Famous Latin Sayings

Ever wondered why Latin phrases sound such classic and sophisticated?

Here we have a saying for that:

Quidquid latine dictum, altum videtur

Which means:

Whatever said in Latin, sounds profound

Let’s have a look

at some frequent Latin quotes…

divide et impera

Divide and rule or Divide and conquer or

Divide in order to conquer

faber est quisque fortunae suae

every man is architect of his own fortune

bis vivit qui bene vivit

S/he lives twice who lives well

dimidium facti qui coepit habet

He who has begun has the work

half done (Horace)

bis vincit qui se vincit in victoria

He conquers twice who conquers

himself in victory (Publius Syrus)

aut viam inveniam aut faciam

I'll either find a way or make one

aut vincere aut mori

Either to conquer or to die

ipsa scientia potestas est

Knowledge itself is power.

nil desperandum

Never despair

nemo me impune lacessit

No one provokes me with impunity.

(motto of the kings of Scotland)

nulli secundus /nulli secunda

Second to none

perfer et obdura;

dolor hic tibi proderit olim

Be patient and tough; some day this pain

will be useful to you.

per aspera ad astra!

Through difficulties to the stars!

candor dat viribus alas

Sincerity gives wings to strength

possunt quia posse videntur

They can because they seem to be able to

(they can do it because they think they can

do it - the power of positive thinking)

qui audet adipiscitur

S/he who dares wins

(or: s/he who wins dares)

sedit qui timuit ne non succederet.

He who feared he would not succeed sat still.

tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito

Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the

more boldly against them

dum vita est spes est

While there's life, there's hope

una salus victis nullam sperare salutem

The one safety for the vanquished is to

abandon hope of safety

(knowing that there is no hope can give

one the courage to fight and win).

veritas vos liberabit

The truth shall make you free

vincit qui se vincit

He conquers who conquers himself.

dum spiro, spero

While I breathe, I hope (a motto of South

Carolina)