55 Beautiful Latin Phrases & Quotes Everyone Should Know (2023)

October 31, 2022

Beautiful Latin Phrases From Ancient Rome

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

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

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

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

Keep reading to check out our top 10.

10 Beautiful Latin Words from ancient Rome

Semper fidelis

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

Vita brevis

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

Qui totum vult totum perdit

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

Amor vincit omnia, et nos cedamus amori

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

Aurora Australis

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

Memento mori

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

Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo

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

Audere est facere

This Latin expression means; to dare is to do

Faber est suae quisque fortunae

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

Vincit qui patitur

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

5 Lesser known Latin phrases

In flagrante delicto

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

Igne natura renovatur integra

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

Homo unius libri (timeo)

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

Hostis humani generis

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

Honor virtutis praemium

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

11 Everyday Latin Quotes

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

Carpe diem

Seize the day

Bona fide

Good faith

Acta non verba

Actions not words

Vino veritas

In wine there is truth

Barba tenus sapientes

Wise as far as his beard

Et cetera

And so on

Caveat emptor

Buyer beware

Alter ego

Other I

Ergo sum

I think therefore I am

Ad hoc

To this

Alma mater

Nourishing mother

Cave canem

Beware the dog

7 Popular Latin Phrases

Carpe vinum

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

Aqua vitae

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

Sic semper tyrannis

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

Ad hominem attack

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

Pro bono

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

Vox populi

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

Carthago delenda est

A Roman classic; “Carthage must be destroyed.”

10 Cool Latin quotes

Aut cum scuto aut in scuto

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

Vita Enim Mortuorum in Memoria est Posita Vivorum

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

Dum spiro spero

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

Non ducor duco

“I am not led, I lead.” Strong words.

Auribus teneo lupum

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

Ad meliora

Onwards and upwards; “toward better things.”

Scientia ac labore

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

Creo quia absurdum est

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

Ignis aurum probat, miseria fortes viros

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

Caesar non supra grammaticos

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

12 Inspiring latin quotes

Sic parvis magna

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

Si vis pacem, para bellum

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

Tempora heroic

Heroic Age.

Veni vidi vici

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

Virtute et armis

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

Primus inter pares

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

Praemonitus praemunitus

“Forewarned is forearmed”

Praesis ut prosis ne ut imperes

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

Per angusta ad augusta

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

Nolo contendere

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

Invicta

“Unconquered”

Invictus maneo

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

Beautiful Latin Phrases - The Bottom Line

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