Nunquam non paratus
“Never unprepared.”
Motto of Clan Johnstone
What does “Nunquam non paratus” mean?
Nunquam non paratus translates as “Never unprepared.”
Always ready.
“Nunquam non paratus” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Nunquam | never | adverb; a spelling of nunquam, itself a variant of numquam, “at no time” |
| non | not | negating adverb; with nunquam it forms a double negative |
| paratus | prepared, ready | masculine nominative singular (nominative case) of paratus, past participle of paro, “I prepare”, used as an adjective |
How to pronounce “Nunquam non paratus”
Both pronunciations sound the same here. Stress the first syllable of nunquam and the second of paratus; non is a single short syllable.
The story behind it
Word for word the motto says “never not prepared”. In Latin, as in English, two negatives cancel out, so it means “always prepared”, with a slightly sharper edge than a plain statement.
It is the motto of Clan Johnstone, a Scottish clan from the Borders region around Annandale, close to the English frontier. Clan mottoes usually sit on the crest badge beneath the chief’s arms and sum up a family’s outlook in a few words.
Outside the clan the phrase has found a second life as a general motto of readiness. Its short, punchy form suits a tattoo, a team slogan or a line on a desk plaque.
How to use “Nunquam non paratus”
A good fit for a tattoo or engraving about readiness, a motto for a team, club or workplace, or a nod to Johnstone family heritage. It also works as a caption for a photo that shows someone fully prepared.
- Latin
- Nunquam non paratus
- English
- Never unprepared.
- Source
- Motto of Clan Johnstone
- Era
- Modern (clan motto)
- Theme
- Readiness
Common mistakes
- The double negative is deliberate. It does not mean “never prepared”; the non reverses the nunquam.
- Paratus is masculine singular. For a woman use nunquam non parata, and for a group of men nunquam non parati.
- Nunquam is often spelled numquam in classical texts; both appear, so neither is wrong.
- It is a clan motto, not a classical quotation, so do not credit it to a Roman author.
Questions about “Nunquam non paratus”
What does “Nunquam non paratus” mean literally?
“Never not prepared”. The two negatives cancel, so the sense is “always prepared”.
Whose motto is “Nunquam non paratus”?
It is the motto of Clan Johnstone of Scotland. It is not a quotation from a Roman writer.
How do you pronounce “Nunquam non paratus”?
In classical Latin: NOON-kwahm nohn pah-RAH-toos. The church pronunciation is the same.
Is “Nunquam non paratus” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, the grammar is sound. It uses the masculine form of paratus, so a woman may prefer “Nunquam non parata”.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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