1. Carpe diem
Translation: Enjoy the day.
This sentence, written by the Roman poet Horace (65-8 BC. C.), conveys the message that the present, the today, should be taken advantage of, regardless of what will come tomorrow. The expression is often used by people who follow a philosophy of life centered on the enjoyment of the present.
The complete sentence, as used by Horace, is as follows: Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero(“Seize today and trust tomorrow as little as possible”).
Read more about the Meaning of carpe diem.
2. carpe night
Translation: Enjoy the night.
carpe night means “enjoy the night” or “good night”. The phrase can be used by anyone who wants to wish someone else a good night's sleep or who is adept at nighttime pleasures.
Read more about the Meaning of Noctem carpe.
3. fruit vita
Translation: Enjoy life.
The verb “enjoy” (enjoy, enjoy) has remained the same in Portuguese. If you want to use the phrase as advice to someone, you can say enjoy your life (“enjoy your life”).
4. Non videmus manticae quod in tergo est
Translation: We cannot see the load we carry on our backs.
This phrase was coined by the Roman poet Caius Valerius Catullus (84-54 BC. C.), who was part of a group of young poets from the late republican period. In this verse, Catullus warns: everyone has flaws, but we have a hard time recognizing them when those flaws are ours.
5. Hoc non pereo habebo fortior me
Translation: What doesn't kill me makes me stronger.
This Latin message of resilience is one of people's favorites when choosing a tattoo. The idea is that difficulties, problems and trials, if they are not enough to end life, end up strengthening it.
6. corvus oculum corvi non eruit
Translation: A crow doesn't pluck out another crow's eye.
This saying conveys the message: two people don't harm each other as long as it's convenient for both.
We cannot ignore the symbolism of the crow, a bird generally associated with death and ill omen. Therefore, the crows of the saying can be seen as people of bad character, who are united by interest and only do not harm each other because this alliance is still useful.
7. Auribus teneo lupum
Translation: Hold a wolf by the ears.
This proverb is quite old and can be found in the writings of the Roman dramatist Terentius (185-159 BC. Ç.). This is a saying used to define an extremely problematic situation for which, at least apparently, there is no favorable solution. Holding a wolf by the ears poses a cruel dilemma: while it's impossible to keep holding the beast, it's also impossible to safely release it.
According to the Latin writer Suetonius (69-141 d. C.), this expression was widely used by the emperor Tiberius (42 a. C.-37 d. Ç.). The third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), used this proverb in his letters.
8. come, vidi, vici
Translation: I came, I saw, I won.
This phrase is attributed by the historian Plutarch (46-120 d. C.) to the political leader Julius Caesar (100-44 a. Ç.). After victory in the battle against the army of the Kingdom of Pontus, in 47 a. C., Caesar would have written a letter to the Roman Senate saying: “I came, I saw, I conquered”.
Read more about the Meaning of Veni, Vidi, Vici.
9. veritas lux mea
Translation: The truth is my light.
There are many Latin phrases and proverbs with the word veritas (“truth”), a sign that the Romans placed great value on this concept. The expression deals with the symbology of the word “light”, generally associated with knowledge, life and happiness.
In many parts of the Bible, “light” is used as a metaphor for the law or the word of God. For example: “Your word is a lamp that lightens my steps and a light that makes my way clear” (Psalm 119:115).
Thus, affirming that “the truth is my light” means saying that the truth is what illuminates my actions, clarifying my steps and showing the best paths.
See also the Meaning of Fiat Lux.
10. In vino veritas
Translation: In wine is the truth.
Another Latin proverb with the word veritas. Only this time the truth comes with an unusual partner: wine. Underlying this expression is the idea that wine lifts inhibitions, revealing the repressed truth when a person is sober.
Read more about the Meaning of In Vino Veritas.
11. amat victoria heal
Translation: Victory loves caution.
This phrase, which recommends prudence, appears in the poem Carmen LXII by the Roman poet Caio Valério Catulo (84-54 BC. Ç.). It was the motto used by Emperor Matthias, who ruled the Holy Roman Empire between 1612 and 1619.
12. Love vincit omnia
Translation: Love trumps all (or wins).
In Eclogue X, 69, the Roman poet Virgil (70-19 a. C.) wrote: omnia vincit love. Love vincit omnia it is a variant of the poet's phrase, with the order of the words exchanged – but the meaning is the same. This phrase is for those who believe in the powers of love.
13. Vincit omnia veritas
Translation: The truth conquers all.
This Roman proverb has its origin in the following sentence by the philosopher and orator Cicero: In omni re vincit imitationem veritas (“Truth trumps pretending in any circumstance”).
See also the Meaning of Omnia Vincit.
14. Utilius late when never
Translation: Better late than never.
Portuguese, as a neo-Latin language, inherited many proverbs from the language spoken in Rome. “Better late than never” is an example of this.
15. industry adjuvat God
Translation: God helps those who work.
Another proverb widely used today that has its origins in Latin is “God helps those who work”. The message is quite clear: nothing falls from the sky; if you want to achieve your goals, you have to go after them.
16. Absolvere nocentem satius est, quam condemnare innocentm
Translation: Better a thousand times to absolve the guilty than once to condemn the innocent.
In justice, the ideal is always to convict the guilty and acquit the innocent defendant. But we humans are fallible. And justice is often wrong. Therefore, it is better to acquit the guilty than to condemn someone unjustly.
This Latin phrase, used in the field of law, expresses the principle of the presumption of innocence. It derives from the following phrase by the Roman jurist Ulpian (150-223 d. Ç.): Satius est, impunitum relinqui facinus nocentes, quam innocentem damnari (“It is better to let the offense of a guilty person go unpunished than to condemn an innocent one”).
See also the Meaning of In Dubio Pro Reo.
17. Paulatim wandering, longum conficitur ite
Translation: Slow if you go far.
Of unknown authorship, this phrase of Latin origin is currently one of the most popular proverbs in Brazil. The phrase recommends calm, caution. After all, “Hurry is the enemy of perfection”.
18. Ut feceris seed, ita metes
Translation: Each one reaps what he sows.
This very old phrase was used by the philosopher and orator Cicero (106-43 b. C.) in his speech on rhetoric entitled from the speaker, written in the year 46 a. Ç.
“Planting” is a metaphor for our actions, whatever they may be. The idea behind the phrase is that life is guided by a law of cause and effect, similar to the karma of some religions. Whether the “harvest” is good or bad, it did not happen for free: it is just the result of our actions.
19. Oculum for oculo, tooth for tooth
Translation: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
The expression “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” dates back to the so-called Law of Talion, based on the principle of reciprocity between crime and punishment. This law is quite old and served as an inspiration for one of the first sets of laws ever written, the Code of Hammurabi, elaborated in Babylon in the 18th century BC. Ç.
20. Si hortum in bibliotheca habes deerit nihil
Translation: If you have a garden and a library, you will lack nothing.
This sentence was written in a letter by the famous Roman orator and philosopher Cicero to the philosopher Marcus Terentius Varro (116-27 BC. Ç.). At the end of the letter, Cicero tells Marcus: “If you don't come to me, I'll run to you. If you have a garden and a library, everything will be complete”. The garden, in the context of the letter, probably refers to a place to sit and talk, just as the philosophers did.
21. ipsum you
Translation: Know yourself.
“Know yourself thyself” was the inscription that was at the entrance of the Temple of Apollo, which existed in the 4th century BC. Ç. in the city of Delphi, Greece. Generally attributed to the philosopher Socrates (469-399 a. C.), this phrase is actually older, and its origin is not exactly known.
See too:
- Meaning of quo vadis
- Meaning of Agnus Dei
- Meaning of Sine Qua Non
- Meaning of E Pluribus Unum
- Meaning of Rebus Sic Stantibus