Patere aut abstine
“Endure or abstain.”
Latin maxim
What does “Patere aut abstine” mean?
Patere aut abstine translates as “Endure or abstain.”
Either accept a situation with patience or stay out of it entirely. It discourages complaining while taking part.
“Patere aut abstine” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Patere | endure! | a command (imperative) of patior, “I suffer, endure”; a deponent verb (passive form, active meaning), addressed to one person. To a group: patimini |
| aut | or | a conjunction giving a strict either/or choice between two options |
| abstine | abstain! hold back! | a command (imperative) of abstineo, “I hold back, keep away”; addressed to one person. To a group: abstinete |
How to pronounce “Patere aut abstine”
Both pronunciations sound the same here. Stress the first syllable of patere and the second of abstine; aut rhymes with “out”.
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “endure or abstain”: either put up with something or keep away from it. It is a maxim, a short saying passed along without a named author, and its precise origin is uncertain.
It is closely related to the Stoic watchword “sustine et abstine” (“bear and forbear”), which the Greek philosopher Epictetus is traditionally linked with. That is a related saying, not the source of this one, and no firm ancient source for “patere aut abstine” is known to me.
The line works as a plain rule of conduct: if you stay in a situation, accept its cost without grumbling, and if you cannot accept it, leave. It is quoted today as a short, blunt reminder against half-hearted complaining.
How to use “Patere aut abstine”
A blunt desk sign or office motto for anyone who wants to stop grumbling and make a decision. It also suits a short personal-resolve tattoo, or an essay on patience, self-discipline or Stoic attitudes to hardship.
- Latin
- Patere aut abstine
- English
- Endure or abstain.
- Source
- Latin maxim
- Era
- Classical
- Theme
- Patience
Common mistakes
- It is not the same as “sustine et abstine”. The two sayings are related in spirit but have different wording, so do not treat them as one phrase.
- “Abstine” does not mean “give up” or “quit”. It means to hold back from something or keep clear of it.
- Both verbs are commands to one person. If you address several people, the endings change to patimini aut abstinete.
- Do not attribute it to a specific Roman author as fact. Its origin is uncertain, and it is safest to call it a Latin maxim.
Questions about “Patere aut abstine”
What does “Patere aut abstine” mean literally?
“Endure or abstain”. You must either put up with a situation patiently or stay out of it altogether.
Who said “Patere aut abstine”?
No author is known. It is a Latin maxim of uncertain origin, related to the Stoic watchword “sustine et abstine”.
How do you pronounce “Patere aut abstine”?
Say PAH-teh-reh owt ahb-STEE-neh. Classical and Church pronunciation sound the same for this phrase.
Is “Patere aut abstine” a good tattoo choice?
Yes, the Latin is grammatical and the meaning is clear. Both verbs are commands to one person, so it reads as a personal motto. Check the plural forms if you mean it for a group.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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