Laborare est orare
“To work is to pray.”
Traditional Latin motto
What does “Laborare est orare” mean?
Laborare est orare translates as “To work is to pray.”
Honest work done well can itself be a form of prayer. It joins daily labor and spiritual life.
“Laborare est orare” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Laborare | to work | present infinitive of laboro, “I work, I toil”; it acts as the subject of the sentence |
| est | is | 3rd person singular present indicative of sum, “I am”; links the two infinitives |
| orare | to pray | present infinitive of oro, “I pray, I speak, I plead”; it completes the sentence as the predicate |
How to pronounce “Laborare est orare”
Both pronunciations sound the same here, since there is no c, g, v or ae to change. Stress the third-to-last syllable of both infinitives (the long a before -re) and say est as a single syllable.
The story behind it
Word for word the saying is “to work is to pray”. It sets two infinitives on either side of est, so work and prayer are treated as the same thing rather than as rivals.
The line is linked with the Benedictine tradition, whose motto is usually given as “ora et labora”, “pray and work”. The phrase “laborare est orare” itself does not appear in the Rule of St Benedict, and its exact origin is uncertain, so it is best described as a traditional motto.
The sentiment behind it is that ordinary labor, done honestly and with care, can be a way of serving God. Today the phrase is used on workshops, farms and studios, and by anyone who wants to say that work has dignity.
How to use “Laborare est orare”
A fitting motto for a workshop, farm, bakery, craftsperson’s studio or monastery gift shop, or a quiet line for a card or tattoo about devotion to one’s craft. It suits people who see their daily work as meaningful rather than merely necessary.
- Latin
- Laborare est orare
- English
- To work is to pray.
- Source
- Traditional Latin motto
- Era
- Modern Latin
- Theme
- Work
Common mistakes
- Do not credit it to St Benedict or to the Rule of St Benedict. The related “ora et labora” is a later summary of Benedictine life, and this saying is a traditional motto of uncertain origin.
- The two sayings are not the same. “Ora et labora” means “pray and work” (two activities), while “laborare est orare” means that working is praying.
- Both verbs are infinitives and stay unchanged whoever is speaking. Do not alter the endings to fit a person or number, and do not turn est into sunt.
Questions about “Laborare est orare”
What does “Laborare est orare” mean literally?
“To work is to pray.” Laborare is the infinitive “to work”, est is “is”, and orare is the infinitive “to pray”.
Who said “Laborare est orare”?
No single author is known. It is a traditional motto linked with Benedictine spirituality, but it does not appear in the Rule of St Benedict.
Is “Laborare est orare” the same as “Ora et labora”?
No. “Ora et labora” means “pray and work” and names two activities, while “laborare est orare” says that work itself can be prayer.
How do you pronounce “Laborare est orare”?
Say it lah-boh-RAH-reh est oh-RAH-reh. Classical and Church pronunciation are the same here, with the stress on the long a of each -rare.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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