Latin quote · Loyalty

Etiam si omnes, ego non

“Even if all others do, I will not.”

After the Vulgate Bible, Matthew 26:33

Translation

What does “Etiam si omnes, ego non” mean?

Etiam si omnes, ego non translates as “Even if all others do, I will not.”

A promise to stay loyal or hold to one’s principles even when everyone else gives up.

Word by word

“Etiam si omnes, ego non” word by word

Latin	English	Grammar
Etiam	even, also	adverb; here “even”, adding emphasis to the whole condition
si	if	conjunction introducing a condition
omnes	all, everyone	nominative plural (masculine) of omnis, “all”; used as a noun meaning “all people”
ego	I	first person singular pronoun, nominative; the subject, stated for emphasis
non	not	negative adverb; the verb is left out and understood from context (“I will not”)

Pronunciation

How to pronounce “Etiam si omnes, ego non”

Classical LatinEH-tee-ahm see OHM-nays EH-goh nohn

Church LatinEH-tsee-ahm see OHM-nehs EH-goh nohn

The main differences are in etiam (the ti is a plain “t” in Classical, “tsee” in Church Latin) and in the ending of omnes (“ays” or “ehs”). Stress falls on the first syllable of etiam, omnes and ego.

Origin & context

The story behind it

Word for word the line says “even if all, I not”. The verb is missing, so the sense has to be filled in: even if all others do (give way, fall away), I will not. The Latin is a shortened form of the Bible text, not a word-for-word quotation.

It comes from the Gospel of Matthew (26:33), in the Latin Vulgate Bible. Peter tells Jesus that even if all the other disciples fall away because of him, he never will. The Gospels go on to tell that Peter denied knowing Jesus three times that same night.

That sequel gives the line its edge. It is both a proud pledge of loyalty and a warning about how hard such a pledge is to keep, which is why it appears as a motto, a personal vow or an ironic comment on promises made too easily.

When to use it

How to use “Etiam si omnes, ego non”

Fits a personal motto about standing firm when others give up, a tattoo or engraving about loyalty and conviction, or an essay on promises and moral courage. Bear in mind the Gospel context, since Peter failed that very test.

Latin: Etiam si omnes, ego non
English: Even if all others do, I will not.
Source: After the Vulgate Bible, Matthew 26:33
Era: Late Antiquity
Theme: Loyalty

Good to know

Common mistakes

It is not a direct quote of the Vulgate. The Latin Bible has a longer sentence, and this is a short form of it.
Do not read it as pure bravado. In its source the speaker breaks his promise within hours.
Do not add a verb to “make it complete” without a Latin teacher. The missing verb is part of the style, and a wrong ending would change the meaning.
Etiam means “even” here, not “also” or “yet”. Misreading it blurs the force of the condition.

FAQ

Questions about “Etiam si omnes, ego non”

What does “Etiam si omnes, ego non” mean?

“Even if all others do, I will not.” The verb is left out in the Latin and has to be understood from the context.

Where does “Etiam si omnes, ego non” come from?

It is a short form of Peter’s words in Matthew 26:33 in the Vulgate Bible, where he promises Jesus he will never fall away.

How do you pronounce “Etiam si omnes, ego non”?

Classical: EH-tee-ahm see OHM-nays EH-goh nohn. Church Latin: EH-tsee-ahm see OHM-nehs EH-goh nohn.

Is “Etiam si omnes, ego non” a good tattoo?

The Latin is fine and the meaning is clear. Know the background, though: Peter denied Jesus that same night, so some readers will hear the line with irony.

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