A CONTRARIO. On the contrary.
AB INFRA. From within.
AB OVO USQUE AD MALA. From soup to nuts (lit., from the egg to the apples).
ABSIT. God forbid (lit., let it be gone).
ABUSUS NON TOLLIT USUM. Wrong use does not take way proper use. (Just because something is abused, it should not be taken away from those who use it properly.) --Legal
ACERBUM SANE ET LUCTUOSUM NUNTIUM. Bitter and lamentable news.
AD CAUTELAM. For safety('s sake). ("To be on the safe side.")
AD EXPERIMENTUM. As an experiment.
AD HOC IPSUM CONSTITUTA. Constituted for this very purpose (e.g., an "ad hoc" committee).
AD MAIOREM DEI GLORIAM (A.M.D.G.). To the greater glory of God. --St. Ignatius Loyola
AD MEDULLAM FIDEI: To the marrow of the faith.
AD MULTOS (ET FAUSTISSIMOS) ANNOS. To many (and very fortunate) years. --Ecclesiastical; said by a newly consecrated bishop to the consecrating bishop at the end of the Rite of Consecration of a Bishop)
AD NUTUM EPISCOPI. At a nod from the bishop.
AD REM. To the point.
AD SANITATEM GRADUS EST NOVISSE MORBUM. A step toward health is to have known illness.
AD (IN) USUM DELPHINI. For the use of the Dauphin (i.e., expurgated).
ADHUC SUB IUDICE LIS EST. The dispute is still under judgment.
ADMIRATIO POPULI. Amazement of the people.
ADVOCATUS NASCITUR, NON FIT. A lawyer is born, not made. --Cicero
A FURORE NORMANNORUM, LIBERA NOS, DOMINE. From the fury of the Normans, spare us, Lord.
AGE QUOD AGIS. Do what you do (well); pay attention to what you are doing.
ALEA IACTA EST. --Julius Caesar upon crossing the Rubicon, as quoted by Suetonius, Julius Caesar
ALTER IDEM AMICISSIMUS. Another self most friendly.
AMAT VICTORIA CURAM. Victory favors those who take pains (lit., victory loves care). --Roman proverb
AMICUS CERTUS IN RE INCERTA CERNITUR. A true friend is discerned in an uncertain matter. ("A friend in need is a friend indeed.") --Ennius as quoted by Cicero, De Amicitia, 17:64
AMOR CAECUS EST. Love is blind.
AMOR ORDINEM NESCIT. Love does not know order. -- St. Jerome, Epistulae, 7:6
AMOR PLATONICUS. Platonic love.
ANNUS PAUCA IN VERBA REDACTUS. The year summarized into a few words.
ARDUUM SANE MUNUS. A truly arduous task.
ARGUENDO. For the sake of argument, hypothetically. --Legal
ARS EST CELARE ARTEM. Art consists in concealing art. --Horace
ARS PERDITA. A lost art.
ASTRA INCLINANT, NON NECESSITANT. The stars incline; they do not determine. (An astrological principle.)
AT EST BONUS, UT MELIOR VIR NON ALIUS QUISQUAM, AT TIBI AMICUS. But he is a good man, so that not another man is better, but he is your friend. --Horace, Sermones, 1:3:32-3
AUCTOR IURA SUA EX LEGIBUS SIBI VINDICAT (OMNIA IURA SIBI VINDICAT AUCTOR, OMNIA IURA RESERVANTUR): The author claims for himself his legal rights under the law (the author claims all rights for himself, all rights are reserved).
AUREAM MEDIOCRITATEM. Golden mean. --Horace
AUT CAESAR AUT NIHIL. Either Caesar or nothing.
AUT DISCE AUT DISCEDE. Either learn or leave.
AVE, IMPERATOR, MORITURI TE SALUTAMUS. Hail, Caesar; we who are about to die salute you.
BENE LEGERE SAECLA VINCERE. To read well is to master the ages. --Prof. Emeritus Isaac Flagg, University of California, inscribed over the north portal of Loan Hall, Doe Library, University of California)
BENE TIBI SIT: Let it be well with you. --After Ps. 127(KJV 128):2
BENE VALEATIS ATQUE MEA QUAMVIS MODESTA CONSILIA ET OPERA
BENIGNIUS RECORDEMINI. May you be well and remember somewhat kindly my however modest advice and works. --Van L. Johnson, former President of the American Classical League
BONA VENATIO: Good hunting!
BONUM EST FACIENDUM ET PROSEQUENDUM, ET MALUM VITANDUM. (The end of human conduct) is to do and pursue good and to avoid evil. --St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Ia IIae, Qu. 64, A. 1
BONUM EX INTEGRA CAUSA, MALUM EX QUOCUMQUE DEFECTU. Good exists only if the thing is entirely good; evil, where there is one sole fault (lit., [an act is] good from the complete cause; [an act is] evil from any defect whatever). [The axiom of Pseudo-Dionysius: of (1) the moral purpose of the act (finis operis); (2) the moral intention of the actor (finis operantis); (3) the moral circumstances of the act]. --Pseudo-Dionysius
BONUM, VERUM, PULCHRUM. The good, the true, the beautiful.
CAELUM VIDERE IUSSIT, ET ERECTOS AD SIDERA TOLLERE VULTUS. He bid them to look at the sky and to lift their faces upright to the stars. --Ovid
CAPUT ARTIS DECERE. The essence of art is to be appropriate.
CAPUT MUNDI. (Rome,) head of the world.
CARITAS URGET NOS. Charity urges us.
CARPE DIEM, QUAM MINIMUM CREDULA POSTERO. Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future. --Horace, Odes I.11
CASTA FUIT, DOMUM SERVAVIT, LANAM FECIT. She was faithful to her husband, she looked after the home, she spun wool. --A Roman woman's tombstone
CASUS BELLI. A cause (causes) of war.
CASUS CONSCIENTIAE. A case of conscience.
CAUSA CELEBRATIONIS. A cause of celebration.
CEDANT ARMA TOGAE. Let arms yield to the toga.
CERTANT GRAMMATICI, ET ADHUC SUB IUDICE LIS EST. The grammarians debate, and as yet the case is under adjudication.
CETERIS PARIBUS. Other things being equal.
CETERUM CENSEO CARTHAGINEM ESSE DELENDAM. Further, I think that Carthage must be destroyed. --Marcus Porcius Cato, by which he ended all his speeches in the Roman senate
CARITAS AMICITIA QUAEDAM EST HOMINIS AD DEUM. Charity is a kind of love of man for God. --St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, IIa IIae, Qu. 23, A. 1
CAUSA ARTIUM ALIT SCIENTIAM. The cause of the arts nourishes science. --Motto of the Classical Association of the Atlantic States
CAVE ANCILLAM. Beware the maid [what she might overhear].
CHRISTIANI AD LEONES, CHRISTIANAE AD LENONES. Christian men to the lions, Christian women to the brothels. --After Tertullian, Apologeticum, 40:12 "Christianos ad leonem"
CICERONIANUS ES, NON CHRISTIANUS. You are a Ciceronian, not a Christian. --St. Jerome, Epistulae, 12:30
CITO LABITUR HORA; LAETUM MANE FUGIT, SUCCEDUNT TEMPORA
NOCTIS MAESTA. The hour slips quickly; it flies happily in the morning; the sad times of night follow. --Herbert H. Huxley, Wolfson College, Cambridge, England, translated for an inscription on a sundial for Dr. Henry I. Bowditch
COGITO, ERGO SUM. I think; therefore, I am. --Cartesius (Rene Descartes)
CONCORDIA IN VARIETATE: Concord in variety.
CONDITIO SINE QUA NON: Condition without which not.
CONTEMPLARI ET CONTEMPLATA ALIIS TRADERE. To meditate and to transmit to others what they have meditated. --St. Thomas Aquinas's motto
CONTINUANDO. By way of continuing.
COR AD COR LOQUITUR: Heart speaks to heart. --John Henry Cardinal Newman
CORRUPTIO OPTIMI PESSIMA. The corruption of the best is worst. --Roman proverb
COTIDIANA VILESCUNT. Familiarity breeds contempt (lit., daily things become common).
CREDITE AMORI VERA DICENTI. Believe love speaking the truth. --St. Jerome, Epistulae, 7:2
CREDO QUIA ABSURDUM EST. I believe because it is absurd. --Tertullian
CREDO UT INTELLIGAM. I believe in order that I may understand. (Faith is the absolute standard for all rational thought.) --St. Augustine, Sermones, 43:7:9 (also St. Anselm)
CUI LICET QUOD EST PLUS, LICET UTIQUE QUOD EST MINUS. He who may do the greater may certainly do the less. --Boniface VIII, 1298; a rule of law
CUIUS REGIO ILLIUS ET RELIGIO. Whose district it is, his religion it is. (Principle of Church affiliation agreed to by Charles V and the Lutherans in 1555 at the Peace of Augsburg.)
CUM SCRIPTURA DIVINA MULTIPLICITER EXPONI POSSIT, QUOD NULLI EXPOSITIONI ALIQUIS ITA PRAECISE INHAEREAT QUOD, SI CERTA RATIONE CONSTITERIT HOC ESSE FALSUM, QUOD ALIQUIS SENSUM SCRIPTURAE ESSE ASSERERE PRAESUMAT: NE SCRIPTURA EX HOC AB INFIDELIBUS DERIDEATUR, ET NE EIS VIA CREDENDI PRAECLUDATUR. Since Holy Scripture can be explained in a multiplicity of senses, one should adhere to a particular explanation, only in such measure as to be ready to abandon it, if it be proved with certainty to be false, lest Holy Scripture be exposed to the ridicule of unbelievers, and obstacles be placed to their believing). --St. Augustine, De Genesi ad Litt., 1:18 (PL 34, 260); cap. 19 (PL 34, 261); cap. 21 (PL 34, 262); cf. St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Ia, Qu. 68, A. 1
CUM TACENT, CLAMANT. When they are silent, they shout. --Cicero, Oratio in Catilinam I, 21:6)
CURA NIHIL ALIUD NISI UT VALEAS. Pay attention to nothing other except that you be well. --Cicero, Epistulae ad Familiares, 16:5)
CUSTOS MORUM. Keeper of the morals.
CORRIGE PECCANTES, PROHIBE PECCARE VOLENTES. Correct sinners, prevent those wanting to sin. -- Periander of Corinth, one of the Seven Sages of Greece, translated into Latin by Herbert H. Huxley, Wolfson College, Cambridge, England
CURA UT VALEAS. Take care.
DAMNANT QUOD NON INTELLEGUNT. They condemn what they do not understand.
DAMNATIO MEMORIAE. condemnation of one's memory. (Effacing of all public notice of a public figure who has subsequently gone into disfavor.)
DE BENE ESSE. To be as long as it is well. (To be accepted for the time being, conditionally, provisionally.)
DE INTERNIS NON IUDICAT PRAETOR. The praetor does not judge about internal matter (i.e., internal thoughts as opposed to external actions).
DE LANA CAPRINA RIXARI. To argue over goat's wool (i.e., nothing).
DE MARIA NUMQUAM SATIS. About Mary nothing (is) enough. --St. Bernard
DE MINIMIS NON CURAT PRAETOR (LEX). The law (praetor) does not care about inconsequentials.
DE MORE. Normally (lit., according to custom).
DEUS QUI NOBIS VITAM EODEM TEMPORE ET LIBERTATEM DEDIT. The God who gave us life also gave us liberty at the same time. --Thomas Jefferson
DIABOLUS EST IESUITA. The devil is a Jesuit.
DIES AMARITUDINIS. Day of bitterness.
DIGITUS DEI. The finger of God.
DISSIMULA CASUM, GNARUS NE GAUDEAT HOSTIS. Conceal your misfortune, lest your enemy rejoice knowing. --Periander of Corinth, one of the Seven Sages of Greece, translated into Latin by Herbert H. Huxley, Wolfson College, Cambridge, England
DIVERTE A MALO, ET FAC BONUM: Turn from evil, and do good. --St. Benedict
DIVIDE ET IMPERA. Divide and rule. --After Machievelli
DO UT DES. I give (something to you) in order that you give (i.e., something in return).
DOCENDO DISCITUR. By teaching one learns.
DOCENT OMNIA. Everything teaches.
DOCERE VERBO ET EXEMPLO: To teach by word and example.
DOMINE, PATI ET CONTEMNI PRO TE. Lord, to suffer and be contemned for you. --St. John of the Cross, 1542-1591, Lectio iii ad Matutinum, November 24
DOMINI VOLUNTAS FIAT. The will of the Lord be done.
DULCE EST DISSIPERE IN LOCO. It is pleasant to tarry on a topic.
DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI. It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country. --Horace, Odes
DURA EST OVICIPITUM VIA. The way of the egghead is hard. --Adlai Stevenson, 1954
DUX FEMINA FACTI. A woman was the leader of the deed. ("Cherchez la femme.") --Vergil, Aeneid
E CONVERSO. Conversely.
ECCLESIA SEMPER REFORMADA EST. The Church must always be reformed.
EGO ... SUM QUOD HIC FUIT; QUOD HIC EST, EGO ERO. I am what he was; what he is, I shall be. --St. Silvester, "cadaver conspiciens," Lectio iii ad Matutinum, November 26
EHEU FUGACES, POSTUME, POSTUME, LABUNTUR ANNI, NEC PIETAS MORAM RUGIS ET INSTANTI SENECTAE ADFERET INDOMITAEQUE MORTI. Alas, Postumus, Postumus, the years slip by, nor will righteousness give pause to wrinkles and to advancing age, and to invincible death. --Horace, Carmina, 2:14:1-4
ENTIA NON SUNT MULTIPLICANDA PRAETER NECESSITATEM. Entities are not to be multiplied except for necessity. (Ockham's Razor) --William of Ockham
ERGO VALE MEMOR NOSTRI. And so farewell, mindful of us. --Juvenal, Satirae, 3:318
ESSE QUAM VIDERI. To be rather than to seem.
ET MODUS IN REBUS. There is a measure in things.
EST QUAEDAM FLERE VOLUPTAS. There is a certain pleasure in weeping.
ET ID OMNE GENUS. And that whole type.
ET VERBORUM ORDO MYSTERIUM EST. Even the order of the words (of the Bible) is sacred. --St. Jerome
EVINCERE MALUM BONO. To prevail over evil with good.
EX ABUNDANTI CAUTELA. From abundant caution.
EX CAERULO. Out of the blue.
EX GRATIA. As a favor (i.e., not out of necessity or obligation).
EX INVERSO. Inversely.
EX PARITATE. By analogy (equality).
EX PEDE HERCULEM. From the foot (alone we may infer) Hercules.
EX TEMPORANEA. Temporarily.
EX UMBRIS ET IMAGINIBUS IN VERITATEM. From shadows and images (on earth) to the truth (in heaven). --John Henry Cardinal Newman's gravestone
EX UNGUE LEONEM. From the claw (alone we may infer) the lion.
EXEMPLA TRAHUNT. Examples draw. ("Set a good example.")
EXITUS ACTA PROBAT. The outcome proves the deeds. ("The end justifies the means.") --Ovid, Heroides
EXPERIENTIA DOCET. Experience teaches. --Tacitus
EXPERTO (EXPERTIS) CREDITE. Believe the expert(s).
EXPRESSIS VERBIS. With expressed words (expressly).
EXTRA ECCLESIAM NULLA SALUS. Outside the Church (there is) no salvation. --St. Cyprian, Epistulae, 73:21
FACILIS DESCENSUS AVERNI. Easy is the road (descent) to Hell. --Vergil
FACTUS EST DEUS HOMO, UT HOMO FIERET DEUS. God was made a man in order that man might become God. --St. Augustine, Serm. 13 de Tempore
FALSUS IN UNO, FALSUS IN OMNIBUS. Untrue in one thing, untrue in everthing. --Legal
FESTINA LENTE. Make haste slowly. --Suetonius, Augustus (Latin translation of the Greek aphorism "speu^de brad_eos")
FIDES QUAERENS INTELLECTUM. Faith seeking understanding. --St. Anselm, first scholastic philosopher
FIDES SOLA IUSTIFICAT. Faith alone justifies. --Martin Luther
FINIS CORONAT OPUS. The end crowns the work. --Mediaeval proverb
FORSAN ET HAE OLIM MEMINISSE IUVABIT. Some day peraps it will be pleasing to remember these things too. --Vergil, Aeneid
FRANGAR, NON FLECTAR. I am broken; I am not deflected.
FURIOSUS FURORE SOLUM PUNITUR. A madman is punished only by his own madness.
GAUDEAMUS IGITUR,/IUVENES DUM SUMUS;/
POST IUCUNDAM IUVENTUTEM,/
POST MOLESTAM SENECTUTEM/
NOS HABEBIT HUMUS!//
VITA NOSTRA BREVIS EST,/
BREVI FINIETUR;/
VENIT MORS VELOCITER,/
RAPIT NOS ATROCITER,/
NEMINI PARCETUR.//
UBI SUNT, QUI ANTE NOS/
IN MUNDO FUERE?/
VADITE AD SUPEROS,/
TRANSITE AD INFEROS,/
UBI IAM FUERE.//
VIVAT ACADEMIA,/
VIVANT PROFESSORES;/
VIVAT MEMBRUM QUODLIBET,/
VIVANT MEMBRA QUAELIBET,/
SEMPER SINT IN FLORE!
Let us rejoice, therefore, while we are youths; after pleasant youth, after difficult old age, the earth will have us! Our life is short, it will be ended in a brief time; death comes swifty, it seizes us harshly, no one will be spared. Where are those who before us have lived in the world? Go to the gods, cross to the nether regions, when they have already lived. Long live the academy, long live the professors; long live every member, long live all members, may they always be in flower!
GENERI PER SPECIEM DEROGATUR. The general is derogated by the specific. --Legal
GENIUS LOCI. The spirit of the place.
GENTIBUS EST ALIIS TELLUS DATA LIMITE CERTO; ROMANAE SPATIUM EST URBIS ET ORBIS IDEM. The territory alloted to other nations has a definite limit, but the whole world is the domain of the City of Rome. --Ovid, Fasti, 2:683-4
GRAECIA CAPTA FERUM VICTOREM CEPIT. Captured Greece
captured her uncivilized victor. -- Horace
GRAECUM EST, NON POTEST LEGI. It is Greek; it can't be understood. ("It's Greek to me."
GRAMMATICI CERTANT ET ADHUC SUB IUDICE LIS EST. Grammarians dispute, and the case is still before the courts. --Horace, Ars Poetica
GRANDE NIMIS. Too great.
GUTTA CAVAT LAPIDEM, ANULUS CONSUMITUR USU. A drop hollows out the stone, a ring is worn out by use. --Ovid, Epistulae ex Ponto 4:10:5
HAEC SATIS SINT. Let these things be sufficient (of a list of examples).
HIC ET NUNC. Here and now.
HOC EST IN VOTIS. This is in (my) prayers.
HOC EST VERUM ET NIHIL NISI VERUM. This is the truth, and nothing but the truth.
HOC IUBET DEUS UT NON SIMUS HOMINES.... DEUS ENIM DEUM TE VULT FACERE. God commands not that you be men.... For God wants to make you a god. --St. Augustine, Serm. 166
HOC OPUS, HIC LABOR EST. This (is) the work; this (is) the labor. ("There's the rub.") --Vergil
HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS. With this sign you will be the victor. --Eusebius, Life of Constantine, 1:28-9, of
Constantine's vision before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge; cf. Lactantius, De Mortibus Persecutorum, 44:5:6)
HOC SUMMUM BENEFICIUM ECCLESIAE DEBETUR, QUOD LIBROS VETERES POETARUM, ORATORUM, HISTORICORUM LATINOS GRAECOSQUE MAGNAM PARTEM AB INTERITU VINDICAVIT. The Church performed this supreme service: she saved from destruction the great part of the old books of poets, orators, and historians, both Latin and Greek. --Leo XIII, Litterae Apostolicae "Plane Quidem," May 20, 1885
HOMO MASCULINUS OCCIDENTALIS. Caucasian man.
HOMO PROPONIT, SED DEUS DISPONIT. Man proposes, but God disposes. --Thomas a Kempis, De Imitatione Christi, 1:19:9
HOMO SUM, HUMANI NIL A ME ALIENUM PUTO. I am a man; nothing human is alien to me. --Terence
HORAM SOLE NOLENTE NEGO. I deny the hour when the sun is unwilling. --Motto on a sundial
ID TENEAMUS, QUOD UBIQUE, QUOD SEMPER, QUOD AB OMNIBUS CREDITUM EST; HOC EST ETENIM VERE PROPRIEQUE CATHOLICUM. [QUAM SEMPER ET UBIQUE TENUIT ECCLESIA]. Let us hold to what has been believed everywhere, always, by all; for this is truely and properly catholic. - -St. Vincent of Lerins (5th century), Commonitoria, IX (Rouet de Journel, #2168); three criteria for orthodox teaching
ILLE DOLET VERE QUI SINE TESTE DOLET. He truly grieves who grieves when none is there. --Martial, 1:33
ILLEGITIMIS NIL CARBORUNDUM. Don't let the bastards grind you down. --From the mediaeval jingle, "Si te dominorum vis/Facit furibundum,/ Dico "illegitimis Nichil carborundum"
IMAGINATIO LOCORUM ET MUTATIO, MULTOS FEFELLIT. Imagination and change of places has deceived many. ("The grass is greener on the other side of the fence.") --Thomas a Kempis, De Imitatione Christi, 1:9:6
IN ANGUSTIIS. In difficulties.
IN CAMERA. In chambers (i.e., in secret).
IN CAPITE ET IN MEMBRIS. In the head and in the limbs ("Root and branch.")
IN CASU. In the case [mentioned].
IN CASU EXTREMAE NECESSITATIS. In case of extreme necessity.
IN CAUDA VENENUM. In the tail (is) the poison. ("To save the worst for last.")
IN DEO SPERAMUS. In God we trust. --Brown University's motto
IN DIVERSIS VERSATI, IN UNUM VERSI. Involved in diverse things, turned to one thing. --University of California's former motto
IN DOMINO NOSTRO AC DOMINA NOSTRA. In our Lord and our Lady.
IN EXTENSO: In full.
IN GLOBO. Globally (from a global view).
IN MEDIAS RES. Into the middle of things. --Horace
IN MEDIO TUTISSIMUS IBIS. You will go safest in the middle (course). --Ovid, Metamorphoses
IN NECESSARIIS UNITAS, IN DUBIIS LIBERTAS, IN OMNIBUS CARITAS. In necessary things, unity; in dubious things, liberty; in all things, charity. --St. Augustine
IN OMNIBUS GLORIFICETUR DEUS. In everything let God be glorified.
IN PARI MATERIA. Of like kind (e.g., as in comparing two phrases grammatically).
IN PRAXI. In practice.
IN SILVAM NE LIGNA FERAS. Don't carry logs into the forest. ("Don't carry coals to Newcastle"). --Horace, Satirae, 1:10:34
IN VANUM LABORAT QUI OMNIBUS PLACERE CONTENDIT. He labors in vain who endeavors to please everyone. --Roman proverb
INCREDIBLE DICTU. Incredible to say.
INDULGENTIAM QUAESO. I ask your indulgence.
INGEMUIT TOTUS ORBIS ET ARIANUM SE ESSE MIRATUS EST. The whole world groaned and was amazed to find itself Arian. --St. Jerome
INQUIETUM EST COR NOSTRUM, DONEC REQUIESCAT IN TE. Our heart is restless, until it rests in You. --St. Augustine, Confessiones, 1:1
INTELLECTUM VALDE AMA. Love the intellect strongly. --St. Augustine, Epistulae, 120:3:13
INTELLIGO ME INTELLIGERE. I understand that I understand. --St. Augustine, De Trinitate, 10:11
INTELLIGO ME VELLE. I understand that I will. --St. Augustine, De Trinitate, 10:11
INTELLIGO UT CREDAM. I understand in order that I may believe. --Peter Abelard
INTER VIVOS. "Living" (trust). --Legal
INTEREST REIPUBLICAE UT SIT FINIS LITIUM. It is in the public good that there be an end to lawsuits.
INTERFICE ERROREM, DILIGERE ERRANTEM. Kill the sin, love the sinner. --St. Augustine
INTERPRETATIO ROMANA. The Roman interpretation. (Of the assimiliation of Christianity and, previously, other religions into the Roman religion.)
INTRINSICUS SUNT CAVI. They are hollow inside.
INVENIAM VIAM AUT FACIAM. I shall find a way, or I shall make one. --Peary, discoverer of the North Pole
IPSA SCIENTA POTESTAS EST. For knowledge itself is power. --Bacon, Meditationes Sacrae, De Haeresibus
ITA VITA. So goes life. --Sundial motto
IUS PROPRIETATIS VINDICABITUR: Proprietary rights will be claimed.
LABORUM DULCE LENIMEN. (Music,) sweet solace of labors. --G. Schirmer Company's motto
LAESA MAIESTAS: treason (le'se majeste').
LAPSUS CALAMI. A slip of the pen.
LATET ANGUIS IN HERBA. A snake lies in the grass.
LAUDATOR TEMPORIS ACTI. A praiser of times past. --Horace
LECTIO BREVIOR LECTIOR POTIOR. The shorter reading is the more probable reading. (Maxim of textual criticism.)
LECTIO DIFFICILIOR LECTIO POTIOR. The more difficult reading is the more probable reading. (Maxim of textual criticism.)
LEX COMMUNIS OMNIUM. The common law of all (e.g., of celestial bodies).
LEX DUBIA NON OBLIGAT. A doubtful law does not obligate. -- Theological
LEGEM CREDENDI, LEX STATUIT SUPPLICANDI. The law of praying is established by the law of believing. --Pope Celestine I to the bishops of Gaul, 422; cf. lex orandi, lex credendi
LEX MALA, LEX NULLA. A bad law (is) no law. --St. Thomas Aquinas
LEX NATURALIS. Natural law. (The law that has its basis in human nature itself, enunciated and dictated by reason.)
LEX ORANDI, LEX CREDENDI. The standard (law) of prayer determines the standard (law) of belief. --Pope Celestine in an appeal to the liturgy as a refutation of the error of the Pelagians
LEX PER SATURAM. A law by miscellany. (A law containing enactments on various subjects, which were all passed together as a whole.)
LEX POSITIVA NON OBLIGAT CUM GRAVI INCOMMODO. The positive law does not oblige in cases of grave inconvenience. --Theological
LEX TALIONIS. Law of retribution.
LEX TERRAE. Law of the land.
LIBERUM ARBITRIUM. Free will.
LIBRIS CLAUSIS (APERTIS)/STYLIS DEPOSITIS. With books closed (open), with pens put down.
LICENTIA LOQUENDI. Liberty of speaking, free speech, freedom of speech.
LITTERARUM ET ARTIUM OPTIMA MAGISTRA. The best teacher of letters and arts. --Russian philosopher Borovski, University of Leningrad, 1961/2, of the Latin language)
LOCUM TENENS. One holding a place (a temporary).
LOCUS POENITENTIAE. Opportunity for changing one's mind. (Cf. "buyer's remorse"). --Legal
LOCUS STANDI. A place to stand.
LUMINIS INDICIUM EST HAEC UMBRA INFERNA SUPERNI. The indication of light above is this shadow below. --Herbert H. Huxley, Wolfson College, Cambridge, England, translated for an inscription on a sundial for Dr. Henry I. Bowditch
MAGNA DI CURANT, PARVA NEGLEGUNT. The gods are concerned with important things; trifles they ignore. --Cicero, De Natura Deorum, 2:66
MAGNUM MALUM. A great evil.
MALA HERBA CITO CRESCIT. A weed grows quickly.
MEDIUM CERTUM. The certain mean. (The safer choice in a doubtful situation.) --Theological
MELIUS TARDE (TARDUM) QUAM NUMQUAM. Better late than never.
MENS LEGISLATORIS. The intent of the legislator.
MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO. A healthy mind in a healthy body. --Juvenal
MINIMIS OPTIME PERACTIS, MAXIMA BENE AGENTUR. After the smallest things have been very well completed, the greatest things will be done well.
MINUS HABENS. Absentminded.
MISERABLE DICTU: Wretched to say.
MODIFICATIS MODIFICANDIS. What was to be modified having been modified.
MOLE SUA. By its own weight.
MORE SOCRATICO. By the Socratic method.
MULTUM IN PARVO. Much in little.
MULTUM, NON MULTA. Much, not many things. ("Quality, not quantity".) --Latin translation of the Greek aphorism "ou polla', alla` poly'")
MUSICA DONUM DEI. Music, the gift of God. --Motto on a harpsichord
MUSICA LAETITIAE COMES, MEDICINA DOLORUM. Music, companion of joy, medicine for grief. --Motto on a harpsichord
MUTATIS MUTANDIS. What was to be changed having been changed.
NATURA NIHIL FIT IN FRUSTRA. Nature does nothing in vain. --Philosophical maxim, 17th century
NE QUID NIMIS. Nothing in excess. --Latin translation of Greek aphorism, "m_ede`n a'gan," as quoted by St. Jerome, Epistulae 60:7
NE SUPRA CREPIDAM SUTOR IUDICARET. Let a cobbler not judge beyond a sandal. ("Stick with what you know.") --Apelles, as quoted by Pliny the Elder
NE TRANSEAT IN EXEMPLUM: Lest it become an example (for others).
NEC VITIA NOSTRA NEC REMEDIA TOLERARE POSSUMUS: We can tolerate neither our vices nor their remedies. --Livy
NECESSITAS LEGEM NON HABET. Necessity has no law. --St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, IIIa, Qu. 80, A. 8; III Suppl.,
Qu. 8, A. 6
NECESSITAS NON SUBDITUR LEGI. Necessity does not submit to the law. --St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Ia IIae, Qu. 96, A. 6
NEMO DAT QUOD NON HABET. No one gives what he does not have. --Legal
NEMO LIBER EST QUI CORPORI SERVIT. No one is free who is a slave to his body. --Seneca
NEMO MALUS FELIX. No evil man is happy. --Juvenal
NEMO MALUS NISI PROBETUR. No one is (to be considered) evil unless it should be proved. ("Innocent until proven guilty.")
--Theological
NEMO REPENTE FUIT TURPISSIMUS. No one became very wicked overnight (suddenly). --Juvenal
NEMO USQUE EO TARDUS ET HEBES ET DEMISSUS IN TERRAM EST UT
AD DIVINA NON ERIGATUR AC TOTA MENTE CONSURGAT, UTIQUE UBI NOVUM
ALIQUOD E CAELO MIRACULUM FULSIT. No one is so dull and slow-witted and sunk to earth that he is not raised up and is not roused with his whole mind, when a new wonder has shone forth from the sky. --Seneca Major, Naturales Quaestiones, 7:1
NIHIL INNOVETUR NISI QUOD TRADITUM EST. Let nothing be innovated upon except what has been handed down. --Pope St. Stephen I (254-257)
NIHIL NOVI NISI QUOD TRADITUM EST. Nothing new except what has been handed down. --Roman proverb
NIL ADMIRARI. Nothing (is) to be admired. (Set no store by external goods.) --Horace
NIL DESPERANDUM. Nothing is to be despaired of. ("Never despair.")
NIL EGO CONTULERIM IUCUNDO SANUS AMICO. (As long as I am) sane, I equate nothing (on a par) with a pleasant friend. --Horace, Sermones, 1:5:44
NITOR IN ADVERSUM. I struggle against adversity.
NOLENS VOLENS. Willy-nilly (lit., unwilling, willing.)
NOLLE PROSEQUI. To decline to prosecute. --Legal
NOLO EPISCOPARI. I do not want to be a bishop. ("I do not choose to run.") --St. Ambrose
NON AD REM. Not to the point. --Legal
NON AMO TE, SABIDI. I do not like you, Sabidius. ("I do not like thee, Dr. Fell.") --Martial
NON ANGLI, SED ANGELI. Not Angles, but angels. --Pope St. Gregory the Great
NON ENIM PROPTER HOC ORAMUS UT DIVINAM DISPOSITIONEM IMMUTEMUS, SED UT ID IMPETREMUS QUOD DEUS DISPOSUIT PER ORATIONES SANCTORUM ESSE IMPLENDUM. We do not pray on accout of this, that we may change the Divine disposition, but that we may entreat that which God has disposed to be fulfilled by the prayers of holy people. --St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, IIa Iiae, Qu. 83, A. 2
NON EST ARBOR SOLIDA NEC FORTIS NISI IN QUAM FREQUENS VENTUS INCURSAT. A tree is not sturdy or strong unless the wind has frequently buffeted it. --Seneca, De Providentia, 4:16
NON EST EI SIMILIS. There is non like him (Job).
NON NUMERO HORAS NISI SERENAS. I do not count the hours unless (they are) sunny. --Motto on a sundial
NON OMNES QUI HABENT CITHARAM SUNT CITHAROEDI. Not all who own a harp are harpists. --Varro, de Re Rustica, 2:1:3
NON OMNIS MORIAR. I shall not completely die. --Horace, Odes
NON OMNIA POSSUMUS OMNES. Everyone cannot do everything.
NON QUIA VIRTUTEM DARE POSSUNT, SED QUIA ANIMUM AD ACCIPIENDAM VIRTUTEM PRAEPARANT. (One studies the liberal arts) not because they can bestow virtue, but because they prepare the soul to receive it. --Seneca, Epistulae Morales, 88:20
NON SEMPER EA SUNT QUAE VIDENTUR. Things are not always as they seem.
NON SERVIAM: QUIS UT DEUS?. I will not serve: Who is like God? --Lucifer's battle-cry/ Saint Michael's answer
NON ENIM TAM PRAECLARUM EST SCIRE LATINE QUAM TURPE NESCIRE. It is not so much excellent to know [good] Latin, as it is a shame not to know it. --Cicero, Brutus 37:140
NON VERITATEM DESIDERABANT, SED CALUMNIAM PRAEPARABANT. The were not desiring the truth, but were preparing calumny. --St. Augustine, Tract. 48 in Ioann., circa init., of the Pharisees questioning Christ
NORMA LOQUENDI. The standard of (everyday) speech.
NOTAT ET DESIGNAT OCULIS AD CAEDEM UNUMQUEMQUE NOSTRUM. He marks and plans with his eyes every one of us for slaughter. --Cicero, Oratio in Catilinam, 1:2
NULLA PORRO FALSA DOCTRINA EST, QUAE NON ALIQUA VERA INTERMISCEAT. There is, moreover, no false doctrine that does not intermingle some truth. --St. Augustine, Quaest. ev. 2:50
NULLAM PARTEM HABEMUS. We have no part (in it).
NULLIUS IN VERBA. (Rely) on the words of no one. ("Don't take anybody's word for it.") --Horace
NULLUS EST INSTAR DOMUS. There is no place like home.
NULLUS POTEST AMARE ALIQUID INCOGNITUM. No one can love something unknown. --St. Thomas Aquinas
NUNC HIC AUT NUMQUAM. (It's) now or never.
OBSEQUIUM AMICOS, VERITAS ODIUM PARIT. Flattery wins friends; the truth, hatred. --Terence, Andria, 1:1:41
ODERINT DUM METUANT. Let them hate (me), so long as they fear (me). --Accius
ODI ET AMO. I hate and I love. --Catullus
ODI PROFANUM VULGUS. I hate the common throng. --Horace
ODIA RESTRINGI, ET FAVORES CONVENIT AMPLIARI. It is appropriate that odious things be restrained, and favorable things be broadened. (The benefit of any doubt is given in cases of penal law.) --Regula iuris 15
O FELIX CULPA. O happy mistake. (Of the good that comes from a mistake.)
O NAVIS, REFERENT IN MARE TE NOVI FLUCTUS? O QUID AGIS? O ship (of state), will new waves carry you back into the sea? O what are you doing? --Horace, Odes, 1:14
O PASSI GRAVIORA, DABIT DEUS HIS QUOQUE FINEM. O you who have suffered worse things, God will terminate even these sorrows. --Vergil, Aeneid, 1:199
O TEMPORA, O MORES. O times, o customs. --Cicero, Oratio in Catilinam I
O VERE IUS SUMMUM SUMMA MALITIAE. Oh, truly the greatest justice is height of injustice. (Complete legality is complete injustice.) --Terence, Heauton Timoumenos, 796
OMNE INITIUM EST DIFFICILE. Every beginning is difficult.
OMNE BONUM TRIUM. Everything in threes (is) good. ("All good things come in threes.")
OMNE TRIUM EST PERFECTUM. Everything that comes in threes is perfect ("Good things come in threes"; "the third time's the charm").
OMNIA FAUSTA OMINAMUR. We predict all things (to turn out) well.
OMNIUM CONSENSU CAPAX IMPERII NISI IMPERASSET. In the opinion of all (judged) capable of (wielding) supreme authority if he had not ruled. --Tacitus, of the Emperor Galba
OPTIMUS MAGISTER BONUS LIBER. The best teacher is a good book.
OPTIMUS STATUS RERUM. The best state of things.
ORA ET LABORA. Pray and work. --Motto of St. Benedict
ORATIO EST PETITIO DECENTIUM DEO ... ASCENSUS MENTIS IN DEUM. Prayer is the petitioning to God for proper things ... the lifting of the mind to God. --St. John Damascene, Orthodoxa Fides, 1:33:24
PANEM ET CIRCENSES. Bread and circuses. --Juvenal
PAPA HERETICUS IPSO FACTO DEPOSITUS EST. A heretical pope is by that very fact deposed. --St. Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church
PARI PASSU: In equal proportion.
PARS PRO TOTO. Part for the whole (synecdoche).
PARS TUTIOR. The safer course. --Theological
PARTURIUNT MONTES, NASCETUR RIDICULUS MUS. The mountains labor and give birth to a ridiculous mouse. --Horace
PARVA DOMUS, MAGNA QUIES: Small house, great peace. --Motto on the organist's house at Exeter Cathedral in England
PATROCINIUM ORBIS TERRAE, VERIUS QUAM IMPERIUM POTERAT
NOMINARI. (The Roman empire) could more truly be called the protection of the world, rather than an empire over the world. --Cicero, De Officiis, 2:8
PAX ET BONUM! Peace and salvation! --Franciscan greeting
PECCATUM TACITURNITATIS. Sin of silence.
PECCAVIMUS OMNES. We have all sinned. --Seneca
PECUNIA IN ARBORIBUS NON CRESCIT. Money does not grow on trees.
PER ANGUSTA AD AUGUSTA. Through difficulties to great things.
PER ARDUA (ASPERA) AD ASTRA. Through difficulties to the stars. --Motto of the Royal Air Force
PER IMPOSSIBLE. By an impossibility.
PER MODUM GRATIAE. By way of a favor.
PIA CONSUETUDO. Pious custom.
PLAUDITE, CIVES! Applaud, citizens. (Announcement indicating the end of the game at the Circus Romanus.)
PLUSVE MINUSVE. More or less.
POSITIS PONENDIS. What was to be propounded having been propounded.
POST HOC ERGO PROPTER HOC. After this, therefore because of it. ("Correlation does not prove causation.")
POST TENEBRAS LUX. After the darkness (comes) light.
POTIUS SERO QUAM NUMQUAM. Better late than never.
PRAETIO {PRAETIA} PRUDENTIA PRAESTAT. Prudence supplies with a reward. --Motto of Lords Margadale (Morrison), Morrison of Isley House).
PRIMA SIBI CHARITAS. First, charity to oneself. ("Charity begins at home.")
PRIMUM NON NOCERE. The first thing is to do no harm. --Hippocratic Oath
PRINCIPIIS OBSTA; SERO MEDICINA PARATUR, CUM MALA PER LONGAS CONVALUERE MORAS. Resist the beginnings; too late is the medicine prepared, when the disease has gained strength by long delay. ("Nip it in the bud.") --Ovid, Remedia Amoris, 91
PRO OPPORTUNITATE. As circumstances allow (lit., as an opportunity.
PRO TANTO. To a certain extent.
PROMOVEATUR UT AMOVEATUR. Let him be promoted that he may be removed.
PURIS OMNIA PURA. To the pure all things are pure.
PURPUREUS PANNUS. Purple patch. (Exaggerated language.) -- Horace, Ars Poetica, 1:15-16
QUAM TERRIBILIS EST HAEC HORA. How fearful is this hour.
QUANDO TU RESPICIS AD CREATURAS, SUBTRAHITUR TIBI ASPECTUS CREATORIS. When you look around you at the creatures, a look at the Creator is taken away. --Thomas a Kempis, De Imitatione Christi 3:42:10
QUANDO ULLUM INVENIET PAREM? When shall (one) find any equal (to him)? --Horace, Odes I:21:8, of Vergil
QUEM DI DILIGUNT ADOLESCENS MORITUR. He whom the gods love dies young. --Plautus, Bacchides, 4:7:18, from Menander, Dis Expaton, Fragment 4: ho^n hoi` theoi` philou^sin apothne'iskei neos: Those whom the gods love die young
QUI BENE CANTAT, BIS ORAT. He who sings well, prays twice.
QUI DERELINQUUNT LEGEM, LAUDANT IMPROBOS. Those who abandon the law praise the wicked.
QUI DESIDERAT PACEM PRAEPARET BELLUM. Let him who wishes for peace prepare for war. --Vegetius
QUI FACIT PER ALIUM FACIT PER SE. He who acts through another acts through himself. (The instigator of a crime is as culpable as the one who actually perpetrates it.) --Roman law
QUI MALE AGIT, ODIT LUCEM. He who does evil hates the light.
QUI PARCE SEMINAT, PARCE ET METIT. Who sows sparingly also reaps sparingly.
QUI TACET CONSENTIRE VIDETUR. He that is silent is thought to consent. --Decretals, V.12
QUI VIVAT ATQUE FLOREAT AD PLURIMOS ANNOS. May he live and flourish for many years.
QUID HOC AD AETERNITATEM? What good is this for eternity. --St. Bernard
QUID PLURA? What more?
QUIDQUID NON POSSIDET ARMIS, RELIGIONE TENET. Whatever (Rome) does not possess by arms, she rules by religion. --Prosper of Aquitania, Carmen de Ingratis, 41-44, in Migne's Patrologia Latina 51:97)
QUIDQUID NON POSSIDET ARMIS, RELIGIONE TENET. Whatever (Rome) does not possess by arms, she holds by religion. --Prosper of Aquitania, Carmen de Ingratis, 41-44, in Migne's Patrologia Latina 51:97
QUIETA NON MOVERE. Not to move quiet things. ("Let sleeping dogs lie.")
QUIS CUSTODIET CUSTODES IPSOS. Who will guard the guards themselves? --Juvenal
QUIS, QUID, UBI, QUIBUS AUXILIIS, CUR, QUOMODO, QUANDO.Who, what, where, by what aids, why, how. (The 7 circumstances are contained in this verse [like the 5 W's of journalism], to which Aristotle in Ethica 3:1 adds another, "de quo," which Cicero includes in the circumstance "quid.") --Cicero, De Inventione Rhetorica 1, as quoted by St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Ia IIae, Qu. 7, A. 3
QUO CITIUS, EO MELIUS: The sooner, the better.
QUO VADIS, ET AD QUID? Whither do you go, and why? --St. Ignatius
QUOD DEUS AVERTAT. God forbid (lit., which may God turn away).
QUOD MINIMUM, MINIMUM EST, SED IN MINIMO FIDELEM ESSE, MAGNUM EST. --St. Augustine, De Doctrina Christiana, IV, 35
REM TENE, VERBA SEQUUNTUR. Grasp the subject, the words will follow. --Cato
REPETITIO MATER MEMORIAE. Repetition (is) the mother of memory.
REPETITIO EST MATER STUDIORUM. Repetition is the mother of studies.
RES FIRMA MITESCERE NESCIT. A firm resolve does not know how to weaken.
RES LOQUITUR IPSA (RES IPSA LOQUITUR). The matter speaks for itself. --Cicero, Pro Milone, 53
ROMA LOCUTA EST, CAUSA FINITA EST. UTINAM ALIQUANDO FINIATUR ERROR. (Simply, ROMA LOCUTA, CAUSA FINITA.) Rome has spoken, the case is closed. Would that the error were finished at the same time. --St. Augustine, Sermones 131
SACERDOS PROPTER ALIOS. A priest [is] for others. --Theological
SACRAMENTA SUNT PROPTER HOMINES. The sacraments are for men. --Theological
SALUS ANIMARUM SUPREMA EST LEX. The saving of souls is the highest law. --Cf. Codex Iuris Canonici [1983], sec. 1752
SALVO PUDORE. Decency being observed.
SANCTA SANCTE. [Do] holy things in a holy way.
SANGUIS MARTYRUM, SEMEN CHRISTIANORUM. The blood of martyrs (is) the seed of Christians.
SCITO (NOSCE) TE IPSUM. Know yourself. --Peter Abelard; Latin translation of the Greek aphorism "gno^thi seauto'n")
SCRIBERE EST AGERE. To write is to act.
SE DEFENDENDO: Self-defense.
SED IN COMPARATIONE ILLORUM [IUDAEORUM] MULTO IPSE [PILATUS] INNOCENTIOR. But in comparison to them he was much more innocent. --St. Augustine, Tractatus super Psalmos, in Psalm. 63 ad vers. 2 (Lectio vi Feria VI in Parasceve ad Matutinum in II Nocturno)
SEMPER ET UBIQUE. Always and everwhere.
SEMPER UBIQUE IDEM. Always (and) everywhere the same.
SENIORES PRIORES. Elders first.
SERA NIMIS VITA EST CRASTINA: VIVE HODIE. Tomorrow is too late to live (lit., life is too late tomorrow): live today. --Martial
SERVA ME, SERVABO TE. Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours (lit., serve me; I shall serve you). --Horace, Satires, 1:3:6
SERVUS SERVORUM DEI: Servant of the servants of God. --Pope St. Gregory the Great, Epistularum 13:1
SEXAGENARII DE PONTE. Sexagenarians down from the bridge. (The Romans disqualified anyone over sixty from campaigning for public office. Since these campaigns took place at the city's bridges, which were the main thoroughfares, the law gave birth to the proverb. In general, a policy of retiring those over a certain age.)
SEXUS INFIRMA. The weaker sex. --St. Jerome, Epistulae, 1:4
SI MONUMENTUM REQUIRIS, CIRCUMSPICE. If you seek his monument, look around you. --Motto on the arch of St. Paul's Cathedral in London, which Sir Christopher Wren built, but where he is not interred
SIC ME DEUS ADIUVET. So help me God.
SIC PASSIM. Thus everywhere (in textual annotation).
SI TACUISSEM, PHILOSOPHUS MANSISSEM. If I had been silent, I should have remained a philosopher.
SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI. Thus passes the glory of the world. (This phrase is repeated three times to the newly elected Pontiff, during the ceremony of his coronation.) --Thomas a Kempis, De Imitatione Christi, 1:3:6
SILENT ... LEGES INTER ARMA. Laws are silent amidst arms. --Cicero
SINE STIPENDIO/PRO DEO. Without a stipend/for God.
SOBRIA INEBRIETAS. Sober intoxication. --Bishop Ambrose of Milan, of Gregorian chant
SOL OMNIBUS LUCET. The sun shines upon us all. --Petronius
SOLA SCRIPTURA, SOLA FIDES, SOLA GRATIA, SOLUS DEUS. Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, God alone. --Martin Luther
SOLI DEO GLORIA ET HONOR: To God alone (be) glory and honor.
SOLUTIO OMNIUM DIFFICULTATUM CHRISTUS. The solution to all problems is Christ. --Theological
SPECTACULUM PROCEDERE DEBET. The show must go on. STATUS QUO ANTE. The state in which (it was) before.
SUB SILENTIO. In silence.
SUB SECRETO. In secret.
SUGGESTIO VERI, SUGGESTIO FALSI. An intimation of truth (and) an intimation of falsity. ("Half truth.")
SUMMUM OPUS: His greatest work.
SUUM CUIQUE (PULCHRUM EST). To each his own (is beautiful). --Cicero
TABULA RASA IN QUA NIHIL EST SCRIPTUM. A clean slate on which nothing has been written. --Aristotle, De Anima, 3:4, as quoted by St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
TEMPUS FUGIT. Time flies (has flown).
TEMPORA MUTANTUR, NOS ET MUTAMUR IN ILLIS. Times change, and we change with them. --Attributed to John Owen, ob. 1622
TEMPUS NEMINEM MANET. Time waits for no man.
THEOLOGIA DEUM DOCET, AB DEO DOCETUR, AD DEUM DUCIT. Theology teaches God, is taught by God, leads to God. --Mediaeval proverb
SANABILIBUS AEGROTAMUS MALIS. We are sick with curable ills. --Seneca, Epistulae Morales, 108:3
SEMPER EADEM. Always the same (Church). --Theological
SIMILIA SIMILIBUS QUOD ANTE. Similar things for similar things which (were used) before. A principle of mediaeval medicine. "The hair of the dog that bit you."
SOLI DEO GLORIA. To God alone (be) glory.
SUNT LACRIMAE RERUM, ET MENTEM MORTALIA TANGUNT. There are tears for things, and human mattes touch the mind. --Vergil, Aeneid
TANTUM RELIGIO POTUIT SUADERE MALORUM. Religion can recommend so much evil. --Lucretius, De Rerum Natura, I.102)
TEMPUS ABIRE TIBI EST. It is time for you to go. --Horace, Ep. 2:2:215
TIMEO DANAOS, ET DONA FERENTES. I fear Greeks, even when they bear gifts. --Vergil, Aeneid
TOLERABILES INEPTIAE. Bearable absurdities (trifling
matters).
TOT POPULORUM DISCORDES FERASQUE LINGUAS SERMONIS COMMERCIO
CONTRAXIT. (Latin) united through the fellowship of language the discordant and wild tongues of so many peoples. --Pliny the Elder, Historia Naturalis, 3:6:2
TOTUS MUNDUS AGIT HISTRIONEM. The whole world plays the actor (is a play).
TURRIS EBURNEA: ivory tower.
UBI AMOR, IBI OCULUS. Where love is, there is insight. (The lover sees the truth of the person). --Richard of St.
Victor
UBI LEGISLATIO, IBI INTERPRETATIO. Where the legislation (is), there is the interpretation (of the legislation). (It is for the legislator to interpret his own legislation.) --Theological
UBI PETRUS, IBI ECCLESIA. Where Peter (is), there (is) the Church. --St. Ambrose
UBI SOLITUDINEM FACIUNT, PACEM APPELLANT. They make a wilderness and call it peace. --Tacitus
ULTIMUM IN EXECUTIONE, PRIMUM IN INTENTIONE. That which is first in the order of intention is last in the order of executio. --St. Thomas Aquinas
UNDE CHRISTO E ROMANO. Whence from Christ as from a Roman. (Providence prepared Rome to become the Seat of Peter and center for the radiation of the Gospel).
UNITAS IN VARIETATE, ET VARIETAS IN UNITATE. Unity in diversity, and diversity in unity. --St. Thomas Aquinas (definition of beauty)
UNITATIS MIRABILE VINCULUM. The wonderful bond of unity.
UNUM NECESSARIUM. The one necessity.
UNUS ATHANASIUS CONTRA MUNDUM. One Athanasius against the world.
URBANUS ET INSTRUCTUS. A gentleman and a scholar. --Migne, Patrologia Latina, 79, of Isaiah, ca. 356
(UT) FIANT OMNES UNO ORE LATINI. That all Latins might become of one tongue. --Vergil
UTILE ET DULCE. Useful and pleasant. --Motto of Riddell, Baronets
UTILITAS ANTE IUSTITIAM. Expediency before justice.
UTINAM TAM FACILE POSSEM VERA REPERIRE, QUAM FALSA CONVINCERE. Would that I were able so easily to find the truth as to condemn falsehood. --Cicero, De Natura Deorum, I.91
UVA UVAM VIDENDO VARIA FIT. A grape by seeing a grape becomes changeable becomes varied [in color]. (The sense is that the grape darkens, to the point of spoilage. The old proverb, which is used in the Lonesome Dove, is more or less equivalent to our "one bad apple spoils the bunch." The source is a scholiast's comment on a line from Juvenal's second satire.)
VADIT ET VENIT: It goes, and it comes. --Thomas a Kempis, De Imitatione Christi, 3:6:11
VANUS EST: QUI SPEM SUAM PONIT IN HOMINIBUS AUT IN CREATURIS. He is vain who places his hope in men or in created things. --Thomas a Kempis, De Imitatione Christi, 1:7:1
VENIT HOSPES, VENIT CHRISTUS. [When] the stranger comes, Christ comes. --Motto of a monastery
VERA VOCABULA RERUM AMISIMUS. We have lost the right words for things. --Sallust, Catiline, 52
VERBA DE FUTURO. Words about the future.
VERBA MOVENT, EXEMPLA TRAHUNT. Words move (people, but) examples draw (them). ("Practice what you preach.")
VERBUM SAPIENTI(BUS) SAT EST. A word to the wise is sufficient.
VERSUS POPULUM/AD ORIENTEM. Toward the people, toward the East. --Ecclesiatical
VESTIGIA ... NULLA RETRORSUM. No footprints (lead) back. --Horace, Epistles, 1:1:74
VIA MEDIA: the middle way (i.e., between extremes).
VINCULUM UNITATIS. The bond of unity.
VIDE ET CREDE. See and believe. ("Seeing is believing.")
VIDE ... UT INVICEM SE DILIGENT. See how they (Christians) love one another. --Tertullian, Apologeticus, 39:9
VIDEBIMUS ET EXPECTABIMUS. We shall see and shall await. --Pope Adrian VI
VIDEO MELIORA PROBOQUE, DETERIORA SEQUOR. I see and approve the better things; I follow the worse ones. --Ovid
VIM VI REPELLERE LICET. It is lawful to repel force with force. --Cicero
VINCIT OMNIA AMOR (LABOR, VERITAS). Love (work, truth) conquers all.
VIR BONUS DICENDI PERITUS. A good man skilled in speaking. --Cato, definition of an orator
VIRTUS IN MEDIO STAT. Virtue stands in the middle (i.e., between two extremes).
VIS MEDICATRIX NATURAE. The healing power of nature.
VITA BREVIS, ARS LONGA. Life is short, art is long.
VITA SINE LIBRIS (LITERIS) MORS EST. Life without books (letters) is death.
VIVA FUI IN SILVIS; DUM VIXI TACUI; MORTUA DULCE CANO. I was alive in the woods; while I lived, I was silent; now dead, I sing sweetly. --Inscription on a harpsichord
VIVAMUS, MEA LESBIA, ATQUE AMEMUS. Let us live and love, my Lesbia. --Catullus
VIVAT ATQUE FLOREAT. May it live and prosper.
VIVAT REX. Long live the king.
VIVE ET VIVAS. Live and let live.
VIVOS VOCO, MORTUOS PLANGO, FULGURA FRANO. I call the living, I mourn the dead, I dispel the storm. --Inscription on church bells
GNO^THI SEAUTO'N. Know yourself.
HOI A'RISTOI/HO POLLOI'. The aristocracy, the many.
HOI_E' PER PHY'LL_ON GENE_E', TOI'_E DE` KAI` ANDR_O^N. As the generation of leaves, so is that of men. --Homer, Iliad, 6:146)
H_O^N HOI` THEOI` PHILOU^SIN APOTHN_E'ISKEI NEOS. Those whom the gods love die young. --Menander, Dis Exapaton, Fragment 4)
KALO`S KI'NDYNOS. A beautiful risk.
KL_ED_O'N. an omen or presage contained in a word; an utterance charged with a meaning not indended by the speaker, but sent as a divine message to the accidental hearer.
(LOGIK_E` PSYCHE`) PERIE'RCHETAI TO`N HO'LON KO'SMON, KAI`
TO` PERI` AUTO`N KENO'N, KAI` TO` SCH_E^MA AUTOU^, KAI` EIS T_E`N APEIRI'AN TOU^ AI_O^NOS EKTEI^NETAI. (The rational soul) goes about the whole universe and the void surrounding it and traces its plan and stretches forth into the infinitude of time. --Marcus Aurelius, Meditationes, 11:1:2, on the scientific spirit of inquiry)
MELE'T_E TO` PA'N. Practice is everything. ("Practice makes perfect").
NIKE~'SOMEN. We shall overcome. --Said by the Greeks before battle).
OU POLLA', ALLA` POLY'. Not many things, but much. ("Not quantity, but quality.")
PA'NTES A'NTHROPOI TOU^ EIDE'NAI ORE'GONTAI PHY'SEI. All men by nature desire to know. --Aristotle, Metaphysics, 1:1
PA'NT_ON XR_EMA'T_ON A'NTHROPON METRON EI^NAI. Man is the measure of all things. --Quoted by Plato in Theaetetus, 160d)
SPEU^DE BRADE_OS. Make haste slowly. --Suetonius, Augustus (Latin, "festina lente"); Greek aphorism
TAU^TA MN_E'M_EI KECHRI'STH_O. Color (show kindness to) these things in memory.
TO` APOD_EMEI^N H_E ARI'ST_E PAIDEI'A. Traveling is the best teacher.
TOU'T_EI NIKA. Be victorious with this. --Eusebius, Life of Constantine, 1:28-9, of Constantine's vision before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge; cf. Lactantius, De Mortibus Persecutorum, 44:5:6)
Compilation Copyright 1994-1995 by Prof. Morrison
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