Latin Proverbs – The Singsong Beauty Of The Saying
latin proverbs
For wisdom that survived millennia of human endeavors, there’s no better source than Latin proverbs. You can learn them in the original Latin for the singsong beauty of the saying.
1. Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
This famous Latin proverb warns against the power of government with the satirical question: But who will guard the custodians themselves? Sometimes translated as Who will guard the guards? this wise Latin proverb reminds us that we can appoint officials to guard our rights, but we should be forever watchful of these guards and wonder who will guard them from abusing the power we granted them. In this Latin proverb we see the first instance of the chicken and the egg dilemma.
2. Veritas vos liberabit
This famous Latin proverb reminds us of the nature of truth, the verisimilitude of our statements to reality. Translated as The truth shall make you free, or The truth shall set you free, this beautiful Latin proverb promises us peace of mind and consciousness if we speak the truth.
3. Qui audet adipiscitur
Adopted as the motto of the most elite fighting force in the world, the British SAS, He Who Dares Wins is a Latin proverb we should all strive to fulfill Timidity counsels us to stay put, wait and see. But the man who dares to defy the odds, convention, practicality is the man who has a chance to win. All record-breaking endeavors began as a dare by the man who set out to defy the past.
4. Rem nimium bene gerere, in solitudo esse
This famous Latin proverb illuminates a sad truth when it reminds us that To be too successful is to be in solitude.
5. Usus est magister optimus
Though we may go to school, read and learn under the guidance of great men, nothing compares to learning through life.
6. Culpae poena par esto
This Latin proverb stands at the core of all justice, and justice stands at the heart of civilization.
7. Crede quod habes, et habes
Though apt to be misunderstood, this Latin proverb does not advocate wishful thinking but the power of positive thinking to affect the success of our endeavors.
8. Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo
Don’t call me, I’ll call you, was not invented by literary agents or rude business recruiters; it’s as old as human civilization, and was probably as painfully dismissive then as it is now.
9. Absentem laedit cum ebrio qui litigat
Touching and wise, this Latin proverb fits any situation in which we are not ourselves, be it through sickness, or substance abuse or fatigue.
10. Rip
Translated as Rest in Peace, the original Latin acronym stands for Requiescat in Pace.
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