My Favorite Latin Phrases
A few days ago, I got introduced to Latin. I mean, the language in itself. And I have to say…I Am Freaking In Love With This Beauty.
The first thing that came up when I searched for it were some beautiful Latin phrases. I just couldn’t help my mouth falling open in awe as I read through list after list.
Here are some of the phrases, in case you wanted to know because I couldn’t help just love this thing and I know you’ll love it too:
ad astra per aspera
to the stars through difficulties (this was the very first phrase and I gasped)
alis volat propriis
he flies by his own wings
amantium irae amoris integratio est
the quarrels of lovers are the renewal of love
ars longa, vita brevis
art is long, life is short
aut insanity homo, aut versus facit
the fellow is either mad or he is composing verses (I mean WHAT?!)
dum spiro spero
while I breathe, I hope (the rhythm of this phrase.)
ut incepit fidelis sic permanet
as loyal as she began, so she remains
urbem latericium invenit, marmoream reliquit
he found the city a city of bricks; he left it a city of marble (Just WOW. This just reminded me of a verse in Urdu poetry, though the verse is totally opposite of this phrase but idk why it came to mind at the moment.)
ense petit placidamsub libertate quietem
with the sword, she seeks peace under liberty (my absolute fav! if I ever write a book, gonna add this one)
exigo a me non ut optimus par simsed ut malis melior
I require myself not to be equal to the best, but to be better than the bad
trahimir omnes laudis studio
we are led on by our eagerness for praise
sub rosa
under the rose
experiential docet
experience teaches
sedit qui timuit ne non succederet
he who feared he would not succeed sat still
si vis pacem, para bellum
if you want peace, prepare for war
in libras libertas
in books, freedom
omnia iam fient quae posse negabam
everything which I used to say could not happen, will happen now (i can’t explain this, but my blood started boiling after reading this one.)
mens regnum bona possidet
an honest heart is a kingdom in itself
struit insidias lacrimis cum feminia plorat
when a woman weeps, she is setting traps with her tears (never found a more relatable phrase)
saepe ne utile quidem est scire quid futurum sit
often, it is not advantageous to know what will be
helluo librorum
a glutton for books (bookworm) (now this sounds ICONIC and you can’t change my mind)
mirabile dictu
wonderful to say
poeta nascitur, non fit
the poet is born, not made (do you have to say something more melancholic than this?)
littera scripta manet
the written letter lasts
nullus est liber tam malus ut non aliqua parte prosit
there is no book so bad that it is not profitable in some part
qui dedit beneficium taceat; narrat qui accepit
let him who has done a good deed be silent; let him who has received it tell it
P.S.: Please add to this list, I’ll love to know more of such phrases and the history behind them.
Also, if you have amazing phrases in your language then share them too. I’d love to add them to my list!
