Latin proverbs
From Wikiquote
This is a list of Latin proverbs and sayings.
A B C D E F G H I or J L M N O P Q R S T U V – See also – References
A[edit]
- Abbati, medico, patronoque intima pande.
- Do not keep secrets from your clergyman, your physician, or your patron.
- Abyssus abyssum invocat.
- Deep calls to deep.
- Acquirit qui tuetur.
- He acquires who preserves.
- Compare: "Sparing is the first gaining"
- He acquires who preserves.
- Acta non verba
- Actions, not words.
- Alea iacta est
- The die is cast.
- Amicorum omnia communia
- Between friends all is common
- Variant translation: For friends, all things are shared
- Ancipiti plus ferit ense gula.
- Gluttony slays more than the sword.
- Compare: "Wine has drowned more than the sea."
- Aegrescere medendo.
- To be made sick by medicine.
- Aeque pars ligni curvi ac recti valet igni.
- A piece of bent wood and a piece of straight wood are equally suitable for the fire.
- Compare: "Crooked logs make straight fires."
- A piece of bent wood and a piece of straight wood are equally suitable for the fire.
- Age quod agis.
- Do what you do
- Aliquis in omnibus est nullus in singulis.
- Someone in all, is nothing in one.
- English equivalent: Jack of all trades, master of none.
- Amat victoria curam
- Victory loves diligence
- Aquila non capit muscas
- An eagle does not catch flies.
- Auctoritas non veritas facit legem
- Authority, not truth, makes law.
- Thomas Hobbes, "Leviathan" II, 26
B[edit]
- Bellum se ipsum alet
- War will nourish itself.
- Bene diagnoscitur, bene curatur.
- Well diagnosed, well cured.
- Bis dat qui cito dat.
- He gives twice who gives quickly.
- Bonum est iniurias oblivisci.
- It is good to forget wrongs.
- Brevis oratio penetrat coelos
- Short prayers reach heaven.
C[edit]
- Carpe diem.
- Carthago delenda est
- Carthage is to be destroyed.
- Cave ab homine unius libri.
- Beware the man of one book.
- Citius venit malum quam revertitur.
- Evil arrives faster than it leaves.
- Cito maturum cito putridum.
- Quickly ripe, quickly rotten.
- Cogitationes posteriores sunt saniores.
- Second thoughts are ever wiser.
- Consuetudinis magna vis est.
- Great is the power of habit.
- Cicero, Tusculanae Disputationes, Book II; English translation by Andrew P. Peabody
- Great is the power of habit.
- Contritionem praecedit superbia.
- Pride precedes a fall.
- Book of Proverbs, 16:18
- Literal translation:
- Arrogance precedes contrition.
- Literal translation:
- Book of Proverbs, 16:18
- Pride precedes a fall.
- Corruptio optimi pessima est
- The corruption of the best is the worst
- Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges.
- Corvus oculum corvi non eruit
- A raven does not pluck out the eyes of another raven.
- Cui bono?
- To whose good?
- Cui caput dolet, omnia membra languent.
- English equivalent: When the head is sick, the whole body is sick.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1117. ISBN 0415096243.
- Cuilibet fatuo placet sua calva.
- English equivalentː Every fool is pleased with his own folly.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "147". Dictionary of European Proverbs. I. Routledge. p. 139. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7.
- Cuiusvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare.
- Any man can make a mistake; only a fool keeps making the same one.
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, Philippica XII, ii, 5
- Curae canitiem inducunt.
- Worry brings grey hair.
D[edit]
- De gustibus non est disputandum.
- Of tastes there is no disputing.
- Deus quem punire vult dementat.
- Whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad.
- Diem vesper commendat.
- "The evening compliments the day"
- Compare: You don't know what you've got till it's gone.
- Dii facientes adiuvant.
- The gods aid the active.
- Dives aut iniquus est, aut iniqui haeres.
- A rich man is either a knave, or the heir of a knave.
- Dictionary of Latin Quotations, Proverbs, Maxims and Mottos, edited by H. T. Riley [1]
- A rich man is either a knave, or the heir of a knave.
- Dives est qui sibi nihil deesse putat.
- The rich man is the one who thinks to himself that nothing is lacking.
- Divide et impera
- Divide and conquer.
- Docendo discimus.
- By teaching we learn.
- Compare: Homines dum docent discunt. "Men learn while they teach." Seneca the Younger, Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium; Book I, letter 7, section 8
- By teaching we learn.
- Ductus exemplo
- "Leading by example"
- Dulce bellum inexpertis
- War is sweet to those who have never experienced it.
- Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.
- Sweet and honorable it is, to die for the fatherland.
- Horace, Odes III, 2, 13
- Sweet and honorable it is, to die for the fatherland.
- Dulce pomum quum abest custos.
- Translation: Sweet is the apple when the keeper is away.
- English equivalent: Forbidden fruit is sweetest.
- Meaning: "Things that you must not have or do are always the most desirable."
- Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5.
- János Erdélyi (1851). Magyar közmondások könlyve. Nyomatott Kozma Vazulnál. p. 169.
- Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations (W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue) ed.). p. 93.
- Duo lepores qui insequitur, neutrum capit
- Who chases two rabbits, catches neither.
- Dum anima est, spes est
- While there is life there is hope.
- Compare: Aegroto dum anima est, spes esse dicitur (There is said to be hope for a sick man, as long as there is life); Cicero, Epistulae ad Atticum (Letters to Atticus) Book IX, Letter X, section 3
- While there is life there is hope.
- Dum spiro, spero.
- "While I breathe, I hope."
- Dum vivimus, vivamus!
- While we live, let us live!
- Organization) (1972). Dum Vivimus, Vivamus: A Chronicle of the First Century of the Knights of Momus, 1872-1972.
E[edit]
- Effectus sequitir causam.
- Effects follow causes.
- Eodem cubito, eadem trutina, pari libra.
- Translation: The elbow, the same balance, an equal balance.
- English equivalent: Whatever measure you deal out to others will be dealt back to you.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1219. ISBN 0415096243.
- Errare humanum est
- To err is human
- Esse quam videri
- To be rather than to seem
- Et si omnes ego non
- Even if all others, not I
- From Gospel of Matthew, 26:33
- Even if all others, not I
- Ex granis fit acervus.
- A heap is made from grains.
- Ex malis moribus bonae leges natae sunt.
- Bad customs have given birth to good laws.
- Ex nihilo nihil fit.
- Nothing comes from nothing.
- Experto crede
- "Trust the expert"
- Exceptio probat regulam
- The exception proves the rule
- Extremis malis extrema remedia.
- Extreme remedies for extreme ills.
- Expecta bos olim herba.
- Expect a cow where there is grass.
F[edit]
- Facilis descensus Averno.
- The descent to hell is easy.
- Festina lente
- Make haste slowly.
- Fides facit fidem.
- Confidence begets confidence.
- Fide nemini
- Trust no one.
- Finis origine pendet.
- The end depends on the beginning.
- Forma boni fragilis est.
- The form of the good is fragile
- Compare: All that is fair must fade.
- Fraus hominum ad perniciem, et integritas ad salutem vocat.
- Deceit summons danger and honesty brings safety.
- Fronti nulla fides.
- No faith in appearances.
G[edit]
- Generosus equus non curat canem latrantem.
- The well bred horse ignores the barking dog.
- Gutta cavat lapidem non vi, sed saepe cadendo
- A drop hollows out the stone not by strength, but falling many times.
H[edit]
- Historia est vitae magistra.
- "History is the teacher of life.”
- Hodie mihi, cras tibi.
- To me today, to you tomorrow.
- Fere homines libenter id quod volunt credunt.
- Often, men freely believe that which they wish.
- Julius Caesar; De Bello Gallico, Book III, chapter 18
- Often, men freely believe that which they wish.
- Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto.
- I am a human, I consider nothing human alien to me.
- Terentius; Heauton Timorumenos, Act I, scene 1, line 25
- I am a human, I consider nothing human alien to me.
- Honor sequitur fugientem.
- Honor follows the one who flees from her.
- The Routledge Dictionary of Latin Quotations [2]
- Honor follows the one who flees from her.
- Hostium munera, non munera.
- Gifts of enemies are not gifts.
- See Trojan Horse
- Gifts of enemies are not gifts.
I[edit]
- Ignavum fortuna repugnat.
- Fortune disdains the lazy.
- Ignorantia legis non excusat
- Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
- Improbe Neptunum accusat, qui iterum naufragiam facit.
- He unjustly blames Neptune, who suffers shipwreck twice.
- In dubio abstine
- When in doubt, abstain.
- In iudicando criminosa est celeritas.
- Haste in judging is shameful.
- In eadam sumus navi
- We are in the same boat.
- In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas
- "In necessary things unity, in doubtful things liberty, in all things kindness"
- In nullum avarus bonus est, in se pessimus.
- The covetous man is good to none and worst to himself.
- In propria causa nemo debet esse iudex.
- No one should be the judge in his own trial.
- Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.
- I will either find a way, or make one.
- Compare the English saying: "Where there's a will, there's a way."
- In vino veritas.
- In wine there is truth.
- Inimicum quamvis humilem metuendum est
- An enemy, however small, is to be feared.
- Compare English proverb: Do not underestimate your opponent.
- Innumeras curas secum adferunt liberi.
- Children bring with them countless cares.
- Interdum stultus bene loquitur.
- Sometimes a fool speaks well.
- Ira furor brevis est.
- Anger is brief insanity
- Horace, Epistles, Book I, epistle ii, line 62
L[edit]
- Latet enim veritas, sed nihil pretiosius veritate.
- Translation: Truth is hidden, but nothing is more beautiful than the truth.
- Francisco Sánchez de las Brozas; Minerva, Book I, Chapter 1
- Lumen soli mutuum das.
- Translation: You are lending light to the sun.
- Note: Said of persons who affect to explain what is perfectly clear and intelligible.
M[edit]
- Mala herba cito crescit
- An ill weed grows apace.
- Mali principii malus finis.
- Bad beginnings lead to bad results.
- Malum consilium est, quod mutari non potest.
- It is a bad plan, which can not be changed.
- Malum quidem nullum esse sine aliquo bono.
- "There is, to be sure, no evil without something good."
- Manus manum lavat
- "One hand washes the other."
- Mater artium necessitas.
- "Necessity is the mother of invention"
- Maxima debetur puero reverentia
- "The greatest respect is owed to children"
- Juvenal, Satires, IV.47
- "The greatest respect is owed to children"
- Medice, cura te ipsum
- Medicus curat, natura sanat
- Translation: "The doctor cares [for his patient], nature heals [him]." or "Doctor cures, nature saves”
- Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 869. ISBN 0415096243.
- Melius est nomen bonum quam divitae multae.
- A good name is better than great riches.
- Mendax memorem esse oportet.
- A liar should have a good memory.
- Mens sana in corpore sano
- A healthy mind in a healthy body
- From Juvenal, Satires
- A healthy mind in a healthy body
- Misera fortuna, qui caret inimico.
- It is unfortunate to have no enemies.
- Mobiles ad superstitionem perculsae semel mentes
- "The misfortunate are inclined to superstition."
- Tacitus, "Agricola", 1.28
- Mulier est hominis confusio.
- Woman is the ruin of man.
- Multum clamoris, parum lanae.
- Much clamor, little wool.
- Mundus vult decipi
- The world wants to be deceived
N[edit]
- Ne quid expectes amicos, quod tute agere possis.
- Expect nothing from friends, do what you can do yourself.
- Nemo regere potest nisi qui et regi.
- No one is able to rule unless he is also able to be ruled.
- Nescis quid serus vesper vehat.
- "You know not what night-fall may bring."
- Nihil ægrius quam disciplinam accipimus.
- We receive nothing with so much reluctance as instruction.
- Non alios suo modulo metire.
- Do not judge others by your own yardstick.
- Nocere facile est, prodesse difficile.
- It is easy to harm, it is difficult to help.
- Non nobis solum nati sumus
- We are not born for ourselves alone.
- Cicero, De Officiis, Book I, section 22
- We are not born for ourselves alone.
- Non quia difficilia sunt non audemus, sed quia non audemus, difficilia sunt.
- "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, but because we do not dare that things are difficult."
- Seneca, Letters to Lucilius, letter 104, section 26, line 5
- "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, but because we do not dare that things are difficult."
- Non semper erit aestas.
- "It will not always be summer."
- Nulla poena, nulla lex.
- "No penalty, no law."
- Nulla regula sine exceptione.
- There is no rule without an exception.
- Nullus est liber tam mallus, ut non aliqua parte prosit.
- No book is so bad, that not a single part of it may be useful.
- Attributed to Pliny the Elder by Pliny the Younger in his Epistulae, letter 5, 10
- No book is so bad, that not a single part of it may be useful.
O[edit]
- Oblata arripe.
- Take what is given.
- Oculus animi index.
- The eye is the informer/spy of the mind.
- Omnia cum pretio.
- Omnia vincit amor
- Love conquers all
- Vergilius, Eclogues, Book X, line 69
- Love conquers all
- Oratores fuint, poetae nascuntur.
- Orators are made, poets are born.
- Optimi natatores saepius submerguntur.
- The best swimmers often drown.
- Optimum medicamentum quies est.
- Rest is the best medicine.
- Otii vitia negotio discuti
- The ills of leisure are cured by labour.
- Seneca the Younger, Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium, Letter LVI
- The ills of leisure are cured by labour.
- Otium dat vitium.
- Leisure breeds vice.
- Compare English proverb: "The devil will find work for idle hands"
- Leisure breeds vice.
P[edit]
- Pacta sunt servanda
- Translation: "Agreements must be honoured.”
- Hasan, A. M. (2005). Pacta sunt servanda: the principle and its application in petroleum production sharing contract, Fikahati Aneska.
- Parit enim conversatio contemptum.
- Familiarity breeds contempt.
- Apuleius; De Deo Socratis, section iv
- Familiarity breeds contempt.
- Pars est beneficii quod petitur si cito neges.
- Translation: A prompt refusal has in part the grace of a favour granted.
- Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations (W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue) ed.). p. 147.
- Pauca sed matura
- Few, but ripe.
- Periculum in mora
- There is danger in delay.
- Barba non facit philosophum
- A beard does not make a philosopher.
- Piscem vorat maior minorem.
- The larger fish eats the smaller.
- Proverbs: A Handbook [3], Wolfgang Mieder
- The larger fish eats the smaller.
- Potius sero quam numquam.
- Better late then never.
- Livy, Ab Urbe Condita IV, 2
- Better late then never.
- Praemonitus, praemunitus
- "Forewarned is forearmed"
- Praesentem mulge, fugientem quid insequeris.
- Translation: Milk today, for what you are aiming for is fleeing.
- English equivalent: One today is worth two tomorrows.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1137. ISBN 0415096243.
- Praestat cautela quam medela.
- Caution is better than cure.
- Publica fama non semper vana.
- Rumour is not always false.
- Pulverulenta novis bene verritur area scopis.
- English equivalent: "New brooms sweep clean."
- Meaning: Newcomers are the most ambitious.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1103. ISBN 0415096243.
Q[edit]
- Qualis rex, talis grex
- As the king, so the people.
- Quam magnum vectigal sit parsimonia
- How great a revenue parsimony can be
- Cicero, Paradoxa Stoicorum; Paradox VI, 49
- How great a revenue parsimony can be
- Quem di diligunt, adulescens moritur
- "Whom the gods love dies young"
- Plautus, Bacchides, IV, 7, 18
- "Whom the gods love dies young"
- Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
- Qui dormit non peccat.
- "He who sleeps does not sin."
- Qui non est hodie, cras minus aptus erit.
- Who is not ready today, will be less so tomorrow.
- Qui me amat, amat et canem meam.
- Who loves me, loves even my dog.
- Qui audet adipiscitur.
- He succeeds who dares.
- Qui multum habet, plus cupit.
- He who has much desires more.
- Seneca the Younger, Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium, Letter 119, 6
- He who has much desires more.
- Qui non proficit, deficit.
- Who does not advance, recedes.
- Qui pro innocente dicit, satis est eloquens.
- He who speaks for the innocent is eloquent enough.
- Qui rogat, non errat.
- Who asks, doesn't err.
- Qui scribit, bis legit.
- Who writes, reads twice.
- Qui tacet consentire videtur
- Who is silent, is seen as consenting.
- Qui vitulum tollit, taurum subduxerit idem.
- Who steals a calf will steal an ox.
- Qui vult dare parva non debet magna rogare.
- Who is willing to give only little, should not ask for much.
- Quidquid latine dictum, altum videtur.
- Whatever is said in Latin, appears profound.
- Quieta non movere
- Do not disturb what is settled.
- Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur.
- What is freely asserted is freely deserted.
- See also: Hitchens's razor
- Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi
- What is permissible for Jove is not permissible for an ox.
- Quod nocet, saepe docet
- What harms, often teaches.
- Quod non videt oculus, cor non dolet.
- What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve.
R[edit]
- Rem tene, verba sequentur.
- Grasp the subject and the words will follow.
- Repetitio est mater studiorum.
- Repetition is the mother of study.
S[edit]
- Salus populi suprema lex esto.
- Let the welfare of the people be the highest law.
- Cicero, De Legibus; Book III
- Let the welfare of the people be the highest law.
- Sapere aude
- Dare to be wise.
- Horace, Epistles; Book I, epistle 2, line 40
- Dare to be wise.
- Sapiens omnia sua secum portat
- "A wise man takes everything he owns with himself." (i.e. in his head; his wisdom)
- Sapientia est potentia
- Wisdom is power.
- Scientia potentia est
- Knowledge is power.
- Scientia non habet inimicum nisi ignorantem.
- Knowledge has no enemies but the ignorant.
- Sicut mater, ita et filia eius.
- "As the mother, so is her daughter."
- Compare English proverb "Like father, like son"
- Si fueris Romae, Romano vivito more, si fueris alibi, vivito sicut ibi.
- If you are in Rome, live in the Roman way, if you are somewhere else, live like there.
- Derived from Ambrose of Milan
- Compare English proverb "When in Rome, do as the Romans do"
- If you are in Rome, live in the Roman way, if you are somewhere else, live like there.
- Si vis amari, ama
- If you wish to be loved, love.
- Attributed to Hecato by Seneca the Younger in Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium; Epistle IX
- If you wish to be loved, love.
- Si vis pacem, para bellum.
- "If you want peace, prepare for war."
- Compare: Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum (Vegetius, Epitoma rei militaris)
- "If you want peace, prepare for war."
- Silent enim leges inter arma
- Laws are silent in the midst of arms.
- Cicero, Pro Milone, Chapter IV, section 11
- Laws are silent in the midst of arms.
- Simia est simia, etiamsi purpura vestiatur.
- An ape is an ape, even if dressed in purple.
- Note: Purple was associated with royalty
- Stultorum est se alienis immiscere negotiis.
- It is foolish to become involved in another's work.
- Compare English: Mind your own business
- It is foolish to become involved in another's work.
- Summum ius summa inuria.
- The highest law is the highest wrong.
- Cicero, De officiis I, section 33
- The highest law is the highest wrong.
- Sunt facta verbis difficiliora
- Sunt pueri pueri pueri puerilia tractant
- Children are children and children do childish things [5]
- English equivalent: "Boys will be boys"
- Sutor, ne ultra crepidam
- Shoemaker, not beyond the shoe
- Suum cuique
- To each his own
T[edit]
- Tarde venientibus ossa.
- Translation: "For those who come late, only the bones."
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 625. ISBN 0415096243.
- Tempora aptari decet.
- Translation: Times should be adapted to.
- English equivalent: Take things as you find them.
- "We should not plan and then try to make circumstances fit those plans. Instead we should make plans fit the circumstances."
- George S. Patton, War as I Knew It (1947)
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 865. ISBN 0415096243.
- Tempori parce!
- Translation: "Save time!"
- Gottlob Zumpt, Karl (1836). A grammar of the Latin language (4 ed.). B. Fellowes. p. 275.
- Tempus fugit.
- Translation: "Time flees." (i.e., "time flies"). Originally as Sed fugit interea, fugit irreparabile tempus - translation: "Meanwhile the irreplaceable time flees" (Virgil)
- English equivalent: Time and tide waits for none.
- Almond, Frank (2002). Tempus Fugit. C&M Online Media. ISBN 0917990501.
- Timendi causa est nescire.
- Translation: "The cause of fear is ignorance." (Seneca)
- R. Stone, Jon (2005). The Routledge Dictionary of Latin Quotations: The Illiterati's Guide to Latin Maxims, Mottoes, Proverbs and Sayings (illustrerad ed.). Routledge. p. 118. ISBN 0415969093.
- Tres faciunt collegium.
- Translation: "Three makes a company."
- Berger, Adolf (1953). Encyclopedic Dictionary of Roman Law, Volym 43 Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. American Philosophical Society. p. 742. ISBN 0871694328.
- Tunc tua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet.
- Translation: "It also concerns you when the nearest wall is burning."
- R. Stone, Jon (2005). The Routledge Dictionary of Latin Quotations: The Illiterati's Guide to Latin Maxims, Mottoes, Proverbs and Sayings (illustrerad ed.). Routledge. p. 119. ISBN 0415969093.
- Tutum silentii premium.
- There is safety in silence.
U[edit]
- Ut salutas, ita salutaberis
- As you preserve, so shall you be preserved.
- Ubi bene, ibi patria
- Translation: "Where one feels good, there is one's country."
- Adeleye, Gabriel (1999). World Dictionary of Foreign Expressions: A Resource for Readers and Writers. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers. p. 389. ISBN 0865164231.
- Ubi concordia, ibi victoria.
- Translation: "Where there is harmony, there is victory."
- Webb, Amy (2006). The Devil's Duty. Lulu.com. pp. 212. ISBN 1411649842.
- Ubi dubium, ibi libertas.
- Translation: "Where there is doubt, there is freedom." legal, meaning when in doubt the prisoner has to be freed.
- Greener, Richard (2006). The Lacey Confession. Llewellyn Worldwide. p. 420. ISBN 0738708704.
- Ubi fumus, ibi ignis.
- Translation: "Where there's smoke, there's fire."
- Meaning: Where there are the signs of something, something is there.
- Thomasius, Christian (1715). Cautelae circa doctrinam de praesumptione allodialitatis. p. 29.
- Ulula cum lupis, cum quibus esse cupis.
- Howl with the wolves, if you wish to be among them.
- Uni navi ne committas omnia.
- Translation: Do not commit all to one boat.
- English equivalent: Don't put all your eggs in the same basket.
- Meaning: "Spread your risks or investments so that if one enterprise fails you will not lose everything."
- Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 18 August 2013.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 715. ISBN 0415096243.
- Una hirundo non facit ver
- "One swallow doesn't make spring"
- Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno
- One for all and all for one.
- Unum castigabis, centum emendabis.
- Translation: For one reprimand, a hundred corrections."
- Lautenbach, Ernst (2002). Latein-Deutsch: Zitaten-Lexikon: Quellennachweise. LIT Verlag Münster. p. 129. ISBN 3825856526.
- Usus magister est optimus.
- "Experience is the best teacher"
- Ut ameris, amabilis esto.
- "That you may be loved, be lovable."
- Ovid, Ars Amatoria; Book II, line 107
- "That you may be loved, be lovable."
- Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas
- Though strength be lacking, yet the will is to be praised.
- Ovid, Epistulae ex Ponto (Letters From the Black Sea), III, iv, 79
- Though strength be lacking, yet the will is to be praised.
- Ut sementem feceris, ita metes.
- Ut sis nocte levis, sit cena brevis!
- Translation: "That your sleeping hour be peaceful, let your dining hour be brief!" (Sis is one hour before sunset.) (modern: Sleep hard, Sleep fast, Sleep well)
- Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 818. ISBN 0415096243.
- Uxor formosa et vinum sunt dulcia venena.
- "Beautiful women and wine are sweet venom."
- Beudel, Paul (1911). Qua ratione Graeci liberos docuerint, papyris, ostracis, tabulis in Aegypto inventis illustratur: commentationem philologicam. E Typographia Aschendorffiana. p. 32.
V[edit]
- Vade ad formicam
- Go to the ant
- From Book of Proverbs 6:6; the full phrase reading: "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest."
- Go to the ant
- Varitatio delectat
- English equivalent: Variety is the spice of life.
- Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 89. ISBN 0415160502.
- Vasa vana plurimum sonant
- Hollow vessels make the most sound.
- Velle est posse
- To be willing is to be able
- Veni, vidi, vici
- I came, I saw, I conquered.
- Attributed to Julius Caesar
- I came, I saw, I conquered.
- Ventis secundis, tene cursum.
- English equivalent: Go with the flow.
- "Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows. Let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances."
- Tzu, Sun (̃¨ 400 B.C). "VI. Weak Points and Strong". The Art of War.
- Mesiah, Leza M. (2007). Recipes for Recovery: How to Heal Loss and a Broken Heart. AuthorHouse. p. 138. ISBN 1425965954.
- Verba docent, exempla trahunt.
- Translation: Words instruct, illustrations lead.
- Rautenberg, Wolfgang (2009). A Concise Introduction to Mathematical Logi (3, illustrerad ed.). Springer. p. 58. ISBN 1441912207.
- Verba volant, scripta manent.
- Words fly, writings remain.
- Verit eo caudam, qua decidit arbore, malum.
- English equivalent: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
- "Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents."
- Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 259. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
- Veritas liberabit vos
- The truth shall make you free.
- Gospel of John 8:32
- The truth shall make you free.
- Veritatem dies aperit.
- Translation: Time discloses the truth.
- Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 1206. ISBN 0415096243.
- Vincit omnia veritas
- Truth conquers all.
- Vincit qui patitur
- He conquers who endures.
- Vipera in veprecula est.
- There is a viper in the bush.
- Note: Said of hidden danger
- There is a viper in the bush.
- Vir fugiens et denuo pugnabit.
- English equivalent: He who fights and runs away may live to fight another day.
- Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 123. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 702. ISBN 0415096243.
- Viveri bis, vita posse priori frui.
- Translation: It is to live twice to be able to enjoy the retrospect of your past life.
- Hugh Moore (1831). A dictionary of quotations from various authors in ancient and modern languages. p. 137. Retrieved on 14 August 2013.
- Vivit post funera virtus.
- Translation: Virtue survives the grave.
- Henry Thomas Riley (1856). Dictionary of Latin Quotations, Proverbs, Maxims, and Mottos, Classical and Mediaeval. p. 503.
- Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores!
- English equivalent A leopard won't change its spots.
- Lautenbach, Ernst (2002). Latein-Deutsch: Zitaten-Lexikon: Quellennachweise. LIT Verlag Münster. p. 425. ISBN 3825856526.
See also[edit]
- Esperanto proverbs
- Henry Beard (Latin for All Occasions)
References[edit]
- O'Shea, Stephen (2000). The Perfect Heresy: The Revolutionary Life and Death of the Medieval Cathars. ISBN 0-8027-1350-5.
- Jenny's First Year Latin