Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis
“It is best to endure what you cannot change.”
Seneca, Epistles 107.9
What does “Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis” mean?
Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis translates as “It is best to endure what you cannot change.”
Accept what is beyond your control and put your energy where it can help.
“Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Optimum | best | neuter nominative singular (superlative) of bonus, “good”; used as a noun, “the best thing” |
| est | is | third person singular present indicative of sum, “I am” |
| pati | to endure | present infinitive of patior, “I suffer, endure” (a deponent verb: passive form, active meaning) |
| quod | what, that which | neuter accusative singular relative pronoun; object of emendare, “that which” |
| emendare | to correct, to change | present active infinitive of emendo, “I correct, amend” |
| non | not | adverb of negation |
| possis | you can | second person singular present subjunctive of possum, “I am able”; the subjunctive is used because the clause describes a type of thing (“such as you cannot change”) |
How to pronounce “Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis”
The main differences are the i vowels, which sound short in classical Latin and like English “ee” in Church Latin. Stress falls on OP in optimum, PA in pati, DA in emendare and POS in possis.
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “the best thing is to endure what you are unable to correct”. It comes from the Epistles, the long series of letters in which the Stoic philosopher Seneca (died AD 65) gave moral advice to his friend Lucilius.
The idea is central to Stoicism: separate what is up to you from what is not, and do not waste effort fighting the second. Seneca presents it as practical guidance for living calmly, not as passive resignation.
Readers often compare it with the Serenity Prayer, which asks for the grace to accept what cannot be changed. The two are similar in spirit, but the prayer is a modern composition and not a translation of Seneca.
How to use “Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis”
It suits a tattoo or desk motto for anyone drawn to Stoicism, a card for someone facing something they cannot fix, or an essay on acceptance, resilience or Stoic ethics.
- Latin
- Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis
- English
- It is best to endure what you cannot change.
- Source
- Seneca, Epistles 107.9
- Era
- Antiquity
- Theme
- Acceptance
Common mistakes
- It does not say to endure everything. The words quod emendare non possis limit it to what you truly cannot change.
- Pati means “to endure”, not “to suffer pain”, and the line is not a call to passivity.
- Writing possit instead of possis changes “you cannot” to “he or she cannot”. The Latin ends in -is because it addresses one person.
- It is often shortened to “Optimum est pati”, which loses the qualifying clause and changes the meaning.
Questions about “Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis”
What does “Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis” mean literally?
“The best thing is to endure what you are unable to correct.” In natural English: it is best to endure what you cannot change.
Who said “Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis”?
It comes from Seneca’s Epistles, in his advice to Lucilius (Epistle 107, section 9).
How do you pronounce “Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis”?
In classical Latin: OP-tih-moom est PAH-tee kwod eh-men-DAH-reh non POS-sis. In Church Latin the i sounds like “ee”.
Is “Optimum est pati quod emendare non possis” the Latin Serenity Prayer?
No. The sentiment is similar, but the Serenity Prayer is a much later composition. Seneca’s line is an independent Stoic maxim.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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