Last week, I made it through a LOT of Latin phrases, but it still wasn’t enough. So, here are some I missed in the first article, as well as some new ones to consider!

Enjoy!

Latin Phrases for Everyday Life

Ex nihilo nihil- Nothing comes from Nothing.

A philosophical term to remind us that all creation must come from something.

Mememto Mori- Remember you must die.

Used by the stoics to give meaning to everyday life. According to DailyStoic.com, it originates from a Roman tradition where, after a military victory, the generals were paraded through the city. A slave walked beside them, and their whole job was to remind the generals “Respice post te. Hominem te esse memento. Memento mori!” (“Look behind you. Remember that you are a man. Remember that you will die!”)

Nemo sine vitio est- No one is without fault.

From the essay De Ira (On Anger) by Seneca the Younger, this phrases reminds us that no one is perfect.

Nihil difficile volenti- Nothing is difficult to the willing.

A later variation of “nihil difficile amanti puto” (I consider nothing difficult for a lover) from Cicero’s work Orator. Essentially, if you want something bad enough, you’ll find a way to achieve it.

Quae nocent, saepe docent- Things that harm often teach

The Latin version of the proverb “we learn from our mistakes.”

Scientia non habet inimicum nisi ignorantem- Knowledge has no enemy but the ignorant

A common Latin proverb that has no specific origin. However, it implies that we must seek knowledge to avoid remaining ignorant.

Simplex sigillum veri- Simplicity is the mark of truth.

The motto of renowned Dutch physician Herman Boerhaave (1668-1738), a pioneer in modern medicine. Much like Occam’s Razor, this motto implies that the simplest answers are often the best.

Ubi concordia, ibi victoria.- Where there is harmony (or unity), there is victory.

From the Sententiae by Publilius Syrus, this saying implies that victory is assured when a people come together.

Verba volant, scripta manent- Spoken words fly away; written words remain.

One of my favorite phrases. It means that spoken words/ promises aren’t as reliable as written ones. The origin is largely unknown, but some attribute it to a speech made by Caius Titus while before the senate. However, I couldn’t verify that.

Vita brevis est, ars longa- Life is short, art is long

From the opening line of the Aphorisms of Hippocrates, which states “vita brevis, ars longa, occasio prseceps, experientia fallax, judicium difficile.” (Life is short, art long, occasion brief, experience fallacious, judgment difficult).

Even if you die, your art (works, craft, etc) will live on.

Vox populi, vox Dei- The voice of the people is the voice of God.

The phrase comes from a letter from Alcuin of York to Charlemagne, where he states that “Nec audiendi qui solent dicere, Vox populi, vox Dei, quum tumultuositas vulgi semper insaniae proxima sit.“

(And those people should not be listened to who keep saying the voice of the people is the voice of God, since the riotousness of the crowd is always very close to madness.)

It’s evolved, however, to a popular political statement that champions democracy instead of avoiding it.

Vulpem pilum mutat, non mores- The fox changes its coat, not its nature.

From the Lives of the Twelve Caesars by Suetonius, this proverb warns us not to take outward appearances as fact. appearances can change, but people seldom do.

The end of Part 2!

There you have it! Another round of Latin proverbs for everyday life. As with my previous article, I used Pinteric.com and Superprof Blog to find the phrases. The research after that is my own- no AI needed!

I hope you enjoyed this mini-series! I may do another with different phrases in other languages, but that will be a while. In the mean time, go forth and teach your friends something new!

What is your favorite Latin phrase? Let me know in the comments!