Inspirational Latin Phrases on Life, Love & More

Latin is an ancient language, thought to have originated in Italy as early as the 7th century BCE. Spoken by Julius Caesar, it has truly stood the test of time, still used today in fields like law, medicine, and science, as well as in conversation. If you want to sprinkle some Latin into your everyday life, keep reading to learn some of the the most popular and beautiful Latin phrases. You might be surprised at how many you already recognize!

Some Iconic Latin Phrases

"Veni, vidi, vici," meaning, "I came, I saw, I conquered."
"Carpe diem," meaning, "Seize the day."
"Cogito, ergo sum," meaning, "I think, therefore I am."
"In vino veritas," meaning, "In wine, there is truth."
"Acta, non verba," meaning, "Deeds, not words."
"Quid pro quo," meaning, "Something for something."

Section 1 of 7:

Latin Phrases About Life

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Use these Latin phrases to reflect on life. Considering that Latin was one of the first languages humans used to muse on life, it makes sense that we have continued to do so. Whether it be advice on how to live, what to do with the cards you’re dealt, or simply words of wisdom, here are some of the best Latin phrases about life: ^{[1]
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- “Carpe diem,” meaning, “Seize the day”
  - This is one of the most popular Latin phrases used today and encourages making the most out of life.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “It’s a beautiful day to be alive— carpe diem it is!”
- “Errare humanum est,” meaning, “To err is human.”
  - This expression is meant to calm anxieties about making mistakes as they’re simply a part of being human.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “ Don’t beat yourself up. Remember, errare humanum est.”
- “In vino veritas,” meaning, “In wine, there is truth.”
  - This Latin term implies that alcohol leads to released inhibitions and the revelation of secret truths.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “If you get too drunk, be very careful about what you say! In vino, veritas, afterall.”
- “Acta, non verba,” meaning, “Deeds, not words.”
  - Synonymous with the English saying “actions speak louder than words.”
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Believe his actions, not his words— Acta, non verba. It’ll tell you everything you need to know.”
- “Quid pro quo,” meaning, “Something for something.”
  - This phrase is often used when asking for a favor while offering something in exchange.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “If I do you this favor, what can I expect in return? I work on a quid pro quo basis.”
- “Nemo saltat sobrius, ” meaning, “Nobody dances sober.”
  - Similar to “in vino veritas” as alcohol can help people loosen up.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Let’s get the libations flowing! Nemo saltat sobrius.”
- “Dulce est desipere in loco,” meaning, “It is sweet on occasion to play the fool.”
  - This expression emphasizes enjoying the moment without overthinking.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Relax and turn your brain off. You know what they say, dulce est desipere in loco.”
- “Memento vivere,” meaning, “Remember to live.”
  - Similar to “carpe diem” and encouraging us to live life to the fullest.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “If it won’t matter in 5 years, don’t let it ruin your day today. Memento vivere.”

Section 2 of 7:

Latin Phrases About Love

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Implement these Latin phrases to add a touch of romance. Latin is the root of all Romance languages, such as Spanish, Italian, and French. Some of these phrases are about love and all of its beautiful complexities, while others offer new perspectives on how love enhances life. Keep reading to discover new phrases to include in your Valentine’s Day cards that will make your partner swoon: ^{[2]
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- “Amor vincit omnia,” meaning, “Love conquers all.”
  - This phrase is used to propose a romantic belief about the power of love.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “You two will definitely get through this rough patch. Amor vincit omnia.”
- “Amor et melle et felle est fecundissimus,” meaning, “Love is rich with both honey and venom.”
  - This is used to highlight the ecstasy and grief associated with love.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “It’s okay to grieve your relationship. Amor et melle et felle est fecundissimus.”
- “Si vis amari ama,” meaning, “If you want to be loved, love.”
  - This functions as a version of the Golden Rule, aka, do unto others as you wish they do unto you.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “There’s only one solution moving forward: Si vis amari ama.”
- “Ubi amor, ibi dolor,” meaning, “Where (there is) love, there (is) pain.”
  - This expression is similar to, “Amor et melle et felle est fecundissimus.”
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Ubi amor, ibi dolor— can’t have one without the other.”
- “Nunc scio quid sit amor,” meaning, “Now I know what love is.”
  - Refers to a deep realization of what love is, after either a positive or negative experience.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “ I can’t stop thinking about her… nunc scio quid sit amor.”
- “Amor gignit amorem,” meaning, “Love begets love.”
  - Synonymous for “love breeds more love”; similar to, “Si vis amari ama.”
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Be as kind to them as you can be. Amor gignit amorem.”
- “Hei mihi! Quod nullis amor est medicabilis herbis,” meaning, “Oh me! Love can not be cured by herbs.”
  - From Metamorphoses by the Ancient Roman poet, Ovid, meaning that the grief of love has no real remedy.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Please just let me feel the grief of this breakup. There’s nothing you or anyone can do. Quod nullis amor est medicabilis herbis.”
- “Amor tussisque non celantur,” meaning, “Love and a cough cannot be concealed.”
  - This phrase inspired poet Anne Sexton to extend it into verse: “As it has been said:/ Love and a cough/ cannot be concealed./ Even a small cough./ Even a small love.”
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “It’s very clear that you two have a connection… amor tussisque non celantur.”
- "Amor animi arbitrio sumitur, non ponitur," meaning, “We choose to love, we do not choose to cease loving.”
  - This phrase illustrates the idea that love is a lifelong feeling, whether we want it to be or not.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Yes, he broke my heart, but what can you do? Amor animi arbitrio sumitur, non ponitur.”
- “Amor caecus est,” meaning, “Love is Blind.”
  - The Latin root version of the popular English idiom.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Of course I noticed all the red flags, but I still couldn’t help but fall in love. Amor caecus est.”
- “Fons vitae caritas,” meaning, “Love is the fountain of life.”
  - Romantic notion attributing the joy and abundance of life to love.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Heartbreak is simply part of the process, since fons vitae caritas.”

Section 3 of 7:

Latin Phrases Offering Advice

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Consider how these phrases could enrich your life. Although our civilizations are thousands of years apart, ancient Romans shared many of our same concerns, ideas, and hopes. They also had their own set of ways to deal with these issues, some of which have survived to impart their wisdom upon us—how lucky are we? Here are a few words to live by: ^{[3]
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- “Festina lente,” meaning, “Hurry slowly.”
  - This expression encourages you to act quickly, but carefully.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “The flight is in 2 hours, so we have to hurry, but please make sure you have everything you need! Festina lente.”
- “Memento mori,” meaning, “Remember that you will die.”
  - Similar in sentiment to both “mementro vivire” and “carpe diem.”
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “You should try to enjoy every moment. Memento mori.”
- “Per aspera ad astra,” meaning, “Through hardships to the stars.”
  - This expression validates the idea that great things are achieved through hard work.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Going to grad school is going to be a ton of work, but per aspera ad astra!”
- “Audaces fortuna juvat,” meaning, “Fortune favors the bold.”
  - This is a classic expression encouraging bravery and risk-taking.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Although it might seem scary right now, remember: audaces fortuna juvat.”
- “Mens sana in corpore sano,” meaning, “A healthy mind in a healthy body.”
  - This expression shines a light on the importance of both a healthy mind and a healthy body.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Going to the gym is just as important as seeing a therapist. Mens sana in corpore sano!”
- “Fluctuat nec mergitur,” meaning, “She is tossed by the waves but doesn't sink.”
  - This phrase encourages perseverance in the face of adversity.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Don’t give up— fluctuat nec mergitur.”
- “Castigat ridendo mores, ” meaning, “Laughing corrects morals.”
  - This stems from an old belief that suggests we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “If the ancient Romans learned to laugh at their blunders, so should we— castigat ridendo mores!”
- “Ex nihilo nihil fit,” meaning, “Nothing comes from nothing.”
  - Meant to inspire hard work; similar to “per aspera ad astra.”
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “ Ex nihilo nihil fit— keep working hard and you’re sure to be successful.”
- “Barba non facit philosophum,” meaning, “A beard doesn’t make one a philosopher.”
  - “The clothes don’t make the man” is the modern English equivalent of this phrase.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Sure, he may look the part, but Barba non facit philosophum.”
- “Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes,” meaning, “I fear Greeks even if they bring gifts.”
  - This phrase alludes to the Trojan Horse used to trick the Spartans during the Trojan War; warns against trusting others too quickly.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Our new neighbors brought over lasagna and cookies when we moved in, but I’m still not sure about them… Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.”

Section 4 of 7:

Philosophical Latin Phrases

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Learn from these Latin philosophical phrases. Latin is the language of philosophy, used by the likes of Plato, Aristotle, and Seneca to convey their most thought-provoking ideas. These quotes encourage critical thinking about the world around us and the self, bringing forth undeniable truths veiled in colorful language. Keep reading for some Latin food for thought: ^{[4]
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- “Nitimur in vetitum,” meaning, “We strive for the forbidden.”
  - This phrase represents what drove Eve to eat the forbidden fruit and our own need to fight temptation in modern life.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “If only man could be satisfied with what he has, but of course—nitimur in vetitum.”
- “Risus abundat in ore stultorum,” meaning, “Laughter is abundant in the mouth of fools.”
  - This Latin idiom warns against trusting people who are unserious.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “She laughs at her own jokes too much, and risus abundat in ore stultorum.”
- “Mortuum flagellas,” meaning, “You are flogging a dead man.”
  - This expression refers to not trying to improve someone who does not feel remorse for their actions.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Don’t waste your breath on her, mortuum flagellas.”
- “Beati pauperes spiritu,” meaning, “Blessed in spirit (are) the poor.”
  - This phrase reminds us to cut ties with material belongings as being rich of spirit is most important.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Sure, things are nice to have, but true wealth is something else. Beati pauperes spiritu.”
- “Nosce te ipsum,” meaning, “ Know thyself. ”
  - According to Plato, this maxim was engraved at the temple of Delphi and places high value on self-reflection.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Above all, the philosophy encourages nosce te ipsum.”
- “Cogito, ergo sum,” meaning, “I think, therefore I am.”
  - This quote is from a Latin philosophical proposition coined by René Descartes in his text, Discourse of Method, published 1637. It assumes thought and consciousness as the basis for existence.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Do you ever think about what makes us human? Cogito, ergo sum.”
- “Audere est faucere,” meaning, “To dare is to do.”
  - This phrase means that taking action and risks is necessary to lead a successful and fulfilling life.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Take the leap— audere est faucere!”
- “Sapientia potentia est,” meaning, “Wisdom is power.”
  - Asserts that knowledge allows you the freedom to make the best, informed choices.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Sapientia potentia est so please feel free to ask all the questions you need answers to.”

Section 5 of 7:

Short Latin Phrases

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Pepper these short and popular Latin phrases into your daily conversation. It’s very likely that these short and sweet Latin expressions have already made their way into your everyday life. Many of these have official use in law, medicine, and education, but they can add a certain pizzaz to any conversation. If you’ve never used these phrases before but do want to learn how to use them confidently and regularly, pay close attention to the following list: ^{[5]
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- “Ad hoc,” meaning, “For this,” typically referring to something unplanned.
  - This expression is akin to improvising something or acting individually to achieve a purpose.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Let’s ad hoc this meeting since there is no official agenda.”
- “Status quo,” meaning, “The existing state of affairs.”
  - Very popular idiom used in everyday conversation, meaning “the order of things” or “the way things are.”
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Try to maintain the status quo and don’t rock the boat.”
- “Deus ex machina,” meaning, “God from the machine.”
  - This phrase refers to a seemingly unsolvable problem being remedied via an unexpected method.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “They pulled a deus ex machina at the end of the movie.”
- “Mea culpa,” meaning, “Through my fault.”
  - Widely used in legal settings, the phrase can also be used in conversation to admit guilt.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “The best way to get back into her good graces is to just fall on your sword, say, ‘Mea culpa,’ and hope she forgives you.”
- “Per se,” meaning, “By itself” or “in itself.”
  - This commonly used phrase means to describe a stand-alone thing instead of in connection with other similar things.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “I’m not a huge chocolate lover per se, but I do enjoy some chocolate chip cookies with milk.”
- “Alma mater,” meaning, “Nourishing mother.”
  - Typically refers to the college, university, or institution that one has attended, implying that education nourishes its students.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “You got into UNLV? Awesome, that’s my alma mater!”
- “De facto,” meaning, “In fact.”
  - This phrase describes something that is true and factual, even if not officially enacted.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Since Frances left, Melinda is the de facto president of the French club.”
- “Persona non grata,” meaning, “An unwelcome person.”
  - Used mainly in diplomatic settings when describing an unwanted person as it pertains to a country or region.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Dante Alighieri was a persona non grata in Florence after 1302 and would have been imprisoned or executed if caught there.”
- “Bona fide,” meaning, “In good faith.”
  - This phrase translates to sincere or genuine.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “He’s a bona fide expert at pickle ball— no one can beat him!”
- “Sui generis,” meaning, “Of their own kind” or “unique to.”
  - This can be used when someone makes something all their own, in a creative and wholly unique way.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Her style is sui generis, she turns heads everywhere she goes!”
- “Ad infinitum,” meaning, “To infinity.”
  - Can be used to detail something going on forever.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “Due to his enormous contributions to the cause, his membership can be renewed ad infinitum.”
- “Et cetera,” meaning, “And other similar things.”
  - Usually abbreviated as “etc” and added at the end of a list to suggest that there are other similar items that don’t need to be specifically mentioned.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “I love card games, like spades, crazy eights, bridge, et cetera.”
- "Veni, vidi, vici,” meaning, “I came, I saw, I conquered.”
  - Attributed to Julius Caesar after he quickly won the Battle of Zela.
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “They had to kick me out of the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet… veni, vidi, vici.”
- “Alea iacta est ,” meaning, "the die is cast."
  - Akin to the modern English phrase suggesting a “point of no return.”
  - How to Use in a Sentence: “You’ve done all you can do… alea iacta est.”

Section 6 of 7:

Why is Latin still relevant?

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Latin is the foundation of many modern languages and continues to grow. Although you may have heard that Latin is a dead language, this is not entirely the case. “Dead” languages are primarily defined as languages that have no more living speakers, which is certainly untrue of Latin. In fact, it’s estimated that there are up to 10,000 Latin speakers alive today, with podcasts and novellas being released in the ancient language. ^{[6]
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- The only validity to the idea that Latin is “dead” is that there are no native speakers, or generations of families who learn Latin as a primary language in the home.
- Latin has been around for 2700 years, and is the bedrock of all the major modern Romance languages: Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian.
- Neo-Latin dictionaries include the addition of words like “astronaves” or “spaceships,” “astronautae” or “astronauts,” and “interrete” or “the internet.”
- Although Latin vocabulary has expanded, speakers of Latin speak it in the same way that their ancient counterparts did.
  - Learning Latin provides the opportunity to read classic literature, like Ovid’s Metamorphoses , in its original form.

Section 7 of 7:

Where Latin is Still Used

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1

Medicine A recent study concluded that about 95% of English terms are based on the Latin language and Latinized Greek. Thus, learning Latin is essential to master medical terminology. This includes everything from anatomical terms, like “appendix,” to diseases, like “varicella,” to medical principles, like “ab ovo,” meaning, “from the very beginning,” or literally, “from the egg.” ^{[7]
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Law The use of Latin in the courtroom has been passed down for thousands of years, as our modern legal system is directly derived from Europe, where Latin originally thrived. Although some lawyers may prefer to do away with the ancient tongue altogether, others recognize the importance of maintaining this tradition, since Latin can convey straightforward ideas in few words, as opposed to their lengthy and complicated English versions. Some common Latin legal phrases include: ^{[8]
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- “Alibi,” meaning a defendant’s claim that they were elsewhere when the crime in question was committed.
- “Subpoena,” meaning a summons to appear in court to deliver a testimony.
- “Affidavit,” meaning a written statement usually signed by a witness.
3
Religion Latin is the official language of Vatican City and continues to play an integral role in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church continued using Latin even after the Roman Empire fell as a means to unify Catholics around the world. Many important Catholic documents are in Latin and the Vatican has even launched a Latin-language radio station. Common Latin terms used in Catholicism include: ^{[9]
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- “Agnus Dei,” meaning “Lamb of God.” ^{[10]
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- “Misere nobis,” meaning, “Have mercy on us.”
- “Corpus Christi,” meaning, “The Body of Christ.”
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Academia Latin has important applications across many fields in academia, ranging from history to literature to art to psychology. It’s also used for more niche academic purposes, like classification and rank. For example, the term "valedictorian" is derived from the Latin phrase "vale dicere," meaning, "to say farewell." Additionally, the 3 classes of honors, “cum laude,” “magna cum laude,” and “summa cum laude,” are all Latin for varying degrees of praise among college graduates. ^{[11]
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Inspirational Latin Phrases on Life, Love & More

Some Iconic Latin Phrases

Steps

Latin Phrases About Life

Latin Phrases About Love

Latin Phrases Offering Advice

Philosophical Latin Phrases

Short Latin Phrases

Why is Latin still relevant?

Where Latin is Still Used

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

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