Greek original · Learning

Ἀγεωμέτρητος μηδεὶς εἰσίτω

Ageōmetrētos mēdeis eisitō

“Let no one ignorant of geometry enter.”

Said to have been inscribed at Plato’s Academy (reported by late ancient commentators)

Meaning

What does “Ageōmetrētos mēdeis eisitō” mean?

Clear, logical thinking – trained by mathematics – is the entry ticket to philosophy.

Origin

The story behind it

The inscription is reported only by writers many centuries after Plato, so it may be legendary. Still, Plato did value mathematics as training for the mind.

Greek and Latin

From Greek to Latin

The Greek originalἈγεωμέτρητος μηδεὶς εἰσίτω

Ageōmetrētos mēdeis eisitō

In Latin

There is no standard Latin version.

Pronunciation

How to say it

Roughly a-geh-oh-MEH-tray-tos may-DAYS ay-SEE-toh.

When to use it

How to use it today

A witty sign for a maths classroom, an engineering office or a study door.

Greek
Ἀγεωμέτρητος μηδεὶς εἰσίτω
Transliteration
Ageōmetrētos mēdeis eisitō
English
Let no one ignorant of geometry enter.
Source
Said to have been inscribed at Plato’s Academy (reported by late ancient commentators)

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