæ plenum opus aleæ: a work full of dangerous hazard (i.e., a business

pregnant with danger)

periculum fortitudine evasi: by courage I have escaped danger

periissem ni periissem: I had perished unless I had persisted

permissu superiorum: by permission of the superiors

permitte divis cætera: commit the rest to the gods (Horace)

pernicibus alis: with swift wings

persevera Deoque confide: persevere and trust in God

perseverando: by persevering

perseverantia: by perseverance

personæ mutæ: silent characters in a play

persta atque obdura: be steadfast and endure

perstare et præstare: to persevere and to surpass (motto of New York University)

petit alta: he seeks high things

petitio principii: begging the question in a debate

philosophia vero omnium mater artium: philosophy, the true mother of all the

arts (Cicero)

pia desideria: the desire after things religious (motto of the Pietistic movement)

pia fraus: a pious fraud

pie repone te: repose in pious confidence

pie vivere et Deum et patriam diligere: to live piously and to love God and

country

pietas tutissima virtus: piety is the surest virtue

piscem natare docere: to teach a fish how to swim

placet: it pleases

pluries: at several times

plurima mortis imago: death in very many a form (Virgil)

plus uno maneat perenne sæclo: may it live and last for more than a century

(Catullus)

pollicitus meliora: one who gave promise of better things (Horace)

pompholoks ho anthropos: man is an air bubble (a Greek saying)

pons asinorum: the asses’ bridge; a severely difficult test or venture (a reference to

the fifth proposition in the First Book of Euclid, so named because of its difficulty) popularis aura prior tempore, prior jure

popularis aura: the popular breeze (i.e., popular favor) (Cicero)

porcus Epicuri: a pig of Epicurus

porro unum est necessarium: still there is one thing needful

post bellum auxilium: aid after the war

post equitem sedet atra cura: behind the horseman sits dark care (Horace, said of a

fugitive from the law)

post est occasio calva: occasion is bald behind (Dionysius Cato)

post festum venisti: you have come after the feast

post funus spes una superstes: after death only one hope survives

post nubila, Phoebus: after the clouds, the sun

post proelia præmia (also, post prælia præmia): after battles come rewards

post tenebras lux: after darkness, light

post tot naufragia portum: after so many shipwrecks we reach port

post virtutem curro: I run after virtue

postera crescam laude: I shall grow in future praise (motto of the University of

Melbourne)

potentia amoris: the power of love

potentissimus affectus amor: love, the most powerful passion

potestas vitæ necisque: power over life and death

potius ingenio quam vi: rather by skill than by force

potius mori quam foedari: rather to die than to be dishonored

potius sero quam nunquam: better late than never (Livy)

præcedentibus instat: he follows close on those who precede

præfervidum ingenium Scotorum: the fervently serious disposition of the Scots

præmium, virtus, honor: reward, virtue, honor

præmonitus, præmunitus: forewarned, forearmed

præstat opes sapientia: wisdom surpasses wealth

præstat sero quam nunquam: better late than never

præsto et persto: I stand in front and I stand firm

preces armatæ: armed prayers (i.e., with weapons to back them up)

premi, non opprimi: to be pressed, not oppressed

pretium laborum non vile: no cheap reward for our labors (motto of the Order of

Golden Fleece)

pretium scientiæ: the price of knowledge

primum mobile: the first motion; the prime mover (i.e., that which sets everything

else into motion)

primus inter pares: the first among equals

Primus Motor: the First Mover (i.e., the Creator)

primus ultimusque in acie: first and last in battle

principia, non homines: principles, not men

principiis obsta: stop it from the first (i.e., nip the evil at the bud) (Ovid)

prior tempore, prior jure: first by time, first by right (i.e., first come, first served)

prisco stirpe Hibernico pro virtute

prisco stirpe Hibernico: of ancient Irish stock

pristinæ virtutis memores: mindful of ancient valor (or, of former days)

prius frangitur quam flectitur: he is sooner broken than bent

prius mori quam fidem fallere: die rather than betray trust

pro aris et focis: for our altars and our hearths (i.e., for civil and religious liberty)

(Cicero)

pro bono malum: evil for good

pro bono publico: for the public good

pro Christo et patria: for Christ and country

pro Christo et patria dulce periculum: for Christ and country, danger is sweet

pro Deo et Ecclesia: for God and the Church

pro Deo et patria: for God and country

pro Deo et rege: for God and king

pro Ecclesia et patria: for the Church and the country (motto of Trinity College)

pro Ecclesia et Pontifice: for Church and Pope

pro Ecclesia, pro Texana: for the Church, for Texas (motto of Baylor University)

pro et contra (also, pro et con): for and against

pro fide ablectus: chosen for fidelity

pro fide et patria: for faith and country

pro libertate patriæ: for the liberty of my country

pro Magna Charta: for the Great Charter

pro mitra coronam: a crown for a miter

pro mundi beneficio: for the benefit of the world (motto of Panama)

pro patria: for the country; for one’s country

pro patria et rege: for country and king

pro patria et religione: for country and religion

pro patria invictus: for our unconquered country

pro patria vivere et mori: to live and die for our country

pro patriæ amore: for the love of country

pro pelle cutem: the hide for the sake of the fur (motto of the Hudson Bay

Company)

pro rege et patria: for king and country

pro rege et populo: for the king and the people

pro rege et religione: for king and religion

pro rege, lege, et grege: for king, law, and the people (i.e., for ruler, rule, and ruled)

pro rege sæpe, pro patria semper: for king often, for country always

pro salute animæ: for the welfare of the soul

pro scientia et sapientia: for knowledge and wisdom (motto of the University of

Mississippi)

pro veritate: for truth

pro virtute: for virtue

pro virtute bellica pyr machaira me skalenein

pro virtute bellica: for valor in war

probitas verus honor (or honos): honesty (or integrity) is true honor

probitate et labore: by honesty and labor

procul a Jove, procul a fulmine: far from Jove, far from his thunderbolts

procul omen abesto!: far be that fate from us! (Ovid)

prodesse civibus: to be of advantage to my fellow citizens

prodesse non nocere: to do good, not evil

prodesse quam conspici: to be of service rather than to be conspicuous

professoria lingua: an expert’s (or pendant’s) tongue (Tacitus)

prope ad summum, prope ad exitum: near the summit, near the end

propositi tenax: tenacious of purpose

propria virtute audax: daring by my own valor

proprie communia dicere: to speak commonplace things as if they were original

proprio vigore: of one’s own strength

prosequitor quodcunque petit: he pursues whatever he seeks

provehito in altum: launch forth into the deep (motto of the Memorial University

of Newfoundland)

providentia: providence

providentia divina: by divine providence

proximus sum egomet mihi: I am my nearest neighbor (or nearest of kin); also, I

am my own best friend (Terence)

prudens simplicitas: a prudent simplicity

prudens ut serpens, simplex ut columba: wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove

(after St. Matthew 10:16)

prudentia et constantia: by prudence and constancy

prudentia et honor: prudence and honor

psyches iatreion: a physic for the mind (i.e., books) (a Greek phrase)

publica salus mea merces: the public safety is my reward

publica virtuti per mala facta via est: a highway is open to virtue through the midst

of misfortunes (Ovid)

publicum meritorum præmium: the public reward for public services

pugna pro patria: fight for your country

pugnis et calcibus: with fists and heels (i.e., with all one’s might)

pulchre!, bene!, recte!: beautiful!, good!, right! (Horace)

pulchritudo sine fructu: beauty without fruit

pulchritudo vincit: beauty conquers

pulvis et umbra sumus: we are but dust and shadow (Horace)

punctum quæstionis: the point at issue; the crux of the question

Punica fides: Punic faith (i.e., treachery)

puri sermonis amator: a lover of pure speech (Julius Cжsar, said of Terence)

pyr machaira me skalenein: to stir fire with a sword (Pythagoras, from the Greek)

qua vincit victos protegit ille manu

qui parcit virgæ odit filium

Q

qua vincit victos protegit ille manu: with the same hand with which he conquers

he protects the conquered (Ovid)

quæ ante pedes: things at our feet

quæ infra nos nihil ad nos: the things that are below are nothing to us

quæ sequimur fuimus: we flee what we follow

quæ supra: which things are above

quæ sursum volo videre: I desire to see the things that are above

quæ vernant crescent: things that are green will grow

quæcumque (sunt) vera: whatsoever things are true (motto of Northwestern

University and the University of Alberta)

quære verum: seek after truth

quærens quem devoret: seeking someone to devour

quærite prime regnum Dei: seek ye first the kingdom of God (a motto of

Newfoundland, after St. Matthew 6:33)

qualis ab incepto: the same as from the beginning

qualis artifex pereo!: what an artist dies in me! (dying words of Emperor Nero)

qualis pater, talis filius: like father, like son

qualis rex, talis grex: as is the king, so are the people

qualis vita, finis ita: as in life, so in death

quam diu se bene gesserit: as long as he shall conduct himself properly

quam male conveniunt: how ill-matched they are

quam non terret hyems: which winter does not frighten (i.e., nip with cold)

quam (or quem) te Deus esse jussit: what God commands you to be

quando ullum inveniemus parem?: when shall we find (or look upon) his like

again? (after Horace)

quanti fama?: at what price fame?

quantum mutatus ab illo!: how changed from what he once was (Virgil)

quare impedit?: why does he hinder?

quasi vestigias nostras insistere: as if to tread in our footsteps

quem nunc amabis?: whom will you love now? (Catullus)

quem (or quam) te Deus esse jussit: what God commands you to be

qui conducit: he who leads

qui laborat, manducat: he who works, shall eat

qui laborat orat: the one who labors prays (St. Augustine)

qui leges juraque servat: he maintains the laws and justice (Horace)

qui me alit me extinguit: the one who nourishes me extinguishes me (from

Shakespeare’s Pericles)

qui nucleum vult, nucem frangat: who so wishes the kernel must crack the nut

(after Plautus)

qui parcit virgæ odit filium: the one who spares the rod hates the child qui patitur vincit quod erat demonstrandum

qui patitur vincit: the one who endures conquers

qui potest capere capist: let him take who can take

qui pro quo: who for whom (i.e., one instead of another)

qui tacet consentit: he who is silent consents

qui tam: who as well

qui trans: who is beyond

qui transtulit sustinet: He who transplanted sustains (motto of Connecticut)

quicquid agunt homines nostri est farrago libelli: all the acts and employments of

humankind shall be the subject of this publication (a motto for publishers of

newspapers and periodicals) (Juvenal)

quicunque vult servari: whoever will be saved (the beginning of the Creed of

Athanasius, or the Quicunque Vult)

quid est veritas?: what is truth? (Pontius Pilate, St. John 18:38)

quid non ebrietas designat?: what does drunkenness not affect? (Horace)

quid nunc?: what now? (i.e., a newsmonger)

quid pro quo: one thing for another (i.e., tit for tat)

quid si nunc coelum ruat?: what if the sky should now fall? (Terence)

quid verum atque decens: what is true and becoming

quidni?: why not?

quidni pro sodali?: why not for a companion?

quis contra nos?: who is against us?

quis separabit?: who shall separate [Britain from Ireland]? (motto of the Order of St.

Patrick)

quo celerius eo melius: the faster the better

quo fas et gloria ducunt: where duty and glory lead

quo Fata vocant: whither the Fates may call

quo jure quaque injuria: right or wrong (Terence)

quo nihil majus meliusve terris: than whom was never anything greater or better

on earth (Horace)

quo pax et gloria ducunt: where peace and glory lead (motto of the Duke of York

and of the Duke of Clarence)

quo sursum volo videre: I am resolved to look upward

quo vadis?: whither goest thou? (St. John 16:5)

quo warranto?: by what warrant?

quod Anglicana ecclesia libera sit: that the English church shall be free (from the

Magna Carta)

quod avertat Deus!: which may God avert! (i.e., God forbid!)

quod Deus bene vertat!: may God grant success!

quod di omen avertant: may the gods avert this omen (Cicero)

quod dixi dixi: what I have said I have said

quod eorum minimis mihi: as to the least of them, so to me (St. Matthew 25:40)

quod erat demonstrandum (Q.E.D.): which was to be proved (after Euclid)

quod ero spero

redire ad nuces

quod ero spero: I hope that I shall be

quod est absurdum: which is absurd

quod est faciendum: which was to be done

quod fors feret, feremus æquo animo: whatever fortune brings, we will patiently

bear (Terence)

quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi: what is allowed to Jove is not allowed to the ox

quod me alit me extinguit: that which nourishes me extinguishes me

quod potui perfeci: I have done what I could do

quod scripsi scripsi: what I have written I have written (Pontius Pilate, St. John

20:22)

quod sit, esse velit, nihilque malit: who is pleased with what he is and desires

nothing else (Martial)

quod sursum volo videre: I wish to see that which is above

quod verum tutum: what is true is safe

quondam his vicimus armis: we were once victorious with these arms

quorsum vivere mori? Mori vita: wherefore live to die? To die is life

quot capita, tot sensus: so many heads, so many opinions (Terence)

quot homines tot sententiæ (also, tot homines quot sententiæ): so many men, so

many opinions (Terence)

quot rami tot arbores: so many branches, so many trees (motto of the University of

Allahabad)

quot servi tot hostes: so many servants, so many enemies

R

radii omnia lustrant: his rays illuminate all things

rami felicia poma ferentes: branches bearing fruit of good fortune (Ovid)

rara avis (in terris): a rare bird (on earth) (i.e., a prodigy) (Juvenal)

rara bonitas: goodness is rare

rari nantes: swimming here and there (i.e., one here and another there) (Virgil)

ratio est radius divini luminis: reason is a ray of divine light

re infecta: the matter left undone; an unfinished task (Julius Cжsar)

re secunda fortis, dubia fugax: in prosperity courageous, in danger timid (Phжdrus)

recte et suaviter: justly and mildly

recto cursu: in a right course

rectus in curia: upright in the court (i.e., innocent of the charges)

reddite Deo: render unto God

redeat miseris, abeat fortuna superbis: may fortune revisit the wretched, and

forsake the proud (Horace)

redintegratio amoris: the renewal of love

redire ad nuces: to return to the nuts (i.e., to resume childish interests) redolet lucerna reviresco

redolet lucerna (or, redolet lucernam): it smells of the lamp (a reference to a

literary work whose labor was great)

refricare cicatricem: to reopen a wound

regnat populus (adapted from regnant populi): the people rule (motto of Arkansas)

relata refero: I tell it as it was told to me (whether truthful or not)

relicta non bene parmula: having dishonorably left my shield behind (Horace)

rem acu tetigisti (or tetigit): you have (or he has) touched it with a needle (i.e., you

have hit the nail on the head)

remedium tempestivum sit: let there be a timely remedy

remis velisque: with oars and sails (i.e., with all one’s might, or with all available

power)

remis ventisque: with oars and wind (i.e., with all one’s might, or with all available

power)

renascentur: they will rise again

renovate animos: renew your courage

renovato nomine: by a revived name

repetens exempla suorum: repeating the example of his ancestors (Virgil)

requiem æternam dona eis, Domine: grant them eternal rest, O Lord

requiescant in pace: may they rest in peace

requiescat in pace: may he or she rest in peace

rerum cognoscere causas: to understand the cause of all things (motto of the

London School of Economics and Political Science)

rerum concordia discors: the harmonious discord of things (Horace)

rerum sapientia custos: wisdom is the guardian of all things

res accedent luminis rebus: one light shines upon others

res angusta domi: in straitened circumstances at home (Juvenal)

res crescunt concordia: things grow with harmony

res in cardine est: the matter is on the hinge (i.e., at a point of crisis)

res ipsa loquitur (or, res loquitur ipsa): the matter speaks for itself (Cicero)

res non verba: facts not words

res severa est verum gaudium: true joy is an earnest thing (Seneca)

resistite usque ad sanguiam: resist even to bloodshed

respice, adspice, prospice: examine the past, examine the present, examine the

future (motto of the City University of New York)

respice, et prospice: look backward and forward

respice finem: look to the end; consider the outcome

resurgam: I shall rise again

retinens vestigia famæ: retracing the footsteps of fame (i.e., the achievements of an

honorable ancestry)

revirescimus: we flourish again

revirescit: it flourishes again

reviresco: I flourish again

revocate animos

salve, magna parens

revocate animos: rouse your courage (Virgil)

rex bibendi: king of drinkers; king of the revelers

rex nunquam moritur: the king never dies

ride si sapis: laugh, if you are wise (Martial)

ridere in stomacho: to laugh inwardly (i.e., in one’s sleeve)

ridiculus mus: a ridiculous mouse (Horace)

rore vixit more cicadæ: he lived upon dew like a grasshopper

rosam ne rode: gnaw not the rose

ruat coelum (or, ruat cælum): though the heavens fall (or, let the heavens fall)

ruat coelum, fiat voluntas tua: your will be done, though the heavens should fall

rudis indigestaque moles: a rude and disordered mass (Ovid)

rupto robore nati: we are born from the broken oak (an allusion to the acorn from

which the new oak grows)

rus in urbe: the country in the city (Martial)

rustica veritas: rustic truth

S

sæva indignatio: fierce wrath (Virgil)

sævis tranquillus in undis: calm amid the raging waters (motto of William I of

Orange)

sal Atticum: Attic salt (i.e., a keen wit) (Pliny the Elder)

saltem cursu prætervehor omnes: I leap past all in the race

salus extra ecclesiam non est: there is no salvation outside the Church (St.

Augustine)

salus in fide: salvation by faith

salus per Christum: salvation through Christ

Salus per Christum Redemptorem (S.C.R.): Salvation through Christ the

Redeemer

salus populi suprema est lex: the welfare of the people is the supreme law (Cicero)

salus populi suprema lex esto: let the welfare of the people be the supreme law

(after Cicero, the motto of Missouri)

salus populi: the welfare of the people (motto of the University of Missouri)

salus publica: the public good

salva conscientia: with safety to conscience (i.e., without compromising one’s

conscience)

salva dignitate: with safety to dignity (i.e., without compromising one’s dignity)

salva fide: with safety to faith (i.e., without compromising one’s faith or promise)

salva res est: the matter is safe (Terence)

salvam fac reginam, O Domine: (fig.) may God save the queen

salve, magna parens: hail, thou great parent (Virgil) salvo jure scuto amoris Divini

salvo jure: saving the right

salvo jure regis: saving the king’s right

salvo ordine: without dishonor to one’s order

salvo pudore: saving decency; without offense to modesty

salvum fac regem, O Domine: (fig.) may God save the king

Samnitico non capitur auro: he is not captured by Samnitic gold

sancte et sapienter: with holiness and wisdom

sanctum sanctorum: holy of holies; also, a study or private room

sane baro: a baron indeed

sanguinis pretium sanguis: blood is the price of blood

sapere aude: dare to be wise (Horace)

sapere et tacere: to be wise and silent

sapiens dominabitur astris: the wise will rule the stars

sapientem pascere barbam: to nurse a wise beard (i.e., to appear outwardly wise, as

in the philosopher)

sapienti sat: enough for the wise (Plautus)

sapientia donum Dei: wisdom is the gift of God

sapientia et doctrina: wisdom and doctrine (motto of Fordham University)

sapientia humana, stultitia est apud Deum: human wisdom is folly before God

sapientissimus in septem: the wisest of the seven (Cicero, said of Thales)

sapientum octavus: the eighth of the wise men (Horace)

sardonicus risus: a sardonic laugh (i.e., a forced or scoffing laugh)

Sartor Resartus: The Tailor Patched (title of a book by Thomas Carlyle)

sat cito, si sat bene: soon enough, if but well enough (St. Jerome)

sat pulchra, si sat bona: beautiful enough, if good enough (i.e., beauty is as beauty

does)

satis diu vel naturæ gloriæ: long enough for the demands both of nature and glory

satis superque (est): enough and more than enough (i.e., enough and some to spare)

satis verborum: enough of words (i.e., enough said)

satis vixi; invictus enim morior: I have lived enough; I die unvanquished

(Epaminondas in Cornelius Nepos)

sauciat et defendit: it wounds and defends

scandalum magnatum: an offense against a person of high standing

scandit sublima virtus: virtue scales great heights

scientia est potentia: knowledge is power

scientia sol mentis: knowledge is the light of the mind (motto of the University of

Delaware)

scire facias: cause it to be known

scribere jussit amor: love bade me write (Ovid)

scripta manent: writings remain

scuto amoris Divini: with the shield of Divine love

scuto bonæ voluntatis tuæ coronasti sero sapiunt Phryges

scuto bonæ voluntatis tuæ coronasti nos: with the shield of your good will you

(God) have surrounded us

se defendendo: in his own defense

se inserit astris: he places himself among the stars

secundis dubiisque rectus: upright both in prosperous and doubtful circumstances

secundo amne defluit: he floats with the stream

securus judicat orbis terrarum: the verdict of the world is conclusive (St.

Augustine)

sed de me ut sileam: but to say nothing of myself (Ovid)

sed hæc prius fuere: but all this is over (Catullus)

sed post est occasio calva: but opportunity is bald behind (i.e., has passed us by)

sed sine labe decus: honor without a stain

sedulitate: by diligence

semel abbas, semper abbas: once an abbot, always an abbot

semel et semper: once and always

semel et simul: one and the same; once and together

semper: always; forever

semper augustus: always an enlarger of empire (Symmachus)

semper avarus eget: the miser is ever in want (Horace)

semper eadem: always the same (motto of Queen Elizabeth I)

semper et ubique: always and everywhere

semper felix: always happy; ever fortunate

semper fidelis (pl. semper fideles): always faithful (motto of the U.S. Marine

Corps)

semper honos, nomenque tuum, laudesque manebunt: your honor, your renown,

and your praises will last forever (Virgil)

semper idem (masc. and neuter forms): always the same

semper paratus: always ready (motto of the U.S. Coast Guard)

semper patriæ servire præsto: always ready to serve my country

semper præcinctus: ever ready

semper sic: always thus

semper sitiens: always thirsty

semper vigilans: always watchful

semper viret: it always flourishes

semper vivit in armis: he lives ever in arms

seniores priores: the elder ones first

sepulto viresco: I revive from my burial

sequitur patrem non passibus æquis: he follows his father with unequal steps (after

Virgil)

sequor non inferior (or, sequor nec inferior): I follow, but I am not inferior

sermoni consona facta: deeds agreeing with words

sero sapiunt Phryges: the Phrygians (or Trojans) became wise too late

sero sed serio sic passim

sero sed serio: late, but seriously (or, late, but in earnest)

serus in cælum redeas: late may you return to heaven (i.e., long may you live)

serva jugum: preserve the yoke (i.e., preserve the bond of love)

servabit me semper Jehovah: Jehovah will always preserve me

servabo fidem: I will keep faith

servari et servare meum est: my duty is to guard myself and others

servata fides cineri: faithful to the memory of my ancestors

serviendo guberno: I govern by serving (or, by ruling I serve)

servire Deo sapere: to know how to serve God

servitute clarior: more illustrious by serving

Servus Servorum Dei: Servant of the Servants of God (a papal title)

sesquipedalia verba: words a foot and a half long (Horace)

sexu foemina, ingenio vir: in sex a woman, in natural ability a man (epitaph of

Empress Maria Theresa of Austria)

si Deus nobiscum, quis contra nos?: if God be with us, who shall be against us?

(after St. Paul in Romans 8:31)

si dis placet (or, si diis placet): if it pleases the gods

si fallor, sum: if I am deceived, then I exist (St. Augustine’s refutation of skepticism

through one’s self-awareness of deception)

si fortuna juvat: if fortune favors

si monumentum requiris, circumspice: if you seek his monument, look around

you (epitaph of Sir Christopher Wren, architect of London)

si non errasset, fecerat ille minus: if he had not committed an error, his glory

would have been less (Martial)

si peccavi, insciens feci: if I have sinned, I have done so unknowingly (Terence)

si quæris monumentum, circumspice: if you seek a monument, look around you

(an alternate version of Christopher Wren’s epitaph)

si quæris peninsulam amoenam, circumspice: if you seek a pleasant peninsula,

look around you (motto of Michigan)

si quis adhuc precibus locus: if there is still any place for prayers (Virgil)

si sic omnes!: if all did thus!

si sit prudentia: if there be but prudence (Juvenal)

si vitam puriter egi: if I have led a pure life (Catullus)

sic ætas fugit: thus does life flee

sic erat in fatis: so stood it in the decrees of fate (Ovid)

sic eunt fata hominum: so go the destinies of men

sic frustra: thus in vain

sic itur ad astra: thus is the way to the stars (i.e., thus the way to immortal fame)

(Virgil)

sic me servavit Apollo: thus Apollo preserved (or protected) me (Horace)

sic nos sic sacra tuemur: thus we guard our sacred rights

sic passim: thus in passing (i.e., occurring throughout the pages of a book)

sic prædæ patet esca sui

sine qua non

sic prædæ patet esca sui: thus to catch its prey it offers itself as bait

sic semper tyrannis: thus always to tyrants (motto of Virginia)

sic spectanda fides: thus is faith to be examined (from Shakespeare’s Pericles)

sic transit gloria mundi: thus passes the glory of the world (traditionally recited

during the coronation of a new pope)

sic viresco: thus I flourish

sic vita humana: thus is human life

sic volo, sic jubeo: thus I will, thus I command (after Juvenal)

sic vos non vobis nidificatis aves: thus do you birds build nests for others (Virgil)

sica inimicis: a dagger to his enemies

sicut ante: as before

sicut columba: as a dove

sicut lilium: as a lily

sicut meus est mos: as is my habit (Horace)

sicut patribus, sit Deus nobis: as with our fathers, may God also be with us (motto

of Boston)

sicut quercus: as the oak

sidere mens eadem mutato: although the constellations change, the mind is

constant (motto of the University of Sydney)

sidus adsit amicum: let my propitious star be present

silentio et spe: in silence and hope

simile gaudet simili: like delights in like

simili frondescit virga metallo: a bough grows in its place leaves of the same metal

(Virgil)

similia similibus curantur: like cures like

simplex munditiis: simple in elegance (i.e., elegant but not gaudy) (Horace)

simplex sigillum veri: simplicity is the seal of truth (motto of Herman Boerhaave)

simplex signum veri: simplicity is the sign of truth

simul astu et dentibus utor: I use my cunning and my teeth simultaneously

sine cortica natare: to swim without corks

sine cruce, sine luce: without the Cross, without light

sine cura: without care (i.e., to receive a salary for an office that requires no work)

sine fine: without end

sine invidia: without envy

sine ira et studio: without anger and without partiality (Tacitus)

sine justitia, confusio: without justice, confusion

sine labe: without dishonor

sine labe lucebit: he shall shine unblemished

sine macula: without stain or blemish

sine metu: without fear

sine odio: without hatred

sine qua non: without which not (i.e., an indispensable condition) sint ut sunt, aut non sint sperandum est

sint ut sunt, aut non sint: let them be as they are, or not at all

siste, viator!: stop, traveler!

sit pro ratione voluntas: let (good)will stand for reason

sit sine labe decus: let my honor be without stain

sit tibi terra levis, mollique tegaris arena: light lie the earth upon you, soft be the

sand that covers you (Martial; a Roman epitaph)

sit tua terra levis: may the earth rest lightly upon you (Seneca; a Roman epitaph)

sit ut est, aut non sit: let it be as it is, or let it not be

sit venia verbis: pardon my words

sitio: I thirst (St. John 19:28; one of the Seven Last Words of Christ)

situ et tempore: in place and time

sol lucet omnibus: the sun shines on all

sol occubuit; nox nulla secuta est: the sun is set; no night has followed (i.e., your

greatness shines brighter than your predecessor)

sola cruce: only the Cross

sola Deo salus: salvation is from God alone; safety is in God alone

sola juvat virtus: virtue alone assists

sola nobilitas virtus: virtue alone is true nobility

sola salus servire Deo: our only salvation is in serving God

sola virtus invicta: virtue alone is invincible

sola virtus nobiltat: virtue alone ennobles

sola virtus præstat gaudium perpetuum: virtue alone guarantees perpetual joy

solem fero: I bear the sun

solem ferre possum: I can bear the sun

soli Deo: to God alone

soli Deo gloria: to God alone be the glory

soli Deo honor et gloria: to God alone be honor and glory

solo Deo salus: salvation from God alone

solvuntur risu tabulæ: the case is dismissed amid laughter

spe: with hope (motto of the State University of New York, Buffalo)

spe posteri temporis: in hope of the latter time

spe vivitur: we live in hope

spectas et tu, spectaberis: you see, and you shall be seen

spectemur agendo: let us be seen (or judged) by our actions

spem bonam certamque domum reporto: I bring home with me a good and

certain hope

spem gregis: the hope of the flock (Virgil)

spem pretio non emo: I do not give money for mere hopes (Terence)

spem reduxit: hope restored (motto of New Brunswick)

spera in Deo: hope in God

sperandum est: it is to be hoped

sperat infestis, metuit secundis stare super antiquas vias

sperat infestis, metuit secundis: he hopes in adversity and fears in prosperity (after

Horace)

sperate et vivite fortes: hope and live bold(ly)

speratum et completum: hoped for and fulfilled

speravi: I have hoped

speravimus ista dum fortuna fuit: we hoped for that once, while fortune was

favorable (Virgil)

spero: I hope

spero et captivus nitor: I hope and, though a captive, I strive

spero infestis me tuo secundis: in prosperity I fear, in adversity I hope

spero meliora: I hope for better things (Cicero)

spes: hope

spes alit: hope nourishes

spes anchora vitæ: hope, the anchor of life

spes bona: good hope (motto of Cape Colony)

spes bona dat vires: good hope gives strength

spes durat avorum: the hope of my ancestors continues

spes gregis: the hope of the flock or the common herd (Virgil)

spes infracta: my hope is unbroken

spes lucis æternæ: the hope of eternal light (or life)

spes mea Christus: Christ, my hope

spes mea in Deo: my hope is in God

spes proxima: hope is near

spes tutissima coelis: the safest hope is in heaven

spiritus intus alit: the spirit within nourishes (Virgil)

Spiritus Sanctus in corde: the Holy Spirit in the heart

splendida vitia: splendid vices (Tertullian, said of pagan virtues)

splendide mendax: splendidly false (Horace)

splendor sine occasu: splendor without diminishment (motto of British Columbia)

spolia opima: the richest of the spoils

stabit: it shall stand

stabit quocunque jeceris: it shall stand, whichever way you throw it (from the

legend on the three-legged crest of the Isle of Man)

stabo: I shall stand

stans cum rege: standing with the king

stans pede in uno: standing upon one leg (i.e., done without effort) (Horace)

stant cætera tigno: the rest stand on a beam

stant innixa Deo: they stand supported by God

stare decisis, et non movere quieta: to stand by things as decided, and not to

disturb those that are tranquil

stare super antiquas vias (or, stare super vias antiquas): to stand upon the old

ways stat fortuna domus sub lege libertas

stat fortuna domus: the good fortune of the house stands

stat magni nominis umbra: he stands, the shadow of a great name (Lucan)

stat pro ratione voluntas: the will stands in place of reason

stat promissa fides: the promised faith remains

stat veritas: truth stands

statio bene fida carinis: a safe harborage for ships

status quo (also, statu quo): the state in which it was

status quo ante bellum: the state of things before the war

stemmata quid faciunt?: of what use are pedigrees? (Juvenal)

stella monstrat viam: the star shows the way

stet: let it stand

stet fortuna domus: may the fortune of the house endure (motto of Harrow)

stet pro ratione voluntas: let (good)will stand for reason

stimulat, sed ornat: it stimulates, but it adorns

sto pro veritate: I stand in the defense of truth

stratum super stratum: one layer upon another

strenua inertia: energetic idleness (Horace)

strenua nos exercet inertia: busy idleness urges us on (Horace)

studendo et contemplando indefessus: unwearied in studying and meditation

studiis et rebus honestis: by honorable pursuits and studies (motto of the

University of Vermont)

studiis florentem ignobilis oti: indulging in the studies of inglorious leisure (Virgil)

studio minuente laborem: the enthusiasm lessening the fatigue (Ovid)

studium immane loquendi: an insatiable desire for talking (Ovid)

stulta maritali jam porrigit ora capistro: he is now stretching out his foolish head

to the matrimonial harness (Juvenal)

stylo inverso: with stylus inverted (i.e., erasing or revising what has been written)

stylum vertere: to correct or change the style

sua cuique utilitas: to everything its own use (Tacitus)

sua cuique voluptas: to each his own pleasure

su se robore firmat: he strengthens himself by his own might

suave mari magno: how pleasant when on a great sea (Lucretius)

suaviter et fortiter: gently and firmly

suaviter in modo, fortiter in re: gently in manner, firmly in deed

sub cruce candida: under the pure white Cross

sub cruce salus: salvation under the Cross

sub cruce veritas: truth under the Cross

sub hoc signo vinces: under this sign you will conquer (variation of in hoc signo

vinces)

sub Jove: under Jove (i.e., in the open air)

sub lege libertas: liberty under the law

sub libertate quietem suspendens omnia naso

sub libertate quietem: rest under liberty

sub reservatione Jacobæo: with St. James’s reservation (i.e., if the Lord wills; see St.

James 4:15)

sub robore virtus: virtue under strength

sub silentio: in silence

sub sole, sub umbra virens: increasing both in sunshine and in shade

sub specie æternitatis: under the aspect of eternity (i.e., as a particular

manifestation of a universal law) (Spinoza)

sub tegmine fagi: beneath the canopy of the spreading beech (Virgil)

sublimi feriam sidera vertice: with head lifted, I shall strike the stars (Horace)

sublimiora petamus: let us seek higher things

suggestio falsi: the suggestion of falsehood

sui generis: of its own kind; one of a kind

sui juris: of his own right

sui oblitus commodi: regardless of his own interest

suis stat viribus: he stands by his own strength

sum quod eris, fuit quod es: I am what you will be, I was what you are (sometimes

used as a tombstone inscription)

sum quod sum: I am what I am

summa rerum vestigia sequor: I follow the highest tracks of things

summa summarum: all in all (Plautus)

summo studio: with the greatest zeal (Cicero)

summum bonum: the highest good (Cicero)

summum jus, summa injuria: extreme law, extreme injury (i.e., the law, strictly

interpreted, may be the greatest of injustices) (Cicero)

sumus: we are

sunt lacrimæ (or lacrymæ) rerum: tears are the nature of things (Virgil)

sunt sua præmia laudi: his rewards are his praise

suo Marte: by his own ability or prowess (Cicero)

suo sibi gladio hunc jugulo: with his own sword do I stab him (Terence)

super abissus ambulans: walking on precipices

superest quod supra est: what is above lives on

supra vires: beyond one’s powers (Horace)

supremum vale: a last farewell (Ovid)

surgit amari aliquid: something bitter rises (Lucretius)

surgit post nubila Phoebus: the sun rises after the clouds

sursum: upward

sursum corda: lift up your hearts

sus Minervam: a pig teaching Minerva (the goddess of wisdom and commerce)

suscipere et finire: to undertake and to accomplish

suspendens omnia naso: turning up one’s nose at everything; sneering at everything

(Horace)

suspiria de profundis te ipsum nosce

suspiria de profundis: sighs from the depths of the soul

sustine et abstine: bear and forbear

sustinet nec fatiscit: he holds up and does not weary

suum cuique: to each his own; to everyone his due (Cicero)

T

ta neura tou polemou: the sinews of war (a Greek phrase)

tabula ex naufragio (or, tabula in naufragio): a plank from a shipwreck

tabula rasa: a smoothed tablet; a blank slate; any blank surface

tace: be silent

tace aut fac: say nothing or do

tacent satis laudant: their silence is praise enough (Terence)

tædet me: I am bored

tædium vitæ: weariness of life (Aulus Gellius)

taliter qualiter: such as it is

tam facti quam animi: as much in action as in intention

tam interna quam externa: as much internal as external

tam Marte quam Minerva: as much by Mars as by Minerva (i.e., as much by war as

by wisdom; or, as much by courage as by genius)

tam Marti quam Mercurio: as much for Mars as for Mercury (i.e., qualified as

much for war as for trade)

tamquam alter idem: as if a second self (Cicero)

tandem fit surculus arbor: a shoot at length becomes a tree

tandi!: so much for that!

tangere ulcus: to touch a sore (i.e., to reopen a wound; to renew one’s grief)

tanquam in speculo: as in a mirror

tanquam nobilis: noble by courtesy

tanquam ungues digitosque suos: as well as his nails and fingers (i.e., at his fingers’

end)

tantæ molis erat: so great a task it was

tantas componere lites: to settle such great disputes

tanto fortior, tanto felicior!: the more pluck, the better luck!

tanto homini fidus, tantæ virtutis amator: a faithful friend to so great a man, and a

steady admirer of such great virtue

tanto monta: so much does he excel

tantum in superbos: only against the proud

tantus amor scribendi: so great a passion for writing (Horace)

tarde sed tute: slow but sure

te Deum laudamus: we praise thee, O God

te ipsum nosce (also, te nosce or nosce teipsum): know thyself

te stante, virebo

212

teterrima belli causa

te stante, virebo: with you standing, I shall flourish

tecum habita: live with yourself (i.e., live within your means)

teloque animus præstantior omni: a spirit superior to every weapon (Ovid)

telos oran macrou biou: to see the end of a long life (Chilon, one of the Seven

Sages of Greece, from the Greek)

telum imbelle sine ictu: a feeble dart (or spear) thrown to no effect (i.e., a weak and

ineffectual argument) (Virgil)

templa quam dilecta!: temples how beloved! (punning motto of the Temple family)

tempus abire tibi est: it is time for you to depart (Horace)

tempus anima rei: time is the essence of the matter

tempus edax rerum: time, the devourer of all things (Horace and Ovid)

tempus et patientia: time and patience

tempus omnia revelat: time reveals all things

tempus omnia terminat: time ends all things

tempus rerum imperator: time is ruler over all things

tenax et fidelis: steadfast and faithful

tenax propositi: tenacious of purpose

tendit ad astra fides: faith reaches toward heaven

tene fortiter: hold firmly

teneat luceat floreat: may it hold, may it shine, may it flourish

tenebo: I will hold

tenebras expellit et hostes: he expels the darkness and the enemy

tentanda via est: a way must be tried (Virgil)

ter quaterque beatus: thrice and four times blest (Virgil)

teres atque rotundus: polished smooth and rounded (i.e., a polished and wellrounded

person) (Horace)

terminus a quo: the point from which it begins (i.e., the starting point)

terminus ad quem: the point at which it ends (i.e., the ending point)

terra firma: solid earth; dry land

terra, flatus, ignis, aqua: earth, air, fire, water

terra incognita: an unknown land or region

terra marique fide: with faith by land and sea

terra marique potens: mighty by land and sea

terræ filius: a son of the earth (i.e., a person of low or unknown origin) (Persius)

terram coelo miscent (or, terram cælo miscent): they mingle heaven and earth

terras irradient: they shall illuminate the earth (motto of Amherst College)

terrere nolo, timere nescio: I wish not to intimidate, and know not how to fear

tertium quid: a third something (produced by the union of two opposites)

tertius e coelo cecidit Cato: a third Cato has come down from heaven (Juvenal; said

mockingly)

teterrima belli causa: most shameful cause of war (Horace)

tetigisti acu tu quoque

tetigisti acu: you have touched it with a needle (i.e., you have hit the nail on the

head) (Plautus)

tibi poëma feci: I made a poem for you (Catullus)

tibi soli: to thee alone

time Deum, cole regem: fear God, honor the king

timeo Danaos dona ferentes: I fear the Greeks bearing gifts (Virgil)

timet pudorem: he fears shame

timor addidit alas: fear gave him wings (Virgil)

timor Domini fons vitæ: the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life

timor Domini initium sapientiæ: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

(or, humorously, the fear of the master/lecturer is the beginning of wisdom) (motto

of the University of Aberdeen)

tolle lege, tolle lege: take up and read, take up and read (St. Augustine)

tot homines, quot sententiæ (also, quot homines, tot sententiæ): so many men,

so many opinions (Terence)

tot rami, quot arbores (also, quot rami, tot arbores): so many branches, so many

trees

totidem hostes esse quot servos: some many servants, so many enemies (quoted by

Seneca)

toto coelo: by the whole heavens

totum in eo est: all depends on this

totus mundus agit histrionem: all the world plays the actor (i.e., all the world’s a

stage; reputedly the words on a sign hung at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater)

totus mundus exercet histrionem (or, mundus universus exercet histrioniam):

all the world plays the comedian (or actor) (Petronius)

totus teres atque rotundus: entire, smooth, and round (i.e., complete in itself)

tou aristeuein eneka: in order to excel (a Greek phrase)

traditus non victus: yielded but not conquered

transeat in exemplum: let it stand as an example (or a precedent)

transfixus sed non mortuus: wounded but not dead

tria juncta in uno: three joined in one (a reference to the Christian Trinity; also, a

reference to a coalition of three members; motto of the Order of the Bath)

Trinitas in Trinitate: Trinity in Trinity

triumphali e stipite surgens alta petit: rising from triumphal stock it seeks the

heights

triumpho morte tam vita: I triumph in death as in life

Troja fuit: Troy was

truditur dies die: day presses on the heels of day (Horace)

Tu, Domine, gloria mea: Thou, O Lord, are my glory

tu ne cede malis: yield not to misfortunes (or evils)

tu quoque: you too (Ovid)

tu quoque, Brute!: you too, Brutus! (a variation of et tu, Brute)

Tu solus sanctus

ultra vires

Tu solus sanctus: Thou alone art holy

tu vincula frange: break your chains

tua res agitur: it is a matter that concerns you

tuebor: I will defend; I will protect

tunica propior pallio est: my tunic is nearer (my skin) than my cloak (Plautus)

turris fortis mihi Deus: God is a tower of strength to me

turris fortissima est nomen Jehovah: an exceedingly strong tower is the name of

Jehovah

tuta timens: fearing even safety (Virgil)

tutor et ultor: the protector and the avenger

tutum monstrat iter: he showed a safe road

tutum refugium: a safe refuge

tutum te littore sistam: I shall set you safe upon the shore

tuum est: it is yours (or, your own)

U

uberrima fides: super-abundant faith (or confidence)

ubi amor, ibi fides: where there is love, there is faith

ubi bene, ibi patria: where it is well with me, there is my country

ubi dolor, ibi digitus: where the pain is, there the finger will be

ubi homines sunt, modi sunt: where there are persons, there are manners

ubi lapsus?, quid feci?: where have I slipped?, what have I done?

ubi libertas, ibi patria: where there is liberty, there is my country

ubi mel, ibi apes: where there is honey, there are bees (Plautus)

ubi reddunt ova columbæ: where the pigeons lay their eggs (i.e., the roosts of

eminence) (Juvenal)

ubi sæva indignatio cor ulterius lacerare nequit: where bitter indignation cannot

lacerate my heart anymore (epitaph of Jonathan Swift)

ubi scriptum?: where is it written?

ubi uber, ibi tuber: where the soil is rich, there you will find roots (Apuleius)

ubique: everywhere

ubique patriam reminisci: everywhere to remember our homeland

ulcus tangere: to touch a sore

ultima ratio regum: the last argument of kings (i.e., military force; said to have been

engraved on a cannon by order of Louis XIV)

ultima Thule: remotest Thule (Virgil)

ultimum moriens: the last to die

ultimus Romanorum: the last of the Romans

ultorum ulciscitur ultor: avenger avenges avenger

ultra vires: beyond the powers

ultus avos Troiæ ut reficiar

ultus avos Troiæ: he has avenged his Trojan ancestors

una et eadem persona: one and the same person

una manu latam libertati viam faciet: with one hand he will make for himself a

broad path to freedom (Seneca)

una voce: with one voice; unanimously

unguibus et rostro: with talons and beak (i.e., tooth and nail)

unguibus et rostro, atque alis armatus in hostem: armed with talons, beak, and

wings against the enemy

unguis in ulcere: a claw in the wound (i.e., a knife in the wound) (Cicero)

uni æquus virtuti, atque ejus amicis: a friend equally to virtue and to virtue’s

friends (Horace)

unica semper avis: the bird that is ever unique

unica virtus necessaria: virtue is the only thing necessary

unita: united

unitas: unity

unitate fortior: stronger by being united

uno ictu: at one blow; at once

uno impetu: in one motion

unum pro multis dabitur caput: one will be sacrificed for many (Virgil)

unus atque unicus amicus: one and only friend (Catullus)

unus et idem: one and the same

unus vir, nullus vir: one man, no man (i.e., two are better than one)

urbem latericiam (or lateritiam) invenit, marmoream reliquit: he found a city of

brick, and left it one of marble (Suetonius, said of Cжsar Augustus)

urbi et orbi: for the city (Rome) and the world

urbs in horto: a city in a garden (motto of Chicago)

usque ad aras: to the very altars (i.e., to the last extremity)

usque ad sidera tellus: the earth rises up to the stars

usque recurrit: it always returns

usus est tyrannus: custom is a tyrant

usus me docuit: practice (or experience) has taught me

ut apes geometriam: as bees practice geometry

ut canis e Nilo: like a dog by the Nile (i.e., drinking and running)

ut incepit fidelis sic permanet: as loyal as she began, so she remains (motto of

Ontario)

ut mos est: as the custom is (Juvenal)

ut pictura, poësis (erit): as with a picture, so (it will be) with a poem (Horace)

ut prosim: that I may be of use

ut quocunque paratus: prepared on every side

ut redeat miseris, abeat fortuna superbis: that fortune may leave the proud, and

return to the wretched (Horace)

ut reficiar: that I may be refreshed

ut vivas vigila veluti in speculum

ut vivas vigila: watch that you may live

utcunque placuerit Deo: as it shall please God

utere loris: use the reins

uterque bonus belli pacisque minister: a good administrator equally in peace as in

war (Ovid)

uti non abuti: to use, not to abuse

uti possidetis: as you now possess (Justinian)

utile dulci: the useful with the delightful (or with the agreeable) (Horace)

utilium sagax rerum: sagacious in making useful discoveries (Horace)

utinam noster esset: would that he were ours

Utopia: no place (the title of Thomas More’s satirical book about a perfect world)

V

vade ad formicam: go to the ant

vade in pacem (also, vade in pace): go in peace

vade mecum: go with me (i.e., a constant companion; a handbook)

vade post me, satana!: get thee behind me, you satan! (St. Matthew 16:23)

vade retro!: avaunt!; begone!

væ soli: woe to the solitary person (Ecclesiastes 4:10)

væ victis!: woe to the vanquished! (Livy, attributed to King Brennus; also Plautus)

valeat quantum valere potest: let it pass for what it is worth

valeat res ludicra: farewell to the drama (also, farewell to the ridiculous) (Horace)

valet ancora (or anchora) virtus: virtue is a strong anchor

valete ac plaudite: farewell and applaud (Terence; the final line of Roman actors at

the end of a performance)

vanitas vanitatum, omnia vanitas: vanity of vanities, all is vanity

varia sors rerum: the changeable lot of circumstances (Tacitus)

vehimur in altum: we are carried out into the depths

vel cæco appareat: it would be obvious to the blind

vel Jovi cedere nescit: he does not yield, even to Jove

vel prece vel pretio: with either prayer or price (i.e., for either love or for money)

velis et remis: with sails and oars (i.e., by all possible means)

velle bene facere: to wish to do well

velocem tardus assesquitur: the slow overtakes the swift

velut ægri somnia: like the dreams of the sick (Horace)

velut arbor ævo: as a tree with the passage of time (motto of the University of

Toronto)

velut inter ignis luna minores: as shines the moon among the lesser fires (Horace)

veluti in speculum: even as in a mirror venale pecus vertitur in lucem

venale pecus: the venal herd (Juvenal)

vendere fumos: to sell smoke (i.e., to make empty promises)

vendidit hic auro patriam: he sold his country for gold (Virgil)

veni, Creator Spiritus: come, Creator Spirit

veni, vidi, vici: I came, I saw, I conquered (Julius Cжsar’s message to the Roman

Senate, declaring his victory over the king of Pontus)

venia sit dicto: pardon the expression (or remark)

venite, adoremus Dominum: come, let us adore the Lord

ventis secundis: with favorable winds

vento intermisso: the wind having died down

ventum ad supremum est: a wind has come, we are at our last shift (i.e., we have a

crisis on our hands) (Virgil)

ventura desuper urbi: destined to come down on the city from above (after Virgil)

ver non semper viret: Spring does not always flourish (motto of Lord Vernon,

rendered “vernon” always flourishes)

verax atque probus: trustworthy and honest

verba rebus aptare: to fit words to things (i.e., to call something what it is)

verba togæ sequeris: you follow words of the toga (i.e., the language of the cultured

class) (Persius)

verbatim et literatim: word for word and letter for letter

verbera, sed audi: whip me, but hear me

verbis ad verbera: from words to blows

verbo tenus: as far as the word goes

verbum caro factum est: the Word was made flesh (after St. John 1:14)

verbum sapienti: a word to the wise

veritas: truth (motto of Harvard University)

veritas et virtus vincunt: truth and virtue conquer

veritas liberabit: truth will liberate

veritas magna est et prævalet: truth is great and prevails

veritas nunquam perit: truth never dies

veritas omnia vincit: truth conquers all things

veritas prævalebit: truth will prevail

veritas temporis filia: truth, the daughter of time

veritas victrix: truth the conqueror

veritas vincit: truth conquers

veritas vos liberabit: the truth shall set you free (motto of the Johns Hopkins

University, after St. John 8:32)

veritate et justitia: with truth and justice

vero nihil verius: nothing truer than truth

verso pollice: with thumb turned [down] (Juvenal)

vertitur ad solem: it turns toward the sun

vertitur in lucem: it is changed into light

verus ad finem

vigilantia

verus ad finem: true to the end

verus et fidelis semper: always true and faithful

vestigia morientis libertatis: the footprints of dying liberty (Tacitus)

vestigia terrent: the footprints frighten me (Horace)

vestis virum facit: the garment makes the man

vestras spes uritis: you burn your hopes (Virgil)

veteris vestigia flammæ: the traces of my former flame (Virgil)

vi et armis: by force and arms

vi et industria: by strength and industry

vi et veritate: by force and by truth

vi et virtute: by strength and valor

vi victa vis: force overcome by force (Cicero)

vi vivo et armis: I live by force and arms

via crucis, via lucis: the way of the Cross [is] the way of light

via media: the middle way

via trita, via tuta: the beaten path, the safe path

vicarius non habet vicarium: a vicar cannot have a vicar

vicisti, Galilæe: You have conquered, O Galilean (the dying words of Julian the

Apostate)

vicit, pepercit: he conquered, he spared

victi vicimus: conquered, we conquer (after Plautus)

victis honor: honor to the vanquished

victor mortalis est: the conqueror is mortal

victoria: victory

victoria concordia crescit: victory is increased by concord

victoria, et per victoriam vita: victory, and by victory he assured his life

victoria, et pro victoria vitam: victory, and for victory he sacrificed his life

victoria mihi Christus: Christ is victory to me

victoria Pyrrhica: a Pyrrhic victory, in which the victor is worse off than the

vanquished

victoriæ gloria merces: glory is the reward of victory

victoriam coronat Christus: Christ crowns the victory

victoriam malle quam pacem: to prefer victory to peace (Tacitus)

victrix fortunæ sapientia: wisdom, conqueror of fortune (Juvenal)

victus vincimus: conquered, we conquer (Plautus)

vide et crede: see and believe

video, et taceo: I see, and I am silent

vigilans et audax: vigilant and bold

vigilans non cadit: the vigilant man falls not

vigilanter: watchfully; vigilantly

vigilantia: vigilance

vigilantia non cadit virtus invicta

vigilantia non cadit: vigilance does not fall

vigilantia, robur, voluptas: vigilance, strength, pleasure

vigilantibus: to be watchful

vigilate: watch; be watchful

vigilate et orate: watch and pray

vigilo: I watch

vigilo et spero: I watch and I hope

vincam aut moriar: I will conquer or die

vincere aut mori: to conquer or die

vincere vel mori: to conquer or die

vincit amor patriæ: the love of country conquers (Virgil)

vincit cum legibus arma: he conquers arms by laws

vincit omnia pertinax virtus: stubborn virtue conquers all

vincit omnia veritas: truth conquers all things

vincit omnia virtus: virtue conquers all things

vincit pericula virtus: virtue conquers dangers

vincit qui patitur: he conquers who endures

vincit veritas: truth conquers

vincit virtute: virtue conquers

vindictæ trahit exitium: revenge brings with it ruin

vino tortus et ira: tormented by wine and anger (Horace)

vinum incendit iram: wine kindles wrath (Seneca)

vir bonus, dicendi peritus: a good man, skilled in speaking (Cato the Elder)

vir super hostem: a man above an enemy

vires acquirit eundo: it gathers strength as it goes along (Virgil, said of fame)

vires artes mores: strength, arts, customs (motto of Florida State University)

vires et honor: strength and honor

virescit vulnere virtus: virtue flourishes from a wound

viret in æternum: it flourishes forever

viribus unitis: with united strength

virtus ariete fortior: virtue is stronger than a battering ram

virtus basis vitæ: virtue is the basis of life

virtus castellum meum: virtue my castle

virtus clara æternaque habetur: virtue is bright and everlasting (Sallust)

virtus est militis decus: valor is the soldier’s honor (Livy)

virtus et honestas: virtue and honesty

virtus hominem jungit Deo: virtue unites man with God (Cicero)

virtus in actione consistit: virtue consists in action

virtus in arduis: virtue (or valor) in difficulties

virtus incendit vires: virtue kindles one’s strength

virtus invicta: unconquered virtue

virtus invicta gloriosa

virtute securus

virtus invicta gloriosa: unconquered virtue is glorious

virtus mille scuta (or, virtus millia scuta): virtue is a thousand shields

virtus nobilitat: virtue ennobles

virtus non stemma: virtue, not pedigree

virtus non vertitur: virtue (or valor) does not turn

virtus paret robur: virtue begets strength

virtus post nummos: virtue after money (Horace)

virtus potentior auro: virtue is more powerful than gold

virtus probata florescit (or florebit): virtue tested flourishes (or blooms)

virtus repulsæ nescia sordida: virtue unconscious of base repulse

virtus requiei nescia sordidæ: virtue that knows no mean repose

virtus semper viridis: virtue is always green (i.e., virtue never fades)

virtus sibi aureum: virtue is worth gold to itself

virtus sola nobilitat: virtue alone confers nobility

virtus sub cruce crescit, ad æthera tendens: virtue increases under the Cross, and

looks to Heaven

virtus sub pondere crescit: virtue increases under burden

virtus unita, valet: virtue united, prevails

virtus vincit invidiam: virtue conquers envy

virtute: by virtue

virtute cresco: I grow by virtue

virtute et armis: by valor and arms (motto of Mississippi)

virtute et claritate: by virtue and renown

virtute et fide: by virtue and faith

virtute et fidelitate: by virtue and fidelity

virtute et fortuna: by virtue and fortune

virtute et labore: by virtue and labor

virtute et numine: by virtue and the gods

virtute et opera: by virtue and industry

virtute et valare luceo non uro: by virtue and valor I shine, but do not burn

virtute fideque: by virtue and faith

virtute me involvo: I wrap myself in virtue

virtute non astutia: by virtue not by craft

virtute non verbis: by virtue not by words

virtute, non viris: by virtue, not by men

virtute officii: by virtue of office

virtute parta tuemini: defend what is acquired by valor

virtute probitate: by virtue and honesty

virtute quies: in virtue there is rest

virtute res parvæ crescunt: small things increase by virtue

virtute securus: secure through virtue virtute vici vivat respublica

virtute vici: I have conquered by virtue

virtutem sequitur fama: fame follows virtue

virtutes et honor: virtue and honor

virtutes parvæ crescunt: small things increase by virtue

virtuti: to virtue

virtuti fortuna comes: fortune, companion of virtue

virtuti nihil obstat et armis: nothing can stand against valor and arms

virtuti non armis fido: I trust to virtue not to arms

virtuti paret robur: strength follows virtue

virtutis amor: the love of virtue

virtutis amore: from love of virtue

virtutis avorum præmium: the reward of the virtue (or valor) of my ancestors

virtutis fortuna comes: fortune is the companion of valor (motto of the Duke of

Wellington)

virtutis gloria merces: glory, the reward of virtue

virtutis præmium: virtue’s reward

virtutis regia merces: royal is the reward of virtue

virtutis trophæa novæ non degener addet: in keeping with family tradition, he will

add new trophies of valor

virum volitare per ora: to fly through the mouths of men (i.e., to spread like

wildfire)

vis amoris: the force of love

vis est ardentior intus: the power is more ardent within

vis fortibus arma vigor: vigor is arms to brave men

vis nescia vinci: a power that knows not defeat

vis unita fortior: power is strengthened by union; union is strength

vis viva: the living power

vita brevis, ars longa: life is short, art is long (Horace and Seneca, after

Hippocrates)

vita est hominum quasi quum ludas tesseris: the life of man is like a game of dice

(Terence)

vita et pectore puro: with pure life and heart

vita sine litteris (or literis) mors est: life without literature is death

vitæ philosophia dux, virtutis indagatrix: O philosophy, guide of life and

discoverer of virtue (Cicero)

vitæ postscenia celant: they conceal the behind-the-scenes part of life

vitæ via virtus: virtue is the way of life

vitam impendere vero: to expend one’s life for the truth (Juvenal)

vivamus atque amemus: let us live and let us love (Catullus)

vivant rex et regina: long live the king and queen

vivat regina: long live the queen

vivat respublica: long live the republic

vivat rex

vulnere sano

vivat rex: long live the king

vive hodie: live for today

vive memor Lethi: live ever mindful of death (Lethe, a reference to the underworld,

was the river whose waters brought forgetfulness of the past) (Persius)

vive ut semper vivas: so live that you may live forever

vive ut vivas: live that you may truly live

vive, vale (or, vive, valeque): long life to you, farewell (Horace)

vivere est cogitare: to live is to think (Cicero)

vivere militare est: to live is to fight (Seneca)

vivere sat vincere: to conquer is to live enough

vivida vis animi: the strong force of the mind (Lucretius)

vivimus aliena fiducia: we live by trusting one another (Pliny the Elder)

vivimus in posteris: we live in our posterity

vivit ad extremum: it lives to the end

vivit Leo de Tribu Juda: the Lion of the Tribe of Judah lives

vivitur ingenio: he lives by skill

vix ea nostra voco: I can scarcely call these things our own (Ovid, an allusion to

one’s ancestry)

vixere fortes ante Agamemnona multi: many brave men lived before Agamemnon

(Horace)

vocat in certamina divos: he calls the gods to arms (Virgil)

volando, reptilia sperno: flying, I despise reptiles

volat ambiguis mobilis alis hora: the shifting hour flies with doubtful wings

(Seneca)

volat hora per orbem: time flies through the world (Lucretius)

volens et potens: willing and able

volens et valens: willing and able

volente Deo: God willing (Virgil)

volo, non valeo: I am willing but unable

volventibus annis: with revolving years (i.e., as the years roll on)

vota vita mea: my life is devoted

vox clamantis in deserto: the voice of one crying in the wilderness (St. John 1:23;

motto of Dartmouth College)

vox et præterea nihil: a voice and nothing more (i.e., sound without sense)

vox faucibus hæsit: the voice stuck in the throat (i.e., dumbstruck) (Virgil)

vox manet: the voice remains (Ovid)

vox omnibus una: one cry was common to them all (Virgil)

vox populi, vox Dei: the voice of the people [is] the voice of God

vox, veritas, vita: voice, truth, life (motto of the California State University)

vulneratur non vincitur: wounded, not vanquished

vulneratus non victus: wounded but not conquered

vulnere sano: I cure by a wound

vulneror, non vincor zonam perdidit

vulneror, non vincor: I am wounded, but not vanquished

Z

zoë kai psyche: life and soul (a Greek phrase)

zonam perdidit: he has lost his money belt (i.e., he is ruined!; all is lost!) (Horace)

A

a capite ad calcem: from head to heel; from top to bottom

a coelo usque ad centrum: from the heavens to the center of the earth

a cruce salus: salvation is by (or from) the Cross

a crux nostra corona: the Cross is our crown

a cuspide corona: from a spear a crown (i.e., honor for military exploits)

a Deo et rege: from God and the king

a Deo lux nostra: our light comes from God

a fortiori: with stronger force

a Jove principium: beginning with Jove

a mari usque ad mare: from sea to sea (motto on Canada’s coat of arms)

a posse ad esse: from possibility to actuality

a re decedunt: they wander from the point

a solis ortu usque ad occasum: from the rising to the setting of the sun

a te pro te: from thee for thee

a verbis ad verbera: from words to blows

ab igne ignem: fire from fire

ab initio: from the beginning

ab insomni non custodita Dracone: not guarded by the sleepless dragon

ab Jove principium: from Jove is the beginning of all things (Virgil)

ab ovo usque ad mala: from the egg to the apples (i.e., from appetizer to dessert;

from beginning to end)

ab uno ad omnes: from one to all

ab urbe condita (A.U.C.): from the founding of the city (i.e., Rome)

aberrare a scopo: to miss the mark

abiit ad plures: he is gone to the majority (i.e., he has died) (Petronius)

abnormis sapiens: abnormally wise; wise without learning (Horace)

abscissa virescit: by pruning it grows green

absit omen: may the omen augur no evil

absque labore nihil: nothing without labor

abundat dulcibus vitiis: he abounds with delightful faults (Quintilian)

abyssus abyssum invocat: deep calls unto deep

Acherontis pabulum (or, Acheruntis pabulum): food for Acheron (i.e., marked for

death; bound for hell) (Plautus)

acta est fabula: the play is over (the dying words of Cжsar Augustus)

actum est de me

adscriptus glebæ

actum est de me: it is all over with me! (i.e., all is lost!)

actum est de nobis: it is all over with us!

actum est de republica: it is all over with the Republic!

aculei irriti: ineffectual stings

ad alta virtute: to the heights of my virtue

ad amussim: made exactly by rule

ad aperturam: wherever a book may be opened

ad astra: to the stars (motto of University College, Dublin)

ad astra per ardua: to the stars by steep paths

ad astra per aspera: to the stars through adversities (motto of Kansas)

ad augusta per angusta: to honors through difficulties

ad captandum vulgus: to catch or capture the rabble (i.e., something offered for the

entertainment of the masses)

ad coelos volans: flying to the heavens

ad coelum tendit: he directs his course toward heaven

ad eundem gradum (or, ad eundem): to the same rank (which one previously held)

ad finem: to the end

ad finem fidelis: faithful to the end

ad Græcas kalendas (or calendas): at the Greek calends (i.e., never; there is no

Greek calends)

ad instar omnium: in the likeness of all

ad kalendas (or calendas) Græcas: at the Greek calends (i.e., never; there is no

Greek calends)

ad majorem Dei gloriam (A.M.D.G.): to the greater glory of God (motto of the

Society of Jesus, the Jesuits)

ad meliora vertamur: let us turn to better things

ad metam: to the mark

ad mortem fidelis: faithful till death

ad omnem libidinem projectus homo: a man addicted to every lust

ad perpetuam rei memoriam: for the perpetual remembrance of a thing (or, of the

matter)

ad summum: to the highest point

ad unguem: to a nail; to a T

ad unguem factus homo: a man accomplished to his fingertips (Horace)

ad unum omnes: all to a one; unanimously

ad utrumque paratus: prepared for either case

ad virtus astra: virtue to the stars

ad vitam aut culpam: for life or fault (i.e., till some misconduct be proved)

addere legi justitiam Deo: to add the justice of God to the law

adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini: our help is in the name of the Lord

adjuvante Deo labor proficit: with God’s help, work prospers

adscriptus glebæ: attached to the soil

adstrictus necessitate alis aspicit astra

adstrictus necessitate: bound by necessity (Cicero)

adulescentia deferbuit: the fires of youth have cooled

adversa virtute repello: I repel adversity by valor

ægis fortissima virtus: virtue is the strongest shield

ægrescitque medendo: the medicine increases the disease (Virgil)

ægri somnia vana: the idle or delusive dreams of a sick man (Horace)

æmulus atque imitator studiorum ac laborum: a rival and imitator of his studies

and labors (Cicero)

Æneadum genetrix, hominum divomque voluptas: mother of Aeneas, pleasure of

men and gods (Lucretius)

æquabiliter et diligenter: by equity and diligence

æquam servare mentem: to preserve an equal mind (or even temper)

æquanimiter: with equanimity

æquitas sequitur legem: equity follows the law

æque tandem: equally at length (e.g., when perched, the small bird is as tall as the

tallest tree)

æquo animo: with an even or equitable mind

ære perennius: more lasting than bronze (Horace)

æternum inter se discordant: they are eternally in discord with each other

(Terence)

æternum servans sub pectore vulnus: tending an eternal wound within the heart

Æthiopiem lavare: to wash an Ethiopian

afflavit Deus et dissipantur: God sent forth his breath and they are scattered (an

inscription commemorating the English defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588)

age quod agis: do what you are doing (i.e., attend to the work you have at hand;

mind your own business)

agedum virtus antecedat, tutum erit omne vestigium: if virtue precede us, every

step will be safe (Seneca)

agere pro aliis: to act for others

albæ gallinæ filius: the son of a white hen (i.e., a lucky person)

album calculum addere: to give a white stone (i.e., to cast a favorable vote)

alea belli: the uncertainty of war

alea jacta est: the die is cast (Julius Cжsar, after crossing the Rubicon in 49 BCE)

alea judiciorum: the uncertainty of law

alere flammam: to feed the flame (Ovid)

ales volat propriis: a bird flies to its own (i.e., birds of a feather flock together)

alia tentanda via est: another way must be tried (Virgil)

aliam excute quercum: go, shake some other oak [for your acorns]

alieni temporis flores: flowers of other days

alieno more vivendum est mihi: I must live according to another’s whim (Terence)

alio sub sole: under another sun

alis aspicit astra: flying, he keeps his eye on the stars

alis volat propriis

amor et pax

alis volat propriis: she flies by her own wings (motto of Oregon)

aliud et idem: another and the same

aliusque et idem: another, yet the same (Horace)

alliciunt somnos tempus motusque merumque: time, motion, and wine cause

sleep (Ovid)

allos ego: alter ego (Zeno’s definition of a friend)

alma mater: a dear mother (applied to one’s school; also applied to Mother Earth)

alnus semper floreat: may the Alder always flourish (motto of the Alder family)

alte fert aquila: the eagle bears me on high

alter alterius auxilio eget: the one stands in need of assistance of the other (Sallust)

alter ego: another or second self

alter ego est amicus: a friend is another self (Zeno)

alter ipse amicus: a friend is a second self

altera manu scabunt, altera feriunt: they tickle with one hand and smite with the

other

alterius non sit qui suus esse potest: let no man be slave of another who can be his

own master (motto of Paracelsus)

altiora peto: I seek higher things

amabilis insania: a fine frenzy

ambigendi locus: room for doubt

amentium, haud amantium: of lunatics, not lovers

amici, diem perdidi: friends, I have lost a day (Emperor Titus, as quoted by

Suetonius)

amicis semper fidelis: always faithful to friends

amicitia, etiam post mortem durans: friendship enduring even after death

amicitia reddit honores: friendship gives honors

amicitia sine fraude: friendship without deceit

amicum lædere ne joco quidem licet: a friend must not be injured, even in jest

(Publilius Syrus)

amicus amico: a friend to a friend

amicus animæ dimidium: a friend is half of one’s soul

amicus curiæ: a friend to the court (i.e., an impartial adviser in a case)

amicus est tanquam alter idem: a friend is, as it were, a second self (Cicero)

amicus humani generis: a friend of the human race

amicus usque ad aras: a friend as far as the altar (i.e., a friend in everything save

religion; or, a friend to the point of sacrifice or death)

amo: I love

amo probos: love proved

amo ut invenio: I love as I find

amor et honor: love and honor

amor et oboedientia: love and obedience

amor et pax: love and peace

amor patriæ aperto vivere voto

amor patriæ: love of country

amor proximi: love of neighbor

amor vincit omnia: love conquers all things

amore patriæ vincit: the love of country conquers

amore sitis uniti: be united in love

anchora salutis: the anchor of salvation

anguis in herba: a snake in the grass

anima in amicis una: one mind among friends

anima mundi: the soul of the world

animæ dimidium meæ: the half of my own life (Horace)

animis illabere nostris: you will steal into our hearts

animis opibusque parati: prepared in minds and resources (a motto of South Carolina)

animo et fide: by courage and faith

animo, non astutia: by courage, not by craft

animus et prudentia: courage and discretion

animus homini, quicquid sibi imperat, obtinet: the mind of man can accomplish

whatever it resolves to do

animus non deficit æquus: a well-balanced mind is not wanting (i.e., equanimity

does not fail us)

animus, non res: mind, not property (or possessions)

animus tamen idem: my mind is still the same

animus valet: courage avails

anno Domini (A.D.): in the year of our Lord

anno urbis conditæ (A.U.C.): in the year of the founding of the city (i.e., Rome)

annona cara est: corn is dear

annoso robore quercus: an oak in aged strength

annuit coeptis: He (God) has favored our undertaking (a motto of the United States

of America)

annus mirabilis: the wonderful year (i.e., a year filled with wonders)

ante ferit, quam flamma micet: it strikes before the flame flickers

ante omnia: before everything else

ante tubam trepidat: he trembles before the trumpet sounds (i.e., he cries before he

is hurt) (Virgil)

anthropos physei zoön politikon: man is by nature a political being (Aristotle, from

the Greek)

antidoti salubris amaror: the bitterness of the healing antidote

antiqua homo virtute ac fide: a man of ancient virtue and fidelity (Terence)

antiquam obtinens: possessing antiquity

antiquum assero decus: I claim ancient honor

apage Satanus! (also, apage Satana!): away with you, Satan!

aperto vivere voto: to live with unconcealed desire (i.e., to live life as an open book

or as an honest person) (Persius)

apio opus est

asinus ad lyram

apio opus est: there is need of parsley (i.e., someone is dying, parsley being strewn

over a person’s grave)

aquila non capit muscas: an eagle does not catch flies

aquilæ senectus: the old age of the eagle (Terence)

aranearum telas texere: to weave spiders’ webs (i.e., spinning a tall tale or weaving

an intricate argument)

arbiter bibendi: the judge of the drinking (i.e., the master of the feast)

arbiter elegantiarum: the judge of elegant affairs (i.e., the master of ceremonies)

arbiter formæ: the judge of beauty

arbitrii mihi jura mei: my laws are my will

Arcades ambo: Arcadians both (Virgil)

arcana imperii: state secrets

arcus, artes, astra: the bow, arts, and stars

ardenter amo: I love fervently

ardentia verba: glowing words

ardua petit ardea: the heron seeks high places

arena sine calce: sand without cement (i.e., an unconnected or disjointed speech)

(Suetonius)

arenæ mandas semina: you are sowing grain in the sand

arma parata fero: I carry arms in readiness

arma tuentur pacem: arms maintain peace

armat spinat rosas: the thorn arms the rose

arrectis auribus adsto: I wait with listening ears (Virigil)

ars adeo latet arte sua: so art lies hid by its own artifice (Ovid)

ars æmula naturæ: art is nature’s rival (Apuleius)

ars artium omnium conservatrix: the art of preserving all other arts (i.e., printing)

ars deluditur arte: craft deceived by craft

ars est celare artem: true art is to conceal art (Ovid)

ars gratia artis: art for art’s sake (motto of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

ars longa, vita brevis: art is long, life is short (adapted from Hippocrates)

ars naturam adjuvans: art aiding nature

arte conservatus: preserved by skill

arte et marte: by skill and valor

arte magistra: by the aid of art (Virgil)

arte perire sua: to perish by one’s own trickery (i.e., to be caught in one’s own trap)

artes honorabit: he will honor (or adorn) the arts

artes, scientia, veritas: arts, science, truth (motto of the University of Michigan)

ascendo: I rise

asinum sub fræno currere docere: to teach an ass to obey the rein (i.e., to labor in

vain)

asinus ad lyram: an ass at the lyre (i.e., to be unmusical or all thumbs) asinus asinum fricat Augiæ cloacas purgare

asinus asinum fricat: the ass rubs the ass (i.e., one fool rubs another fool’s back;

mutual praise)

asinus in tegulis: an ass on the roof tiles

asinus in unguento: an ass among perfumes (i.e., one who cannot appreciate the

finer things)

asinus inter simias: an ass among apes (i.e., a fool among people who make a fool of

him)

aspice et imitare: look and imitate

aspicit unam: it sees one only

aspiro: I aspire

astra castra, numen lumen: the stars my camp, the gods my light

astra regunt homines, sed regit astra Deus: the stars govern men, but God

governs the stars

astræa redux: return of the goddess of justice

astutior coccyge: craftier than a cuckoo (i.e., a bird that lays its eggs in another

bird’s nest)

at spes infracta (or, at spes non fracta): but hope is not broken

Athanasius contra mundum: Athanasius against the world (a reference to the stand

made by St. Athanasius against heresy in the early fourth century CE)

aucto splendore resurgo: I rise again with increase of splendor

auctor ego audendi: I am the author of my daring

audaces fortuna juvat: fortune helps the brave

audaces fortuna juvat timidosque repellit: fortune assists the bold and repels the

coward

audaces juvo: I assist the bold

audacia et industria: boldness and diligence

audacia pro muro habetur: courage protects like a wall (Sallust)

audacter et sincere (or, audaciter et sincere): boldly and sincerely

audax et celer: bold and swift

aude aliquid dignum: dare something worthy

aude contemnere opes: dare to despise riches (Virgil)

aude sapere: dare to be wise

aude, tace, fuge: listen, be silent, flee

audemus jura nostra defendere: we dare to defend our rights (motto of Alabama)

audentes Deus ipse juvat: God himself favors the brave (Ovid)

audentes (or audaces) fortuna juvat: fortune aids (or favors) the bold (Virgil)

audentum Forsque Venusque juvant: Fortune and Love favor the brave (Ovid)

audio sed taceo: I hear, but say nothing

auditque vocatus Apollo: and Apollo hears when called upon (a reference to poetic

inspiration) (Virgil)

Augiæ cloacas purgare: to cleanse the Augean stables (i.e., to accomplish a difficult

and disagreeable work) (Seneca)

Augusto felicior, Trajano melior

ave Maria, gratia plena

Augusto felicior, Trajano melior: a more fortunate man than Augustus, a more

excellent man than Trajan (Eutropius)

aura popularis: the popular breeze (i.e., popular favor) (Cicero)

aurea mediocritas (or, auream mediocritatem): the golden mean (Horace)

aureæ compedes: golden shackles

auream quisquis mediocritatem diligit: someone who loves the golden mean

(Horace)

aureo hamo piscari (or, aureo piscari hamo): to fish with a golden hook (i.e., gold

is the surest of lures)

auri sacra fames: accursed hunger for gold (Virgil)

auribus teneo lupum: I hold a wolf by the ears (i.e., I am in desperate trouble)

(Terence)

aurora musis amica (est): dawn is the friend of the Muses

aurum e stercore: gold from dung

aurum huic olet: he smells the money (Plautus)

auspice Christo: under the guidance of Christ

auspicium melioris ævi: a pledge of better times (motto of the Order of St. Michael

and St. George)

Austriæ est imperare orbi universo (A.E.I.O.U.): all the world is to be ruled by

Austria (motto of Frederick III)

ausus est vana contemnere: he dared to scorn vain fears

aut amat aut odit mulier: nil (or nihil) est tertium: woman either loves or hates:

there is no(thing) in between (Publilius Syrus)

aut bibat aut abeat: either drink or go away

aut Cæsar aut nihil: either Cжsar or nothing (motto of Cжsar Borgia)

aut Cæsar aut nullus: he will be either Cжsar or nobody

aut cum hoc aut in hoc: either with this or on this

aut disce aut discede: either learn or depart

aut inveniam viam aut faciam: either I will find a way or make one

aut mors aut victoria: either death or victory

aut suavitate aut vi: either by gentleness or by force

aut vincam aut periam: either win or perish

aut vincere aut mori: either victory or death

autumnus—libitinæ quæstus acerbæ: autumn—the harvest of bitter death

(Horace)

auxilium ab alto: help from on high

auxilium meum a Domino: my help comes from the Lord

auxilium meum ab alto: my help is from above

avaritia huius sæculi: the avarice of this generation

ave atque vale: hale (or hail) and farewell

ave Maria, gratia plena (also, ave Maria, plena gratia): hail Mary, full of grace avi memorantur avorum bos in lingua

avi memorantur avorum: my ancestors recall their ancestors (i.e., my ancestral line

is long)

avi numerantur avorum: I follow a long line of ancestors

avitæ gloriæ memor: mindful of ancestral glory

avito viret honore: he flourishes upon ancestral honors (i.e., his honor is not of his

own doing)

B

basis virtutum constantia: constancy is the foundation of virtue

beatæ memoriæ: of blessed memory

beati pacifici: blessed are the peace makers (St. Matthew 5:9)

beati pauperes spiritu: blessed are the poor in spirit

beati qui durant: blessed are they that endure

bella, detesta matribus: wars, the horror of mothers (Horace)

bella, horrida bella: wars, horrible wars (Virgil)

bella matronis detestata: wars detested by mothers (Horace)

bellicæ virtutis præmium: the reward of valor in war

bello ac pace paratus: prepared in war and peace

bello palmam fero: I bear the palm in war

bellua multorum capitum: the many-headed monster (i.e., the mob)

bellum omnium in omnes: a war of all against all

bellum, pax rursus: a war, and again a peace (Terence)

bene dissere est finis logices: to dispute well the chief end of logic

bene est tentare: it is as well to try

bene merentibus: to the well-deserving

bene tenax: rightly tenacious

benedictus qui tollit crucem: blessed is the one who bears the Cross

benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini: blessed is the one who comes in the name

of the Lord (St. Matthew 21:9)

benigno numine: by the favor of heaven; by divine favor

bibere venenum in auro: to drink poison from a golden cup

bivium virtutis et vitii: the two paths (or crossroads) of virtue and of vice

blandæ mendacia linguæ: the lies of a flattering tongue

bona fide: in good faith

bona fide polliceor: I promise in good faith

bonis avibus: under favorable auspices

bonis omnia bona: all things are good to the good

bonis vel malis avibus: under good or evil auspices

bos in lingua: an ox on the tongue (i.e., hush money: certain coins in Athens were

imprinted with an ox)

brutum fulmen

Carthago delenda est

brutum fulmen (or, fulmen brutum): a harmless thunderbolt (i.e., an empty

threat)

C

cacoëthes carpendi: an itch for finding fault

cacoëthes loquendi: an itch for speaking

cacoëthes scribendi: an itch for writing

cadenti porrigo dextram: I extend my right hand to one who is falling

cæca regens vestigia filo: guiding blind steps by a thread

cælestis veritas origo: the source of heavenly truth

cæli enarrant gloriam Dei: the heavens tell of the glory of God

cælitus impendet: it hangs in the heavens

cælitus mihi vires: my strength is from heaven

cælo imperium Jovis extulit ales: the bird of Jupiter raised the empire to the heavens

cælum, non animum: the clime, not the mind

calco sub pedibus: I trample it under my feet

callida junctura: skillful arrangement (Horace)

candide et caute: with candor and caution

candide et constanter: with candor and constancy; frankly and firmly

candide sincere: candidly and sincerely

candor dat viribus alas: sincerity gives wings to strength

candor illesus: purity unharmed

cane pejus et angue: worse than a dog or a snake

canina facundia: dog eloquence (i.e., snarling) (Appius)

canis in præsepi: a dog in the manger (neither will it let the ox eat the hay nor will it

eat the hay itself)

capistrum maritale: the matrimonial halter (Juvenal)

capitis nives: the snowy locks of the head (Horace)

captivus ob gulam: captured by gluttony

captus nidore culinæ: caught by the odor of the kitchen

caput inter nubila condit: it hides its head amid the clouds (i.e., fame) (Virgil)

caput mortuum: dead head (i.e., the worthless remains; a numbskull)

caput mundi: the head of the world (i.e., Rome)

caret: it is wanting

caret initio et fine: it lacks beginning and end

caritas fructum habet: charity bears fruit

carmen triumphale: a song of triumph

carpe diem: seize the day (i.e., make the most of the present) (Horace)

carpere et colligere: to pick and gather

Carthago delenda est: Carthage must be destroyed (Cato the Elder)

cassis tutissima virtus chalepa ta kala

cassis tutissima virtus: virtue is the safest helmet

casta moribus et integra pudore: of chaste morals and unblemished modesty

(Martial)

castigat ridendo mores: it corrects manners by laughing at them (i.e., comedy)

Cato contra mundum: Cato against the world

caute, non astute: cautiously, not craftily

cautus semper viret: the cautious man always flourishes

cave a signatis: beware of those who are marked

cave!, adsum: beware!, I am present

cave canem: beware of the dog

cave!, Deus videt: beware!, God sees

cave paratus: beware while prepared

caveat actor: let the doer beware (of the consequences)

caveat emptor: let the buyer beware

caveat venditor: let the seller beware

caveat viator: let the traveler beware

cavendo tutus: safe by taking heed

cavete a canibus: beware of the dogs

cedamus amori: let us yield to love

cedant arma: let arms yield

cedant arma togæ: let arms yield to the toga (i.e., let the military yield power to civil

authority) (Cicero; motto of Wyoming)

cede Deo: yield to God (Virgil)

cede nullis: yield to no one

cedo nulli: I yield to no one

celer et audax: swift and daring

celer et fidelis: swift and faithful

celer et vigilans: quick and watchful

celeritas: swiftness

celeritas et veritas: swiftness and truth

celeriter: swiftly

cernit omnia Deus vindex: there is an avenging God who sees all

certa salutis anchora: the sure anchor of salvation

certavi et vici: I have fought and conquered

certior in coelo domus: a surer home in heaven

certum scio: I know for certain

cervus lacessitus leo: the stag provoked becomes a lion

cessit victoria victis: victory has yielded to the vanquished

cetera quis nescit?: the rest who does not know?

ceterum censo: but my decided opinion is (Cato)

chalepa ta kala: what is good (or excellent) is difficult (a Greek phrase)

chaos, rudis indigestaque moles compositum jus fasque animi

chaos, rudis indigestaque moles: chaos, a rough and unordered mass (Ovid)

Christi crux est mea lux: the Cross of Christ is my light

Christo duce feliciter: happily, under the guidance of Christ

Christo duce vincamus: let us conquer with Christ as leader

Christo et Ecclesiæ: for Christ and for the Church

cicatrix manet: the scar remains

cita mors ruit: death is a swift rider (Horace)

citius, altius, fortius: faster, higher, stronger (motto of the modern Olympic Games)

civilitas successit barbarum: civilization succeeds barbarism (territorial motto of

Minnesota)

civis Romanus sum: I am a citizen of Rome (Cicero)

civium in moribus rei publicæ salus: the welfare of the state [depends upon] the

morals of its citizens (motto of the University of Florida)

clamamus, Abba, Pater: whereby we cry, Abba, Father (after Galatians 4:6)

clarior e tenebris (also, clarior ex tenebris): [I shine] more brightly from the

darkness (or from obscurity)

clarior ex obscuro: [I shine] more brightly from obscurity

clarior hinc honos: hence the brighter honor

clariora sequor: I follow brighter things

claris dextra factis: a right hand employed in glorious deeds

claritate dextra: with a bright light to the right

clarum et venerabile nomen: a bright and venerable name

classicum canit: the trumpet sounds attack

clementia in potentia: clemency in power

coelestem spero coronam: I hope for a heavenly crown

coelitus datum: given by heaven

coelitus mihi vires: my strength is from heaven

coelo solo salo potentes: rely on heaven alone

coelum non animum: you may change your climate, not your mind

coelum non solum: heaven not earth

coelum versus: heavenward

coetus dulces valete: fare you well (Catullus)

cogito ergo sum (also, ego cogito, ergo sum): I think, therefore I am (Descartes)

colligavit nemo: no one has bound me

colubrem in sinu fovere: to hold a snake in one’s bosom (Phжdrus)

comitas inter gentes: comity among nations

commodum non damnum: a convenience not an injury

communi consensu: by common consent

communia proprie dicere: to express commonplace things with propriety (said of

accomplished actors) (Horace)

compos mentis: of sound mind

compositum jus fasque animi: law and equity (Persius) conabimur contra stimulum calces

conabimur: we will try

conanti dabitur: it will be given to him who strives

conantia frangere frangunt: they break those which are trying to break them

concordia: harmony

concordia discors (or, discors concordia): harmony in discord; a dissonant

harmony (i.e., agreeing to differ) (Horace and Ovid)

concordia insuperabilis: unconquerable harmony

concussus surgo: though shaken, I rise (or, when struck I rise)

confide recte agens: doing rightly be confident

confido: I trust

confido et conquiesco: I trust and I am completely at rest

confido in probitate: I trust in my probity (i.e., honesty or uprightness)

conjuncta virtuti fortuna: fortune is joined to bravery

Consanguineus Lethi Sopor: Sleep, the Brother of Death

conscia mens recti: a mind conscious of integrity (Ovid)

conscientia mille testes: conscience is as a thousand witnesses

consensus audacium: an agreement of rash men (i.e., a conspiracy) (Cicero)

consensus facit legem: consent makes law

consensus tollit errorem: consent takes away error

consequitur quodcunque petit: he attains whatever he attempts

consilia et facta: by thought and deed

consilio et animis: by counsel (wisdom) and courage

consilio et prudentia: by counsel (wisdom) and prudence

consilio manque: by work and by counsel (wisdom)

consilio, non impetu: by counsel (wisdom), not impulse

constans et fidelis: constant and faithful

constans et fidelitate: constant and with faithfulness

constantia comes victoriæ: perseverance, a companion of victory

constantia et virtute: by constancy and virtue (or valor)

consuetudinis magna vis est: great is the force of habit (Cicero)

consuetudo est altera lex: custom is a second law

consuetudo est secunda natura: custom is a second nature (St. Augustine)

consuetudo pro lege servatur: custom is observed as law

consuetudo quasi altera natura: habit is as second nature (Cicero)

consule Planco: when Plancus was consul (i.e., in my younger days; in the good old

days) (Horace)

consummatum est: it is finished (St. John 19:30; one of the Seven Last Words of

Christ)

contemnit tuta procellas: secure, she despises storms

contra bonos mores: against good morals

contra stimulum calces: you kick against the goad (i.e., your opposition is in vain)

(Terence)

copiose et opportune

crux mihi ancora

copiose et opportune: plentiful and in time

cor ad cor loquitur: heart speaks to heart (Cardinal Newman)

cor et manus: heart and hand

cor mundum crea in me, Deus: create in me a clean heart, O God (Psalm 51:10)

cor nobile, cor immobile: a noble heart is an immovable heart

cor unum, via una: one heart, one way

coram Domino Rege: before the Lord our King (also, coram domino rege: before

our lord the king)

coram nobis: before us

coram populo: in the presence of the people (Horace)

corda serata fero: I carry a heart locked up (pun on Lockhart family name)

coronat virtus cultores suos: virtue crowns her votaries

corpus sine pectore: a body without a soul (Horace)

cos ingeniorum: a whetstone to their wit

crambe repetita: warmed-over cabbage (i.e., the same old thing) (Juvenal)

cras credemus, hodie nihil: tomorrow we will believe, not today

crede Byron: trust Byron (motto of Lord Byron)

credite posteri: believe it, posterity (Horace)

credo, Domine: Lord, I believe

credo et videbo: I believe, and I shall see

credo quia absurdum (est): I believe it because it is absurd (Tertullian)

credo quia impossibile (est): I believe it because it is impossible (attributed to

Tertullia n)

credo ut intelligam: I believe so that I might understand (i.e., belief precedes

knowledge) (St. Augustine)

credula res amor est: a credulous thing is love (Ovid)

crescat scientia, vita excolatur: where knowledge increases, life is enriched (motto

of the University of Chicago)

crescere ex aliquo: raising oneself through the fall of another

crescit eundo: it grows as it goes (motto of New Mexico)

crescit occulto velut arbor ævo: it grows as a tree with a hidden life (Horace)

crescit sub pondere virtus: virtue grows under oppression

crescite et multiplicamini: increase and multiply (motto of Maryland)

crescitur cultu: it is increased by cultivation

creta an carbone notandum: whether to be marked with chalk or charcoal (i.e., as

good or bad)

cribro aquam haurire: to draw water with a sieve

crocodili lacrimæ: crocodile tears (Erasmus)

cruce, dum spiro, fido: while I have breath, I trust in the Cross

cruci dum spiro fido: while I breathe, I trust in the Cross

crux mea stella: the Cross is my star

crux mihi ancora: the Cross is my anchor crux mihi grata quies dant vires gloriam

crux mihi grata quies: the Cross is my pleasing rest

crux salutem confert: the Cross confers salvation

cui bono?: for whose benefit is it? (Cicero)

cui debeo fidus: faithful to whom I owe faith

cui malo?: to whose detriment?; whom does it harm? (Cicero)

cuique suum: to each his own

cujus regio, ejus religio: whose region, his religion (i.e., the faith of the people is

determined by their king)

cum corde: with the heart

cum crepitat, sonora silent: when it rattles, loud words subside

cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum: with love for humanity and hatred of

sins (St. Augustine)

cum grano salis: with a grain of salt (i.e., with some allowance or room for doubt)

(Pliny the Elder)

cum plena est, sit emula solis: when full, she may rival the sun

cum pudore læta foecunditas: happy fecundity accompanied by modesty

cum tacent, clamant: with their silence, they cry out (i.e., silence speaks louder than

words) (Cicero)

cum tempore mutamur: we change with time

cunctando restituit rem: he restored the cause of Rome by delay (Ennius, said of

Fabius)

cuneus cuneum trudit: wedge drives wedge

cur (or quid) me persequeris?: why do you persecute me? (after Acts 9:5)

cura cura repulsa nova: the new drives out the old (Ovid)

curiosa felicitas: nice felicity of expression (Petronius)

curiosis fabricavit inferos: he fashioned hell for the inquisitive (St. Augustine)

currente calamo: with a running pen (i.e., quickly or fluently)

currentem tu quidem: (fig.) you spur a willing horse

currus bovem trahit: the cart draws the ox (i.e., to put the cart before the horse)

cursum intendimus alis: we wing our way

curta supellex: scanty supply of furniture (i.e., meager stock of knowledge)

custodi civitatem, Domine: keep the city, O Lord

custos morum: a guardian of customs (or morals)

D

da gloriam Deo: give glory to God

d-a p-e-c-u-n-i-a-m: give money (C.J. Weber, who called this phrase the Vatican’s

Ten Commandments in Ten Letters)

da veniam lacrymis: forgive these tears

dabit qui dedit: he will give who gave

dant vires gloriam: strength gives glory

dapes inemptæ

Dei irati

dapes inemptæ: dainties unbought (i.e., home produce) (Horace)

dare cervices: give the neck (i.e., submit to the executioner)

dare fatis vela: to give the sails to fate (Virgil)

dare pondus idonea fumo: to give weight to smoke (i.e., to give importance to

trifles) (Persius)

dat Deus incrementum: God gives the increase

data fata secutus: following what is decreed by fate (Virgil)

de die in diem: from day to day

de filo pendet: it hangs by a thread

de fumo in flammam: out of the smoke into the flame (i.e., out of the frying pan and

into the fire)

de industria: industriously

de lana caprina: concerning goat’s wool (i.e., a worthless matter)

de minimis non curat lex: the law does not concern itself with trifles

de monte alto: from a high mountain

de nihilo nihil: from nothing, nothing can come (Persius)

de nimium: not too much

de pilo pendet: it hangs by a hair

de præscientia Dei: of the foreknowledge of God

de profundis: out of the depths

de propaganda fide: for propagating the faith

de publico est elatus: he was buried at the public expense (Livy)

De Sapientia Veterum: On the Wisdom of the Ancients (Francis Bacon, title of a

work)

debellare superbos: to overthrow the proud (Virgil)

debit Deus his quoque finem: God will put an end to these as well (Virgil)

debito justitiæ: by debt of justice

decet imperatorem stantem mori: an emperor ought to die standing (i.e., at his

post) (Vespasian)

decies repetita placebit: though ten times repeated, it still is pleasing (usually said

of a play or a musical masterpiece) (Horace)

decori decus addit avito: he adds honor to his ancestral honor

decrevi: I have decreed

decus et tutamen: honor and defense

dedimus potestatem: we have given power

defendit numerus junctæque umbone phalanges: their numbers and their

compact array protect them (Juvenal)

defensor fidei: defender of the faith (a motto of the English monarchy)

deficiunt vires: strength is wanting

Dei gratia: by the grace of God (a motto of Canada)

Dei gratias: thanks be to God

Dei irati: the wrath of God

Dei memor, gratus amicis Deo servire regnare est

Dei memor, gratus amicis: mindful of God, grateful to friends

Dei plena sunt omnia: all things are full of God (Cicero)

Dei providentia juvat: God’s providence assists

delectando pariterque monendo: by giving pleasure and at the same time

instructing (Horace; said of a well-written book)

delectare in Domino: to delight in the Lord

delenda est Carthago: Carthage must be destroyed (Cato the Elder)

deliciæ humani generis: the delight of mankind (a reference to the Emperor Titus)

deliramenta doctrinæ: the madness of scholars (i.e., delirious with too much

learning)

denique cælum (or, denique coelum): heaven at last (Crusaders’ battle cry)

dens theonina: a slanderous tooth

dente superbo: with a disdainful tooth (Horace)

Deo adjuvante non timendum: with God’s help, nothing need be feared

Deo date: give unto God

deo dignus vindice nodus: a knot worthy of a god to unloose (i.e., a great dilemma)

Deo duce, ferro comitante: God for guide, sword for companion

Deo duce, fortuna comitante: God for guide, fortune for companion

Deo ducente: with God’s guidance

Deo et Patriæ: for God and Country (motto of the University of Saskatchewan)

Deo et regi fidelis: loyal to God and king

Deo favente: with God’s favor

Deo fidelis et patria: faithful to God and country

Deo fidelis et regi: faithful to God and the king

Deo fidens persistas: always faithful to God

Deo gloria noster: our glory to God

Deo gratias: thanks be to God

Deo honor et gloria: to God the honor and glory

Deo ignoto: to the unknown God

Deo juvante: with God’s help (motto of Monaco)

Deo monente: with God’s warning (i.e., a warning from God)

Deo, non fortuna: from God, not fortune (or chance)

Deo, Optimo, Maximo (D.O.M.): to God, the Best, the Greatest (motto of the

Benedictines)

Deo patria tibi: for God, homeland, and yourself

Deo, patriæ, amicis: for God, homeland, and friends

Deo patriæque fidelis: faithful to God and country

Deo, regi, patriæ: to God, king, and country

Deo, regi, vicino: for God, king, and neighbor

Deo, reipublicæ, amicis: to God, the republic, and friends

Deo servire regnare est: to serve God is to reign

Deo volente

Deus tuetur

Deo volente (D.V. or d.v.): God willing

deorum cibus est: it is food for the gods

depressus extollor: having been depressed, I am exalted

desideratum: a thing desired (but sadly lacking)

desiderium spe vacuum: a desire devoid of hope

despicio terrena: I despise earthly things

detur digniori: let it be given to those most worthy

detur pulchriori: let it be given to the most beautiful (the inscription on the golden

apple of discord)

Deum cole, regem serva: worship God, serve the king

Deum colit, qui novit: the one who knows God worships Him (Seneca)

deum esse credimus: we believe in the existence of God

Deus alit eos: God feeds them

Deus avertat!: God forbid!

Deus clypeus meus: God is my shield

Deus dabit vela: God will fill the sails

Deus det!: God grant!

deus est in pectore nostro: there is a god within our heart (Ovid)

Deus est regit qui omnia: there is a God who rules all things

Deus est summum bonum: God is the greatest good

Deus est suum esse: God is his own being

deus ex machina: a god from a machine

Deus fortitudo mea: God is my strength

Deus gubernat navem: God pilots the ship

Deus id vult (or simply, Deus vult): God wills it (rallying cry of the First Crusade)

Deus major columna: God is the greatest of supports

Deus mihi providebit: God will provide for me

Deus misereatur: God be merciful

Deus nobis hæc otia fecit: God has given us this place of rest (Virgil)

Deus nobiscum, quis contra?: God with us, who can be against us?

Deus non reliquit memoriam humilium: God hath not forgotten the humble

Deus noster refugium: our God is our refuge

Deus omnibus quod sat est suppeditat: God supplies enough to all

Deus pascit corvos: God feeds the ravens

Deus pastor meus: God is my shepherd

Deus protector noster: God is our protector

Deus providebit: God will provide

Deus salutaris noster: God our Savior

Deus sive natura: God or nature (Spinoza)

Deus solamen: God is my comfort

Deus tuetur: God defends

Deus vobiscum disce pati

Deus vobiscum: God be with you

Deus vult (also, Deus id vult): God wills [it] (rallying cry of the First Crusade)

dextra cruce vincit: my right hand conquers by the Cross

dextra fideque: by my right hand and my fidelity

dextra mihi Deus: my right hand is to me as a god (Virgil)

dextras dare: to give right hands (i.e., to greet one another or to promise mutual

support)

dextro tempore: at the right time; at a lucky moment

di me tuentur: the gods my protectors (Horace)

di meliora: God forbid!

di (or dii) pia facta vident: the gods see virtuous deeds (Ovid)

dicamus bona verba: let us speak words of good omen (Terence)

dicta docta pro datis: smooth words in place of gifts (Plautus)

dicta fides sequitur: the promise is no sooner given than fulfilled (Ovid)

dicta tibi est lex: the law is laid before you (Horace)

dictis facta suppetant: let deeds suffice for words (Plautus)

dictum factum (also, dictum ac factum): said and done (i.e., no sooner said than

done)

dictum sapienti sat est: a word to the wise is sufficient (Plautus and Terence)

diem perdidi: I have lost a day (i.e., I have done nothing of worth) (attributed to Titus)

dies faustus: a lucky day

dies infaustus: an unlucky day

dignum et justum est: it is right and fitting

dignus hoc indice nodus: a knot worthy to be untied by such hands (i.e., a difficulty

calling for experienced hands) (Horace)

dii majores et minores: gods of a higher and lower degree

Dii rexque secundent: may God and the king favor us

diis aliter visum: it has seemed otherwise to the gods (Virgil)

diligenter et fideliter: diligently and faithfully

diligentia: diligence

diligentia ditat: industry enriches

diligentia fortior: stronger by diligence

dira necessitas: cruel necessity (Horace)

dirige nos, Domine: direct us, O Lord

dirigo: I direct (motto of Maine)

dis aliter visum: it seemed otherwise to the gods (Virgil)

dis bene juvantibus: with the help of the gods

dis ducibus: under the direction of the gods

disce aut discede: learn or leave

disce et doce: learn and teach (motto of the University of Sheffield)

disce pati: learn to endure

discere docendo

Dominus illuminatio mea

discere docendo: to learn by teaching

disciplina, fide, perseverantia: by discipline, fidelity, and perseverance

disciplina præsidium civitatis: the instruction and protection of the state (motto of

the University of Texas)

discors concordia (or, concordia discors): harmony in discord; a dissonant

harmony (i.e., agreeing to differ) (Horace and Ovid)

discretis sua virtus inest: when separated, each has its own virtue

disjecti membra poëtæ: limbs of a dismembered poet (sometimes said of a

plagiarized work) (Horace)

disponendo me, non mutando me: by disposing of me, not by changing me

distantia jungit: it joins things that were apart

ditat Deus: God enriches (motto of Arizona)

ditat servata fides: faith preserved enriches

diversa ab illis virtute valemus: we are strong because our skill differs from theirs

divide et impera: divide and rule

divina natura dedit agros, ars humana ædificavit urbes: divine nature gave us the

fields, human art built our cities (Latin version of the Spanish motto over the Santa

Barbara County Court House) (Varro)

divinitus accidit: it happened miraculously

divitiæ virum faciunt: riches make the man

dixit Dominus: the Lord has spoken it

do ut des: I give that you may give (a maxim of Bismarck)

doce ut discas: teach that you may learn

docendo discimus: we learn by teaching

docta ignorantia: learned ignorance (Nicolas of Cusa)

domi militiæque: at war and at peace

domina omnium et regina ratio: reason is the mistress and queen of all things

(Cicero)

Domine, dirige nos: O Lord, direct us (motto of the city of London)

Domine, illuminatio mea!: O Lord, my light!

Domine, non sum dignus: O Lord, I am not worthy

domini pudet, non servitutis: I am ashamed of my master, not of my servitude

(Seneca)

Domini quid reddam?: what shall I render unto the Lord?

Domino, Optimo, Maximo (D.O.M.): to the Lord, the best, the greatest (alternate

motto of the Benedictine Order)

Dominus a dextris: the Lord is on my right hand

Dominus fecit: the Lord hath done it

Dominus fortissima turris: the Lord is the strong tower

Dominus illuminatio mea: the Lord is my light (motto of Oxford University) Dominus illuminatio mea, et salus dum vivimus, vivamus

Dominus illuminatio mea, et salus mea, quem timebo?: the Lord is my light and

my salvation, whom shall I fear? (Psalm 26:1)

Dominus petra mea: the Lord is my rock

Dominus providebit: the Lord will provide

Dominus vobiscum: the Lord be with you

domitæ naturæ: of a tame nature

domus et placens uxor: a home and a pleasing wife (Horace)

dona nobis pacem: grant us peace

donatio mortis causa: a gift made in prospect of death

donec impleat: until it fill

donec impleat orbem: until it fill the globe

donec totum impleat orbem: until it fills the whole world (motto of the Knights of

the Crescent)

dono dedit: given as a gift

dormitat Homerus: even Homer nods off (i.e., sometimes even the best of us is

caught napping) (Horace)

duabus sellis sedere (also, duabus sedere sellis): to sit in two saddles (or, on two

stools)

ducat amor Dei: let the love of God lead us

duce et auspice: under his guidance and auspices

duces tecum: bring with you

ducit amor patriæ: love of country leads me

ducit Dominus: the Lord leads

ducitur, non trahitur: he is led, not drawn

ductor dubitantium: a guide to those in doubt

dulce domum: sweet home

dulce periculum: sweet danger

dulce quod utile: what is useful is sweet

dulce sodalicium (or, dulce sodalitium): sweet society (i.e., sweet association of

friends)

dulcior melle: sweeter than honey

dulcis pro patria labor: labor for one’s country is sweet

dulcius ex asperis: sweeter after difficulties

dum fortuna fuit: while fortune lasted

dum se bene gesserit: so long as his behavior is good

dum spiritus hos regit artus: so long as the spirit of life controls these limbs (Virgil)

dum spiro, spero: while I breathe, I hope (a motto of South Carolina)

dum tacent clamant: though they are silent, they cry aloud (i.e., their silence speaks

loudly)

dum vita est, spes est: while there is life, there is hope

dum vivimus, vivamus: while we live, let us live (motto of the Epicureans)

dum vivo, prosum

ego sum pastor bonus

dum vivo, prosum: while I live, I do good

duplici spe uti: to have a double hope

durante bene placito (or, durante beneplacito). during his good pleasure; at the

pleasure of

durante vita: during life

durum telum necessitas: necessity is a hard weapon

dux foemina facti (or, dux femina facti): the leader of the action was a woman (Virgil)

dux vitæ ratio: reason is the guide of life

E

e fungis nati homines: men born of mushrooms (i.e., upstarts)

e pluribus unum: out of many one (motto of the United States of America)

e se finxit velut araneus: he spun from himself like a spider (i.e., he relied on his

own resources)

e tellure effodiuntur opes: our wealth is dug out of the earth

ea fama vagatur: that report is in circulation

ecce Agnus Dei: behold the Lamb of God

ecce homo: behold the man (Pontius Pilate, St. John 19:5)

ecce iterum Crispinus!: here’s that Crispinus again! (i.e., said of someone who

shows up at every event) (Juvenal)

ecce quam bonum: behold, how good (motto of the University of the South)

ecce signum: behold the sign (i.e., here is the proof)

Ecclesia non moritur: the Church does not die

edo, ergo ego sum (also, edo, ergo sum): I eat, therefore I am

effloresco: I flourish

ego cogito, ergo sum (also, cogito, ergo sum): I think, therefore I am (Descartes)

ego ero post principia: I will keep behind the first rank (i.e., I will stay out of harm’s

way) (Terence)

ego et rex meus: I and my king (an insolent remark attributed to Cardinal Wolsey)

ego hoc feci: I have done this; this was my doing

ego me bene habeo: with me all is well (last words of Burrus)

ego meorum solus sum meus: I myself am the only friend I have (Terence)

ego nolo Cæsar esse: I don’t want to be Cжsar (Florus)

ego primum tollo, nominor quoniam leo: I will take first, for my name is lion (i.e.,

because I am the strongest) (Phжdrus)

ego spem pretio non emo: I do not purchase hope for a price (i.e., I do not buy a

pig in a poke) (Terence)

ego sum, ergo omnia sunt: I am, therefore all things are

ego sum lux mundi: I am the light of the world (St. John 8:12)

ego sum ostium ovium: I am the gate of the sheep (St. John 10:7)

ego sum pastor bonus: I am the good shepherd (St. John 10:11) ego sum resurrectio et vita esse quam videri

ego sum resurrectio et vita: I am the resurrection and the life (St. John 11:25)

ego sum vitis vera: I am the true vine (St. John 15:1)

ego te intus et in cute novi: I know you even under the skin (Persius)

egomet mi ignosco: I myself pardon myself (Horace)

egomet sum mihi imperator: I am my own ruler (Horace)

elatum a deo non deprimat: upheld by God, I am not depressed

elegantiæ arbiter: the master of taste (Tacitus)

elegit: he has chosen

elephantem ex musca facis: you are making an elephant out of a fly (i.e., making a

mountain out of a molehill)

eloquentia fortitudine præstantior: eloquence, surpassing strength

eloquentia sagitta: eloquence [is] my arrow

emeritus (fem. emerita; pl. emeriti): a veteran (i.e., an honorary title for a person

who has retired from official duties)

emunctæ naris: of nice scent (i.e., discernment) (Horace)

en altera quæ vehat Argo: behold, another Argo to carry them

ense et aratro: with sword and plow

ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem: by the sword she seeks peaceful quiet

under liberty (motto of Massachusetts)

eo instanti: at that instant

eo magis præfulgebant quod non videbantur (pl.): they shone with a greater

splendor the more they were not seen (Tacitus)

eo magis præfulgebat quod non videbatur (sing.): he shone with a greater

splendor the more he was not seen (Tacitus)

eodem collyrio mederi omnibus: to cure all by the same ointment

eodem genere mali: in the same kind of evil

Epicuri de grege porcus (or porcum): a hog from the drove of Epicurus (i.e., a

glutton) (Horace)

epulis accumbere divum: to recline at the feast of the gods (Virgil)

eques ipso melior Bellerophonte: a better horseman than Bellerophon himself

(Horace)

equis virisque: with horse and foot (i.e., with all one’s might)

equo ne credite, Teucri: do not trust the horse, Trojans

erectus, non elatus: exalted but not elated

eripuit coelo fulmen sceptrumque tyrannis: he snatched the lightning from

heaven and the scepter from tyrants (said of Benjamin Franklin)

eris mihi magnus Apollo: you shall be my great Apollo (Virgil)

erit altera merces: the one or the other will be my reward

ero quod spero: I will again hope

errare humanum est: to err is human

errores Ulixis: the wanderings of Ulysses

esse quam videri: to be rather than to seem (motto of North Carolina)

est concordia fratrum

ex necessitate rei

est concordia fratrum: harmony becomes brothers

est deus in nobis: there is a god within us (Ovid)

est egentissimus in sua re: he is in very straitened circumstances

est mihi honori: it reflects well on me

est mihi sorte datum: it is given to me by chance

est nulla fallacia: there is no deceit

est voluntas Dei: it is the will of God

esto fidelis: be faithful

esto perpetua: may she be everlasting (dying words of Paolo Sarpi, said of Venice;

also, motto of Idaho)

esto perpetuum: let it be everlasting

esto quod esse videris: be what you seem to be

esto semper fidelis: be ever faithful

et decus et pretium recti: both the ornament and the reward of virtue

et in Arcadia ego: I too am in Arcadia (a tomb inscription)

et manu et corde: both with hand and heart

et mea messis erit: my harvest will also arrive

et omnes sancti: and all the saints

et sic de ceteris: and so of the rest

et sic de similibus: and so of the like (i.e., this also applies in similar cases)

et vitam impendere vero: keep the truth at the hazard of life (a motto of Rousseau)

etiam periere ruinæ: even the ruins have perished (i.e., there is nothing left) (Lucan)

euge, poëta!: well done, poet! (Persius)

eureka: I have found it (motto of California, from the Greek)

ex abrupto: without preparation

ex abundante cautela: from excessive precaution

ex æquo et bono: justly and equitably

ex arduis perpetuum nomen: from difficulties, lasting fame

ex auribus cognoscitur asinus: an ass is known by its ears

ex bello, pax: from war, peace

ex campo victoriæ: from the field of victory

ex concordia victoriæ spes: hope of victory through union

ex debito justitiæ: from what is due to justice; from a regard to justice

ex dono Dei: by the gift of God

ex duris gloria: from suffering arises glory

ex fide fortis: strong through faith

ex fumo dare lucem: to give light from smoke

ex maximo minimum: from the greatest, least

ex merito: from merit

ex mero motu: from a mere motion, (i.e., of one’s own volition)

ex necessitate rei: from the necessity of the thing ex nihilo nihil fit expertus dico

ex nihilo nihil fit: from nothing, nothing is made

ex officio: by virtue of office (i.e., as a matter of duty)

ex pace ubertas: from peace, plenty

ex pede Herculem: from the foot we judge Hercules

ex pluribus unum facere: from many to make one (St. Augustine)

ex post facto: after the fact

ex scintilla incendium: from a spark a conflagration

ex tempore: on the spur of the moment; unrehearsed (Cicero)

ex umbra in solem: from the shade into the sun

ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem: from shadows and types to the reality

(Cardinal Newman)

ex undis aratra: plows from the waves

ex ungue leonem: from a claw, the lion (i.e., the lion is known by its claws)

ex uno disce omnes: from one learn all (i.e., from one we judge the rest)

ex uno omnia: all things are from one

ex urna resurgam: I shall rise again from the urn (i.e., from the tomb)

ex vitulo bos fit: from a calf an ox grows up

ex vulnere salus: healing (or salvation) from a wound

exaltabit honore: it will exalt with honor

excelsior: ever higher (motto of New York State)

exceptis excipiendis: the requisite exceptions being made

excessere metum mea jam bona: the blessings I now enjoy transcend fear (Ovid)

excessit ex ephebis: he exceeds twenty years (i.e., he has come to the age of

manhood)

excitabat fluctus in simpulo: he was stirring up billows in a ladle (i.e., a tempest in a

teapot) (Cicero)

excitari, non hebescere: to be spirited, not sluggish (Terence)

exclusa opes omnes: all hope is gone (Plautus)

exeat: let him depart

exegi monumentum ære perennius: I have raised a monument more lasting than

bronze (Horace)

exempla sunt odiosa: examples are odious

exercitatio potest omnia: perseverance conquers all things (also, practice makes

perfect)

exoriare aliquis nostris ex ossibus ultor: an avenger shall arise from my bones

(Virgil)

expectada dies aderat: the longed for day is at hand (Virgil)

expende Hannibalem: weigh the dust of Hannibal (Juvenal)

experientia docet: experience teaches (Tacitus)

experimentum crucis: the experience of the cross (i.e., a guidepost for others; also,

truth elicited by force, such as torture)

expertus dico: I speak from experience

expertus loquitur

favete linguis

expertus loquitur: he speaks from experience

expertus metuit: the expert is afraid (i.e., once burnt, twice shy) (Horace)

extinguo: I extinguish

extra ecclesiam nulla salus: there is no salvation outside the Church

extra muros: beyond the walls

extra telorum jactum: beyond throwing range; out of range

extremis malis extrema remedia: extreme remedies for extreme evils

F

faber suæ fortunæ: the maker of his own fortune (Sallust)

fac et excusa: do it and so justify yourself

fac et spera: do and hope

fac simile: do the like (i.e., a close imitation of an original)

facere non possum quin: I cannot but

facile princeps: easily the first (i.e., an undisputed leader)

facilius sit Nili caput invenire: it would be easier to discover the source of the Nile

facinus majoris abollæ: a crime of a very deep dye (i.e., one committed by a

respected person) (Juvenal)

facio liberos ex liberi libris libraque: I make free men out of children with books

and balance (motto of St. John’s College, Annapolis)

facta non verba: deeds not words

factotum: a “do everything” (i.e., a jack-of-all-trades)

factum est: it is done

fæx populi: the dregs of the people

fama clamosa: a current scandal

fama perennis erit: your fame shall be enduring

fama semper vivat!: may his/her fame live forever!

fama volat: the report (or rumor) flies (Virgil)

famam extendere factis: to extend one’s fame by valiant deeds (Virgil)

fare fac: speak and act

fari quæ sentiat: to say what one feels (Horace)

farrago libelli: the medley of that book of mine (Juvenal)

fasti et nefasti dies: lucky and unlucky days

Fata obstant: the Fates oppose (Virgil)

Fata viam invenient: the Fates will find a way (Virgil)

Fata vocant: the Fates call (Virgil)

faveat fortuna: let fortune favor

favente Deo: by God’s favor

favete linguis: favor with your tongues (i.e., be respectful; be silent) (Horace and

Ovid)

fax mentis honestæ gloria fidei coticula crux

fax mentis honestæ gloria: glory is the torch of an honorable mind

fax mentis incendium gloriæ: the flame of (or passion for) glory is the torch of the

mind

fecit: he did it

felices errore suo: happy in their error (Lucan)

felix culpa!: O fault most fortunate! (St. Augustine’s allusion to the Fall of humanity

that necessitated the coming of the Redeemer)

felix hora: a lucky occasion (i.e., a golden opportunity)

felix, heu nimium felix: happy, alas, too happy (Virgil)

feræ naturæ: of a wild nature

ferendo non feriendo: by bearing not by striking

feret ad astra virtus: virtue will bear us to the sky

feriunt summis fulmina (or fulgura) montes: lightning strikes the mountain tops

ferro, non gladio: by iron, not by sword

ferrum ferro acuitur: iron is sharpened by iron

fert palmam mereat: he bears the palm, let him deserve it

fervet opus: the work boils (Virgil)

festina lente: make haste slowly (Suetonius, attributed to Cжsar Augustus)

FIAT (Flatus Ignis Aqua Terra), or fiat: let it be done (air, fire, water, earth)

fiat Dei voluntas: God’s will be done

fiat experimentum in corpore vili: let the experiment be done upon a worthless

body (or object)

fiat ignem: let there be fire

fiat justitia: let justice be done

fiat justitia et pereat mundus: let justice be done though the world perish (motto of

Emperor Ferdinand I)

fiat justitia, ruat cælum (or coelum): let justice be done, though the heavens fall

fiat justitiam, pereat mundus: let justice be done, and the world perish

fiat lux: let there be light (Genesis 1:3; motto of the University of California)

fiat pax florent justitia: let peace be made, justice be done

fiat voluntas tua: Thy will be done (St. Matthew 6:10)

fictio cedit veritati: fiction yields to truth

fide et amore: by faith and love

fide et fiducia: by faith and confidence

fide et fortitudine: by faith and fortitude

fide et labore: by faith and labor

fide et literis: by faith and learning

fide et virtute: by faith and valor

fide fortuna forti: faith is stronger than fortune

fide, non armis: by faith, not by arms

fide, sed cui vide: trust, but be careful whom

fidei coticula crux: the Cross is the touchstone of faith

fidei defensor

flet victus, victor interiit

fidei defensor: defender of the faith (a motto of the English monarchs)

fidelis ad urnam: faithful to the urn (i.e., until death)

fidelis et audax: faithful and daring

fidelis usque ad mortem: faithful even to death

fidelitas vincit: fidelity prevails

fideliter: faithfully

fideliter et constanter: faithfully and firmly

fidem servabo genusque: I will serve faith and family

fidem servo: I keep faith

fidens et constans: faithful and constant

fides ante intellectum: faith before understanding

fides et justitia: fidelity and justice

fides facit fidem: faith creates faith; confidence begets confidence

fides hoc uno, virtusque probantur: virtue and faith are tested by this alone

fides non timet: faith does not fear

fides nos loricat: faith is our breastplate

fides probata coronat: faith approved confers a crown

fides Punica: Punic faith (i.e., treachery)

fides servanda est: faith must be kept (Plautus)

fides sit penes auctorem: credit this to the author (i.e., let the person supplying the

facts be responsible for their accuracy)

fides, spes, charitas: faith, hope, love (1 Corinthians 13:13)

fidus Achates: faithful Achates (a trustworthy friend of Aeneas) (Virgil)

fidus et audax: faithful and daring (or courageous)

fieri facias: cause it to be done; see that it be done

filius istarum lacrymarum: a child of those tears (St. Augustine)

filius nullius: the son of no one (i.e., a bastard son)

filius terræ: the son of the earth (i.e., a person of low birth)

finem respice: look to the end (i.e., consider the outcome)

finem transcendit habendi: he goes beyond the proper limit of acquiring wealth

(Paradin)

finis coronat opus: the end crowns the work

firmior quo paratior: the stronger the better prepared

firmor ad fidem: I am true to the faith

firmus maneo: I remain steadfast

fit via vi: a way is made by force

flagrante bello: while the war blazes (i.e., during hostilities)

flagrante delicto: while the crime blazes (i.e., caught in the act)

flebile ludibrium: a farce to weep at (i.e., a tragic farce)

flecti, non frangi: to be bent, not broken

flet victus, victor interiit: the conquered one weeps, the conqueror is ruined floreat domus fortiter et fideliter

floreat domus: may this house flourish

floreat Etona: may Eton flourish (motto of Eton College)

floreat majestas: let majesty flourish

floreat qui laborat: let the one who labors flourish

flores curat Deus: God takes care of the flowers

floriferis ut apes in saltibus omnia libant: as bees taste of everything in the flowery

meadows (Lucretius)

flos ipse civitatis: the very flower of the state (Apuleius)

flos juventutis (or, flos juvenum): the flower of youth (or, the flower of young men)

(Livy)

flosculi sententiarum: florets of thought

fluctuat nec mergitur: she is tossed by the waves but she does not sink (motto of

Paris, which has a ship as its emblem)

fluctus in simpulo exitare: to raise a tempest in a teapot (Cicero)

fluvius cum mari certas: you but a river, and contending with the ocean

fons et origo: the source and origin

fons et origo mali: the source and origin of the evil

fons malorum: the origin of evil

fons omnium viventium: the fountain of all living things

forensis strepitus: the clamor of the forum

forma flos, fama flatus: beauty is a flower, fame is a breath

fors et virtus miscentur in unum: fortune and valor are mixed into one (Virgil)

fors juvat audentes: fortune favors the brave (Claudian)

forte et fidele: strong and loyal

fortem te præbe: be brave!

fortes fortuna (ad)juvat: fortune favors the strong (or brave) (Terence)

forti non ignavo: to the brave man, not to the coward

fortis atque fidelis: strong and faithful

fortis est ut mors dilectio: love is strong as death (Song of Solomon 8:6)

fortis est veritas: strong is the truth

fortis et celer: strong and swift

fortis et egregius: brave and distinguished

fortis et fidelis: brave and faithful

fortis et hospitalis: strong and hospitable

fortis et liber: strong and free (motto of Alberta)

fortis et velox: strong and swift

fortis fortuna adjuvat: fortune aids the brave (Terence)

fortis in arduis: brave in difficulties

fortiter: boldly

fortiter et fidelis: brave and faithful

fortiter et fideliter: boldly and faithfully

fortiter et honeste

fuimus Troës

fortiter et honeste: boldly and honorably

fortiter et recte: bravely and uprightly

fortiter et suaviter: firmly and mildly

fortiter, fideliter, feliciter: fearlessly, faithfully, successfully

fortiter geret crucem: he will bravely bear the Cross

fortitudine: with fortitude

fortitudine et decore: by boldness and gracefulness

fortitudine et labore: by fortitude and labor

fortitudine et prudentia: by courage and prudence

fortitudo et prudentia: fortitude and prudence

fortuna favente: by the favor of fortune

fortuna favet fatuis: fortune favors fools

fortuna favet fortibus: fortune favors the strong (or brave)

fortuna juvat audaces: fortune favors the brave

fortuna mea in bello campo: fortune is mine in a fair fight

fortuna meliores sequitur: fortune follows the better man (Sallust)

fortuna sequatur: let fortune follow

fortunæ cætera mando: I commit the rest to fortune (Ovid)

fortunæ filius: a child of fortune; a favorite son (Horace)

fortunæ naufragium: a shipwreck of fortune (Apuleius)

fortunæ objectum esse: abandoned to fate

fortunæ vicissitudines: the vicissitudes of fortune

fossoribus orti: sprung from ditch diggers (i.e., from humble origins)

fragrat, delectat, et sanat: it smells sweet, is pleasing, and healthful

frangas, non flectes: you may break me, but you shall not bend me

frons est animi janua: the forehead is the door of the mind (Cicero)

frons hominem præfert: the forehead reveals the man

fronte capillata, post est occasio calva: hairy in front, occasion is bald behind

(Dionysius Cato)

fronti nulla fides: there is no trusting to appearances (Juvenal)

fructo cognoscitur arbor: a tree is known by its fruit

fruges consumere nati: born to consume the fruits of the earth (Horace)

frustra operam: they work in vain; labor lost (Terence)

frustra vigilant: they keep watch in vain; they stand guard in vain

fugaces labuntur anni: the fleeting years glide by

fugam fecit: he has taken to flight

fugit hora: the hour flies (or, time flies) (Ovid)

fugit irreparabile (or inreparabile) tempus: irretrievable time flies (Virgil)

fuimus: we have been (i.e., we have made our mark)

fuimus et sub Deo ermus: we have been, and we shall be under God

fuimus Troës: we were once Trojans (i.e., our day is over) (Virgil)

fuit Ilium gratia Dei

fuit Ilium: Troy was (i.e., its day is over) (Virgil)

fulcrum dignitotis virus: virtue is the support of dignity

fulget virtus: virtue shines forth

fulmen brutum (or, brutum fulmen): a harmless thunderbolt (i.e., an empty threat)

fulminis instar: like lightning

fumos vendere: to sell smoke (Martial)

functus officio: discharged of duty

furens quid foemina possit: that which an enraged woman can accomplish (Virgil)

furor arma ministrat: rage supplies arms (Virgil)

furor loquendi: a rage for speaking

furor poëticus: the poet’s frenzy

furor scribendi: a rage for writing

G

galea spes salutis: hope is the helmet of salvation

Gaude, Maria Virgo: Rejoice, Virgin Mary

gaudeamus (igitur): let us be joyful (therefore)

gaudeo: I rejoice

gaudet tentamine virtus: virtue rejoices in trial (i.e., in being tested)

gaudium adfero: I bring good tidings

genius loci: the presiding genius of the place (Virgil)

gens togata: the nation with the toga (i.e., Rome)

genti æquus utrique: worthy of both families

genus irritabile vatum: the irritable race of poets (Horace)

Gloria in Excelsis Deo: Glory be to God Most High (the “greater doxology”)

gloria invidiam vicisti: glory has vanquished envy (Sallust)

Gloria Patri: Glory be to the Father (the “lesser doxology”)

Gloria Tibi, Domine: Glory be to Thee, O Lord

gloria virtutis umbra: glory is the shadow of virtue (i.e., its attendant and

companion)

gradatim: by degrees; step by step

gradatim plena: full by degrees

gradatim vincimus: we conquer by degrees

gradu diverso, via una: the same way by different steps

Græculus esuriens: hungry young Greek (Juvenal, meant disparagingly)

grandescunt aucta labore: they grow with increase of toil

grata naturam vincit: grace overcomes nature

grata quies: rest is pleasing

grata testudo: the pleasing lyre

gratia Dei: by the grace of God

gratia gratiam parit

haud ignota loquor

gratia gratiam parit: kindness produces kindness

gratia misericordia et pax: grace, mercy, and peace

gratia placendi: the grace (or satisfaction) of pleasing

gratia vobis et pax: grace to you and peace

gratiam referendam: a favor ought to be returned

gratias agimus Tibi: we give Thee thanks

gratis asseritur: brought forth for nothing (i.e., it is asserted without being proved)

gratis dictum: said for nothing

grato animo: with grateful heart (or mind)

graviora manent: more grievous perils remain (i.e., the worst is yet to come)

grex venalium: a venal flock (Suetonius)

H

habemus confitentem reum: we have an accused person who pleads guilty (Cicero)

habent sua fata libelli: books have their own destiny (Terentianus Maurus; also

attributed to Horace)

habeo non habeor: I hold but am not held

habere derelictui rem suam: to neglect one’s affairs (Aulus Gellius)

habere et dispertire: to have and to distribute

habere, non haberi: to hold, not to be held

habes confitentem reum: the robber confesses the crime (Petronius)

habet salem: he has wit; he is witty

habitarunt di quoque sylvas: the gods also dwelt in the woods (Virgil)

hac illac perfluo: I flow this way and that

hac mercede placet: I accept the terms

hac sunt (in) fossa Bedæ venerabilis ossa: in this grave lie the bones of the

Venerable Bede (the inscription on Bede’s tomb)

hac virtutis iter: this is the path to virtue

hæc generi incrementa fides: this faith will bring an increase to our race

hæc omnia transeunt: all these things pass away

hæc studia oblectant: these studies are our delight

hæc tibi dona fero: these gifts I bear to thee (motto of Newfoundland)

hærent infixi pectore vultus: his face is engraved on her heart (Virgil)

Hannibal ad portas: Hannibal is at the gate (i.e., the enemy is close at hand)

(adapted from Cicero)

haud facile emergunt: they do easily rise up

haud ignara ac non incauta futuri: neither ignorant nor careless of the future

(Horace)

haud ignota loquor: I speak of things by no means unknown (i.e., I speak of wellknown

events)

haud inscia ac non incauta futuri hoc Latio restare canunt

haud inscia ac non incauta futuri: neither ignorant nor careless of the future

(Virgil)

haud nomine tantum: not in name alone

haud passibus æquis: with unequal steps (Virgil)

helluo librorum: a devourer of books (i.e., a book worm)

heroum filii: sons of heroes (motto of Wellington College)

heu pietas!, heu prisca fides!: alas for piety!, alas for the ancient faith! (Virgil)

hiatus maxime deflendus: an opening (or deficiency) very much to be deplored

hibernicis ipsis hibernior: more Irish than the Irish themselves

hic domus, hæc patria est: here our home, this our country (Virgil)

hic est mucro defensionis tuæ: this is the point of your defense (Cicero)

hic et nunc: here and now

hic et ubique: here and everywhere; also, here, there, and everywhere

hic et ubique terrarum: here and everywhere throughout the world (motto of the

University of Paris)

hic finis fandi: here was an end to the discourse (i.e., here the speech ended) (Virgil)

hic hæret aqua!: here the water stops! (i.e., here is the difficulty!)

hic jacet: here lies

hic jacet lepus: here lies the hare (i.e., here lies the difficulty)

hic murus aheneus esto: let this be your brazen wall of defense

hic niger est: that one has a dark heart (Horace)

hic Rhodos, hic salta: here is Rhodes, here leap

hic terminus hæret (or hærit): here is the end of all things (Paradin)

hic vigilans somniat: he sleeps awake (Plautus)

hiems subest: winter is at hand

hiera picra: the sacred bitter (i.e., a medicine) (a Greek saying)

hinc illæ lacrymæ (or lacrimæ)!: hence these tears! (Cicero, Horace, and Virgil)

hinc lucem et pocula sacra: from hence we receive light and sacred drafts (motto of

Cambridge University)

hinc orior: hence I rise

hinc sola salus: this is my only salvation

hinc spes effulget: hence hope shines forth

his ducibus: with these as guides

hoc age: this attend (i.e., concentrate)

hoc certum est: this much is certain

hoc erat in votis: this was in my prayers

hoc est corpus meum: this is my body (St. Matthew 26:26)

hoc fac et vives: do this and you shall live

hoc habet!: he has hit! (the cry of the spectators at gladiatorial contests)

hoc indictum volo: I wish this unsaid (i.e., I withdraw the statement)

hoc Latio restare canunt: they predict that this awaits Rome

hoc loco

honor Deo

hoc loco: in this place

hoc majorum virtus: this is the valor of my ancestors

hoc opus: this is (my) work

hoc opus, hic labor est: this is the task, this is the toil (i.e., there’s the rub) (Virgil)

hoc opus, hoc studium: this work, this pursuit (Horace)

hoc signo vinces: by this sign you will conquer

hoc tibi est honori: this reflects well on you

hoc uno Iupiter ultor: with this alone Jupiter punishes

hoc vince: by this conquer (a variation of in hoc signo vinces)

hoc virtutis opus: this is virtue’s work

hoc volo, hoc jubeo: this I wish, this I require (Juvenal)

hoc voluerunt: they wished this (Julius Cжsar, after the Battle of Munda in 45 BCE)

hodie animi nostri, postridie orbis: today our souls, tomorrow the world

hodie mihi, cras tibi: today for me, tomorrow for thee (i.e., mine today, yours

tomorrow)

hodie nihil, cras credo: tomorrow I will trust, not today (Varro)

hodie, non cras: today, not tomorrow

hodie tibi, cras mihi: today you, tomorrow me (Marlowe, in reference to execution)

hoi polloi: the masses (a Greek phrase)

hominem pagina nostra sapit: our page relates to man (Martial)

hominem quæro: I am looking for a man (Phжdrus, after Diogenes)

hominem te esse memento: remember that you are a man

homini necesse est mori: man must die (Cicero)

hominis est errare: to err is human

homo fuge!: fly, oh man!

homo homini lupus: man is a wolf to man (Plautus)

homo mensura: man is the measure (of all things) (Protagoras)

homo multarum literarum: a man of many letters (i.e., of great learning)

homo nullius coloris: a man of no party

homo sum: I am a man

homo trium literarum: a man of three letters (i.e., “fur,” a thief) (Plautus)

homo unius libri: a man of one book (Thomas Aquinas’s definition of a learned

man)

homunculi quanti sunt!: how insignificant men are! (Plautus)

honesta paupertas prior quam opes malæ: poverty with honor is better than

ill-gotten wealth

honesta quam splendida: honorable rather than showy

honeste audax: bold but honest

honestum præfero utili: I prefer honesty to utility

honestum prætulit utili: he has preferred honesty to advantage

honor Deo: honor be to God

Honor est a Nilo Iesus Hominum Salvator (I.H.S.)

Honor est a Nilo: Honor is from the Nile (anagram for Admiral Horatio Nelson,

who won the Battle of the Nile)

honor est præmium virtutis: honor is the reward of virtue (Cicero)

honor et virtus: honor and virtue

honor fidelitatis præmium: honor is the reward of fidelity

honor sequitur fugientem: honor follows the one who flees from her

honor virtutis præmium: honor is the reward of virtue

honorat mors: death confers honor

honores et præmia: honors and rewards

honores mutant mores: honors alter manners

honos alit artes: honor (or fame) nourishes the arts (Cicero)

honos (or honor) virtutes satilles: honor, the attendant of virtue

hora fugit: the hour flies (or, time flies)

horas non numero nisi serenas: I number none but shining hours (an inscription

on a sun dial)

horresco referens: I shudder to relate it (sometimes said facetiously) (Virgil)

horribile dictu!: horrible to tell!

horribile visu!: horrible to see!

horror ubique: terror everywhere (motto of the Scots Guards)

horror vacui: abhorrence of a vacuum

hostis humani generis: an enemy of the human race

huic habeo non tibi: I hold it for him, not for you

humani nihil alienum: nothing that relates to man is alien to me (Terence; a motto

of the Stone family)

humanum est errare: to err is human

humilitate: with humility

hypotheses non fingo: I frame no hypothesis (i.e., I deal entirely with the facts) (Sir

Isaac Newton)

hysteron proteron: the last put first (i.e., to put the cart before the horse) (a Greek

saying)

I

i secundo omine: go, and may all good go with you (Horace)

iacta alea esto (also, jacta alea esto): let the die be cast (Julius Cжsar, as quoted by

Suetonius)

iam iam (or, jam jam): now now (i.e., forthwith)

iamque opus exegi: and now I have finished the work (Ovid)

id genus omne: all the persons of that ilk (Horace)

idem velle atque idem nolle: to like and dislike the same things (Sallust)

idoneus homo: a fit man (i.e., a person of proven ability)

Iesus Hominum Salvator (I.H.S.): Jesus, the Savior of Humanity

ignem gladio scrutare modo

in Christi nomine

ignem gladio scrutare modo: only stir the fire with a sword (Horace)

ignis fatuus (pl. ignes fatui): a foolish fire (i.e., specious words; a will-o’-the-wisp)

ignobile vulgus: the ignoble multitude

ignoramus: we are ignorant

ignorantia facti excusat: ignorance of the fact excuses

ignoratio elenchi: ignoring the point at issue

ignosco tibi: I forgive you (Catullus)

ignotum argenti pondus et auri: an unknown (or untold) mass of silver and gold

(Virgil)

ignotum per ignotius: the unknown explained by the unknown

Ilias malorum: an Iliad of woes

illa victoria viam ad pacem patefecit: by that victory he opened the way of peace

illæso lumine solum: an undazzled eye to the sun (said of an eagle)

ille mi par esse deo videtur: he seems to me to be equal to a god (Catullus)

imitari quam invidere: to imitate rather than envy

imitatores, servum pecus: ye imitators, servile herd (Horace)

immotus: immoveable; ummoved

imo pectore: from the bottom of the heart

impavide: fearlessly

impavidum ferient ruinæ (or, impavidum ruinæ ferient): the ruins strike him

undaunted (Horace)

impendam expendar: I will spend and be spent

impera parendo: command by obeying

imperio regit unus æquo: one [God] rules with just government

imperium et libertas: empire and liberty (Cicero)

imperium in imperio: an empire within an empire (motto of Ohio)

imponere Pelion Olympo: to pile Pelion on Olympus (i.e., to attempt to scale

heaven)

imprimis: first of all

in æternum: forever

in altum: toward heaven

in ambiguo: in doubt

in anima vili: on a subject of little worth

in aqua scribis: you are writing in water (i.e., it is without effect)

in arena ædificas: you are building on sand (i.e., it is in vain)

in articulo mortis: at the point of death

in caducum parietem inclinare: to lean against a falling wall

in cælo quies: in heaven is rest

in cælo salus: in heaven is salvation

in cauda venenum: in the tail is poison (i.e., beware of danger)

in Christi nomine: in Christ’s name

in coelo quies in lumine lucem

in coelo quies: in heaven there is rest

in coelum jacularis: you are aiming at the heavens (i.e., your anger is in vain)

in concussa virtus: unshaken virtue

in copia cautus: cautious amid plenty

in cruce glorior: glory in the Cross

in cruce salus: salvation in the Cross

in cruce spero: I hope in the Cross

in crucifixo gloria mea: I glory in the Crucified One

in Deo confido: I trust in God

in Deo sola spec mea: my hope in God alone

in Deo speramus: in God we trust (motto of Brown University)

in Deo speravi: in God have I trusted

in Deo spero: in God I hope

in diem vivere: to live from hand to mouth

in dies meliora: better things to come

in Domino confido: in the Lord we trust

in Domino et non in arcu meo sperabo: I will rest my hope on the Lord, and not

in my bow

in Domino speravi: in the Lord I have placed my hope

in dubis constans: firm amid dangers

in dulci jubilo: now sing and be joyful (Peter of Dresden)

in dutus virtute ab alto: endued with virtue from above

in eburna vagina plumbeus gladius: a leaden sword in an ivory sheath (Diogenes,

said of a finely dressed person)

in ferrum pro libertate ruebant: for freedom they rushed upon the sword

in fide et in bello fortis: strong both in faith and in war

in fidelitate et veritate universas ab æternitate: in universal faithfulness and truth

from eternity

in flammam flammas, in mare fundis aquas: you add fire to fire, and water to the

sea

in forma pauperis: as a pauper; as a poor man

in foro conscientiæ: before the court of conscience

in hac spe vivo: in this hope I live (from Shakespeare’s Pericles)

in hoc salus: there is safety in this

in hoc signo spes mea: in this sign is my hope (a reference to the Cross of Christ)

in hoc signo vinces: by this sign (the Cross) you will conquer (Emperor

Constantine’s vision at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, 312 CE, which inspired the

Chi-Rho, XP, monogram, the labarum)

in Jehovah fides mea: in Jehovah is my trust

in libris libertas: in books there is freedom (motto of the Los Angeles Public

Library)

in lumine lucem: I may shine in the light

in lumine tuo videbimus lumen

in te, Domine, speravi

in lumine tuo videbimus lumen: in Thy light we shall see the light (motto of

Columbia University)

in malos cornu: my horn against the bad

in medias res: into the midst of things (Horace)

in mediis malis: into the midst of evils (Seneca)

in medio virtus: virtue lies in the mean (i.e., the middle course)

in memoriam: in memory of; to the memory of

in necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas (or charitas): in

things essential unity, in things doubtful liberty, in all things love (Melanthon, after

St. Augustine; a motto of the Disciples of Christ)

in nomine Domini: in the name of the Lord

in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti: in the name of the Father, the Son, and

the Holy Spirit (from the Catholic Mass)

in nova fert animus: my mind inclines to new things

in nubibus: in the clouds

in nuce Iliad: an Iliad in a nutshell

in omnia paratus: in all things prepared; prepared for everything

in omnibus caritas: in all things love

in partibus infidelium: in the unbelieving parts of the world

in periculis audax: bold in dangers

in perpetuam rei memoriam: in everlasting remembrance of an event or thing

in pertusum ingerimus dicta dolium: we are pouring our words into a perforated

cask (Plautus)

in pios usus: for pious uses

in portu quies: rest in port

in propria persona: in his or her own person

in puris naturalibus: in a purely natural state

in recto fides: faith in rectitude

in rerum natura: in the nature of things

in sæcula sæculorum: for ages and ages; forever and ever

in sanguine foedus: a covenant ratified in blood

in scientia veritas, in arte honestas: in science truth, in art honor

in se contexta recurrit: intertwined together, it returns to itself

in se(ipso) totus, teres, atque rotundus: perfect in himself, polished, and rounded

(i.e., a well-rounded man) (Horace)

in serum rem trahere: to draw out the matter to a late hour; to drag on the

discussion (Livy)

in silvam ligna ferre: to carry wood to the forest

in solo Deo salus: salvation in God alone

in statu quo ante bellum: the state in which before the war

in te omnia sunt: everything depends on you

in te, Domine, speravi: in thee, O Lord, have I set my hope

in tempestate floresco inest et formicæ sua bilis

in tempestate floresco: I flourish in the tempest

in tenui labor, at tenuis non gloria: the object of the labor was small, but not the

fame (Virgil)

in terrorem: in terror; as a warning

in theatro ludus: like a scene in a play

in totidem verbis: in so many words

in transitu: in transit; on the passage

in trinitate robur: my strength lies in the Trinity (also, my strength lies in triunity)

in tuo lumine videbimus lumen: In Thy Light we shall see light (motto of Ohio

Wesleyan University)

in utramvis dormire aurem: to sleep on both ears (i.e., to sleep soundly)

in utraque fortuna paratus: prepared for any change of fortune

in utroque fidelis: faithful in both

in utrumque paratus: prepared for both; ready for both

in veritate religionis confido: I trust in the truth of religion

in veritate triumpho: I triumph in the truth

in veritate victoria: victory lies with the truth

in vino veritas: in wine is truth (i.e., under wine’s influence, the truth is spoken)

inanis verborum torrens: an empty torrent of words (Quintilian)

incerta animi decreta resolvet: she will dispel the uncertainties of the mind

incessu patuit dea: by her gait the goddess was revealed (Virgil)

incipe: begin

inclinata resurgit: when pressed down, it raises itself again

inclytus virtute: illustrious by virtue

incoctum generoso pectus honesto: a heart imbued with generous honor (Persius)

incredulus odi: being skeptical, I detest it (Horace)

incudi reddere: to return to the anvil (i.e., to revise or retouch) (Horace)

inde iræ: hence this anger

inde iræ et lacrimæ: hence this anger and these tears (Juvenal)

indictum sit: be it unsaid

indignante invidia florebit justus: the just will flourish in spite of envy

indocilis pauperiem pati: one who cannot learn to endure poverty (Horace)

indocilis privata loqui: one incapable of telling secrets (Lucan)

industria et spe: by industry and hope

industria floremus: by industry we flourish

industria naturam corrigit: industry corrects nature

industria veritas et hospitalis: industry, truth, and hospitality

industriæ nil impossibile: to industry, nothing is impossible

indutus virtute ab alto: anointed with virtue from above

inest clementia forti: clemency belongs to the brave

inest et formicæ sua bilis: even the ant has its bile (i.e., even ants become angry)

inest sua gratia parvis

introite, nam et hic dii sunt

inest sua gratia parvis: even little things have a grace (or charm) of their own

infandum renovare dolorem: to renew an unspeakable grief (adapted from Horace)

infecta pace: without effecting a peace (Terence)

infinita est velocitas temporis: the swiftness of time is infinite (Seneca)

infixum est mihi: I have firmly resolved; I am determined

infra dignitatem: beneath one’s dignity

infringit solido: it breaks against a solid

ingenio et labore: by natural ability and work (motto of the University of Auckland)

ingenio maximus, arte rudis: greatest in genius, rough in skill (Ovid, said of

Ennius)

ingenium superat vires: genius overcomes strength

inopem copia fecit: abundance has made him poor (after Ovid)

inopem me copia fecit: abundance made me poor (Ovid)

insanabile cacoëthes scribendi: an incurable passion to write (Juvenal)

inservi Deo et lætare: serve God and rejoice

instar omnium: like all the others

intaminatis fulget honoribus: he shines with unstained honors

intaminatis honoribus: with unstained (or untarnished) honors

integer vitæ scelerisque purus: blameless of life and free from crime (Horace)

integros haurire fontes: to drink from pure fountains

integrum est mihi: I am at liberty

intellectus merces est fidei: understanding is the reward of faith (St. Augustine)

intelligabilia, non intellectum, fero: I provide you with things intelligible, but not

with intelligence

intemerata fides: faith undefiled

inter canem et lupum: between dog and wolf (i.e., at twilight)

inter cruces triumphans in cruce: amongst troubles, being triumphant in the Cross

inter malleum et incudem: between the hammer and the anvil

inter pocula: over their cups (Persius)

inter pueros senex: an old man among boys

inter sacrum saxumque sto: standing between the knife and the victim (i.e.,

between the hammer and the anvil) (Plautus)

inter spem et metum: between hope and fear

inter vivos: among the living

interim fit aliquid: meanwhile, something is going on (Terence)

interiora vide: look within

interminabilis humanæ vitæ labor: the unending labor of human life

intra verba peccare: to offend in words only

intrepidus maneo: I stand or remain intrepid

introibo ad altare Dei: I will go to the altar of God (from the Catholic Mass)

introite, nam et hic dii sunt: enter, for here too are gods (after Heraclitus) intus et in cute novi hominem Jesus Christus esto mihi

intus et in cute novi hominem: I know the man inside and out (Persius)

invia virtuti nulla est via: no way is impassable to virtue (Ovid)

invicta labore: by labor unconquered

invicta veritate: by unconquered (or invincible) truth

invictus arduis: unconquered in difficulties

invictus maneo: I remain unconquered

invidia gloriæ comes: envy is the attendant of glory (Ovid)

invidia major: superior to envy

inviolabiles telo Cupidinis: those immune to Cupid’s arrow

invita Minerva: Minerva being unwilling (i.e., lacking inspiration)

invitum sequitur honos (or honor): honors follow him unsolicited

Ioannes est nomen eius: John is his name (St. Luke 1:63; motto of Puerto Rico)

ipse amicus: I am my own friend

ipse dixit Dominus: the Lord himself has spoken it

ira leonis nobilis: the anger of the lion is noble

irremeabilis unda: the river from which there is no return (i.e., the river Styx)

(Virgil)

irrevocabile: irrevocable

irritabis crabones: you will stir up the hornets (Plautus)

isthæc in me cudetur faba: that bean will hit me (i.e., I shall have to suffer for this)

(Terence)

it prex cæli: prayer goes heavenward

ita: thus

ita et virtus: thus also virtue

ita lex scripta (est): thus the law is written; such is the law

ita voluerunt, ita factum est: so they willed, so it will be done

ite, missa est: go, the mass is over

iterum virescit: again it grows green

Iupiter merentibus offert: Jupiter rewards the deserving

J

jacta alea esto (or, iacta alea esto): let the die be cast (Julius Cжsar, as quoted by

Suetonius)

jacta est alea (or, jacta alea est): the die is cast (words attributed to Julius Cжsar

upon crossing the Rubicon)

jam jam (or, iam iam): now now (i.e., forthwith)

jam redit et Virgo: now returns the Virgin

jamque opus exegi: and now I have finished the work (Ovid)

januæ mentis: gates of the mind

Jesus Christus esto mihi: let Jesus Christ be mine

Jesus (or Iesus) Hominum Salvator

juvante Deo

Jesus (or Iesus) Hominum Salvator (I.H.S.): Jesus, the Savior of Humanity

Joannes est nomen ejus: his name is John (St. Luke 1:63; motto of Puerto Rico)

Jovis omnia plena: all things are full of Jove

Jubilate Deo: rejoice in God

jucunda rerum vicissitudo: a delightful change of circumstances

judex est lex loquens: a judge is the law speaking

judicio acri perpendere: to weigh with keen judgment (Lucretius)

judicium Dei: the judgment of God (i.e., trial by ordeal)

judicium parium aut leges terræ: judgment of one’s peers or else the laws of the

land (Magna Carta)

judicium subtile videndis artibus: a judgment subtle in discriminating works of art

(Horace)

jugulare mortuos: to stab to death

juncta juvant: things united aid each other (i.e., union is strength)

juniores ad labores: the younger men for labors (i.e., for the heavier work)

Jupiter tonans: Jupiter the thunderer

jurare in verba magistri: to swear by the words of the master

jure divino: by Divine right; by Divine law

jure humano: by human law; by the will of the people

jure, non dono: by right, not by gift

jure repræsentationis: by right of representation

jus et norma loquendi: the rule and law of language

jus gentium: the law of nations (Cicero)

jus gladii: the law of the sword

justi ut sidera fulgent: the just shine as the stars

justissimus unus et servantissimus æqui: just and observant of what is right, as no

other is (Virgil)

justitia et fortitudo invincibilia sunt: justice and fortitude are invincible

justitia et pax: justice and peace

justitia omnibus: justice for all (motto of the District of Columbia)

justitiæ soror fides: faith, the sister of justice

justitiæ tenax: tenacious of justice

justum et tenacem propositi: just and firm of purpose

justum et tenacem propositi virum: a man upright and firm of purpose (Horace)

justus autem ex fide vivit: the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17)

justus et fidelis: just and faithful

justus et propositi tenax: just and firm of purpose

justus propositi tenax: a just person steadfast to his purpose (Horace)

justus ut palma florebit: the just shall flourish as a palm tree

juvant arva parentum: the fields of our ancestors delight [me]

juvante Deo: God helping

kairon gnothi laudumque immensa cupido

K

kairon gnothi: know your opportunity (Pittachus, from the Greek)

Kalendæ Græcæ: the Greek calends (i.e., never; the Greek calendar did not mark the

calends)

kat’ eksochen: by way of excellence; with distinction (a Greek phrase)

Kyrie eleison: Lord, have mercy on us (from the Greek)

L

labor irritus: useless toil; vain labor

labor omnia vincit: labor conquers all things (motto of Oklahoma, the University of

Illinois, and the American Federation of Labor)

labor omnia vincit improbus: persevering labor conquers all things (Virgil)

labora ut in æternum vivas: strive that you may live forever

laborare est orare: to work is to pray

labore: by labor

labore et honore: by labor and honor

labore vinces: by labor will you conquer

laborum dulce lenimen: the sweet solace of my labors (Horace, to his lyre)

labuntur et imputantur: the moments slip away and are entered into our account (a

popular saying for a sundial)

lacrimæ rerum: the tears of things

lacrimæ simulatæ: simulated tears (i.e., crocodile tears)

læso et invicto militi: for our wounded but unconquered soldiery

lambendo paulatim figurant: (fig.) licking a cub into shape (Pliny the Elder)

lapsus linguæ: a slip of the tongue

lapsus ubi?, quid feci?: where did I err?, what did I accomplish? (Alciato)

lascivi soboles gregis: the offspring of a wanton herd (Horace)

lateat scintillula forsan: perchance a little spark of life may lie hidden (motto of the

Humane Society)

latitat: he lurks; he is hidden

laudant quod non intelligunt: they praise what they do not understand

laudari a laudato viro (or, laudari a viro laudato): to be praised by a man of praise

(Cicero)

laudator temporis acti: a praiser of times past (i.e., one who prefers the good old

days) (Horace)

laudatur ab his, culpatur ab illis: praised by some, blamed by others (Horace)

laudes cano heroum: I sing the praise of heroes

laudis avidi, pecuniæ liberales: greedy of praise, lavish of money (Sallust)

laudumque immensa cupido: and an immense desire for praise (i.e., a passion for

praise) (Virgil)

laus Deo

littera scripta manet

laus Deo: praise be to God

leberide cæcior: blinder than a serpent’s sloughed skin

legale judicium parium: the legal judgment of my peers

lege, quæso: I beg you read (a note appended to the top of student papers inviting

tutors to read their work)

leges juraque servat: he observes the laws and statutes

legimus, ne legantur: we read that others may not read (Lactantius, referring to

censors and reviewers)

legite et discite: read and learn

legant prius et postea despeciant: let them read first, and despise afterward (Lope

de Vega)

lene tormentum: gentle torment

lente sed opportune: slowly, but opportunely

Leo de Juda est robur nostrum: the Lion of Judah is our strength

leone fortior fides: faith is stronger than a lion

leonina societas: partnership with a lion (i.e., a “lion’s corporation” in which the

whole of the profits is controlled by the strongest and most powerful member)

leporis vitam vivit: he lives the life of a hare (i.e., always full of fear)

leve et reluis: arise and re-illumine

levis sit tibi terra: may the earth lie light upon you (a tombstone inscription)

levius fit patientia: patience makes it (one’s burden) lighter

liber et erectus: free and upright

libera nos a malo: deliver us from evil

liberavi animam meam: I have freed my soul (St. Bernard)

libertas: liberty

libertas et natale solum: liberty and my native land

libertas in legibus: liberty in the laws

libertas sub rege pio: liberty under a pious king

libido dominatur: the passions have gained control

liceat concedere veris: we are free to yield to truth (Horace)

licentia poëtica: poetic license (Seneca)

ligonem ligonem vocat: he calls a hoe a hoe (i.e., to call a spade a spade)

limæ labor: the labor of the file (i.e., polishing and revising one’s work)

linguæ verbera: lashings of the tongue

lis litem generat: strife begets strife

litem lite resolvere: to settle strife by strife

litera canina: the canine letter (i.e., the letter R, when pronounced very hard)

Literæ Bellerophontis: a Bellerophon’s letter (i.e., a letter requesting that the bearer

be dealt with summarily for an offense)

littera occidit, spiritus vivicat: the letter kills, the spirit gives life (after 2

Corinthians 3:6)

littera scripta manet: the written letter remains

litteræ non erubescunt lux venit ab alto

litteræ non erubescunt: a letter does not blush (Cicero)

litteris dedicata omnibus artibus: dedicated to the letters and all the arts (motto of

the University of Nebraska)

locus penitentiæ: place for repentance

longe aberrat scopo: he wanders far from the goal (i.e., he is wide of the mark)

longe absit: far be it from me; God forbid!

longo sed proximo intervallo: the next, but after a long interval (Virgil)

longo splendescit in usu: with long use it shines

lotis manibus: with washed hands

luce lucet aliena: it shines with a borrowed light (e.g., the moon)

luceat et crescat: let it shine and grow

lucent in tenebris: they shine in darkness

lucernam olet: it smells of the lamp (i.e., of late night toil)

lucis et pacis: light and peace

lucrum Christi mihi: to me, Christ is gain

ludere cum sacris: to play or trifle with sacred things

ludibrium Fortunæ: the plaything of Fortune

ludus, luctus, luxus: gambling, grief, debauchery (i.e., the fruits of drunkenness)

lugete, O Veneres Cupidinesque: weep, all you Venuses and Cupids (Catullus)

lumen coeleste sequamur: may we follow heavenly inspiration

lumen est in Deo: the Light is in God

lumenque juventæ purpureum: the light of purple youth (i.e., the radiant bloom of

youth) (Virgil)

lupus in fabula: the wolf in the fable (i.e., speak of the devil)

lux: light (motto of the University of Northern Iowa)

lux esto: let there be light (motto of Kalamazoo College)

lux et lex: light and law (motto of the University of North Dakota)

lux et veritas: light and truth (motto of Yale University)

lux hominum vita: light, the life of men (motto of the University of New Mexico)

lux in homine factum: the light has been made in man

lux in tenebris: light in darkness

lux in tenebris lucet: the light shines in the darkness

lux/libertas: light/liberty (motto of the University of North Carolina)

lux mihi laurus: the laurel is my light

lux mundi: light of the world (motto of Jessup University)

lux perpetua luceat eis: let perpetual light shine on them

lux sit: let there be light (motto of the University of Washington)

lux sum mundi: I am the light of the world (St. John 9:5)

lux tua via mea: thy light is my way

lux tua vita mihi: your light is my life (from Shakespeare’s Pericles)

lux venit ab alto: light comes from above

lux vitæ

malignum spernere vulgus

lux vitæ: the light of life

M

macte virtute: persevere in virtue (sometimes said sarcastically)

magalia quondam: formerly humble huts stood here (Virgil)

magis mutus quam piscis: quieter than a fish

magister dixit: the master has said so

Magna Carta (or Magna Charta): the Great Charter, signed by King John in 1215

magna comitante caterva: a great crowd accompanying (Virgil)

magna est veritas et prævalebit: truth is mighty and will prevail

magna est vis consuetudinis: great is the force of habit (Cicero)

magnæ spes altera Romæ: another hope of mighty Rome (i.e., a youth of promise)

magnanimiter crucem sustine: bear afflictions with magnanimity (also rendered,

bear up bravely under the Cross)

magnas inter opes inops: poor amid great riches (Horace)

magni nominis umbra: the shadow of a great name (Lucan)

magnificat: it magnifies

magnificat anima mea Dominum: my soul magnifies the Lord (St. Luke 1:46)

magnis excidit ausis: he failed in bold attempts (Ovid)

magno conatu magnas nugas: a great effort for great trifles (i.e., so much work for

so little gain) (Terence)

magnorum haud unquam indignus avorum: never unworthy of his illustrious

ancestors (Virgil)

magnum in parvo: a great amount in a small space

magnus Alexander corpore parvus erat: the great Alexander was small in stature

Magnus Apollo: Great Apollo (i.e., a great oracle)

major sum quam cui possit Fortuna nocere: I am too great for Fortune to harm

(Ovid)

majores pennas nido: wings greater than the nest (i.e., to rise above the position to

which one is born) (Horace)

majoresque cadunt altis de montibus umbræ: and the greater shadows fall from

the lofty mountains (Virgil)

majori cedo: I yield to the one who is greater

majorum consuetudini deditus: devoted to the tradition of his ancestors (Seneca)

mala fides: bad faith

maledicat Dominus: may the Lord curse him

malesuada fames: hunger that impels the crime (Virgil)

mali principii malus finis: the bad end of a bad beginning (i.e., bad beginnings have

bad endings)

malignum spernere vulgus: to scorn the wicked rabble (Horace) malis avibus mediocria firma

malis avibus: with bad birds (i.e., with a bad omen) (Cicero)

malum in se: a thing evil in itself

malum prohibitum: a prohibited evil (i.e., a crime because it is forbidden by law)

manebant vestigia morientis libertatis: there still remained traces of dying liberty

(Tacitus)

manent optima coele: the best things await us in heaven

manet alta mente repostum: it remains stored deep in the mind (Virgil)

manibus pedibusque: with hands and feet; with might and main

manibus victoria dextris: victory by my right hand

manliana: a Manlian (i.e., a harsh and severe sentence; a reference to Titus Manlius,

who ordered his son to be scourged and beheaded for defying his orders)

manu e nubibus: with a hand from the clouds (i.e., help from above)

manu et corde: with hand and heart

manu et mente: with hand and mind (motto of the University of New South Wales)

manu forti: with a strong hand

manum de tabula!: hand of the picture! (i.e., hold!, enough!; do not touch up!)

(Cicero)

manus e nubibus: a hand from the clouds

manus hæc inimica tyrannis: this hand is an enemy to tyrants

manus manum fricat: one hand rubs the other

manus manum lavat: one hand washes the other

mare coelo miscere: to confound sea and sky

mare ditat, rosa decorat: the sea enriches, the rose adorns

margarita e stercore: a pearl from a dunghill

margaritas ante porcos: pearls before swine (after St. Matthew 7:6)

martem accendere cantu: to excite war by song (Virgil)

maturandum: one must make haste

maturato opus est: (fig.) there is need of haste (Livy)

mature fias senex: may you early prove an old man (i.e., may you learn wisdom

beyond your years)

maximus in minimis: greatest in the least; very great in very little things

me, me adsum qui feci: I, the one before you, did the deed (Virgil)

me pompæ provexit apex: the summit of glory has led me on (or has inspired me)

(from Shakespeare’s Pericles)

me stante virebunt: while I stand they will flourish

mea gloria fides: faith is my glory

mea nihil interest: it is all the same to me

mea pila est: I have won

medicas adhibere manus: to touch with a healing hand (Serenus Samonicus)

medice, cura te ipsum: physician, heal thyself (St. Luke 4:23)

mediocria firma: the middle course is most secure (i.e., moderation is safer than

extremes)

medius fidius!

mihi pondera, luxus

medius fidius!: so help me God!

melete to pan: industry is everything (a Greek saying, attributed to Periander)

meliora: better things; or, always better (motto of the University of Rochester)

meliora supersunt: better things remain

meliores priores: the better ones first

melioribus auspiciis: under more favorable auspices

memento mori: remember death

memor esto: be mindful of; think upon

memor et fidelis: mindful and faithful

memorabilia: things to be remembered

memoria in æterna: in eternal remembrance

memoria pii æterna: the memory of the pious is eternal

mendaces, ebriosi, verbosi: liars, drunkards, and wordy people

mendici, mimi, balatrones, et hoc genus omne: beggars, actors, buffoons, and all

that sort of people (i.e., a group of contemptible folk) (Horace)

menin áeide, Thea: sing of wrath, O Goddess (the opening words, in Greek, of

Homer’s Iliad)

mens æqua (rebus) in arduis: a mind undisturbed in adversities

mens agitat molem: mind moves matter (Virgil; motto of the University of Oregon)

mens conscia recti: a mind conscious of uprightness (or integrity)

mens et manus: mind and hand (motto of the Massachusetts Institute of

Technology)

mens immota manet: the mind remains unmoved

mens interrita lethi: a mind undaunted by death (Ovid)

mens invicta manet: the mind remains unconquered

mens sana in corpore sano: a sound mind in a healthy body (Juvenal)

mens sibi conscia recti: a mind conscious of its own integrity (i.e., a good

conscience) (Horace)

mente manuque: with heart and hand

mentis gratissimus error: a most delightful reverie of the mind (i.e., an

hallucination) (Horace)

merces sublimis honorum: the high reward of honor

merum sal: pure salt; genuine Attic wit

metuenda corolla draconis: fear the dragon’s crest

meum et tuum: mine and thine

micat inter omnes: it shines among all (i.e., it outshines all) (Horace)

mihi consulit Deus: God cares for me

mihi cura futuri: my care is for the future (motto of Hunter College)

mihi est propositum in taberna mori: I purpose to end my days in a tavern

mihi et meæ: for me and for mine (motto of Anne Boleyn)

mihi persuasum est: I am persuaded; I firmly believe

mihi pondera, luxus: excess is a burden to me mihi terra, lacusque mors aut honorabilis vita

mihi terra, lacusque: the land and the waters are mine

miles gloriosus: the bragging soldier (Plautus)

militamus sub spe: we fight under [the banner of] hope

minima de malis: the lesser of two evils

minor jurare non potest: a minor cannot swear (i.e., serve on a jury)

mirabile dictu!: wonderful to tell!

mirabile visu!: wonderful to behold!

mirandum naturæ opus: amazing is the work of nature

misera contribuens plebs!: the poor tax-paying people! (Verbцczy)

miserrima vidi: I have seen most miserable things

mitis et fortis: gentle and brave

mobilium turba Quiritium: a crowd of fickle citizens (i.e., Romans) (Horace)

moderata durant: things used in moderation endure (Seneca)

modo et forma: in manner and form

modo vir, modo femina: now as a man, now as a woman (Ovid)

mole ruit sua: it is crushed under its own weight (Horace)

molesta et importuna salutantium frequentia: a troublesome and annoying crowd

of visitors

mollia tempora fandi: favorable occasions for speaking (Horace and Virgil)

mollissima fandi tempora (or, mollissima tempora fandi): the most favorable (or

fitting) occasions for speaking (Virgil and Horace)

molliter manus imposuit: he gently laid hands

molliter ossa cubent: let his bones softly rest (Ovid)

mone sale: advise with salt (i.e., with discretion)

moneo et munio: I advise and defend

moniti meliora sequamur: being admonished, let us follow better counsel (Virgil)

monstrant regibus astra viam: the stars show the way to kings

montani semper liberi: mountaineers are always free (motto of West Virginia)

montes auri pollicens: promising mountains of gold (Terence)

monumentum ære perennius: a monument more lasting than bronze (Horace)

more majorum: after the custom (or manner) of our ancestors

morem fecerat usus: habit had made the custom (Ovid)

mores multorum vidit: he saw the customs of many men (Horace, of Ulysses)

moriamur et in media arma ruamus: let us die, even as we rush into the thick of

the fight (Virgil)

moribus antiquis stat Roma: Rome stands by its ancient morals

moriendo vivo: in dying I live

morior invictus: I die unconquered (i.e., death before defeat)

morituri morituros salutant: those about to die salute those about to die (a

gladiator salute)

morituri te salutamus: we who are about to die salute thee (a gladiator salute)

mors aut honorabilis vita: death or a life of honor

mors Christi mors mortis mihi mutua foecunditas

mors Christi mors mortis mihi: Christ’s death is to me the death of death

mors janua vitæ: death is the gate of life

mors omnia solvit: death dissolves all things

mors omnibus communis: death is common to all things

mors potius macula: death rather than disgrace

mors sceptra ligonibus æquans: death makes scepters equal with hoes

mors tua, vita mea: your death, my life (i.e., you die that I might live)

mortales inimicitias, sempiternas amicitias: be our enmities for time, our

friendships for eternity (Cicero)

mortalitate relicta vivit immortalitate indutus: having left mortality, he lives clad

in immortality

mos pro lege: custom for law

moveo et proficior: I proceed and am more prosperous

moveo et propitior: I rise and am appeased

mox nox: soon night (i.e., night is approaching)

mox nox in rem: night is approaching, let’s get on with the matter

mugitus labyrinthi: the bellowing of the labyrinth (i.e., a weak and predictable

theme from an amateur writer) (Juvenal)

multa acervatim frequentans: crowding together a number of thoughts

multa gemens: groaning deeply; with many a groan (Virgil)

multa paucis: much in little

multa tacere loquive paratus: ready to speak little or to speak much

multa tulit fecitque: much has he suffered and done

multarum palmarum causidicus: an advocate who has won many causes

multis e gentibus vires: from many peoples, strength (motto of Saskatchewan)

multitudo sapientium sanitas orbis: a multitude of the wise is the health of the

world (motto of the University of Victoria, British Columbia)

multum abludit imago: the picture is by no means like (i.e., there is no real

resemblance here) (Horace)

multum demissus homo: a very modest or unassuming man (Horace)

multum in parvo: much in little

multum, non multa: much, not many (Pliny)

mundus vult decipi: the world wishes to be deceived

munit hæc et altera vincit: this one defends and the other conquers (motto of Nova

Scotia)

munus Apolline dignum: a gift worthy of Apollo (Horace)

munus ornare verbis: to enhance the value of a present by words (Terence)

mus in pice: a mouse in tar (i.e., struggling in vain)

musicam diis curæ esse: music is in the care of the gods

mutare vel timere sperno: I spurn either to change or to fear

mutua foecunditas: mutual fecundity nascentes morimur nec metuas, nec optes

N

nascentes morimur: we are born but to die (Manilius)

nati natorum: the children of our children (i.e., posterity) (Virgil)

natio comoeda est: it is a nation of comics (Juvenal, referring to the Greeks)

natura abhorret a vacuo: nature abhors a vacuum

natura appetit perfectum: nature desires perfection

natura majora facit: nature does greater things

natura nihil agit frustra: nature does nothing in vain

natura non facit saltum (or saltus): nature makes no leaps (i.e., there are no gaps in

nature) (Linnæus)

naturæ non artis opus: a work of nature, not of art

natus nemo: not a born soul (Plautus)

naufragium in portu facere: to become shipwrecked in port (Quintilian)

ne cede malis: neither yield to misfortunes (or evils)

ne fronti crede: trust not to appearances

ne Hercules quidem contra duos: not even Hercules could contend against two at

once

ne Jupiter (or Juppiter) quidem omnibus placet: not even Jupiter can please

everyone

ne me perdas: let me not be lost

ne nimium: not too much

ne obliviscaris: do not forget

ne parcas nec spernas: neither spare nor scorn

ne plus ultra: no more beyond (i.e., nothing beyond it; unsurpassed)

ne quid falsi: nothing false

ne teruncius quidem: (fig.) not a penny!

ne timeo nec sperno: I neither fear nor despise

ne vile fano: bring no vile thing to the temple

ne vile velis: incline to nothing vile (or base)

nec ab ordine cedunt: nor do they depart from their rank

nec ab oriente, nec ab occidente: neither from the east nor from the west

nec aspera terrent: not even hardships deter us

nec caput nec pedes: neither head nor tail (i.e., in confusion)

nec cito, nec tarde: neither swiftly nor slowly

nec cupias, nec metuas: neither desire nor fear

nec elatus nec dejectus: neither elated nor dejected

nec fas est, nec posse reor: I deem it neither lawful nor possible

nec habeo, nec careo, nec curo: I have not, I want not, I care not

nec male notus eques: a knight of no stigma (i.e., of good repute)

nec me meminisse pigebit: nor shall I regret to remember

nec metuas, nec optes: neither fear nor desire

nec mora, nec requies

nil debet

nec mora, nec requies: neither delay, nor rest (Virgil)

nec morti esse locum: there is no room for death (Ovid)

nec obolum habet unde restim emat: neither has he a penny left to buy a rope

(i.e., he doesn’t even have money enough to hang himself)

nec omnia, nec semper, nec ab omnibus: neither all, nor always, nor by all

nec placida contentus quiete est: neither is he contented with quiet repose

nec pluribus impar: not equal to many (i.e., a match for the whole world) (motto of

Louis XIV of France)

nec prece nec pretio: neither by entreaty nor by bribery

nec quærere nec spernere honorem: neither to seek nor to spurn honors

nec rege, nec populo, sed utrique: neither for king, nor for people, but for both

nec soli cedit: he yields not even to the sun

nec sorte, nec fato: not by chance nor by fate

nec spe, nec metu: without hope, without fear

nec temere nec timide: neither rashly nor timidly

nec timeo nec sperno: neither do I fear nor despise

necessitas non habet legem: necessity has no law; necessity knows no law (Publilius

Syrus)

nego argumentum: I refuse the argument

nemo me impune lacessit: no one provokes me with impunity (a motto of Scotland)

nemo sic impar sibi: no one was ever so unlike himself

nemo sine cruce beatus: no one is blessed without the Cross

nemo solus sapit: no one is wise alone (i.e., by himself) (Plautus)

nervis alienis mobile lignum: a puppet moved by sticks in the hands of another

nihil alienum: nothing foreign

nihil ex nihilo: nothing comes from nothing

nihil largiundo gloriam adeptus est: he acquired glory without bribery (Sallust)

nihil obstabit eunti: nothing shall oppose him as he goes

nihil quod tetigit non ornavit: he touched nothing which he did not adorn

nihil reliqui: nothing remains

nihil sine labore: nothing without labor

nihil sub sole novum (or, nihil sub sole novi, or, nil novi sub sole): there is

nothing new under the sun (after Ecclesiastes 1:9)

nihil unquam peccavit, nisi quod mortua est: she never once sinned but when she

died (inscription on a wife’s tomb in Rome)

nihil verius: nothing truer

nihilo nisi cruce: with nothing but the Cross

nil admirari: to wonder (or marvel) at nothing (Horace)

nil clarius astris: nothing brighter (or clearer) than the stars

nil conscire sibi: to be conscious of no guilt

nil consuetudine majus: nothing is greater than custom (or habit) (Ovid)

nil debet: he owes nothing

nil desperandum non credis mihi?

nil desperandum: nothing must be despaired of; despair at nothing (Horace)

nil desperandum auspice Deo: nothing to be despaired of under the auspices of

God

nil dicit: he says nothing (i.e., he has no defense to make)

nil impossibile: nothing is impossible

nil moror ictus: I do not care for blows

nil mortalibus arduum est: nothing is too difficult for mortals (Horace)

nil nisi bonum: nothing unless good (i.e., say nothing but good about the dead)

nil nisi Cruce: nothing except by the Cross; no hope but in the Cross

nil penna sed usus: not the wing, but its use

nil sine causa: nothing without a cause

nil sine Deo: nothing without God

nil sine magno labore: nothing without great labor (motto of Brooklyn College)

nil sine numine: nothing without Providence (motto of Colorado)

nil solidum: nothing is firm or solid

nil temere: nothing rashly

nisi Dominus, frustra: unless the Lord, it is in vain (after Psalm 127:1; motto of the

city of Edinburgh, whimsically translated “you can do nothing here unless you are

a lord”)

nitor in adversum: I strive against opposition (Ovid)

nobilis ira: noble in anger

nobilitas sola est atque unica virtus: virtue is the one and only nobility (Juvenal)

noctemque diemque fatigant: they wear out night and day (Virgil)

nodo firmo: in a firm knot

nodos virtute resolvo: through virtue I untie knots

nolens volens: whether willing or not willing (i.e., willy-nilly)

noli irritare leones: do not provoke the lions (motto of the Lyons family)

noli me tangere: touch me not (St. John 20:17; sometimes said of a person who

complains too much)

nolo episcopari: I do not wish to be made a bishop (sometimes said of someone who

feigns rejection of the very thing he or she desires)

nomen atque omen: a name as well as an omen (i.e., an omen in a name) (Plautus)

nomen est; res non est: the name exists, the thing does not

nominis umbra: the shadow of a name

nomiz adelphous tous alethinous philous: count true friends as brothers (a Greek

saying)

non aqua, sed ruina: not with water, but with ruin

non arbitrio popularis auræ: not by the caprice of popular applause

non cedit umbra soli: shade does not yield to the sun

non compos mentis: not sound in mind

non conscire sibi: conscious of no fault

non credis mihi?: don’t you believe me? (Catullus)

non credo tempori

non quo sed quomodo

non credo tempori: I trust not to time

non crux, sed lux: not the Cross, but its light

non deficiente crumena: the purse not failing (i.e., while the money holds out)

(Horace)

non deficit alter: another is not wanting (Virgil)

non degener: not unworthy

non deludere: not to delude

non dolo, sed vi: not by deceit, but by force

non dormis: I sleep not

non dormit qui custodit: the sentinel sleeps not

non erat his locus: this was out of place here (Horace)

non fecimus ipsi: we have not done these things ourselves

non gladio, sed gratia: not by the sword but by grace

non hæc in foedera: not into such alliances as these (Virgil)

non hæc sine numine: these things are not without sanction of the gods

non immemor beneficii: not unmindful of kindness

non inferiora secutus: having followed nothing inferior (Virgil)

non locus virum, sed vir locum ornat: not the place the man, but the man adorns

the place

non mihi, non tibi, sed nobis: not for you, not for me, but for us

non mihi sed Deo et regi: not for myself but for God and the king

non minima sed magma prosequor: I follow not trivial, but important things

non multa, sed multum: not many things, but much

non nimis: not very much; not particularly

non nobis, Domine: not to us, O Lord (Psalm 115:1)

non nobis sed omnibus: not for us but for all

non nobis solum: not for us alone; not merely for ourselves

non nobis solum nati sumus: not for ourselves alone are we born (Cicero)

non nobis solum, sed toto mundo nati: not born for ourselves alone, but for the

whole world

non nova sed nove: not new but a new way

non obscura nec ima: neither obscure nor very low

non olet: it has not a bad smell (i.e., money, no matter its source) (Suetonius)

non omnibus dormio: not for all do I sleep (Cicero)

non omnis moriar: not all of me shall die (Horace, referring to his works)

non passibus æquis: not with equal steps (Virgil)

non prudentia sed victoria: not prudence, but victory

non pugnat sed dormit: instead of fighting, he sleeps

non quam diu, sed quam bene: not how long, but how well

non quis, sed quid: not who, but what

non quo sed quomodo: not by whom but in what manner non rapui, sed recepi nox præsidium nostri

non rapui, sed recepi: I have not taken by violence, but received

non revertar inultus: I shall not return unavenged

non sibi: not for himself

non sibi sed omnibus: not for himself but for all

non sibi sed patriæ: not for himself but for his country

non sibi, sed suis: not for one’s self but for one’s people (motto of Tulane

University)

non sibi sed toti: not for himself but for all

non sine anchora: not without an anchor

non sine dis animosus infans: a spirited child, thanks to the gods (Horace)

non sine jure: not without right

non sine lege capillis: let not your hair be out of order (Ovid)

non sine numine: not without divine aid or approval

non subito delenda: not to be hastily destroyed

non sufficit orbis: the world does not suffice

non sum qualis eram: I am not now what I once was (Horace)

non tali auxilio: not for such aid as this (Virgil)

non temere: not rashly

non terra, sed aquis: not by land, but by water

non ut edam vivo, sed ut vivam edo: I do not live to eat, but I eat to live

(Quintilian)

non vi sed virtute: not by force but by virtue

non relinquam vos orphanos: I will not leave you orphans (St. John 14:18)

non turbetur cor vestrum: let not your heart be troubled (St. John 14:1)

non vobis solum: not for you alone

non vox, sed votum: not a voice, but a wish

non vultus, non color: there is neither the countenance nor the color (i.e., these two

do not compare)

nos duo turba sumus: we two are a multitude (Deucalion to Pyrrha after the deluge,

in Ovid)

nos nostraque Deo: both we and ours are God’s

nosce te ipsum (or, nosce teipsum): know thyself

nosce tempus: know your time (i.e., make hay while the sun shines)

noscitur a sociis (also, noscitur e[x] sociis): he is known by his companions (i.e., by

the company he keeps)

nota bene (N.B.): note well

novacula in cotem: the razor against the whetstone (i.e., he has met his match)

novus homo: a new man (i.e., a person who has risen from obscurity)

novus ordo seclorum: a new order for the ages (a motto of the United States of

America)

nox præsidium nostri: the night is our protection

nox senatum dirimit

O si sic omnis!

nox senatum dirimit: night breaks upon the session (i.e., the meeting is called on

account of darkness)

nuda veritas: the naked truth (Horace)

nugæ canoræ: melodious trifles; a nonsense song (Horace)

nugis addere pondus: to add weight to trifles (Horace)

nugis armatus: armed with trifles

nulla dies sine linea: no day without a line (i.e., no day without something done)

nulla pallescere culpa: not to grow pale at imputation of guilt

nulli desperandum, quamdiu spirat: (fig.) while there is life there is hope

nulli secundus: second to none (Apuleius)

nullius in verba: at the orders of no one

nullo meo merito: I had not deserved it

nullum sine nomine saxum: no stone without a name (or, without a tale to tell)

(Lucan, said of the fate of Troy)

nullum quod tetigit non ornavit: there was nothing he touched that he did not

adorn (epitaph by Samuel Johnson for Oliver Goldsmith)

nullus dolus contra Casum: no cunning against Chance

numine et virtute: by God’s providence and by virtue

numini et patriæ asto: I stand on the side of God and my country

nunc aut nunquam: now or never

nunc dimittis: now let him depart [in peace] (St. Luke 2:29)

nunc est bibendum: now is the time for drinking (Horace)

nunc ille vivit in sinu Abraham: now he lives in Abraham’s bosom (St. Augustine)

nunquam dormio: I never sleep (i.e., I am always on guard)

nunquam non paratus: never unprepared (i.e., always ready)

nunquam obliviscar: I will never forget

nunquam retrorsum: never go back

nutrimentum spiritus: nourishment for the spirit (inscription on the Royal Library

of Berlin)

O

O dea certe!: O, thou who are a goddess surely! (Virgil)

O mors ero mors tua: O death, I will be your death (motto of the Black Society)

O noctes coenæque deum!: O nights and suppers of the gods! (Horace)

O passi graviora!: Oh you, who have suffered greater misfortunes than these!

(Virgil)

O pudor! O pietas!: O modesty! O piety! (Martial)

O sancta damnatio!: O holy condemnation!

O sancta simplicitas!: O sacred simplicity! (Jan Hus, the martyred Czech religious

reformer, upon seeing a woman hurrying to throw a piece of wood on the fire)

O si sic omnis!: O, if all things were thus!

O tempora! O mores! omni exceptione major

O tempora! O mores!: Oh, the times! Oh, the morals! (Cicero)

O vita, misero longa!: O life, long to the wretched!

ob patriam vulnera passi: having suffered wounds for their country

obiter cantare: to sing by the way (i.e., to sing as one goes along)

oblivio paupertatis parens: forgetfulness, parent of poverty

obscuris vera involvens: concealing truth in obscurity; shrouding the truth in

darkness (Virgil; said of political figures)

obscurum per obscurius: explaining something obscure by something more

obscure

obsta principiis (also, principiis obsta): resist the beginning

obstantia nubila solvet: it will dissolve confronting clouds

obstrepuit inter olores: it clamored among the swans

occasionem cognosce: know your opportunity

occupet extremum scabies: let the plague seize the last (i.e., the Devil take the

hindmost!) (Horace)

occurrent nubes: clouds will intervene

oderint dum metuant: let them hate, provided they fear (Cicero and Accius;

disapproved by Seneca)

oderint dum probent: let them hate, provided they approve (attributed to Emperor

Tiberius)

odi et amo: I hate and I love (Catullus)

odi profanum: I hate whatever is profane

odium theologicum: theological hatred (i.e., the animosity engendered by

differences of theological opinion)

odora canum vis: the strong scent of the hounds (Virgil)

olet lucernam: it smells of the lamp (i.e., late-night work)

oleum addere camino: to add fuel to the flame (i.e., to make things worse) (Horace)

oleum et operam perdidi: I have lost both oil and labor (i.e., to lose both time and

trouble) (Plautus)

olla male fervet: the pot boils badly (i.e., it does not look hopeful)

omissis jocis: leaving aside joking (Pliny the Younger)

omne bonum Dei donum: every good thing is a gift of God

omne bonum desuper: all good is from above

omne scibile: everything knowable

omne solum forti patria est: to the brave, every land is his homeland (Ovid)

omne trinum perfectum: every perfect thing is threefold

omne vivum ex ovo: everything living comes from an egg

omnem movere lapidem: to move every stone (i.e., to leave no stone unturned)

omnes composui: I have laid them all to rest (i.e., in the grave) (Horace)

omnes eodem cogimur: we are all drawn to the same place (Horace)

omnes stultos insanire: that all fools are insane (Horace)

omni exceptione major: superior to all exception

omni liber metu

orate fratres

omni liber metu: free from every fear

omni violentia major: too strong for any violence

omnia ad Dei gloriam: all things for the glory of God

omnia bona bonis: to the good all things are good

omnia bonos viros decent: all things are becoming in good men

omnia desuper (or, omnia de super): all things come from above

omnia ejusdem farinæ: all things are of grain (i.e., of the same stuff)

omnia fortunæ committo: I commit all things to fortune

omnia Græce!: everything is Greek! (Juvenal)

omnia jam fient: all things will now come to pass (Ovid)

omnia novit: he knows everything (Juvenal)

omnia orta occident: all things that rise also set (Sallust)

omnia pro bono: all things for the good

omnia subjecisti sub pedibus, oves et boves: you have placed all things beneath

our feet, both sheep and oxen (motto of the Butchers’ Company)

omnia suspendens naso: turning up his nose at everything

omnia tuta timens: fearing all things, even those that are safe (Virgil)

omnia vanitas: all is vanity

omnia venalia Romæ: all things can be bought at Rome

omnia vincit amor: love conquers all things

omnia vincit veritas: truth conquers all things

omnibus hoc vitium est: all have this vice (Horace)

omnium horarum homo: a man ready for whatever may come (Quintilian)

onus quam gravissimus: a most heavy burden

ope et consilio: with help and counsel

opera Dei mirifica: the works of God are wonderful

opera illius mea sunt: his works are mine

operose nihil agunt: they are busy about nothing (Seneca)

opes parit industria: industry produces riches

opiferque per orbem dicor: I am known over the world as the helper

opinione asperius est: it is harder than I thought

opprobrium medicorum: the disgrace of physicians (said of diseases that defy their

skills)

opum furiata cupido: a frenzied lust for wealth (Ovid)

opus Dei: the work of God

opus est: there is work; there is need

ora et labora: pray and work (St. Benedict)

ora pro nobis: pray for us

ora pro nobis peccatoribus: pray for us sinners

orando laborando: by prayer and by toil (motto of Rugby School, England)

orate fratres: pray, brothers

orate pro anima par sit fortuna labori

orate pro anima: pray for the soul of …

orate pro invicem: pray for one another (St. James 5:16)

orate pro nobis: pray for us

orator fit, poëta nascitur: the orator is made, the poet is born

ornat spina rosas, mella tegunt apes: the rose is guarded by thorns, and honey is

protected by bees

ore rotundo: with a round mouth (i.e., with polished speech; a well-turned phrase)

oremus: let us pray

ornatur propriis industria donis: the gifts with which industry is crowned are her

own

ostendo non ostento: I show, not boast

otiosa sedulitas: leisurely zeal

otium cum dignitate: leisure with dignity (Cicero)

otium omnia vitia parit: leisure is the mother of all evil

otium sine dignitate: leisure without dignity

otium sine litteris mors est: leisure without literature is death

ou gnosis, alla praxis: not knowledge only, but practice (a Greek saying)

P

pabulum Acherontis (or, pabulum Acheruntis): food for Acheron (i.e., marked for

death; bound for hell) (Plautus)

pacatum ipse regam avitis virtutibus orbem: I shall rule the world pacified by the

virtues of my ancestors

pace tanti viri: if so great a man will forgive me (sometimes said sarcastically)

pacis et armorum vigiles: vigilant in peace and arms

pæte, non dolet: it does not hurt, Pжtus (after stabbing herself in 43 BCE) (Arria the

Elder)

Pallida Mors: Pale Death (Horace)

palma non sine pulvere: the palm is not obtained without struggle

palma virtuti: the palm to virtue

palmam qui meruit ferat: let him bear the palm who has merited it (motto of Lord

Nelson and of the University of Southern California)

panem et circenses: bread and the circus games (according to Juvenal, the sole

interest of the plebes)

par bene comparatum: a well-matched pair

par negotiis, neque supra: equal to his business and not above it (i.e., he is suited to

his work) (Tacitus)

par nobile fratrum: a noble pair of brothers (Horace)

par pari referto: I give back tit for tat

par sit fortuna labori: let the success be equal to the labor

par ternis suppar

pauca verba

par ternis suppar: the two are equal to the three

parasiticam coenam quærit: he seeks the supper of a parasite

paratus et fidelis: ready and faithful

paratus sum: I am prepared

parce, parce, precor: spare me, spare me, I pray

parcere personis, dicere de vitiis: to spare persons, to condemn crimes (Martial)

parcere subjectis, et debellare superbos: to spare the vanquished and subdue the

proud (Virgil)

parcus deorum cultor et infrequens: a sparing and infrequent worshipper of the

gods (Horace)

parem non fert: he endures no equal

parendo vinces: you will conquer by obedience

pari passu: with equal steps (i.e., neck and neck)

pari ratione: by parity of reason

pars minima sui: the smallest part of itself

Parthis mendacior: more mendacious than the Parthians (Horace)

parva componere magnis: to compare small things with great

parva sub ingenti: the small under the protection of the great (motto of Prince

Edward Island)

parvis componere magna: to compare great things with small (Virgil)

parvum non parvæ amicitiæ pignus: a slight pledge of no small friendship

patent oves, timent canes, intrepidus maneo: the sheep are frightened, the dogs

fear, I stand intrepid

Pater Noster: Our Father

pater patriæ: the father of the country

pathemata mathemata: we learn from the things we suffer (Жsop, from the Greek)

patientia victrix: patience is victorious

patientia vinces: by patience you will conquer

patitur qui vincit: the one who conquers, suffers

patria cara, carior libertas: dear is my homeland, but liberty is dearer

patria est communis omnium parens: our country is the common parent of all

(Cicero)

patria est, ubicumque est bene: wherever we are content, that is our country

(Pacuvius and Cicero)

patriæ fidus: faithful to my country

patriæ infelici fidelis: faithful to my unhappy homeland (i.e., it is my country, wrong

or right)

patriæ pietatis imago: the image of his filial affection (Virgil)

patriis virtutibus: by hereditary virtue

pauca sed bona: few things, but good (i.e., quality, not quantity)

pauca suspexi, pauciora despexi: I have admired few things, I have despised fewer

pauca verba: few words

paulo majora canamus per vias rectas

paulo majora canamus: let us sing of somewhat greater things (Virgil)

paupertatis pudor et fuga: the shame and banishment of poverty (Horace)

pauperum solatio: for the solace of the poor

pax: peace

pax aut bellum: peace or war

pax Domini sit semper vobiscum: the peace of the Lord be with you always

pax huic domui: peace be to this house

pax in bello: peace in war

pax quæritur bello: peace is sought by war (motto of the Cromwell family)

pax vobiscum (or, pax vobis): peace be with you (St. Luke 24:36)

peccavi: I have sinned

pecunia non olet: money does not smell

pedibus timor addidit alas: fear gave wings to his feet (Virgil)

Pelio imponere Ossam: to pile Ossa on Pelion (i.e., to attempt to scale heaven)

Penelopæ telam retexens: unraveling the web of Penelope (Cicero)

per acuta belli: through the perils of war

per angusta ad augusta: through adversity to greatness

per ardua: through difficulties

per ardua ad astra: through adversity to the stars (motto of the Royal Air Force)

per ardua liberi: free through difficulty

per ardua surgo: I rise through difficulties

per aspera ad astra: through adversities to the stars (a variation of ad astra per

aspera, the motto of Kansas)

per crucem ad coronam: by the Cross to a crown

per deos immortales!: for heaven’s sake!

per Deum et ferrum obtinui: I have obtained it by God and my sword

per fas et nefas: through means both fair and foul

per inæqualem motum, respectu totius: by an unequal movement in respect to the

whole (i.e., the differing speeds of planetary movements)

per mare: by sea

per mare per terram (or, per mare per terras): by sea and by land

per obitum: through the death of …

per saltum: by a leap; all at once

per tela per hostes: through arrows and enemies

per tot discrimina rerum: through all manner of calamitous events (Virgil)

per undas et ignes fluctuat nec mergitur: through water and fire she goes

plunging but is not submerged (a motto of Paris, whose symbol is a boat)

per varios casus: by various (mis)fortunes

per varios usus artem experientia fecit: practice has brought skill through

different exercises (Manilius)

per viam dolorosam: by the way of sorrows

per vias rectas: by right ways

per virtutem sentiamque

pons asinorum

per virtutem sentiamque: through virtue and sentiment

pereat iste: let him die himself

percontando a peritis: constantly asking questions of experts (Cicero)

percussus resurgo: struck down I rise again

pereunt et imputantur: they (the hours) pass away and are reckoned against us

(Martial; a saying on a sundial)

perfer et obdura: bear and endure to the end (Ovid)

perfervidum ingenium Scotorum: the very ardent temper of the Scots

perge sed caute: advance but cautiously

periculosæ plenum opus aleæ: a work full of dangerous hazard (i.e., a business

pregnant with danger)

periculum fortitudine evasi: by courage I have escaped danger

periissem ni periissem: I had perished unless I had persisted

permissu superiorum: by permission of the superiors

permitte divis cætera: commit the rest to the gods (Horace)

pernicibus alis: with swift wings

persevera Deoque confide: persevere and trust in God

perseverando: by persevering

perseverantia: by perseverance

personæ mutæ: silent characters in a play

persta atque obdura: be steadfast and endure

perstare et præstare: to persevere and to surpass (motto of New York University)

petit alta: he seeks high things

petitio principii: begging the question in a debate

philosophia vero omnium mater artium: philosophy, the true mother of all the

arts (Cicero)

pia desideria: the desire after things religious (motto of the Pietistic movement)

pia fraus: a pious fraud

pie repone te: repose in pious confidence

pie vivere et Deum et patriam diligere: to live piously and to love God and

country

pietas tutissima virtus: piety is the surest virtue

piscem natare docere: to teach a fish how to swim

placet: it pleases

pluries: at several times

plurima mortis imago: death in very many a form (Virgil)

plus uno maneat perenne sæclo: may it live and last for more than a century

(Catullus)

pollicitus meliora: one who gave promise of better things (Horace)

pompholoks ho anthropos: man is an air bubble (a Greek saying)

pons asinorum: the asses’ bridge; a severely difficult test or venture (a reference to

the fifth proposition in the First Book of Euclid, so named because of its difficulty) popularis aura prior tempore, prior jure

popularis aura: the popular breeze (i.e., popular favor) (Cicero)

porcus Epicuri: a pig of Epicurus

porro unum est necessarium: still there is one thing needful

post bellum auxilium: aid after the war

post equitem sedet atra cura: behind the horseman sits dark care (Horace, said of a

fugitive from the law)

post est occasio calva: occasion is bald behind (Dionysius Cato)

post festum venisti: you have come after the feast

post funus spes una superstes: after death only one hope survives

post nubila, Phoebus: after the clouds, the sun

post proelia præmia (also, post prælia præmia): after battles come rewards

post tenebras lux: after darkness, light

post tot naufragia portum: after so many shipwrecks we reach port

post virtutem curro: I run after virtue

postera crescam laude: I shall grow in future praise (motto of the University of

Melbourne)

potentia amoris: the power of love

potentissimus affectus amor: love, the most powerful passion

potestas vitæ necisque: power over life and death

potius ingenio quam vi: rather by skill than by force

potius mori quam foedari: rather to die than to be dishonored

potius sero quam nunquam: better late than never (Livy)

præcedentibus instat: he follows close on those who precede

præfervidum ingenium Scotorum: the fervently serious disposition of the Scots

præmium, virtus, honor: reward, virtue, honor

præmonitus, præmunitus: forewarned, forearmed

præstat opes sapientia: wisdom surpasses wealth

præstat sero quam nunquam: better late than never

præsto et persto: I stand in front and I stand firm

preces armatæ: armed prayers (i.e., with weapons to back them up)

premi, non opprimi: to be pressed, not oppressed

pretium laborum non vile: no cheap reward for our labors (motto of the Order of

Golden Fleece)

pretium scientiæ: the price of knowledge

primum mobile: the first motion; the prime mover (i.e., that which sets everything

else into motion)

primus inter pares: the first among equals

Primus Motor: the First Mover (i.e., the Creator)

primus ultimusque in acie: first and last in battle

principia, non homines: principles, not men

principiis obsta: stop it from the first (i.e., nip the evil at the bud) (Ovid)

prior tempore, prior jure: first by time, first by right (i.e., first come, first served)

prisco stirpe Hibernico pro virtute

prisco stirpe Hibernico: of ancient Irish stock

pristinæ virtutis memores: mindful of ancient valor (or, of former days)

prius frangitur quam flectitur: he is sooner broken than bent

prius mori quam fidem fallere: die rather than betray trust

pro aris et focis: for our altars and our hearths (i.e., for civil and religious liberty)

(Cicero)

pro bono malum: evil for good

pro bono publico: for the public good

pro Christo et patria: for Christ and country

pro Christo et patria dulce periculum: for Christ and country, danger is sweet

pro Deo et Ecclesia: for God and the Church

pro Deo et patria: for God and country

pro Deo et rege: for God and king

pro Ecclesia et patria: for the Church and the country (motto of Trinity College)

pro Ecclesia et Pontifice: for Church and Pope

pro Ecclesia, pro Texana: for the Church, for Texas (motto of Baylor University)

pro et contra (also, pro et con): for and against

pro fide ablectus: chosen for fidelity

pro fide et patria: for faith and country

pro libertate patriæ: for the liberty of my country

pro Magna Charta: for the Great Charter

pro mitra coronam: a crown for a miter

pro mundi beneficio: for the benefit of the world (motto of Panama)

pro patria: for the country; for one’s country

pro patria et rege: for country and king

pro patria et religione: for country and religion

pro patria invictus: for our unconquered country

pro patria vivere et mori: to live and die for our country

pro patriæ amore: for the love of country

pro pelle cutem: the hide for the sake of the fur (motto of the Hudson Bay

Company)

pro rege et patria: for king and country

pro rege et populo: for the king and the people

pro rege et religione: for king and religion

pro rege, lege, et grege: for king, law, and the people (i.e., for ruler, rule, and ruled)

pro rege sæpe, pro patria semper: for king often, for country always

pro salute animæ: for the welfare of the soul

pro scientia et sapientia: for knowledge and wisdom (motto of the University of

Mississippi)

pro veritate: for truth

pro virtute: for virtue

pro virtute bellica pyr machaira me skalenein

pro virtute bellica: for valor in war

probitas verus honor (or honos): honesty (or integrity) is true honor

probitate et labore: by honesty and labor

procul a Jove, procul a fulmine: far from Jove, far from his thunderbolts

procul omen abesto!: far be that fate from us! (Ovid)

prodesse civibus: to be of advantage to my fellow citizens

prodesse non nocere: to do good, not evil

prodesse quam conspici: to be of service rather than to be conspicuous

professoria lingua: an expert’s (or pendant’s) tongue (Tacitus)

prope ad summum, prope ad exitum: near the summit, near the end

propositi tenax: tenacious of purpose

propria virtute audax: daring by my own valor

proprie communia dicere: to speak commonplace things as if they were original

proprio vigore: of one’s own strength

prosequitor quodcunque petit: he pursues whatever he seeks

provehito in altum: launch forth into the deep (motto of the Memorial University

of Newfoundland)

providentia: providence

providentia divina: by divine providence

proximus sum egomet mihi: I am my nearest neighbor (or nearest of kin); also, I

am my own best friend (Terence)

prudens simplicitas: a prudent simplicity

prudens ut serpens, simplex ut columba: wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove

(after St. Matthew 10:16)

prudentia et constantia: by prudence and constancy

prudentia et honor: prudence and honor

psyches iatreion: a physic for the mind (i.e., books) (a Greek phrase)

publica salus mea merces: the public safety is my reward

publica virtuti per mala facta via est: a highway is open to virtue through the midst

of misfortunes (Ovid)

publicum meritorum præmium: the public reward for public services

pugna pro patria: fight for your country

pugnis et calcibus: with fists and heels (i.e., with all one’s might)

pulchre!, bene!, recte!: beautiful!, good!, right! (Horace)

pulchritudo sine fructu: beauty without fruit

pulchritudo vincit: beauty conquers

pulvis et umbra sumus: we are but dust and shadow (Horace)

punctum quæstionis: the point at issue; the crux of the question

Punica fides: Punic faith (i.e., treachery)

puri sermonis amator: a lover of pure speech (Julius Cжsar, said of Terence)

pyr machaira me skalenein: to stir fire with a sword (Pythagoras, from the Greek)

qua vincit victos protegit ille manu

qui parcit virgæ odit filium

Q

qua vincit victos protegit ille manu: with the same hand with which he conquers

he protects the conquered (Ovid)

quæ ante pedes: things at our feet

quæ infra nos nihil ad nos: the things that are below are nothing to us

quæ sequimur fuimus: we flee what we follow

quæ supra: which things are above

quæ sursum volo videre: I desire to see the things that are above

quæ vernant crescent: things that are green will grow

quæcumque (sunt) vera: whatsoever things are true (motto of Northwestern

University and the University of Alberta)

quære verum: seek after truth

quærens quem devoret: seeking someone to devour

quærite prime regnum Dei: seek ye first the kingdom of God (a motto of

Newfoundland, after St. Matthew 6:33)

qualis ab incepto: the same as from the beginning

qualis artifex pereo!: what an artist dies in me! (dying words of Emperor Nero)

qualis pater, talis filius: like father, like son

qualis rex, talis grex: as is the king, so are the people

qualis vita, finis ita: as in life, so in death

quam diu se bene gesserit: as long as he shall conduct himself properly

quam male conveniunt: how ill-matched they are

quam non terret hyems: which winter does not frighten (i.e., nip with cold)

quam (or quem) te Deus esse jussit: what God commands you to be

quando ullum inveniemus parem?: when shall we find (or look upon) his like

again? (after Horace)

quanti fama?: at what price fame?

quantum mutatus ab illo!: how changed from what he once was (Virgil)

quare impedit?: why does he hinder?

quasi vestigias nostras insistere: as if to tread in our footsteps

quem nunc amabis?: whom will you love now? (Catullus)

quem (or quam) te Deus esse jussit: what God commands you to be

qui conducit: he who leads

qui laborat, manducat: he who works, shall eat

qui laborat orat: the one who labors prays (St. Augustine)

qui leges juraque servat: he maintains the laws and justice (Horace)

qui me alit me extinguit: the one who nourishes me extinguishes me (from

Shakespeare’s Pericles)

qui nucleum vult, nucem frangat: who so wishes the kernel must crack the nut

(after Plautus)

qui parcit virgæ odit filium: the one who spares the rod hates the child qui patitur vincit quod erat demonstrandum

qui patitur vincit: the one who endures conquers

qui potest capere capist: let him take who can take

qui pro quo: who for whom (i.e., one instead of another)

qui tacet consentit: he who is silent consents

qui tam: who as well

qui trans: who is beyond

qui transtulit sustinet: He who transplanted sustains (motto of Connecticut)

quicquid agunt homines nostri est farrago libelli: all the acts and employments of

humankind shall be the subject of this publication (a motto for publishers of

newspapers and periodicals) (Juvenal)

quicunque vult servari: whoever will be saved (the beginning of the Creed of

Athanasius, or the Quicunque Vult)

quid est veritas?: what is truth? (Pontius Pilate, St. John 18:38)

quid non ebrietas designat?: what does drunkenness not affect? (Horace)

quid nunc?: what now? (i.e., a newsmonger)

quid pro quo: one thing for another (i.e., tit for tat)

quid si nunc coelum ruat?: what if the sky should now fall? (Terence)

quid verum atque decens: what is true and becoming

quidni?: why not?

quidni pro sodali?: why not for a companion?

quis contra nos?: who is against us?

quis separabit?: who shall separate [Britain from Ireland]? (motto of the Order of St.

Patrick)

quo celerius eo melius: the faster the better

quo fas et gloria ducunt: where duty and glory lead

quo Fata vocant: whither the Fates may call

quo jure quaque injuria: right or wrong (Terence)

quo nihil majus meliusve terris: than whom was never anything greater or better

on earth (Horace)

quo pax et gloria ducunt: where peace and glory lead (motto of the Duke of York

and of the Duke of Clarence)

quo sursum volo videre: I am resolved to look upward

quo vadis?: whither goest thou? (St. John 16:5)

quo warranto?: by what warrant?

quod Anglicana ecclesia libera sit: that the English church shall be free (from the

Magna Carta)

quod avertat Deus!: which may God avert! (i.e., God forbid!)

quod Deus bene vertat!: may God grant success!

quod di omen avertant: may the gods avert this omen (Cicero)

quod dixi dixi: what I have said I have said

quod eorum minimis mihi: as to the least of them, so to me (St. Matthew 25:40)

quod erat demonstrandum (Q.E.D.): which was to be proved (after Euclid)

quod ero spero

redire ad nuces

quod ero spero: I hope that I shall be

quod est absurdum: which is absurd

quod est faciendum: which was to be done

quod fors feret, feremus æquo animo: whatever fortune brings, we will patiently

bear (Terence)

quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi: what is allowed to Jove is not allowed to the ox

quod me alit me extinguit: that which nourishes me extinguishes me

quod potui perfeci: I have done what I could do

quod scripsi scripsi: what I have written I have written (Pontius Pilate, St. John

20:22)

quod sit, esse velit, nihilque malit: who is pleased with what he is and desires

nothing else (Martial)

quod sursum volo videre: I wish to see that which is above

quod verum tutum: what is true is safe

quondam his vicimus armis: we were once victorious with these arms

quorsum vivere mori? Mori vita: wherefore live to die? To die is life

quot capita, tot sensus: so many heads, so many opinions (Terence)

quot homines tot sententiæ (also, tot homines quot sententiæ): so many men, so

many opinions (Terence)

quot rami tot arbores: so many branches, so many trees (motto of the University of

Allahabad)

quot servi tot hostes: so many servants, so many enemies

R

radii omnia lustrant: his rays illuminate all things

rami felicia poma ferentes: branches bearing fruit of good fortune (Ovid)

rara avis (in terris): a rare bird (on earth) (i.e., a prodigy) (Juvenal)

rara bonitas: goodness is rare

rari nantes: swimming here and there (i.e., one here and another there) (Virgil)

ratio est radius divini luminis: reason is a ray of divine light

re infecta: the matter left undone; an unfinished task (Julius Cжsar)

re secunda fortis, dubia fugax: in prosperity courageous, in danger timid (Phжdrus)

recte et suaviter: justly and mildly

recto cursu: in a right course

rectus in curia: upright in the court (i.e., innocent of the charges)

reddite Deo: render unto God

redeat miseris, abeat fortuna superbis: may fortune revisit the wretched, and

forsake the proud (Horace)

redintegratio amoris: the renewal of love

redire ad nuces: to return to the nuts (i.e., to resume childish interests) redolet lucerna reviresco

redolet lucerna (or, redolet lucernam): it smells of the lamp (a reference to a

literary work whose labor was great)

refricare cicatricem: to reopen a wound

regnat populus (adapted from regnant populi): the people rule (motto of Arkansas)

relata refero: I tell it as it was told to me (whether truthful or not)

relicta non bene parmula: having dishonorably left my shield behind (Horace)

rem acu tetigisti (or tetigit): you have (or he has) touched it with a needle (i.e., you

have hit the nail on the head)

remedium tempestivum sit: let there be a timely remedy

remis velisque: with oars and sails (i.e., with all one’s might, or with all available

power)

remis ventisque: with oars and wind (i.e., with all one’s might, or with all available

power)

renascentur: they will rise again

renovate animos: renew your courage

renovato nomine: by a revived name

repetens exempla suorum: repeating the example of his ancestors (Virgil)

requiem æternam dona eis, Domine: grant them eternal rest, O Lord

requiescant in pace: may they rest in peace

requiescat in pace: may he or she rest in peace

rerum cognoscere causas: to understand the cause of all things (motto of the

London School of Economics and Political Science)

rerum concordia discors: the harmonious discord of things (Horace)

rerum sapientia custos: wisdom is the guardian of all things

res accedent luminis rebus: one light shines upon others

res angusta domi: in straitened circumstances at home (Juvenal)

res crescunt concordia: things grow with harmony

res in cardine est: the matter is on the hinge (i.e., at a point of crisis)

res ipsa loquitur (or, res loquitur ipsa): the matter speaks for itself (Cicero)

res non verba: facts not words

res severa est verum gaudium: true joy is an earnest thing (Seneca)

resistite usque ad sanguiam: resist even to bloodshed

respice, adspice, prospice: examine the past, examine the present, examine the

future (motto of the City University of New York)

respice, et prospice: look backward and forward

respice finem: look to the end; consider the outcome

resurgam: I shall rise again

retinens vestigia famæ: retracing the footsteps of fame (i.e., the achievements of an

honorable ancestry)

revirescimus: we flourish again

revirescit: it flourishes again

reviresco: I flourish again

revocate animos

salve, magna parens

revocate animos: rouse your courage (Virgil)

rex bibendi: king of drinkers; king of the revelers

rex nunquam moritur: the king never dies

ride si sapis: laugh, if you are wise (Martial)

ridere in stomacho: to laugh inwardly (i.e., in one’s sleeve)

ridiculus mus: a ridiculous mouse (Horace)

rore vixit more cicadæ: he lived upon dew like a grasshopper

rosam ne rode: gnaw not the rose

ruat coelum (or, ruat cælum): though the heavens fall (or, let the heavens fall)

ruat coelum, fiat voluntas tua: your will be done, though the heavens should fall

rudis indigestaque moles: a rude and disordered mass (Ovid)

rupto robore nati: we are born from the broken oak (an allusion to the acorn from

which the new oak grows)

rus in urbe: the country in the city (Martial)

rustica veritas: rustic truth

S

sæva indignatio: fierce wrath (Virgil)

sævis tranquillus in undis: calm amid the raging waters (motto of William I of

Orange)

sal Atticum: Attic salt (i.e., a keen wit) (Pliny the Elder)

saltem cursu prætervehor omnes: I leap past all in the race

salus extra ecclesiam non est: there is no salvation outside the Church (St.

Augustine)

salus in fide: salvation by faith

salus per Christum: salvation through Christ

Salus per Christum Redemptorem (S.C.R.): Salvation through Christ the

Redeemer

salus populi suprema est lex: the welfare of the people is the supreme law (Cicero)

salus populi suprema lex esto: let the welfare of the people be the supreme law

(after Cicero, the motto of Missouri)

salus populi: the welfare of the people (motto of the University of Missouri)

salus publica: the public good

salva conscientia: with safety to conscience (i.e., without compromising one’s

conscience)

salva dignitate: with safety to dignity (i.e., without compromising one’s dignity)

salva fide: with safety to faith (i.e., without compromising one’s faith or promise)

salva res est: the matter is safe (Terence)

salvam fac reginam, O Domine: (fig.) may God save the queen

salve, magna parens: hail, thou great parent (Virgil) salvo jure scuto amoris Divini

salvo jure: saving the right

salvo jure regis: saving the king’s right

salvo ordine: without dishonor to one’s order

salvo pudore: saving decency; without offense to modesty

salvum fac regem, O Domine: (fig.) may God save the king

Samnitico non capitur auro: he is not captured by Samnitic gold

sancte et sapienter: with holiness and wisdom

sanctum sanctorum: holy of holies; also, a study or private room

sane baro: a baron indeed

sanguinis pretium sanguis: blood is the price of blood

sapere aude: dare to be wise (Horace)

sapere et tacere: to be wise and silent

sapiens dominabitur astris: the wise will rule the stars

sapientem pascere barbam: to nurse a wise beard (i.e., to appear outwardly wise, as

in the philosopher)

sapienti sat: enough for the wise (Plautus)

sapientia donum Dei: wisdom is the gift of God

sapientia et doctrina: wisdom and doctrine (motto of Fordham University)

sapientia humana, stultitia est apud Deum: human wisdom is folly before God

sapientissimus in septem: the wisest of the seven (Cicero, said of Thales)

sapientum octavus: the eighth of the wise men (Horace)

sardonicus risus: a sardonic laugh (i.e., a forced or scoffing laugh)

Sartor Resartus: The Tailor Patched (title of a book by Thomas Carlyle)

sat cito, si sat bene: soon enough, if but well enough (St. Jerome)

sat pulchra, si sat bona: beautiful enough, if good enough (i.e., beauty is as beauty

does)

satis diu vel naturæ gloriæ: long enough for the demands both of nature and glory

satis superque (est): enough and more than enough (i.e., enough and some to spare)

satis verborum: enough of words (i.e., enough said)

satis vixi; invictus enim morior: I have lived enough; I die unvanquished

(Epaminondas in Cornelius Nepos)

sauciat et defendit: it wounds and defends

scandalum magnatum: an offense against a person of high standing

scandit sublima virtus: virtue scales great heights

scientia est potentia: knowledge is power

scientia sol mentis: knowledge is the light of the mind (motto of the University of

Delaware)

scire facias: cause it to be known

scribere jussit amor: love bade me write (Ovid)

scripta manent: writings remain

scuto amoris Divini: with the shield of Divine love

scuto bonæ voluntatis tuæ coronasti sero sapiunt Phryges

scuto bonæ voluntatis tuæ coronasti nos: with the shield of your good will you

(God) have surrounded us

se defendendo: in his own defense

se inserit astris: he places himself among the stars

secundis dubiisque rectus: upright both in prosperous and doubtful circumstances

secundo amne defluit: he floats with the stream

securus judicat orbis terrarum: the verdict of the world is conclusive (St.

Augustine)

sed de me ut sileam: but to say nothing of myself (Ovid)

sed hæc prius fuere: but all this is over (Catullus)

sed post est occasio calva: but opportunity is bald behind (i.e., has passed us by)

sed sine labe decus: honor without a stain

sedulitate: by diligence

semel abbas, semper abbas: once an abbot, always an abbot

semel et semper: once and always

semel et simul: one and the same; once and together

semper: always; forever

semper augustus: always an enlarger of empire (Symmachus)

semper avarus eget: the miser is ever in want (Horace)

semper eadem: always the same (motto of Queen Elizabeth I)

semper et ubique: always and everywhere

semper felix: always happy; ever fortunate

semper fidelis (pl. semper fideles): always faithful (motto of the U.S. Marine

Corps)

semper honos, nomenque tuum, laudesque manebunt: your honor, your renown,

and your praises will last forever (Virgil)

semper idem (masc. and neuter forms): always the same

semper paratus: always ready (motto of the U.S. Coast Guard)

semper patriæ servire præsto: always ready to serve my country

semper præcinctus: ever ready

semper sic: always thus

semper sitiens: always thirsty

semper vigilans: always watchful

semper viret: it always flourishes

semper vivit in armis: he lives ever in arms

seniores priores: the elder ones first

sepulto viresco: I revive from my burial

sequitur patrem non passibus æquis: he follows his father with unequal steps (after

Virgil)

sequor non inferior (or, sequor nec inferior): I follow, but I am not inferior

sermoni consona facta: deeds agreeing with words

sero sapiunt Phryges: the Phrygians (or Trojans) became wise too late

sero sed serio sic passim

sero sed serio: late, but seriously (or, late, but in earnest)

serus in cælum redeas: late may you return to heaven (i.e., long may you live)

serva jugum: preserve the yoke (i.e., preserve the bond of love)

servabit me semper Jehovah: Jehovah will always preserve me

servabo fidem: I will keep faith

servari et servare meum est: my duty is to guard myself and others

servata fides cineri: faithful to the memory of my ancestors

serviendo guberno: I govern by serving (or, by ruling I serve)

servire Deo sapere: to know how to serve God

servitute clarior: more illustrious by serving

Servus Servorum Dei: Servant of the Servants of God (a papal title)

sesquipedalia verba: words a foot and a half long (Horace)

sexu foemina, ingenio vir: in sex a woman, in natural ability a man (epitaph of

Empress Maria Theresa of Austria)

si Deus nobiscum, quis contra nos?: if God be with us, who shall be against us?

(after St. Paul in Romans 8:31)

si dis placet (or, si diis placet): if it pleases the gods

si fallor, sum: if I am deceived, then I exist (St. Augustine’s refutation of skepticism

through one’s self-awareness of deception)

si fortuna juvat: if fortune favors

si monumentum requiris, circumspice: if you seek his monument, look around

you (epitaph of Sir Christopher Wren, architect of London)

si non errasset, fecerat ille minus: if he had not committed an error, his glory

would have been less (Martial)

si peccavi, insciens feci: if I have sinned, I have done so unknowingly (Terence)

si quæris monumentum, circumspice: if you seek a monument, look around you

(an alternate version of Christopher Wren’s epitaph)

si quæris peninsulam amoenam, circumspice: if you seek a pleasant peninsula,

look around you (motto of Michigan)

si quis adhuc precibus locus: if there is still any place for prayers (Virgil)

si sic omnes!: if all did thus!

si sit prudentia: if there be but prudence (Juvenal)

si vitam puriter egi: if I have led a pure life (Catullus)

sic ætas fugit: thus does life flee

sic erat in fatis: so stood it in the decrees of fate (Ovid)

sic eunt fata hominum: so go the destinies of men

sic frustra: thus in vain

sic itur ad astra: thus is the way to the stars (i.e., thus the way to immortal fame)

(Virgil)

sic me servavit Apollo: thus Apollo preserved (or protected) me (Horace)

sic nos sic sacra tuemur: thus we guard our sacred rights

sic passim: thus in passing (i.e., occurring throughout the pages of a book)

sic prædæ patet esca sui

sine qua non

sic prædæ patet esca sui: thus to catch its prey it offers itself as bait

sic semper tyrannis: thus always to tyrants (motto of Virginia)

sic spectanda fides: thus is faith to be examined (from Shakespeare’s Pericles)

sic transit gloria mundi: thus passes the glory of the world (traditionally recited

during the coronation of a new pope)

sic viresco: thus I flourish

sic vita humana: thus is human life

sic volo, sic jubeo: thus I will, thus I command (after Juvenal)

sic vos non vobis nidificatis aves: thus do you birds build nests for others (Virgil)

sica inimicis: a dagger to his enemies

sicut ante: as before

sicut columba: as a dove

sicut lilium: as a lily

sicut meus est mos: as is my habit (Horace)

sicut patribus, sit Deus nobis: as with our fathers, may God also be with us (motto

of Boston)

sicut quercus: as the oak

sidere mens eadem mutato: although the constellations change, the mind is

constant (motto of the University of Sydney)

sidus adsit amicum: let my propitious star be present

silentio et spe: in silence and hope

simile gaudet simili: like delights in like

simili frondescit virga metallo: a bough grows in its place leaves of the same metal

(Virgil)

similia similibus curantur: like cures like

simplex munditiis: simple in elegance (i.e., elegant but not gaudy) (Horace)

simplex sigillum veri: simplicity is the seal of truth (motto of Herman Boerhaave)

simplex signum veri: simplicity is the sign of truth

simul astu et dentibus utor: I use my cunning and my teeth simultaneously

sine cortica natare: to swim without corks

sine cruce, sine luce: without the Cross, without light

sine cura: without care (i.e., to receive a salary for an office that requires no work)

sine fine: without end

sine invidia: without envy

sine ira et studio: without anger and without partiality (Tacitus)

sine justitia, confusio: without justice, confusion

sine labe: without dishonor

sine labe lucebit: he shall shine unblemished

sine macula: without stain or blemish

sine metu: without fear

sine odio: without hatred

sine qua non: without which not (i.e., an indispensable condition) sint ut sunt, aut non sint sperandum est

sint ut sunt, aut non sint: let them be as they are, or not at all

siste, viator!: stop, traveler!

sit pro ratione voluntas: let (good)will stand for reason

sit sine labe decus: let my honor be without stain

sit tibi terra levis, mollique tegaris arena: light lie the earth upon you, soft be the

sand that covers you (Martial; a Roman epitaph)

sit tua terra levis: may the earth rest lightly upon you (Seneca; a Roman epitaph)

sit ut est, aut non sit: let it be as it is, or let it not be

sit venia verbis: pardon my words

sitio: I thirst (St. John 19:28; one of the Seven Last Words of Christ)

situ et tempore: in place and time

sol lucet omnibus: the sun shines on all

sol occubuit; nox nulla secuta est: the sun is set; no night has followed (i.e., your

greatness shines brighter than your predecessor)

sola cruce: only the Cross

sola Deo salus: salvation is from God alone; safety is in God alone

sola juvat virtus: virtue alone assists

sola nobilitas virtus: virtue alone is true nobility

sola salus servire Deo: our only salvation is in serving God

sola virtus invicta: virtue alone is invincible

sola virtus nobiltat: virtue alone ennobles

sola virtus præstat gaudium perpetuum: virtue alone guarantees perpetual joy

solem fero: I bear the sun

solem ferre possum: I can bear the sun

soli Deo: to God alone

soli Deo gloria: to God alone be the glory

soli Deo honor et gloria: to God alone be honor and glory

solo Deo salus: salvation from God alone

solvuntur risu tabulæ: the case is dismissed amid laughter

spe: with hope (motto of the State University of New York, Buffalo)

spe posteri temporis: in hope of the latter time

spe vivitur: we live in hope

spectas et tu, spectaberis: you see, and you shall be seen

spectemur agendo: let us be seen (or judged) by our actions

spem bonam certamque domum reporto: I bring home with me a good and

certain hope

spem gregis: the hope of the flock (Virgil)

spem pretio non emo: I do not give money for mere hopes (Terence)

spem reduxit: hope restored (motto of New Brunswick)

spera in Deo: hope in God

sperandum est: it is to be hoped

sperat infestis, metuit secundis stare super antiquas vias

sperat infestis, metuit secundis: he hopes in adversity and fears in prosperity (after

Horace)

sperate et vivite fortes: hope and live bold(ly)

speratum et completum: hoped for and fulfilled

speravi: I have hoped

speravimus ista dum fortuna fuit: we hoped for that once, while fortune was

favorable (Virgil)

spero: I hope

spero et captivus nitor: I hope and, though a captive, I strive

spero infestis me tuo secundis: in prosperity I fear, in adversity I hope

spero meliora: I hope for better things (Cicero)

spes: hope

spes alit: hope nourishes

spes anchora vitæ: hope, the anchor of life

spes bona: good hope (motto of Cape Colony)

spes bona dat vires: good hope gives strength

spes durat avorum: the hope of my ancestors continues

spes gregis: the hope of the flock or the common herd (Virgil)

spes infracta: my hope is unbroken

spes lucis æternæ: the hope of eternal light (or life)

spes mea Christus: Christ, my hope

spes mea in Deo: my hope is in God

spes proxima: hope is near

spes tutissima coelis: the safest hope is in heaven

spiritus intus alit: the spirit within nourishes (Virgil)

Spiritus Sanctus in corde: the Holy Spirit in the heart

splendida vitia: splendid vices (Tertullian, said of pagan virtues)

splendide mendax: splendidly false (Horace)

splendor sine occasu: splendor without diminishment (motto of British Columbia)

spolia opima: the richest of the spoils

stabit: it shall stand

stabit quocunque jeceris: it shall stand, whichever way you throw it (from the

legend on the three-legged crest of the Isle of Man)

stabo: I shall stand

stans cum rege: standing with the king

stans pede in uno: standing upon one leg (i.e., done without effort) (Horace)

stant cætera tigno: the rest stand on a beam

stant innixa Deo: they stand supported by God

stare decisis, et non movere quieta: to stand by things as decided, and not to

disturb those that are tranquil

stare super antiquas vias (or, stare super vias antiquas): to stand upon the old

ways stat fortuna domus sub lege libertas

stat fortuna domus: the good fortune of the house stands

stat magni nominis umbra: he stands, the shadow of a great name (Lucan)

stat pro ratione voluntas: the will stands in place of reason

stat promissa fides: the promised faith remains

stat veritas: truth stands

statio bene fida carinis: a safe harborage for ships

status quo (also, statu quo): the state in which it was

status quo ante bellum: the state of things before the war

stemmata quid faciunt?: of what use are pedigrees? (Juvenal)

stella monstrat viam: the star shows the way

stet: let it stand

stet fortuna domus: may the fortune of the house endure (motto of Harrow)

stet pro ratione voluntas: let (good)will stand for reason

stimulat, sed ornat: it stimulates, but it adorns

sto pro veritate: I stand in the defense of truth

stratum super stratum: one layer upon another

strenua inertia: energetic idleness (Horace)

strenua nos exercet inertia: busy idleness urges us on (Horace)

studendo et contemplando indefessus: unwearied in studying and meditation

studiis et rebus honestis: by honorable pursuits and studies (motto of the

University of Vermont)

studiis florentem ignobilis oti: indulging in the studies of inglorious leisure (Virgil)

studio minuente laborem: the enthusiasm lessening the fatigue (Ovid)

studium immane loquendi: an insatiable desire for talking (Ovid)

stulta maritali jam porrigit ora capistro: he is now stretching out his foolish head

to the matrimonial harness (Juvenal)

stylo inverso: with stylus inverted (i.e., erasing or revising what has been written)

stylum vertere: to correct or change the style

sua cuique utilitas: to everything its own use (Tacitus)

sua cuique voluptas: to each his own pleasure

su se robore firmat: he strengthens himself by his own might

suave mari magno: how pleasant when on a great sea (Lucretius)

suaviter et fortiter: gently and firmly

suaviter in modo, fortiter in re: gently in manner, firmly in deed

sub cruce candida: under the pure white Cross

sub cruce salus: salvation under the Cross

sub cruce veritas: truth under the Cross

sub hoc signo vinces: under this sign you will conquer (variation of in hoc signo

vinces)

sub Jove: under Jove (i.e., in the open air)

sub lege libertas: liberty under the law

sub libertate quietem suspendens omnia naso

sub libertate quietem: rest under liberty

sub reservatione Jacobæo: with St. James’s reservation (i.e., if the Lord wills; see St.

James 4:15)

sub robore virtus: virtue under strength

sub silentio: in silence

sub sole, sub umbra virens: increasing both in sunshine and in shade

sub specie æternitatis: under the aspect of eternity (i.e., as a particular

manifestation of a universal law) (Spinoza)

sub tegmine fagi: beneath the canopy of the spreading beech (Virgil)

sublimi feriam sidera vertice: with head lifted, I shall strike the stars (Horace)

sublimiora petamus: let us seek higher things

suggestio falsi: the suggestion of falsehood

sui generis: of its own kind; one of a kind

sui juris: of his own right

sui oblitus commodi: regardless of his own interest

suis stat viribus: he stands by his own strength

sum quod eris, fuit quod es: I am what you will be, I was what you are (sometimes

used as a tombstone inscription)

sum quod sum: I am what I am

summa rerum vestigia sequor: I follow the highest tracks of things

summa summarum: all in all (Plautus)

summo studio: with the greatest zeal (Cicero)

summum bonum: the highest good (Cicero)

summum jus, summa injuria: extreme law, extreme injury (i.e., the law, strictly

interpreted, may be the greatest of injustices) (Cicero)

sumus: we are

sunt lacrimæ (or lacrymæ) rerum: tears are the nature of things (Virgil)

sunt sua præmia laudi: his rewards are his praise

suo Marte: by his own ability or prowess (Cicero)

suo sibi gladio hunc jugulo: with his own sword do I stab him (Terence)

super abissus ambulans: walking on precipices

superest quod supra est: what is above lives on

supra vires: beyond one’s powers (Horace)

supremum vale: a last farewell (Ovid)

surgit amari aliquid: something bitter rises (Lucretius)

surgit post nubila Phoebus: the sun rises after the clouds

sursum: upward

sursum corda: lift up your hearts

sus Minervam: a pig teaching Minerva (the goddess of wisdom and commerce)

suscipere et finire: to undertake and to accomplish

suspendens omnia naso: turning up one’s nose at everything; sneering at everything

(Horace)

suspiria de profundis te ipsum nosce

suspiria de profundis: sighs from the depths of the soul

sustine et abstine: bear and forbear

sustinet nec fatiscit: he holds up and does not weary

suum cuique: to each his own; to everyone his due (Cicero)

T

ta neura tou polemou: the sinews of war (a Greek phrase)

tabula ex naufragio (or, tabula in naufragio): a plank from a shipwreck

tabula rasa: a smoothed tablet; a blank slate; any blank surface

tace: be silent

tace aut fac: say nothing or do

tacent satis laudant: their silence is praise enough (Terence)

tædet me: I am bored

tædium vitæ: weariness of life (Aulus Gellius)

taliter qualiter: such as it is

tam facti quam animi: as much in action as in intention

tam interna quam externa: as much internal as external

tam Marte quam Minerva: as much by Mars as by Minerva (i.e., as much by war as

by wisdom; or, as much by courage as by genius)

tam Marti quam Mercurio: as much for Mars as for Mercury (i.e., qualified as

much for war as for trade)

tamquam alter idem: as if a second self (Cicero)

tandem fit surculus arbor: a shoot at length becomes a tree

tandi!: so much for that!

tangere ulcus: to touch a sore (i.e., to reopen a wound; to renew one’s grief)

tanquam in speculo: as in a mirror

tanquam nobilis: noble by courtesy

tanquam ungues digitosque suos: as well as his nails and fingers (i.e., at his fingers’

end)

tantæ molis erat: so great a task it was

tantas componere lites: to settle such great disputes

tanto fortior, tanto felicior!: the more pluck, the better luck!

tanto homini fidus, tantæ virtutis amator: a faithful friend to so great a man, and a

steady admirer of such great virtue

tanto monta: so much does he excel

tantum in superbos: only against the proud

tantus amor scribendi: so great a passion for writing (Horace)

tarde sed tute: slow but sure

te Deum laudamus: we praise thee, O God

te ipsum nosce (also, te nosce or nosce teipsum): know thyself

te stante, virebo

212

teterrima belli causa

te stante, virebo: with you standing, I shall flourish

tecum habita: live with yourself (i.e., live within your means)

teloque animus præstantior omni: a spirit superior to every weapon (Ovid)

telos oran macrou biou: to see the end of a long life (Chilon, one of the Seven

Sages of Greece, from the Greek)

telum imbelle sine ictu: a feeble dart (or spear) thrown to no effect (i.e., a weak and

ineffectual argument) (Virgil)

templa quam dilecta!: temples how beloved! (punning motto of the Temple family)

tempus abire tibi est: it is time for you to depart (Horace)

tempus anima rei: time is the essence of the matter

tempus edax rerum: time, the devourer of all things (Horace and Ovid)

tempus et patientia: time and patience

tempus omnia revelat: time reveals all things

tempus omnia terminat: time ends all things

tempus rerum imperator: time is ruler over all things

tenax et fidelis: steadfast and faithful

tenax propositi: tenacious of purpose

tendit ad astra fides: faith reaches toward heaven

tene fortiter: hold firmly

teneat luceat floreat: may it hold, may it shine, may it flourish

tenebo: I will hold

tenebras expellit et hostes: he expels the darkness and the enemy

tentanda via est: a way must be tried (Virgil)

ter quaterque beatus: thrice and four times blest (Virgil)

teres atque rotundus: polished smooth and rounded (i.e., a polished and wellrounded

person) (Horace)

terminus a quo: the point from which it begins (i.e., the starting point)

terminus ad quem: the point at which it ends (i.e., the ending point)

terra firma: solid earth; dry land

terra, flatus, ignis, aqua: earth, air, fire, water

terra incognita: an unknown land or region

terra marique fide: with faith by land and sea

terra marique potens: mighty by land and sea

terræ filius: a son of the earth (i.e., a person of low or unknown origin) (Persius)

terram coelo miscent (or, terram cælo miscent): they mingle heaven and earth

terras irradient: they shall illuminate the earth (motto of Amherst College)

terrere nolo, timere nescio: I wish not to intimidate, and know not how to fear

tertium quid: a third something (produced by the union of two opposites)

tertius e coelo cecidit Cato: a third Cato has come down from heaven (Juvenal; said

mockingly)

teterrima belli causa: most shameful cause of war (Horace)

tetigisti acu tu quoque

tetigisti acu: you have touched it with a needle (i.e., you have hit the nail on the

head) (Plautus)

tibi poëma feci: I made a poem for you (Catullus)

tibi soli: to thee alone

time Deum, cole regem: fear God, honor the king

timeo Danaos dona ferentes: I fear the Greeks bearing gifts (Virgil)

timet pudorem: he fears shame

timor addidit alas: fear gave him wings (Virgil)

timor Domini fons vitæ: the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life

timor Domini initium sapientiæ: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

(or, humorously, the fear of the master/lecturer is the beginning of wisdom) (motto

of the University of Aberdeen)

tolle lege, tolle lege: take up and read, take up and read (St. Augustine)

tot homines, quot sententiæ (also, quot homines, tot sententiæ): so many men,

so many opinions (Terence)

tot rami, quot arbores (also, quot rami, tot arbores): so many branches, so many

trees

totidem hostes esse quot servos: some many servants, so many enemies (quoted by

Seneca)

toto coelo: by the whole heavens

totum in eo est: all depends on this

totus mundus agit histrionem: all the world plays the actor (i.e., all the world’s a

stage; reputedly the words on a sign hung at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater)

totus mundus exercet histrionem (or, mundus universus exercet histrioniam):

all the world plays the comedian (or actor) (Petronius)

totus teres atque rotundus: entire, smooth, and round (i.e., complete in itself)

tou aristeuein eneka: in order to excel (a Greek phrase)

traditus non victus: yielded but not conquered

transeat in exemplum: let it stand as an example (or a precedent)

transfixus sed non mortuus: wounded but not dead

tria juncta in uno: three joined in one (a reference to the Christian Trinity; also, a

reference to a coalition of three members; motto of the Order of the Bath)

Trinitas in Trinitate: Trinity in Trinity

triumphali e stipite surgens alta petit: rising from triumphal stock it seeks the

heights

triumpho morte tam vita: I triumph in death as in life

Troja fuit: Troy was

truditur dies die: day presses on the heels of day (Horace)

Tu, Domine, gloria mea: Thou, O Lord, are my glory

tu ne cede malis: yield not to misfortunes (or evils)

tu quoque: you too (Ovid)

tu quoque, Brute!: you too, Brutus! (a variation of et tu, Brute)

Tu solus sanctus

ultra vires

Tu solus sanctus: Thou alone art holy

tu vincula frange: break your chains

tua res agitur: it is a matter that concerns you

tuebor: I will defend; I will protect

tunica propior pallio est: my tunic is nearer (my skin) than my cloak (Plautus)

turris fortis mihi Deus: God is a tower of strength to me

turris fortissima est nomen Jehovah: an exceedingly strong tower is the name of

Jehovah

tuta timens: fearing even safety (Virgil)

tutor et ultor: the protector and the avenger

tutum monstrat iter: he showed a safe road

tutum refugium: a safe refuge

tutum te littore sistam: I shall set you safe upon the shore

tuum est: it is yours (or, your own)

U

uberrima fides: super-abundant faith (or confidence)

ubi amor, ibi fides: where there is love, there is faith

ubi bene, ibi patria: where it is well with me, there is my country

ubi dolor, ibi digitus: where the pain is, there the finger will be

ubi homines sunt, modi sunt: where there are persons, there are manners

ubi lapsus?, quid feci?: where have I slipped?, what have I done?

ubi libertas, ibi patria: where there is liberty, there is my country

ubi mel, ibi apes: where there is honey, there are bees (Plautus)

ubi reddunt ova columbæ: where the pigeons lay their eggs (i.e., the roosts of

eminence) (Juvenal)

ubi sæva indignatio cor ulterius lacerare nequit: where bitter indignation cannot

lacerate my heart anymore (epitaph of Jonathan Swift)

ubi scriptum?: where is it written?

ubi uber, ibi tuber: where the soil is rich, there you will find roots (Apuleius)

ubique: everywhere

ubique patriam reminisci: everywhere to remember our homeland

ulcus tangere: to touch a sore

ultima ratio regum: the last argument of kings (i.e., military force; said to have been

engraved on a cannon by order of Louis XIV)

ultima Thule: remotest Thule (Virgil)

ultimum moriens: the last to die

ultimus Romanorum: the last of the Romans

ultorum ulciscitur ultor: avenger avenges avenger

ultra vires: beyond the powers

ultus avos Troiæ ut reficiar

ultus avos Troiæ: he has avenged his Trojan ancestors

una et eadem persona: one and the same person

una manu latam libertati viam faciet: with one hand he will make for himself a

broad path to freedom (Seneca)

una voce: with one voice; unanimously

unguibus et rostro: with talons and beak (i.e., tooth and nail)

unguibus et rostro, atque alis armatus in hostem: armed with talons, beak, and

wings against the enemy

unguis in ulcere: a claw in the wound (i.e., a knife in the wound) (Cicero)

uni æquus virtuti, atque ejus amicis: a friend equally to virtue and to virtue’s

friends (Horace)

unica semper avis: the bird that is ever unique

unica virtus necessaria: virtue is the only thing necessary

unita: united

unitas: unity

unitate fortior: stronger by being united

uno ictu: at one blow; at once

uno impetu: in one motion

unum pro multis dabitur caput: one will be sacrificed for many (Virgil)

unus atque unicus amicus: one and only friend (Catullus)

unus et idem: one and the same

unus vir, nullus vir: one man, no man (i.e., two are better than one)

urbem latericiam (or lateritiam) invenit, marmoream reliquit: he found a city of

brick, and left it one of marble (Suetonius, said of Cжsar Augustus)

urbi et orbi: for the city (Rome) and the world

urbs in horto: a city in a garden (motto of Chicago)

usque ad aras: to the very altars (i.e., to the last extremity)

usque ad sidera tellus: the earth rises up to the stars

usque recurrit: it always returns

usus est tyrannus: custom is a tyrant

usus me docuit: practice (or experience) has taught me

ut apes geometriam: as bees practice geometry

ut canis e Nilo: like a dog by the Nile (i.e., drinking and running)

ut incepit fidelis sic permanet: as loyal as she began, so she remains (motto of

Ontario)

ut mos est: as the custom is (Juvenal)

ut pictura, poësis (erit): as with a picture, so (it will be) with a poem (Horace)

ut prosim: that I may be of use

ut quocunque paratus: prepared on every side

ut redeat miseris, abeat fortuna superbis: that fortune may leave the proud, and

return to the wretched (Horace)

ut reficiar: that I may be refreshed

ut vivas vigila veluti in speculum

ut vivas vigila: watch that you may live

utcunque placuerit Deo: as it shall please God

utere loris: use the reins

uterque bonus belli pacisque minister: a good administrator equally in peace as in

war (Ovid)

uti non abuti: to use, not to abuse

uti possidetis: as you now possess (Justinian)

utile dulci: the useful with the delightful (or with the agreeable) (Horace)

utilium sagax rerum: sagacious in making useful discoveries (Horace)

utinam noster esset: would that he were ours

Utopia: no place (the title of Thomas More’s satirical book about a perfect world)

V

vade ad formicam: go to the ant

vade in pacem (also, vade in pace): go in peace

vade mecum: go with me (i.e., a constant companion; a handbook)

vade post me, satana!: get thee behind me, you satan! (St. Matthew 16:23)

vade retro!: avaunt!; begone!

væ soli: woe to the solitary person (Ecclesiastes 4:10)

væ victis!: woe to the vanquished! (Livy, attributed to King Brennus; also Plautus)

valeat quantum valere potest: let it pass for what it is worth

valeat res ludicra: farewell to the drama (also, farewell to the ridiculous) (Horace)

valet ancora (or anchora) virtus: virtue is a strong anchor

valete ac plaudite: farewell and applaud (Terence; the final line of Roman actors at

the end of a performance)

vanitas vanitatum, omnia vanitas: vanity of vanities, all is vanity

varia sors rerum: the changeable lot of circumstances (Tacitus)

vehimur in altum: we are carried out into the depths

vel cæco appareat: it would be obvious to the blind

vel Jovi cedere nescit: he does not yield, even to Jove

vel prece vel pretio: with either prayer or price (i.e., for either love or for money)

velis et remis: with sails and oars (i.e., by all possible means)

velle bene facere: to wish to do well

velocem tardus assesquitur: the slow overtakes the swift

velut ægri somnia: like the dreams of the sick (Horace)

velut arbor ævo: as a tree with the passage of time (motto of the University of

Toronto)

velut inter ignis luna minores: as shines the moon among the lesser fires (Horace)

veluti in speculum: even as in a mirror venale pecus vertitur in lucem

venale pecus: the venal herd (Juvenal)

vendere fumos: to sell smoke (i.e., to make empty promises)

vendidit hic auro patriam: he sold his country for gold (Virgil)

veni, Creator Spiritus: come, Creator Spirit

veni, vidi, vici: I came, I saw, I conquered (Julius Cжsar’s message to the Roman

Senate, declaring his victory over the king of Pontus)

venia sit dicto: pardon the expression (or remark)

venite, adoremus Dominum: come, let us adore the Lord

ventis secundis: with favorable winds

vento intermisso: the wind having died down

ventum ad supremum est: a wind has come, we are at our last shift (i.e., we have a

crisis on our hands) (Virgil)

ventura desuper urbi: destined to come down on the city from above (after Virgil)

ver non semper viret: Spring does not always flourish (motto of Lord Vernon,

rendered “vernon” always flourishes)

verax atque probus: trustworthy and honest

verba rebus aptare: to fit words to things (i.e., to call something what it is)

verba togæ sequeris: you follow words of the toga (i.e., the language of the cultured

class) (Persius)

verbatim et literatim: word for word and letter for letter

verbera, sed audi: whip me, but hear me

verbis ad verbera: from words to blows

verbo tenus: as far as the word goes

verbum caro factum est: the Word was made flesh (after St. John 1:14)

verbum sapienti: a word to the wise

veritas: truth (motto of Harvard University)

veritas et virtus vincunt: truth and virtue conquer

veritas liberabit: truth will liberate

veritas magna est et prævalet: truth is great and prevails

veritas nunquam perit: truth never dies

veritas omnia vincit: truth conquers all things

veritas prævalebit: truth will prevail

veritas temporis filia: truth, the daughter of time

veritas victrix: truth the conqueror

veritas vincit: truth conquers

veritas vos liberabit: the truth shall set you free (motto of the Johns Hopkins

University, after St. John 8:32)

veritate et justitia: with truth and justice

vero nihil verius: nothing truer than truth

verso pollice: with thumb turned [down] (Juvenal)

vertitur ad solem: it turns toward the sun

vertitur in lucem: it is changed into light

verus ad finem

vigilantia

verus ad finem: true to the end

verus et fidelis semper: always true and faithful

vestigia morientis libertatis: the footprints of dying liberty (Tacitus)

vestigia terrent: the footprints frighten me (Horace)

vestis virum facit: the garment makes the man

vestras spes uritis: you burn your hopes (Virgil)

veteris vestigia flammæ: the traces of my former flame (Virgil)

vi et armis: by force and arms

vi et industria: by strength and industry

vi et veritate: by force and by truth

vi et virtute: by strength and valor

vi victa vis: force overcome by force (Cicero)

vi vivo et armis: I live by force and arms

via crucis, via lucis: the way of the Cross [is] the way of light

via media: the middle way

via trita, via tuta: the beaten path, the safe path

vicarius non habet vicarium: a vicar cannot have a vicar

vicisti, Galilæe: You have conquered, O Galilean (the dying words of Julian the

Apostate)

vicit, pepercit: he conquered, he spared

victi vicimus: conquered, we conquer (after Plautus)

victis honor: honor to the vanquished

victor mortalis est: the conqueror is mortal

victoria: victory

victoria concordia crescit: victory is increased by concord

victoria, et per victoriam vita: victory, and by victory he assured his life

victoria, et pro victoria vitam: victory, and for victory he sacrificed his life

victoria mihi Christus: Christ is victory to me

victoria Pyrrhica: a Pyrrhic victory, in which the victor is worse off than the

vanquished

victoriæ gloria merces: glory is the reward of victory

victoriam coronat Christus: Christ crowns the victory

victoriam malle quam pacem: to prefer victory to peace (Tacitus)

victrix fortunæ sapientia: wisdom, conqueror of fortune (Juvenal)

victus vincimus: conquered, we conquer (Plautus)

vide et crede: see and believe

video, et taceo: I see, and I am silent

vigilans et audax: vigilant and bold

vigilans non cadit: the vigilant man falls not

vigilanter: watchfully; vigilantly

vigilantia: vigilance

vigilantia non cadit virtus invicta

vigilantia non cadit: vigilance does not fall

vigilantia, robur, voluptas: vigilance, strength, pleasure

vigilantibus: to be watchful

vigilate: watch; be watchful

vigilate et orate: watch and pray

vigilo: I watch

vigilo et spero: I watch and I hope

vincam aut moriar: I will conquer or die

vincere aut mori: to conquer or die

vincere vel mori: to conquer or die

vincit amor patriæ: the love of country conquers (Virgil)

vincit cum legibus arma: he conquers arms by laws

vincit omnia pertinax virtus: stubborn virtue conquers all

vincit omnia veritas: truth conquers all things

vincit omnia virtus: virtue conquers all things

vincit pericula virtus: virtue conquers dangers

vincit qui patitur: he conquers who endures

vincit veritas: truth conquers

vincit virtute: virtue conquers

vindictæ trahit exitium: revenge brings with it ruin

vino tortus et ira: tormented by wine and anger (Horace)

vinum incendit iram: wine kindles wrath (Seneca)

vir bonus, dicendi peritus: a good man, skilled in speaking (Cato the Elder)

vir super hostem: a man above an enemy

vires acquirit eundo: it gathers strength as it goes along (Virgil, said of fame)

vires artes mores: strength, arts, customs (motto of Florida State University)

vires et honor: strength and honor

virescit vulnere virtus: virtue flourishes from a wound

viret in æternum: it flourishes forever

viribus unitis: with united strength

virtus ariete fortior: virtue is stronger than a battering ram

virtus basis vitæ: virtue is the basis of life

virtus castellum meum: virtue my castle

virtus clara æternaque habetur: virtue is bright and everlasting (Sallust)

virtus est militis decus: valor is the soldier’s honor (Livy)

virtus et honestas: virtue and honesty

virtus hominem jungit Deo: virtue unites man with God (Cicero)

virtus in actione consistit: virtue consists in action

virtus in arduis: virtue (or valor) in difficulties

virtus incendit vires: virtue kindles one’s strength

virtus invicta: unconquered virtue

virtus invicta gloriosa

virtute securus

virtus invicta gloriosa: unconquered virtue is glorious

virtus mille scuta (or, virtus millia scuta): virtue is a thousand shields

virtus nobilitat: virtue ennobles

virtus non stemma: virtue, not pedigree

virtus non vertitur: virtue (or valor) does not turn

virtus paret robur: virtue begets strength

virtus post nummos: virtue after money (Horace)

virtus potentior auro: virtue is more powerful than gold

virtus probata florescit (or florebit): virtue tested flourishes (or blooms)

virtus repulsæ nescia sordida: virtue unconscious of base repulse

virtus requiei nescia sordidæ: virtue that knows no mean repose

virtus semper viridis: virtue is always green (i.e., virtue never fades)

virtus sibi aureum: virtue is worth gold to itself

virtus sola nobilitat: virtue alone confers nobility

virtus sub cruce crescit, ad æthera tendens: virtue increases under the Cross, and

looks to Heaven

virtus sub pondere crescit: virtue increases under burden

virtus unita, valet: virtue united, prevails

virtus vincit invidiam: virtue conquers envy

virtute: by virtue

virtute cresco: I grow by virtue

virtute et armis: by valor and arms (motto of Mississippi)

virtute et claritate: by virtue and renown

virtute et fide: by virtue and faith

virtute et fidelitate: by virtue and fidelity

virtute et fortuna: by virtue and fortune

virtute et labore: by virtue and labor

virtute et numine: by virtue and the gods

virtute et opera: by virtue and industry

virtute et valare luceo non uro: by virtue and valor I shine, but do not burn

virtute fideque: by virtue and faith

virtute me involvo: I wrap myself in virtue

virtute non astutia: by virtue not by craft

virtute non verbis: by virtue not by words

virtute, non viris: by virtue, not by men

virtute officii: by virtue of office

virtute parta tuemini: defend what is acquired by valor

virtute probitate: by virtue and honesty

virtute quies: in virtue there is rest

virtute res parvæ crescunt: small things increase by virtue

virtute securus: secure through virtue virtute vici vivat respublica

virtute vici: I have conquered by virtue

virtutem sequitur fama: fame follows virtue

virtutes et honor: virtue and honor

virtutes parvæ crescunt: small things increase by virtue

virtuti: to virtue

virtuti fortuna comes: fortune, companion of virtue

virtuti nihil obstat et armis: nothing can stand against valor and arms

virtuti non armis fido: I trust to virtue not to arms

virtuti paret robur: strength follows virtue

virtutis amor: the love of virtue

virtutis amore: from love of virtue

virtutis avorum præmium: the reward of the virtue (or valor) of my ancestors

virtutis fortuna comes: fortune is the companion of valor (motto of the Duke of

Wellington)

virtutis gloria merces: glory, the reward of virtue

virtutis præmium: virtue’s reward

virtutis regia merces: royal is the reward of virtue

virtutis trophæa novæ non degener addet: in keeping with family tradition, he will

add new trophies of valor

virum volitare per ora: to fly through the mouths of men (i.e., to spread like

wildfire)

vis amoris: the force of love

vis est ardentior intus: the power is more ardent within

vis fortibus arma vigor: vigor is arms to brave men

vis nescia vinci: a power that knows not defeat

vis unita fortior: power is strengthened by union; union is strength

vis viva: the living power

vita brevis, ars longa: life is short, art is long (Horace and Seneca, after

Hippocrates)

vita est hominum quasi quum ludas tesseris: the life of man is like a game of dice

(Terence)

vita et pectore puro: with pure life and heart

vita sine litteris (or literis) mors est: life without literature is death

vitæ philosophia dux, virtutis indagatrix: O philosophy, guide of life and

discoverer of virtue (Cicero)

vitæ postscenia celant: they conceal the behind-the-scenes part of life

vitæ via virtus: virtue is the way of life

vitam impendere vero: to expend one’s life for the truth (Juvenal)

vivamus atque amemus: let us live and let us love (Catullus)

vivant rex et regina: long live the king and queen

vivat regina: long live the queen

vivat respublica: long live the republic

vivat rex

vulnere sano

vivat rex: long live the king

vive hodie: live for today

vive memor Lethi: live ever mindful of death (Lethe, a reference to the underworld,

was the river whose waters brought forgetfulness of the past) (Persius)

vive ut semper vivas: so live that you may live forever

vive ut vivas: live that you may truly live

vive, vale (or, vive, valeque): long life to you, farewell (Horace)

vivere est cogitare: to live is to think (Cicero)

vivere militare est: to live is to fight (Seneca)

vivere sat vincere: to conquer is to live enough

vivida vis animi: the strong force of the mind (Lucretius)

vivimus aliena fiducia: we live by trusting one another (Pliny the Elder)

vivimus in posteris: we live in our posterity

vivit ad extremum: it lives to the end

vivit Leo de Tribu Juda: the Lion of the Tribe of Judah lives

vivitur ingenio: he lives by skill

vix ea nostra voco: I can scarcely call these things our own (Ovid, an allusion to

one’s ancestry)

vixere fortes ante Agamemnona multi: many brave men lived before Agamemnon

(Horace)

vocat in certamina divos: he calls the gods to arms (Virgil)

volando, reptilia sperno: flying, I despise reptiles

volat ambiguis mobilis alis hora: the shifting hour flies with doubtful wings

(Seneca)

volat hora per orbem: time flies through the world (Lucretius)

volens et potens: willing and able

volens et valens: willing and able

volente Deo: God willing (Virgil)

volo, non valeo: I am willing but unable

volventibus annis: with revolving years (i.e., as the years roll on)

vota vita mea: my life is devoted

vox clamantis in deserto: the voice of one crying in the wilderness (St. John 1:23;

motto of Dartmouth College)

vox et præterea nihil: a voice and nothing more (i.e., sound without sense)

vox faucibus hæsit: the voice stuck in the throat (i.e., dumbstruck) (Virgil)

vox manet: the voice remains (Ovid)

vox omnibus una: one cry was common to them all (Virgil)

vox populi, vox Dei: the voice of the people [is] the voice of God

vox, veritas, vita: voice, truth, life (motto of the California State University)

vulneratur non vincitur: wounded, not vanquished

vulneratus non victus: wounded but not conquered

vulnere sano: I cure by a wound

vulneror, non vincor zonam perdidit

vulneror, non vincor: I am wounded, but not vanquished

Z

zoë kai psyche: life and soul (a Greek phrase)

zonam perdidit: he has lost his money belt (i.e., he is ruined!; all is lost!) (Horace)