Latin has some strong roots in many English words. In modern time, some of these words are still in use such as alter ego, ad hoc, alias, and more. As many of these translations are abbreviated in the language, here is a listing to some other Latin sayings about life that are dated back in time.
A fronte praceipitium a tergo lupi – “A precipice in front, wolves behind” or “Between a rock and a hard place.”
Ad praesens ova cras pullis sunt meliora – “Eggs today are better than chickens tomorrow” or “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.”
Aequam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem – “Remember when life’s path is steep to keep your mind even.”
Alea iacta est – “The dice has been cast.”
Amare et sapere vix deo conceditur – “Even a god finds it hard to love and be wise at the same time.”
Amicitiae nostrae memoriam spero sempiternam fore – “I hope that the memory of our friendship will be everlasting.”
Disiecti membra poetae – “Limbs of a dismembered poet.”
Dulce bellum inexpertis – “War is sweet for those who haven’t experienced it.”
Dum excusare credis, accusas – “When you believe you are excusing yourself, you are accusing yourself.”
Dum inter homines sumus, colamus humanitatem – “As long as we are among humans, let us be humane.”
Dum viviumus, vivamus – “When we live, let us live.”
Etiam capillus unus habet umbram – “Even one hair has a shadow.”
Extinctus ambitur idem – “The same (hated) man will be loved after he’s dead. How quickly we forget.”
Fabas indulcet fames – “Hunger sweetens the beans” or “Hunger makes everything taste good.”
Faber est suae quisque fortunae – “Every man is the artisan of his own fortune.”
Fluctuat nec mergitur – “It is tossed by the waves but it does not sink.”
Forest fortuna adiuvat – “Fortune favors the brave.”
Forsan miseros meliora sequentur – “For those in misery, perhaps better things will follow.”
Malum consilium quod mutari non potest – “It’s a bad plan that can’t be changed.”
Malum quidem nullum esse sine aliquo bono – “There is, to be sure, no evil without something good.”
Materiam superabat opus – “The workmanship was better than the subject matter.”
Semper idem – “Always the same thing.”
Semper inops quicumque cupit – “Whoever desires is always poor.”
Serva me, servabo te – “Save me and I will save you.”
Si vis amari, ama – “If you wish to be loved, love.”
Si vis pacem, para bellum – “If you want peace, prepare for the war.”
Tantum religio potuit saudere malorum – “So potent was religion in persuading to evil deeds.”
Timendi causa est nescire – “Ignorance is the cause of fear.”
Transit umbra, lux permanet – “Shadow passes, light remains.”
Ubi concordia, ibi victoria – “Where there is unity, there is the victory.”
Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas – “Although the power is lacking, the will is commendable.”
Vestis virum reddit – “The clothes make the man.”
Vir sapit qui pauca loquitur – “That man is wise who talks little.”
Vires acquirit eundo – “It gains strength by going (or as it goes).”
Vitam regit fortuna, non sapientia – “Fortune, not wisdom, rules lives.”
Vitanda est improba siren desidia – “One musts avoid that wicked temptress, Laziness.”
In this weekly series, Alisha reviews some of the most advanced Latin phrases found as they are explained in use with a sample sentence.
Keith Miller has over 25 years of experience as a CEO and serial entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, he has founded several multi-million dollar companies. As a writer, Keith's work has been mentioned in CIO Magazine, Workable, BizTech, and The Charlotte Observer. If you have any questions about the content of this blog post, then please send our content editing team a message here.
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