Mente et artificio
“With mind and skill.”
Motto of Toronto Metropolitan University
What does “Mente et artificio” mean?
Mente et artificio translates as “With mind and skill.”
Thinking and practical skill working together.
“Mente et artificio” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Mente | with mind | ablative singular of mens, “mind”; the ablative here shows means or manner (“by/with”) |
| et | and | conjunction joining the two ablative nouns |
| artificio | with skill | ablative singular of artificium, “craft, skill, technique”; also ablative of means, sharing the sense of “with” from the first noun |
How to pronounce “Mente et artificio”
The main difference is the c in artificio: a hard k in Classical, a ch in Church Latin. Stress falls on the first syllable of mente and the third-to-last (FI) of artificio.
The story behind it
Word for word the motto reads “with mind and skill”: two ablative nouns, with the preposition “with” understood once and covering both. The pairing sets thinking (mens) beside craft (artificium) as partners rather than rivals.
It is the motto of Toronto Metropolitan University in Canada, formerly Ryerson University, whose coat of arms was first registered in 1966. It is a modern institutional motto, not a quotation from an ancient author.
The idea suits a school with a strong tradition of practical, career-focused education. It says that theory without craft is incomplete, and craft without thought is mere routine.
How to use “Mente et artificio”
A good fit for a graduation card, a motto for a workshop, studio or design practice, or a desk reminder for anyone who combines study with hands-on work. As a tattoo it suits makers, engineers and designers who value both thinking and making.
- Latin
- Mente et artificio
- English
- With mind and skill.
- Source
- Motto of Toronto Metropolitan University
- Era
- Modern
- Theme
- Learning
Common mistakes
- It is not an ancient quotation. It is a modern university motto, so do not credit it to a Roman author.
- Artificium means “skill, craft”, not “artificial” in the modern English sense, although the English word is related.
- The motto has no verb. Do not add one: “mente et artificio” on its own already means “with mind and skill”.
- The c in artificio is a hard k in Classical Latin, so “ar-tih-FIH-kee-oh”, not “ar-tih-FISH-ee-oh”, unless you choose Church pronunciation.
Questions about “Mente et artificio”
What does “Mente et artificio” mean literally?
“With mind and skill”, or “by means of mind and craft”. Both nouns are in the ablative case.
Who said “Mente et artificio”?
It is the motto of Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University, and is not attributed to a classical author.
How do you pronounce “Mente et artificio”?
Classical: MEN-teh et ar-tih-FIH-kee-oh. Church: MEN-teh et ar-tee-FEE-chee-oh. Only the c in artificio differs.
Is “Mente et artificio” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes. It is grammatically sound: two ablative nouns joined by et, with “with” understood. It reads naturally as a short motto.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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