Iustitia fundamentum regni
“Justice is the foundation of the realm.”
Motto of the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Czech Republic
What does “Iustitia fundamentum regni” mean?
Iustitia fundamentum regni translates as “Justice is the foundation of the realm.”
A state holds together only as long as it treats people justly.
“Iustitia fundamentum regni” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Iustitia | justice | nominative singular feminine of iustitia, “justice”; the subject of the sentence |
| fundamentum | foundation | nominative singular neuter of fundamentum, “foundation”; the thing Iustitia is said to be |
| regni | of the realm | genitive singular neuter of regnum, “kingdom, realm, rule”; tells you whose foundation it is |
How to pronounce “Iustitia fundamentum regni”
The main differences are the t in iustitia (a plain t in Classical, a ts sound in Church Latin) and the gn in regni (g-n in Classical, a soft ny in Church Latin). The stress falls on the third syllable of iustitia, the third of fundamentum and the first of regni.
The story behind it
Word for word the sentence says “justice, foundation of the realm”, with the verb “is” left out, as Latin often does. It sets out in four words the idea that a state rests on fair treatment of its people, not on force alone.
As a motto it is attached to the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Czech Republic, which is why this page lists it with a modern era. The wording is not a single ancient quotation but a maxim in a long tradition of Latin mottoes about justice and government.
A close variant, Iustitia regnorum fundamentum (“Justice is the foundation of kingdoms”), was the motto of Emperor Francis I of Austria and is inscribed on the Outer Castle Gate (Äußeres Burgtor) in Vienna.
How to use “Iustitia fundamentum regni”
It suits a tattoo or engraving for someone in law, politics or public service, a motto for an office or a student society, or an essay on justice and the legitimacy of government. As a caption it fits any post about fairness, accountability or the rule of law.
- Latin
- Iustitia fundamentum regni
- English
- Justice is the foundation of the realm.
- Source
- Motto of the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Czech Republic
- Era
- Modern
- Theme
- Justice
Common mistakes
- The Latin has no verb. Do not add est unless you want a more explicit “Justice is the foundation of the realm”; the short form is the usual motto style.
- Do not mix up the two mottoes. Iustitia fundamentum regni is the Czech prosecutor’s motto, while Iustitia regnorum fundamentum (plural “of kingdoms”) is the one tied to Francis I and the Vienna gate.
- It is not a classical Roman quotation. Do not credit it to Cicero or another ancient author.
- Regni is genitive (“of the realm”), not the subject. Changing its ending changes the meaning, so do not alter it without checking.
Questions about “Iustitia fundamentum regni”
What does “Iustitia fundamentum regni” mean literally?
“Justice, foundation of the realm.” Latin leaves out the verb “is”, so the natural English is “Justice is the foundation of the realm”.
Who said “Iustitia fundamentum regni”?
It is not a quotation from an ancient author. It is the motto of the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Czech Republic, and a very similar motto was used by Emperor Francis I of Austria.
How do you pronounce “Iustitia fundamentum regni”?
In Classical Latin: yoos-TIH-tee-ah foon-dah-MEN-toom REG-nee. In Church Latin: yoos-TEE-tsee-ah foon-dah-MEN-toom REN-yee.
Is “Iustitia fundamentum regni” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, the grammar is correct and it reads as a clear motto. If you want the Vienna wording instead, use “Iustitia regnorum fundamentum”.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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