Corvus oculum corvi non eruit
“A crow does not peck out another crow’s eye.”
Latin proverb
What does “Corvus oculum corvi non eruit” mean?
Corvus oculum corvi non eruit translates as “A crow does not peck out another crow’s eye.”
People of the same kind protect each other.
“Corvus oculum corvi non eruit” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Corvus | a crow | nominative singular masculine of corvus, “crow, raven”; the subject of the sentence |
| oculum | eye | accusative singular neuter of oculus, “eye”; the direct object |
| corvi | of a crow | genitive singular masculine of corvus; shows whose eye it is |
| non | not | adverb that negates the verb |
| eruit | pecks out, digs out | third person singular present indicative active of eruo, “I dig out, tear out” |
How to pronounce “Corvus oculum corvi non eruit”
The only real difference is the v in corvus and corvi: w in Classical, v in Church Latin. Stress falls on the first syllable of corvus and oculum, and on the second of corvi is not needed, as it is a two-syllable word stressed on the first. In eruit, stress the first syllable.
The story behind it
Word for word the proverb says “a crow does not dig out the eye of a crow”. The verb eruo covers digging, tearing or plucking something out, so “peck out” is a natural way to put it in English.
It is a Latin proverb of the Middle Ages and has no single known author. It appears in collections of proverbs and has close counterparts in many European languages, including German and Dutch.
It is mostly used about groups that shield their own members, from professions to officials to families. The tone can be approving, as loyalty among equals, or critical, as a way of covering for each other’s faults.
How to use “Corvus oculum corvi non eruit”
Works as a caption about loyalty within a group, such as a team, a family or a close circle of friends. It also fits an essay or comment on professional solidarity or on people who cover for one another.
- Latin
- Corvus oculum corvi non eruit
- English
- A crow does not peck out another crow’s eye.
- Source
- Latin proverb
- Era
- Middle Ages (proverb)
- Theme
- Society
Common mistakes
- It is not a general statement about birds. The crow stands for any person, and the point is loyalty between people of the same kind.
- Do not change corvi to corvum or corvus. The genitive corvi is what makes it “another crow’s eye”.
- Word order varies in older sources, and some versions use the plural, such as corvi corvorum oculos non eruunt. This page gives the singular form.
Questions about “Corvus oculum corvi non eruit”
What does “Corvus oculum corvi non eruit” mean literally?
“A crow does not dig out the eye of a crow.” In English it is usually put as “a crow does not peck out another crow’s eye”.
Who said “Corvus oculum corvi non eruit”?
No one author is known. It is a Latin proverb from the medieval period, found in many European proverb collections.
How do you pronounce “Corvus oculum corvi non eruit”?
Classical: KOR-woos OH-koo-loom KOR-wee nohn EH-roo-it. Church Latin has v instead of w in corvus and corvi.
Is “Corvus oculum corvi non eruit” good for a tattoo?
The Latin is correct and clear. Be aware that the meaning is about people of one kind sticking together, which can read as loyalty or as covering up for each other.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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