Intellego ut credam
“I understand so that I may believe.”
Scholastic formula
What does “Intellego ut credam” mean?
Intellego ut credam translates as “I understand so that I may believe.”
A position that reason should come first and lead to faith. It invites people to examine and question before they commit, rather than believe blindly.
“Intellego ut credam” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Intellego | I understand | first person singular present active indicative of intellego, “to understand, to grasp” |
| ut | so that | a conjunction introducing a purpose clause, which takes the subjunctive |
| credam | I may believe | first person singular present active subjunctive of credo, “to believe, to trust”; the subjunctive is required after ut of purpose |
How to pronounce “Intellego ut credam”
Both pronunciations sound the same here, because there is no c or g before e or i that would change. The stress falls on the second syllable of intellego and the first of credam.
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “I understand so that I may believe”. It is a scholastic formula from the Middle Ages, not a line from an ancient Roman author, and it is not a famous quotation from one single text.
It is best known as the mirror image of Anselm of Canterbury’s “Credo ut intellegam”, “I believe so that I may understand”. Anselm held that faith comes first and then seeks understanding; the reversed line puts reason first.
The reversed formula is commonly linked with the more rationalist approach of Peter Abelard, though the exact wording is a later shorthand for the contrast rather than a verified quotation of his. Today it appears in discussions of faith and reason, and in debates about doubt and belief.
How to use “Intellego ut credam”
A fitting title for a debate night, lecture or essay on faith and reason, or a motto for someone who values questioning before commitment. It also works as a pointed reply when set beside Anselm’s “Credo ut intellegam”.
- Latin
- Intellego ut credam
- English
- I understand so that I may believe.
- Source
- Scholastic formula
- Era
- Middle Ages
- Theme
- Faith
Common mistakes
- It does not say that understanding is impossible without faith. It says the opposite order: understanding comes first and belief follows.
- The verb after ut is credam (subjunctive), not credo. “Intellego ut credo” would be incorrect Latin, because a purpose clause needs the subjunctive.
- Do not credit it to Anselm. He wrote the reverse, “Credo ut intellegam”, and this line is its counter-formula.
- It is a shorthand formula, so do not present it as a word-for-word quotation from Abelard.
Questions about “Intellego ut credam”
What does “Intellego ut credam” mean literally?
“I understand so that I may believe.” The ut with credam (subjunctive) expresses purpose: understanding is the means, belief the aim.
Who said “Intellego ut credam”?
No single author is certain. It is a scholastic formula, commonly set against Anselm’s “Credo ut intellegam” and associated with Peter Abelard’s rationalist approach.
How do you pronounce “Intellego ut credam”?
Classically: in-TEL-leh-goh oot KREH-dahm. The Church pronunciation sounds the same for this phrase.
Is “Intellego ut credam” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes. The grammar is correct: intellego is first person present, and credam is the subjunctive that ut of purpose requires. Spoken to or about someone else, the verb endings would change.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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