Nihil est perpetuum datum
“Nothing is given forever.”
Latin saying (cf. Lucretius 3.971)
What does “Nihil est perpetuum datum” mean?
Nihil est perpetuum datum translates as “Nothing is given forever.”
Everything we have is on loan. Enjoy it without assuming it will last.
“Nihil est perpetuum datum” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Nihil | nothing | indefinite pronoun, nominative singular neuter; here the subject of the sentence |
| est | is | 3rd person singular present indicative active of sum, “I am” |
| perpetuum | lasting, permanent | adjective from perpetuus, “continuous”; nominative singular neuter, agrees with nihil |
| datum | given | perfect passive participle of do, “I give”; nominative singular neuter, agrees with nihil |
How to pronounce “Nihil est perpetuum datum”
The main difference is nihil, where the church version often softens the h to a k sound (nikil); some speakers keep it like the classical form. Stress falls on the second-to-last syllable of perpetuum (-PEH-) and the first of datum.
The story behind it
Word for word the line reads “nothing is given lasting”, which gives the sense “nothing is given forever” or “nothing has been granted for good”. It is a short, proverb-like sentence with no single known author.
The thought echoes the Roman poet Lucretius, whose philosophical poem De rerum natura (“On the Nature of Things”) says that life is given to no one as property, but to all for use. The saying here is a compact, later way of putting a similar idea, and the reference to Lucretius 3.971 marks a parallel in meaning rather than a quotation.
Today it is used as a reminder that health, time, success and relationships are not permanent possessions, and that this is a reason to appreciate them rather than to despair.
How to use “Nihil est perpetuum datum”
It suits a tattoo, a desk motto or a wall print for someone who wants a calm reminder of impermanence, and it fits a card to a person facing change or loss. In an essay or speech it works as a short opening or closing line on time, gratitude or transience.
- Latin
- Nihil est perpetuum datum
- English
- Nothing is given forever.
- Source
- Latin saying (cf. Lucretius 3.971)
- Era
- Traditional
- Theme
- Time
Common mistakes
- It does not mean “nothing lasts forever” in the sense of a general law of nature. Datum literally says “given”, so the focus is on gifts and what we have received.
- It is not a direct quotation from Lucretius. It matches his idea, but the wording is a later, anonymous saying.
- Perpetuum and datum are neuter singular to agree with nihil. If you change the wording, these endings must change with it, so do not alter them without checking.
- Nihil is sometimes misspelled “nichil” (a medieval spelling) or “nihl”; the classical form is nihil.
Questions about “Nihil est perpetuum datum”
What does “Nihil est perpetuum datum” mean literally?
Literally “nothing is lasting given”, that is, “nothing has been given as permanent”. The usual English rendering is “Nothing is given forever.”
Who said “Nihil est perpetuum datum”?
No single author is known. It is a traditional Latin saying whose idea resembles a line of Lucretius (De rerum natura 3.971), but it is not a quotation from him.
How do you pronounce “Nihil est perpetuum datum”?
In classical Latin: NIH-hil est per-PEH-too-oom DAH-toom. In church Latin the start sounds more like NEE-keel.
Is “Nihil est perpetuum datum” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes. The grammar is sound: nihil is the subject and perpetuum and datum agree with it as neuter singular. Just remember it is a traditional saying, not a verified classical quotation.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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