Greek original · Life
Λάθε βιώσας
Lathe biōsas
“Live unnoticed.”
Epicurus (maxim known through Plutarch and others)
Meaning
What does “Lathe biōsas” mean?
Happiness is found in a quiet, private life among friends, away from fame and politics.
Origin
The story behind it
Epicurus advised his followers to avoid public life. The maxim was famous enough that Plutarch wrote a whole essay arguing against it.
Greek and Latin
From Greek to Latin
The Greek originalΛάθε βιώσας
Lathe biōsas
The Latin versionBene qui latuit, bene vixit
Ovid expresses the same thought in Latin: bene qui latuit, bene vixit – "he who has hidden well, has lived well" (Tristia 3.4.25).
Pronunciation
How to say it
Roughly LA-theh bee-OH-sas.
When to use it
How to use it today
A gentle motto for introverts, a garden, a cabin retreat or a slow-living home.
- Greek
- Λάθε βιώσας
- Transliteration
- Lathe biōsas
- English
- Live unnoticed.
- Latin
- Bene qui latuit, bene vixit
- Source
- Epicurus (maxim known through Plutarch and others)
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