Latin quotes with translation, meaning and origin.
Virtute enim ipsa non tam multi praediti esse quam videri volunt means “For not so many people wish to be endowed with virtue itself as wish to seem so.” Many people care more about appearing virtuous than about being virtuous. Source: Cicero, De Amicitia.
Ubi plura nitent in carmine, non ego paucis offendar maculis means “Where most things shine in a poem, I will not be offended by a few blemishes.” A work that is good overall deserves to be judged generously, despite small flaws. Source: Horace, Ars Poetica.
Virtus est vitium fugere, et sapientia prima stultitia caruisse means “Virtue begins with fleeing vice, and the first step of wisdom is to be free of folly.” Becoming good starts by avoiding the bad, and becoming wise starts by abandoning foolishness. Source: Horace, Epistles 1.1.
Stude, non ut plus aliquid scias, sed ut melius means “Study not in order to know more, but to know better.” The goal of learning is not quantity of information but depth of understanding. Source: Latin saying (often attributed to Seneca).
Te Deum laudamus, te Dominum confitemur; te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur means “We praise you, O God, we acknowledge you to be the Lord; all the earth worships you, the eternal Father.” These are the opening words of the great Christian hymn of praise and thanksgiving. Source: Te Deum (Latin hymn).
Timor non est in caritate, sed perfecta caritas foras mittit timorem means “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” Real love leaves no room for fear. Source: Vulgate, 1 John 4:18.
Sic vive cum hominibus tamquam deus videat; sic loquere cum deo tamquam homines audiant means “Live among people as if God were watching; speak with God as if people were listening.” Act with integrity even when no one seems to be watching, and pray with sincerity as if your words were public. Source: Seneca, Epistulae morales 10.
Si sapis, alterum alteri misce: nec speraveris sine desperatione nec desperaveris sine spe means “If you are wise, mix the one with the other: do not hope without despair, nor despair without hope.” Balance optimism with realism, and never give up entirely. Source: Seneca, Epistulae morales.
Si vis me flere, dolendum est primum ipsi tibi means “If you want me to weep, you must first feel grief yourself.” To move others, you must feel the emotion yourself. Source: Horace, Ars Poetica.
Sic cum inferiore vivas, quemadmodum tecum superiorem velis vivere means “Treat those below you as you would want those above you to treat you.” Treat people with less power the way you would want to be treated by those with more. Source: Seneca, Epistulae morales 47.
