Amici probantur rebus adversis
“Friends are proven in hard times.”
Latin proverb (cf. Ennius in Cicero, De amicitia 64)
What does “Amici probantur rebus adversis” mean?
Amici probantur rebus adversis translates as “Friends are proven in hard times.”
You find out who your real friends are when things go wrong.
“Amici probantur rebus adversis” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Amici | friends | nominative plural of amicus, “friend” (masculine, second declension); the subject of the sentence |
| probantur | are tested, are proven | third person plural present passive indicative of probo, “I test, approve, prove” |
| rebus | in circumstances, in times | ablative plural of res, “thing, matter, situation” (fifth declension); ablative of circumstance |
| adversis | hard, adverse | ablative plural of adversus, “facing, hostile, unfavourable”; agrees with rebus |
How to pronounce “Amici probantur rebus adversis”
The difference is in amici (kee or chee) and in the v of adversis (w or v). The stress falls on the second syllable of amici, probantur and adversis, and on the first of rebus.
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “friends are tested by adverse things”. The phrase rebus adversis (“in adverse circumstances”) is a set Latin expression for bad times, and probare here means to test something and find it genuine.
The proverb is closely related to a line of the early Roman poet Ennius, quoted by Cicero in De amicitia (On Friendship): a sure friend is seen in an unsure situation. Cicero’s essay treats friendship as something that real trust and shared hardship put to the test.
As a stand-alone Latin proverb, the wording is traditional and has no single known author. The same idea is also found in many languages, including the English saying “a friend in need is a friend indeed”.
How to use “Amici probantur rebus adversis”
A good fit for a card to someone who stood by you in a bad stretch, or for a tattoo or print about loyalty. It also suits an essay or speech on friendship, loyalty or character under pressure.
- Latin
- Amici probantur rebus adversis
- English
- Friends are proven in hard times.
- Source
- Latin proverb (cf. Ennius in Cicero, De amicitia 64)
- Era
- Antiquity (proverb)
- Theme
- Friendship
Common mistakes
- The verb is passive: friends are proven (by hard times). It does not say that friends prove something themselves.
- Do not drop the -is of adversis or the -us of rebus when quoting: both are ablative plural endings that must match.
- It is a proverb with no named author, so do not credit it to Cicero. Cicero only preserves the related line by Ennius.
Questions about “Amici probantur rebus adversis”
What does “Amici probantur rebus adversis” mean literally?
“Friends are tested by adverse circumstances.” In natural English: you find out who your real friends are when times are hard.
Who said “Amici probantur rebus adversis”?
It is a traditional Latin proverb with no known author. It is related to a line of Ennius preserved in Cicero’s De amicitia 64.
How do you pronounce “Amici probantur rebus adversis”?
Classical: ah-MEE-kee proh-BAHN-toor RAY-boos ad-WAIR-sees. Church Latin: ah-MEE-chee proh-BAHN-toor RAY-boos ad-VAIR-sees.
Is “Amici probantur rebus adversis” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, the grammar is sound as a complete sentence. Keep all four words and their endings exactly as written.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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