Lupus non timet canem latrantem
“The wolf does not fear the barking dog.”
Latin proverb
What does “Lupus non timet canem latrantem” mean?
Lupus non timet canem latrantem translates as “The wolf does not fear the barking dog.”
The strong are not impressed by noise.
“Lupus non timet canem latrantem” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Lupus | the wolf | nominative singular masculine (second declension) of lupus, “wolf”; the subject of the sentence |
| non | not | adverb of negation, here negating timet |
| timet | fears | third person singular present indicative active of timeo, “to fear” |
| canem | the dog | accusative singular masculine of canis, “dog”; the direct object of timet |
| latrantem | barking | present participle of latro, “to bark”, accusative singular masculine, agreeing with canem |
How to pronounce “Lupus non timet canem latrantem”
The two pronunciations differ only in timet, where the Classical i is a short “ih” sound and the Ecclesiastical i is a longer “ee” sound. Stress falls on the first syllable of lupus, timet and canem, and on the second syllable of latrantem.
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “the wolf does not fear the barking dog”. It is listed as a Latin proverb of the Middle Ages, so no single author can be named for it.
The picture is easy to follow: a dog that barks loudly makes a lot of noise, but a wolf knows the difference between noise and real strength. The contrast between the two animals carries the meaning.
Similar sayings about barking dogs exist in many languages, and the thought is often used today for people who stay calm under loud criticism or empty threats.
How to use “Lupus non timet canem latrantem”
Fits a tattoo, a desk motto or a caption for someone who stays calm under pressure, loud criticism or empty threats. It also works as a short, pointed line in an essay on strength, confidence or resilience.
- Latin
- Lupus non timet canem latrantem
- English
- The wolf does not fear the barking dog.
- Source
- Latin proverb
- Era
- Middle Ages (proverb)
- Theme
- Strength
Common mistakes
- Do not read it as a boast of aggression. The point is calm confidence, not attacking others.
- The ending of latrantem must agree with canem. If you change “dog” to a female dog or to several dogs, the participle must change too (for example canes latrantes for several dogs).
- Do not attribute it to a famous author. It is a proverb, and no reliable single source is known.
- Dropping latrantem leaves only “the wolf does not fear the dog”, which loses the idea of mere noise.
Questions about “Lupus non timet canem latrantem”
What does “Lupus non timet canem latrantem” mean literally?
“The wolf does not fear the barking dog.” Canem latrantem means “the barking dog”, with latrantem describing the dog.
Who said “Lupus non timet canem latrantem”?
No one in particular. It is a Latin proverb from the Middle Ages, and no author or work is reliably known.
How do you pronounce “Lupus non timet canem latrantem”?
In Classical Latin: LOO-poos nohn TIH-met KAH-nem lah-TRAHN-tem. In Church Latin the main change is TEE-met.
Is “Lupus non timet canem latrantem” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, the grammar is sound: a subject, a negated verb, and an object with a participle agreeing with it. Keep the word order and endings exactly as written.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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