Mens sana in corpore sano
“A healthy mind in a healthy body.”
Juvenal, Satires 10.356
What does “Mens sana in corpore sano” mean?
Mens sana in corpore sano translates as “A healthy mind in a healthy body.”
Mind and body belong together. A healthy life needs both a clear head and a well-cared-for body.
“Mens sana in corpore sano” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Mens | mind | nominative singular feminine of mens, mentis, “mind”; the subject of the phrase |
| sana | healthy, sound | nominative singular feminine adjective of sanus, “healthy”; agrees with mens |
| in | in | preposition taking the ablative here, meaning “in” a place or state |
| corpore | body | ablative singular neuter of corpus, corporis, “body”; follows in |
| sano | healthy, sound | ablative singular neuter adjective of sanus; agrees with corpore |
How to pronounce “Mens sana in corpore sano”
Both pronunciations sound the same here, since there is no c or g before e or i and no v. Stress the first syllable of sana and sano, and the first syllable of corpore.
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “a sound mind in a sound body”. It comes from the Roman satirist Juvenal, Satires 10.356, written in the early 2nd century AD.
In the tenth satire Juvenal mocks the things people pray for, such as power, long life and beauty. He then says that if you must pray for something, ask for a sound mind in a sound body. The original line is a wish, not an order.
Over time the phrase was cut loose from its satirical setting and turned into a motto about balanced living. It is now common at gyms, schools and sports clubs, and it is the source of the name of the Anima Sana in Corpore Sano sports tradition.
How to use “Mens sana in corpore sano”
Fits a gym wall, a school or sports team motto, a fitness or wellbeing goal, or a tattoo about caring for both mental and physical health. It also works in an essay on education, sport or the balance of mind and body.
- Latin
- Mens sana in corpore sano
- English
- A healthy mind in a healthy body.
- Source
- Juvenal, Satires 10.356
- Era
- Antiquity
- Theme
- Health
Common mistakes
- It is not usually a command or a promise. Juvenal wrote it as something to pray for, so “a healthy mind in a healthy body” is best read as a wish.
- The line is often shortened to “Mens sana”, which loses the pairing with the body that gives the quote its point.
- Do not change the endings casually. Mens is feminine and corpus is neuter, so each adjective must match its own noun: sana with mens, sano with corpore.
- Juvenal does not claim that a healthy body automatically produces a healthy mind. That reading comes from later use, not from the satire.
Questions about “Mens sana in corpore sano”
What does “Mens sana in corpore sano” mean literally?
“A sound mind in a sound body.” It names two things together, a healthy mind and a healthy body, joined by the word “in”.
Who said “Mens sana in corpore sano”?
The Roman poet Juvenal, in his Satires 10.356. He wrote it in the early 2nd century AD, in a passage about what is truly worth praying for.
How do you pronounce “Mens sana in corpore sano”?
In Classical Latin: mens SAH-nah in KOR-poh-reh SAH-noh. The Church pronunciation sounds the same for this phrase.
Is “Mens sana in corpore sano” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes. The grammar is correct as written: sana agrees with mens and sano agrees with corpore. Keep it exactly as is, since changing a single ending would make it wrong.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
Latin remixes of Mens sana in corpore sano
4 playful twists, e.g. Mens sana in corpore currente · Mens sana in corpore saltante · Mens sana in corpore natante.
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