Latin quote · Prudence

Acquirit qui tuetur

“He who preserves, acquires.”

Latin proverb

Translation

What does “Acquirit qui tuetur” mean?

Acquirit qui tuetur translates as “He who preserves, acquires.”

Keeping what you already have is a form of gain. Whether it is money, health, friendships or a reputation, careful protection often adds more over time than chasing new things.

Word by word

“Acquirit qui tuetur” word by word

Latin	English	Grammar
Acquirit	he gets, he gains	third person singular present active indicative of acquiro (acquirere), “to gain, to add to”; here “he/she gains”
qui	who, he who	relative pronoun, nominative singular masculine; the subject of tuetur
tuetur	protects, preserves	third person singular present indicative of tueor (tueri), “to watch over, protect” (a deponent verb: passive form, active meaning)

Pronunciation

How to pronounce “Acquirit qui tuetur”

Classical Latinah-KWEE-rit kwee too-EH-toor

Church Latinah-KWEE-rit kwee too-EH-toor

Both pronunciations sound the same here, since there is no c before e or i. Stress the second syllable of acquirit, and the second of tuetur (tu-E-tur).

Origin & context

The story behind it

Word for word the line says “he gains who protects”. The relative clause qui tuetur (“who protects”) stands first in the thought and names the person, and acquirit says what that person does: he gains.

It is a Latin proverb of the early modern period and has no single known author. The idea is much older and shows up in many European sayings on thrift, where holding on to what you have counts as a form of earning.

The closest English echo is “sparing is the first gaining”. Today the line suits ideas of stewardship, such as looking after savings, health, a family business or an inheritance.

When to use it

How to use “Acquirit qui tuetur”

A fitting motto for a family firm, a savings club or an estate, or a quiet reminder on a card or desk plaque for anyone who looks after what others have built. It also works in an essay on thrift, prudence or stewardship.

Latin: Acquirit qui tuetur
English: He who preserves, acquires.
Source: Latin proverb
Era: Early modern
Theme: Prudence

Good to know

Common mistakes

The Latin has no “he who preserves”: it says only qui tuetur, so the English “he” is added. The same words apply to a woman or to anyone, so it does not mean only men.
Do not read tuetur as a passive (“is protected”). Tueor is a deponent verb, so tuetur means “he protects”.
Acquirit is not “he asks” or “he acquires nothing”. The verb is acquiro, “to gain”, and it is easily confused with the similar-looking quaerit, “he seeks”.
It is a proverb, not a quote from a named ancient author, so avoid crediting it to Cicero or any other writer.

FAQ

Questions about “Acquirit qui tuetur”

What does “Acquirit qui tuetur” mean literally?

“He gains who protects.” The sense is that preserving what you have is itself a way of gaining.

Who said “Acquirit qui tuetur”?

No author is known. It is a Latin proverb from the early modern period, in the same vein as many European sayings about thrift.

How do you pronounce “Acquirit qui tuetur”?

In Classical Latin: ah-KWEE-rit kwee too-EH-toor. The Church pronunciation sounds the same.

Is “Acquirit qui tuetur” correct Latin for a motto or tattoo?

Yes. The grammar is sound: acquirit and tuetur are both third person singular and qui is the subject of tuetur. Just keep the three words exactly as written.

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