55 Beautiful Latin Phrases & Quotes Everyone Should Know (2022)

  • By Maverick Mindsets
Beautiful Latin phrases

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Beautiful Latin Phrases From Ancient Rome

Are you looking for some beautiful Latin phrases to inspire you through your day?

Luckily for you, we at Maverick Mindsets are certified experts in finding the best Latin expressions from the ancient language.

beautiful Latin phrases

In this article, we focus on the most beautiful Latin phrases from the dead language.

Now in this instance ‘beautiful’ doesn’t necessarily mean soppy or loving, what we think of as beautiful can also mean powerful, strong or inspiring.

Keep reading to check out our top 10.

10 Beautiful Latin Words from ancient Rome

1. Semper fidelis

Nothing says beauty like a simple statement such as this; always faithful.

2. Vita brevis  

One of the more poignant phrases in the Latin language, the English translation means; life is short.

3. Qui totum vult totum perdit 

“He who wants everything, loses everything,” is the sentiment from this famous Latin phrase. It will certainly get you thinking if you contemplate it’s meaning.

4. Amor vincit omnia, et nos cedamus amori 

“Love conquers all, so, we too will yield to love.” As far as beautiful Latin phrases go, this one from the Roman poet Virgil is top of the list.

5. Aurora Australis 

Ok, so perhaps this didn’t actually feature in the ancient Latin language but this phrase is the English translation for the Southern lights. This is the natural phenomenon that features in the night sky in the southern hemisphere.

6. Memento mori 

Another poignant reminder that life is short. The famous phrase translates as; remember that you will die.

7. Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo 

The great poet does it again; “If I can’t move heaven, I will raise hell,” is a quote from Virgil’s Aeneid.

8. Audere est facere 

This Latin expression means; to dare is to do

9. Faber est suae quisque fortunae 

“Every man is the artisan of his own fortune.” A steadfast Latin quote that basically means, you make your own luck.

10. Vincit qui patitur 

When you’re going through hell, keep going. Or as the Romans said; he conquers who endures.

5 Lesser known Latin phrases

1. In flagrante delicto

The literal translation for this phrase is; in flaming crime. In the modern-day we would say; caught red-handed, or in the act

2. Igne natura renovatur integra 

In the ancient world fire was used in a more spiritual way than it is today. The translation of this phrase is; through fire, nature is reborn whole.

beautiful Latin phrases

3. Homo unius libri (timeo) 

“(I fear) a man of one book,” is a Latin quote from Christian theology attributed to Thomas Aquinas.

4. Hostis humani generis 

We’re not sure what exactly this phrase was attributed to, but the meaning is thus; enemy of the human race.

5. Honor virtutis praemium 

The budding psychologists will appreciate this phrase; esteem is the reward of virtue.

11 Everyday Latin Quotes

Here are the common Latin phrases and their translations that you probably don’t go a week without hearing.

1. Carpe diem 

Seize the day

2. Bona fide 

Good faith

3. Acta non verba 

Actions not words

4. Vino veritas 

In wine there is truth

5. Barba tenus sapientes 

Wise as far as his beard

6. Et cetera 

And so on

7. Caveat emptor  

Buyer beware

8. Alter ego 

Other I

9. Ergo sum  

I think therefore I am

10. Ad hoc 

To this

11. Alma mater 

Nourishing mother

12. Cave canem 

Beware the dog

7 Popular Latin Phrases

1. Carpe vinum 

Sometimes seizing the day just isn’t enough and we have to; seize the wine.

2. Aqua vitae 

Another wine based phrase that oddly translates as; water of life.

3. Sic semper tyrannis  

“Thus be to tyrants,” is the famous Latin phrase shouted by John Wilkes Booth as he assassinated president Abraham Lincoln.

beautiful Latin phrases

4. Ad hominem attack  

Is a logical fallacy associated with trying to undermine the opponent’s arguments by personal attacks

5. Pro bono  

A Latin term often used in the legal profession which translates as “for good.”

6. Vox populi  

A modern-day journalistic phrase that means “voice of the people.”

7. Carthago delenda est

A Roman classic; “Carthage must be destroyed.”

10 Cool Latin quotes

1. Aut cum scuto aut in scuto 

This is an ancient Greek phrase translated into Latin that means; “either with shield or on shield.” It was said by Spartan wives and mothers who sent their loved ones off to war.

2. Vita Enim Mortuorum in Memoria est Posita Vivorum 

We love this cool Latin phrase that translates into English as; “the life of the dead is placed in the living.”

3. Dum spiro spero 

“While I breathe I hope,” pretty inspirational huh?

4. Non ducor duco 

“I am not led, I lead.” Strong words.

5. Auribus teneo lupum 

Ever heard the phrase; holding a tiger by the tale? How about; “I hold a wolf by the ears.”

beautiful Latin phrases

6. Ad meliora 

Onwards and upwards; “toward better things.”

7. Scientia ac labore 

An everlasting sentiment by the ancients; “knowledge through hard work.”

8. Creo quia absurdum est 

Something too strange to be true, the Latin phrase translates as “I believe because it is absurd.”

9. Ignis aurum probat, miseria fortes viros 

“Fire provides proof of gold, misery, of strong men.” This is a common Latin phrase used by the Roman poet Ovid

beautiful Latin phrases

10. Caesar non supra grammaticos 

“The Emporer is not above grammar.” Its origin goes back to 1414, when the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg made a grammatical error during his speech to the Council of Constance. After the error was pointed out to him, Sigismund angrily decided to simply change the grammar rule to his liking. At his point, a member of the Council apparently stood and said “Caesar non supra grammaticos.”

beautiful Latin phrases

11. Mea navis aëricumbens anguillis abundant 

A translation of a humorous saying from Monty Python’s “Dirty Hungarian Phrasebook,” this simply means, “My hovercraft is full of eels.”

12 Inspiring latin quotes

1. Sic parvis magna 

These are some more beautiful Latin phrases that should inspire you to take action. This phrase means; “greatness from small beginnings.”

2. Si vis pacem, para bellum 

Something that we can certainly relate to in the modern age; “if you want peace, prepare for war.”

3. Tempora heroic 

Heroic Age.

4. Veni vidi vici 

“I came, I saw, I conquered” is the favorite Latin phrase of every UK resident with an inspirational tattoo. The phrase was originally famously said by Julius Caesar.

5. Virtute et armis 

By virtue and arms; or “by manhood and weapons”

6. Primus inter pares 

“First among equals” was a title given to the Roman Emperors

7. Praemonitus praemunitus 

“Forewarned is forearmed”

8. Praesis ut prosis ne ut imperes 

World leaders take note of this great Latin quote: “lead in order to serve, not in order to rule.”

9. Per angusta ad augusta 

Certainly inspirational, and a Latin phrase that will hopefully give some comfort; “through difficulties to greatness.”

10. Nolo contendere 

A term that may be useful for insulting your opponent in a fight; “no contest.”

11. Invicta 

“Unconquered”

12. Invictus maneo 

Staying on the undefeated line, this Latin phrase translates as; “I remain unvanquished.”

Beautiful Latin Phrases - The Bottom Line

Hopefully reading this article has left you full of awesome new Latin phrases that will make you appear infinitely more intelligent to your friends.

beautiful Latin phrases

If you want to discover more hidden Latin gems from the ancient world then check out the further reading posts.

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