Epistula non erubescit
“A letter does not blush.”
Cicero, Epistulae ad familiares 5.12.1
What does “Epistula non erubescit” mean?
Epistula non erubescit translates as “A letter does not blush.”
Some things are easier to write than to say face to face. Paper lets you be bolder, more honest or more cheeky than you would dare in person.
“Epistula non erubescit” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Epistula | a letter | nominative singular feminine (nominative case), noun of the first declension; the subject of the sentence. Dictionary form: epistula, letter |
| non | not | adverb of negation; it negates the verb that follows |
| erubescit | blushes | third person singular present indicative active of erubesco, “I blush, grow red”; the subject is epistula |
How to pronounce “Epistula non erubescit”
The only difference is the sc in erubescit: Classical says a hard sk, Church Latin says sh. Stress falls on the second syllable of epistula and on the second-to-last syllable of erubescit.
The story behind it
Word for word the sentence says “a letter does not blush”. It comes from Cicero’s letters to friends and colleagues, the Epistulae ad familiares, a collection published after his death.
In the letter Cicero writes to the historian Lucceius and boldly asks him to write a flattering account of Cicero’s consulship. He admits that he could never have made such a request to his face, and the line is his excuse for putting it on paper.
Because the sentence is short and neat, it is now quoted as a general saying: a written message lets you say what would make you blush in person.
How to use “Epistula non erubescit”
It suits a card or message that carries a bold request, a confession or a compliment you would find hard to say aloud. It also works as a motto for a writing desk, a stationery print, or a tattoo for someone who loves letters and the written word.
- Latin
- Epistula non erubescit
- English
- A letter does not blush.
- Source
- Cicero, Epistulae ad familiares 5.12.1
- Era
- Classical
- Theme
- Communication
Common mistakes
- It does not mean that letters are shameless or rude. The point is that the writer is freed from embarrassment.
- Epistula is feminine, so the verb stays the same in the singular. For several letters use the plural: epistulae non erubescunt.
- The word is often misspelled as “epistola” or “erubescet”. Cicero’s Latin has epistula and the present tense erubescit.
- Do not add a speaker or century to the saying beyond Cicero; it is a quotation from his letter, not a medieval proverb.
Questions about “Epistula non erubescit”
What does “Epistula non erubescit” mean literally?
“A letter does not blush.” Paper feels no embarrassment, so it lets the writer say things that would be awkward face to face.
Who said “Epistula non erubescit”?
Cicero, in a letter to Lucceius collected in Epistulae ad familiares 5.12.1.
How do you pronounce “Epistula non erubescit”?
In Classical Latin: eh-PIS-too-lah nohn eh-roo-BEH-skit. In Church Latin the last syllable sounds like shit instead of skit.
Is “Epistula non erubescit” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, it is genuine Latin taken from Cicero, and the grammar is correct as it stands. Keep the spelling exactly as written and do not change the number or the tense.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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