Ad maiora natus sum
“I was born for greater things.”
Traditional Latin motto
What does “Ad maiora natus sum” mean?
Ad maiora natus sum translates as “I was born for greater things.”
It expresses a refusal to settle for less than one’s calling. It is a motto of high aspiration and self-respect.
“Ad maiora natus sum” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Ad | to, toward, for | a preposition that takes the accusative case |
| maiora | greater things | accusative plural neuter of maior, “greater” (comparative of magnus, “great”), used as a noun: “greater things” |
| natus | born | perfect participle of nascor, “I am born” (a deponent verb: passive form, active meaning); masculine nominative singular |
| sum | I am | first person singular present of sum, “I am”; here a helper verb that completes “natus” (“I have been born”) |
How to pronounce “Ad maiora natus sum”
The main difference is ae in maiora: Classical makes it sound like “eye”, Church Latin like “eh” (in maiora the ai is the Latin i acting as a y). Stress falls on the second syllable of maiora and the first of natus.
The story behind it
Word for word the motto says “I have been born for greater things”. It is a traditional Latin motto, and its first use is not recorded, so it cannot be tied to one person or text.
The phrase belongs to the early modern habit of adopting a short Latin line as a personal or family motto, a way to state a life’s aim in a few words.
Today it is used as a personal motto, a graduation or career-change message, and a tattoo line for people who want a reminder not to settle.
How to use “Ad maiora natus sum”
Suited to a tattoo or personal motto marking a bold new chapter, such as a career change, a move or a new goal. It also works as a line on a graduation card or a desk reminder.
- Latin
- Ad maiora natus sum
- English
- I was born for greater things.
- Source
- Traditional Latin motto
- Era
- Early modern
- Theme
- Ambition
Common mistakes
- The Latin is spoken by a man. A woman would write “Ad maiora nata sum”, because natus agrees with the speaker’s gender.
- Maiora is not “more” or “bigger things” in a physical sense. It means “greater” in importance or worth.
- Do not drop sum. “Ad maiora natus” is a fragment, and the full motto needs the verb.
- It is a traditional motto, not a quotation from a named Roman author, so do not credit it to Cicero or anyone else.
Questions about “Ad maiora natus sum”
What does “Ad maiora natus sum” mean literally?
“I have been born to greater things.” Natus sum is the perfect tense of nascor, so it is usually rendered “I was born”.
Who said “Ad maiora natus sum”?
It is recorded as a traditional Latin motto. Its first use is not recorded, so no single author can be named.
How do you say “Ad maiora natus sum” as a woman?
Use “Ad maiora nata sum”. The participle changes from natus to nata to match a female speaker.
How do you pronounce “Ad maiora natus sum”?
Classical: ad my-YOH-rah NAH-toos soom. Church Latin: ad mah-YOH-rah NAH-toos soom. Only the ai in maiora differs.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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