Powerful Latin quotes about strength 2023
Ancient Rome is responsible for some pretty badass Latin quotes about strength, and the Latin language has been giving us inspiration ever since.
Classical language may seem like it belongs in ancient times but many of the words in the English language come from Latin.
In fact, it is hard to go a day without spotting someone with a Latin tattoo or an inspirational Latin quote on a social media meme.
In this article we’ve compiled the best quotes about strength from Latin literature along with their correct English translation.
15 Latin quotes about strength
Carpe diem
Unsurprisingly deserving of the most popular Latin phrase of today, the accurate translation is; “seize the day.”
Cogito ergo sum
“I think therefore I am” was a term coined by the French philosopher René Descartes in his Discourse on Method (1637) as a first step in demonstrating the attainability of certain knowledge.
Flectere si nequeo superos
A powerful bit of Latin and perhaps the strongest Latin words in this list; “If I cannot bend the heavens, then I shall move the powers of hell.”
Aegroto dum anima est
Strength doesn’t always mean power, as this quote demonstrates: “It is said that for a sick man, there is hope as long as there is life.”
Acta non verba
“Actions not words,” is a strong Latin phrase for personal growth.
Alea jacta est
The words spoken by Julius Caesar as he stood across the river Rubicon to face his enemy Hannibal. The meaning of the quote is; “the die is cast.”
Aut cum scuto aut in scuto
An ancient Greek saying that means “either with shield or on shield.”
Aquila non capit muscas
There’s no messing about with this phrase; “an eagle does not catch flies.”
Vivamus, moriendum est
“Let us live, for we must die.”
Pulvis et umbra sumus
Fans of the movie Gladiator will remember this iconic quote; “we are but dust and shadow.”
Dum spiro spero
“While I breathe, I hope.”
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
“I will either find a way or make one.” The phrase has been attributed to Hannibal when he was questioned by his general on how he was going to cross the Alps.
Audere est facere
Greatness never comes without taking risk; “to dare is to do.”
Ignis aurum proat, miseria fortes viros
“Fire provides proof of gold; misery, proof of strong men.” From the Roman poet Ovid.
Vi veri veniversum vivus vici
“By the Power of Truth, I, while living, have Conquered the Universe.” Alan Moore, V for Vendetta, Vol. II of X
10 Strong Latin sayings
Qui totum vult totum perdit
“He who wants everything loses everything.”
Timendi causa est nescire
“Ignorance is the cause of fear.”
Fas est ab hoste doceri
“One should learn even from ones enemies.”
Abusus non tollit usum
“Abuse does not take away use.”
Audentes fortuna iuvat
“Fortune favors the bold,” is the stand-out Latin expression from Virgil’s Aeneid.
Veni, vidi, vici
Famously attributed to Julius Caesar in a message he sent to the Roman Senate to describe his swift, conclusive victory against King Pharnaces II.
Aut neca aut necare
“Either kill or be killed”
Bono malum superate
“Overcome evil with good”
Auribus teneo lupum
“I hold a wolf by the ears” is a common ancient proverb; indicates that one is in a dangerous situation whatever decision they make.
Ad astra per aspera
“Through adversity to the stars.”
10 Cool latin phrases
Ad Astra
A Latin phrase that that’s sure to be a hit with the ladies; “to the stars.”
Acta est fabula
The name of a low-budget movie and a term used in ancient Rome; “the play is over.”
Vino veritas
“In wine there is truth.” Amen.
Carpe vinum
Had a hard day? “Seize the wine.”
Facilis descensus averno
There is certainly darkness in this sinister Latin quote. “The descent to Avernus [the underworld] is easy: the road to evil is smooth.”
Sic semper tyrannis
“Thus be to tyrants,” was the famous quote from John Wilkes Booth as he shot the president Abraham Lincoln at the theatre.
Amor vincit omnia
In the face of evil it is important that we remember; “love conquers all.”
Ad victoriam
You can imagine the battle cries heard by Roman soldiers as they stood with sword and shield in hand; “to victory.”
Arte et marte
“By skill and valour.”
Audemus jura nostra defendere
“We dare to defend our rights” is the state motto of Alabama.
10 Best Latin quotes
Beati pauperes spiritu
“Blessed in spirit are the poor” is a Beatitude from Matthew 5:3 in the Vulgate.
Et tu Brute?
“And you Brutus?” were the last words of Caesar in the William Shakespeare play titled Julius Caesar.
Memento mori
This is a symbolic trope acting as a reminder of the inevitability of death.
Carthago delenda est
“Carthage must be destroyed.” The phrase originates from debates held in the Roman Senate prior to the Third Punic War.
A bove ante, ab asino retro, a muliere undique caveto
“Beware of the bull from the front, the donkey from behind, and women from all sides.”
Dulce bellum inexpertis
“War is sweet to those who have never experienced it.”
Lupus non timet canem latrantem
“A wolf is not afraid of a barking dog.”
Dulce periculum
“Danger is sweet.”
Condemnant quo non intellegunt
“They condemn that which they do not understand.”
Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem
“By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”
11 Common Latin phrases
Et cetera
“And other things.”
Caveat emptor
“Buyer beware.”
Ad hoc
“To this.”
Aqua Vitae
“Water of life”
Nota bene
“Note well.”
Status quo
“The way of things.”
Ad hominem attack
An ad hominem attack is an argument directed towards a person instead of towards their argument. The ad hominem attack is generally used when a speaker is too lazy or too closed-minded to talk about an idea directly.
Pro Bono
“For good.”
Bona fide
“Good faith.”
Labor omnia vincit
“Hard work conquers all.”
Aurea mediocritas
The “golden mean” refers to the ethical goal of reaching a middle ground between two sinful extremes.
11 Latin Mottos
Non ducor duco
I am not led, I lead
Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus
The motto of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which translates to “Never tickle a sleeping dragon”
Alis volat propriis
A Latin phrase used as the motto of U.S. state of Oregon. The official English version of the motto is “she flies with her own wings.”
Deo juvante
“With God’s help” is the motto of Monaco.
Ad majorem dei gloriam
“To the greater glory of God” is the motto of the Jesuits.
Domine, dirige nos
“Lord, direct us” is the Motto of London, UK.
Semper fidelis
“Always faithful” is the motto of the United States Marine Corps. For the best collection of USMC quotes, check out this article.
Denique caelum
“Heaven at last” was the last battle cry of the crusaders in the middle ages.
Deo Optimo Maximo
“For God, the best and greatest” is the motto of the Benedictines.
Civilitas successit barbarum
“Civilization succeeds barbarism” is a particularly badass Latin quote and happens to the motto of Minnesota, US.
Citius altius forties
“Faster, higher, stronger” is the modern Olympics motto
9 Latin proverbs
A diabolo, qui est simia dei
“Where God has a church the devil will have his chapel.”
Abbati, medico, patrono que intima pande
“Hide nothing from thy minister, physician and lawyer.”
Absens haeres non erit
“Out of sight, out of mind.”
Quidquid præcipies esto brevis
“Whatever advice you give, be short.”
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Ancipiti plus ferit ense gula
“Gluttony kills more than the sword.”
Cuilibet fatuo placet sua calva
“Every fool is pleased with his own folly.”
Cuiusvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare
“Any man can make a mistake; only a fool keeps making the same one.”
Non scholae, sed vitae discimus
“We learn not for school but for life.”
Praemonitus, praemunitus
“Forewarned, forearmed”
Latin quotes about strength – The bottom Line
That concludes our article on the most badass Latin quotes about strength.
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