Dum lusus bonus est, ipsum dimittere fas est
“While the game is good, it is right to quit it.”
Medieval Latin proverb
What does “Dum lusus bonus est, ipsum dimittere fas est” mean?
Dum lusus bonus est, ipsum dimittere fas est translates as “While the game is good, it is right to quit it.”
Stop while you are ahead – end the fun before it turns sour.
“Dum lusus bonus est, ipsum dimittere fas est” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Dum | while | a conjunction meaning “while” or “as long as”, introducing the time frame of the clause |
| lusus | game, play | nominative singular masculine of lusus, “play, game” (4th declension, noun from ludo, “I play”); subject of est |
| bonus | good | nominative singular masculine of bonus, “good”; agrees with lusus |
| est | is | 3rd person singular present indicative of sum, “I am” |
| ipsum | it, the game itself | accusative singular masculine of ipse, “self”; here “the very thing”, referring back to lusus; object of dimittere |
| dimittere | to let go, to quit | present infinitive active of dimitto, “I send away, let go, give up” |
| fas | right, proper | indeclinable noun/adjective meaning “right according to divine or natural law”; here the predicate of est |
| est | is | 3rd person singular present indicative of sum, “I am”; the second est, in the main clause |
How to pronounce “Dum lusus bonus est, ipsum dimittere fas est”
The main differences are the s in lusus (a soft z sound in Italianate speech) and the i in dimittere (ih in Classical, ee in Church). Stress falls on the first syllable of lusus and bonus, and on the second-to-last syllable of dimittere.
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “while the game is good, to let it go is right”. It is a rhyming proverb of the kind collected in medieval Latin proverb collections, and no author is known.
Proverbs like this were passed on orally and copied by students and clerics, which is why they often rhyme or fall into a regular rhythm. Here the repeated est at the close of each half gives it a neat, memorable balance.
The message is the same as the English “quit while you are ahead”: the best moment to stop a pleasure, a contest or a run of luck is before it turns sour. The line is still quoted today by gamers, gamblers and anyone who knows when to leave the party.
How to use “Dum lusus bonus est, ipsum dimittere fas est”
Suits a caption for a good night out or a winning streak, a card message to someone about to retire or hand over a project, or a desk motto on knowing when to stop. As a tattoo it is long and wordy, so it works best for someone who loves games and wants a wry reminder.
- Latin
- Dum lusus bonus est, ipsum dimittere fas est
- English
- While the game is good, it is right to quit it.
- Source
- Medieval Latin proverb
- Era
- Middle Ages
- Theme
- Wisdom
Common mistakes
- lusus is a 4th declension noun and is not the same as ludus, “school, game, sport”; swapping them changes the grammar and the rhyme of the line.
- fas est does not mean “it is fate”; fas is what is right and permitted, and fatum is fate.
- ipsum is easy to read as “itself” in a vague way; here it simply points back to the game and means “it”.
- Do not attribute the line to a famous author such as Horace or Ovid; it is an anonymous medieval proverb.
Questions about “Dum lusus bonus est, ipsum dimittere fas est”
What does “Dum lusus bonus est, ipsum dimittere fas est” mean literally?
“While the game is good, to let it go is right.” In plain English: quit while you are ahead.
Who said “Dum lusus bonus est, ipsum dimittere fas est”?
No one is known. It is an anonymous medieval Latin proverb recorded in proverb collections.
How do you pronounce “Dum lusus bonus est, ipsum dimittere fas est”?
Classical: doom LOO-soos BOH-noos est IP-soom dih-MIT-teh-reh fahs est. Church Latin shifts a few sounds, for example LOO-zoos and dee-MEET-teh-reh.
Is “Dum lusus bonus est, ipsum dimittere fas est” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, the grammar is sound. It is a long line, so check that you want the whole sentence and spell lusus and dimittere exactly.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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