Photo by My Father
Muffy Aldrich's SALT WATER NEW ENGLAND

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Latin Phrases

Photos by Salt Water New England

It is hard not to be impressed with the Roman culture's skill of creating efficient phrases.
Mens Sana In Corpore Sano 
Fortuna Eruditis Favet 
SPQR 
Cave Canem  
Requiescat In Pace
What is your favorite Latin phrase? (And for first year students, "The farmer is a poet" is acceptable.)





A Few Similar Entries by Topic:

78 comments:

  1. Robert ReichardtAugust 15, 2018 at 5:38 PM

    "Sic transit gloria mundi"(or as the title of George Harrison's famous album once proclaimed,"All things must pass.")

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 15, 2018 at 5:52 PM

    Aspirando et Perseverando.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ...d....August 15, 2018 at 6:06 PM

    From the Aeneid - “fessi rerum” - formally weary with adversity, colloquially, tired of things.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Miles CoverdaleAugust 15, 2018 at 6:30 PM

    My favorite farmer-poet's "simplex munditiis"--rather fitting, I think, as a description of preppy style.

    ReplyDelete
  5. SusanAugust 15, 2018 at 7:43 PM

    Esse quam videri
    "To be, rather than to seem"
    State motto of North Carolina.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousAugust 15, 2018 at 8:21 PM

    As a freshman in Latin class, a bunch of us were also in P E together. We called our softball team the “Aegri Agricoli “.

    MaryAnne

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousAugust 15, 2018 at 9:21 PM

    Praesent superare odio

    "Rise above evil."

    ReplyDelete
  8. JenniferAugust 15, 2018 at 9:30 PM

    Ubi sumus? (Fun to say but not very helpful when you really do need directions)
    Tempus fugit
    Pro bono publico

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousAugust 15, 2018 at 9:36 PM

    I've always admired the Phillips Academy's (Andover, MA) "NON SIBI" --- not for self.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Rich RAugust 15, 2018 at 11:10 PM

    Illegitimi non carborundum.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousAugust 15, 2018 at 11:13 PM

    Mirabile dictu :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousAugust 15, 2018 at 11:59 PM

    Not sure this is genuine Latin, but I've always been fond of "Illegitimi non Carborundum"

    NCJack

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 5:12 AM

    Vulpes non capitur muneribus.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 5:48 AM

    Caesar walks into a bar. The Bartender asks "Martini?" Caesar replies "No, tonight it'll be one and done, make it a dry Martinus with olives".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KenAugust 16, 2018 at 7:16 AM

      When Caesar went to a bar, he generally preferred beer. Being an emperor, he didn't have to buy a drink and it was always on the house. The bartender always greeted him with "ale, Caesar?".

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 8:32 AM

      Ken, I bow to you.

      Delete
  15. ZacharyAugust 16, 2018 at 6:49 AM

    With fond memories of my Kansas days, "ad astra per aspera," and my many RAF friends, "per ardua ad astra."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Miles CoverdaleAugust 16, 2018 at 10:03 AM

      --or memories of smoking unfiltered Pall Malls.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 7:39 PM

      Quone modo nunc, fulve bos?
      How now, brown cow?

      Delete
  16. KenAugust 16, 2018 at 7:06 AM

    Caveat emptor.

    Very relevant to modern society.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Connie MurrayAugust 16, 2018 at 7:49 AM

    Veni vidi vici -- I came, I saw, I conquered is the first (usually heard in movies about Ancient Romans) -- second favorite comes from The Handmaid's Tale -- Nolite te Bastardes Carborundorum -- my son took Latin for four years in high school via the Cambridge Latin Course (which actually was fun). The first year I picked up a little Latin just practicing the vocab lists with him! But by the time he got to declensions, I was in over my head. However every time I go into a museum with Roman artifacts, I can still decipher a bit -- triclinium -- dining room!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SartreskyAugust 16, 2018 at 12:19 PM

      I have a Chipp necktie from way back in the day that says "Non illegitimi carborundum," "Don't let the bastards grind you down."

      Delete
  18. JaneAugust 16, 2018 at 7:58 AM

    Carpe Diem.

    Seize the day.

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 8:12 AM

    In vino veritas. Loosely translated...From wine comes truth.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 8:14 AM

    Refreshing post!
    I shall add - Cursum perficio, I accomplish my course - ARH

    ReplyDelete
  21. SarahAugust 16, 2018 at 8:43 AM

    Dulce est Desipere in Loco--it is nice to throw aside one's dignity and relax at the proper time.
    Mirable dictu--wonderful to relate.
    Contra mundum--against the world.
    Palmam qui meruit ferat--let whoever earns the palm bear it.

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 8:48 AM

    Annus horribilis

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SusanAugust 16, 2018 at 11:46 AM

      So true for 1992. Strong words for a modern monarch!

      Delete
  23. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 8:56 AM

    Vitae summa brevis spem nos vetat incohare longam. Horace, but really Dowson makes it meaningful to me with his ...they are not long, the days of wine and roses....

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 9:13 AM

    Semper ubi sub ubi: "Always wear underwear"

    Timelessly sound advice...

    -Mike

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 9:19 AM

    ad vitam aeternam
    carpe diem
    nec plus ultra
    errare humanum est
    homo homini lupus

    ReplyDelete
  26. RCJHAugust 16, 2018 at 9:27 AM

    Not sure it qualifies as favorite, but the one I use more often, Carpe Diem.

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 9:50 AM

    Hampshire College's fitting motto: "Non Satis Scire". Translation: "To know is not enough".

    ReplyDelete
  28. JGillilandAugust 16, 2018 at 10:09 AM

    From Ovid-Bene vixit, qui bene latuit. "To live well, is to live concealed". Had to re-type most of it due to irritating spell check.

    ReplyDelete
  29. reformist60August 16, 2018 at 10:15 AM

    My favorite Latin phrase that I use all the time is "post-tenebras-lux" after darkness light.

    ReplyDelete
  30. LMB IIAugust 16, 2018 at 10:22 AM

    Semper Fideles

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 10:49 AM

    Scientiae Cedit Mare.

    AEF

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 11:20 AM

    Vincere est totum

    To win is everything

    ReplyDelete
  33. JoannaAugust 16, 2018 at 11:23 AM

    Ut Prosim, E pluribus unum

    ReplyDelete
  34. PatsyAugust 16, 2018 at 11:40 AM

    O Sibili, Si ergo
    Fortibuses in Ero
    Nobili Demis Trux
    Sewatis Enim? Cowsendux.

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 11:56 AM

    What a wonderful question! I have two favorites:

    Qvi docent discit
    Qvi plantavit curabit

    From George Bernard Shaw, "Qvi docent discit" or "he teaches, learns." I am a history teacher and have been for thirty three years, so this has much meaning to me.

    The other is the Roosevelt family motto (Manhattan side - TR branch, not Hudson River side of the family, the FDR branch) "Qvi Plantavit Curabit" or "he who plants preserves" (also interpreted as "also grows"). My Dad was a farmer, so this dual meaning of planting leading to preservation, or also to growth (which I like to interpret as self growth) has equally strong meaning to me.

    Teaching, learning, growing, preserving. All intricately interwoven in my life.

    The Concord Diaspora

    ReplyDelete
  36. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 2:10 PM

    Non incautus futuri. Not unmindful of the future. Motto of Washington and Lee University

    ReplyDelete
  37. Salt Water New EnglandAugust 16, 2018 at 4:37 PM

    Thank you, Stephanie, for pointing out the typo.

    ReplyDelete
  38. jhardinAugust 16, 2018 at 5:19 PM

    Dum vivimus vivamus
    While we liven let us live

    ReplyDelete
  39. SartreskyAugust 16, 2018 at 6:05 PM

    My fraternity's motto is "Manus multae cor unum" -- many hands, one heart.

    ReplyDelete
  40. WSTKS-FM WorldwideAugust 16, 2018 at 6:47 PM

    "Persona non grata" hands down. My late maternal grandfather used it fairly often, it reminds me of him whenever I read, hear, or use it myself.

    Best Regards,

    Heinz-Ulrich

    ReplyDelete
  41. KennethAugust 16, 2018 at 6:57 PM

    "NEC TEMERE NEC TIMIDE" - "Neither rashly nor timidly”

    Which is the motto of the Royal Danish Naval Academy. The academy was established in 1701 and still teach this motto today. The danish translation will be more like reckless than rashly i suppose.

    ReplyDelete
  42. The Wonder Of It All...August 16, 2018 at 7:00 PM

    Ut Prosim - That I may serve (Motto of Virginia Tech)

    ReplyDelete
  43. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 7:34 PM

    Oohh, I just can't choose one...

    Antiquis temporibus, nati tibi similes in rupibus vntosissimis exponebantur ad necem =
    In the good old days, children like you were left to perish on windswept crags.
    or
    Ad eundum quo nemo ante iit =
    To boldly go where no man has gone before.
    or
    Estne volumen in toga, an solum tibi libet me videre?
    = Is that a scroll in your toga, or are you just happy to see me?

    ReplyDelete
  44. BeresfordAugust 16, 2018 at 8:56 PM

    "IN VMBRA IGITVR PVGNABIMVS" -- Then we will fight in the shade. (Laconic saying.)

    ReplyDelete
  45. BitsyAugust 16, 2018 at 9:52 PM

    Dulcius ex asperis

    ReplyDelete
  46. AnonymousAugust 16, 2018 at 11:16 PM

    Festina Lente - Make Haste Slowly

    ReplyDelete
  47. AnonymousAugust 17, 2018 at 6:07 AM

    aien aristeuein (ever to excel)

    ReplyDelete
  48. AnonymousAugust 17, 2018 at 9:23 AM

    I didn't see "Semper fidelis" or "Semper fi" listed here or did I miss it?

    Always loyal or Always faithful. Motto of the marines.

    I'm loving these answers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownAugust 17, 2018 at 3:00 PM

      As a former Marine (no such thing as an ex-Marine and capitalize, please ;-), I appreciate you beating me to this.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 19, 2018 at 5:54 AM

      My apologies, sir. I did not know that, and thank you for the correction. My father-in-law was a marine (he has recently passed). I live with a husband who was raised by a marine, and while sometimes frustrating, I have the utmost respect for how they live their lives.

      Delete
  49. RCJHAugust 17, 2018 at 9:24 AM

    Ars Gratia Artis

    (in the MGM logo)

    ReplyDelete
  50. AnonymousAugust 17, 2018 at 9:30 AM

    Dum spiro, spero (while I breathe, I hope).

    AnnZ in Fairfax

    ReplyDelete
  51. AnonymousAugust 17, 2018 at 8:30 PM

    NON MINISTRARI SED MINISTRARE
    Wellesley College
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  52. AnonymousAugust 18, 2018 at 10:33 AM

    "Quid quid agis, prudenter ahas et respice finem" (Whatever you do, do it with intelligence and with the end in mind) - the operative word here being "intelligence". A favourite of my father's, and particularly relevant in these divided and oft' short-sighted (political, social and - as an unfortunate result - financial) times. ...also partial to "e tenebris lux" (from darkness light); additionally poignant these days, and rarely followed by allegedly greater minds than most, perhaps due to a lack of patience (or depth) and - subsequently - understanding...

    ReplyDelete
  53. AnonymousAugust 18, 2018 at 10:43 AM

    "agas", damned spellchecker... apologies...

    ReplyDelete
  54. KayAugust 19, 2018 at 12:46 AM

    Carpe diem.

    ReplyDelete
  55. AnonymousAugust 19, 2018 at 8:53 AM

    Bon temps roulez!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownAugust 19, 2018 at 10:29 AM

      Psst! That's french!

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 31, 2023 at 10:10 AM

      Well of course it's French. Please - don't be so pedantic and try to have some fun. "Let the good times roll, baby!"

      Delete
  56. AnonymousAugust 19, 2018 at 10:47 AM

    Carpe Diem My school's (Mercyhurst University ) motto !

    ReplyDelete
  57. James BAugust 19, 2018 at 9:02 PM

    Primus inter pares, meaning "first among equals".

    ReplyDelete
  58. J.FowlerAugust 20, 2018 at 9:09 AM

    I was lucky enough to have the same motto for boarding school and undergrad: Lux Et Veritas

    ReplyDelete
  59. sbudennisAugust 20, 2018 at 10:36 AM

    "Pax et Bonum" or Peace and Good!

    A favorite around St. Bonaventure University!

    ReplyDelete
  60. StephanieAugust 20, 2018 at 4:54 PM

    Ancora imparo - Still I am learning

    ReplyDelete
  61. andrewAugust 21, 2018 at 11:55 AM

    in vino veritas

    ReplyDelete
  62. AnonymousAugust 22, 2018 at 1:26 PM

    De opresso liber - to free the oppressed. US Army Special Forces' motto.

    ReplyDelete
  63. DTAugust 25, 2018 at 12:00 PM

    Res ipsa loquitur (but not in the strictly legal sense: i.e., a case of negligence)

    'The thing speaks for itself'

    ReplyDelete
  64. Expat08August 29, 2018 at 7:24 AM

    Ex Duris Gloria

    ReplyDelete
  65. nemoSeptember 2, 2018 at 9:59 PM

    Dominic Ac Foris school motto at home and abroad

    ReplyDelete

Comments are moderated.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)