Parva leves capiunt animas
“Small things capture light minds.”
Ovid, Ars amatoria 1.159
What does “Parva leves capiunt animas” mean?
Parva leves capiunt animas translates as “Small things capture light minds.”
Little things please little minds.
“Parva leves capiunt animas” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Parva | small things | neuter plural (nominative or accusative) of the adjective parvus, “small”, used as a noun; here the object of capiunt |
| leves | light, shallow | accusative plural feminine of levis, “light”; agrees with animas. In meaning: fickle, shallow |
| capiunt | they capture | third person plural present active indicative of capio, “I take, seize” |
| animas | minds, souls | accusative plural of anima, “soul, spirit, mind”; object of capiunt |
How to pronounce “Parva leves capiunt animas”
The only difference is v: w in Classical, v in Church Latin. Stress falls on the first syllable of parva, leves and capiunt, and on the first syllable of animas.
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “small things capture light souls”. It comes from the first book of Ovid’s Ars amatoria (The Art of Love), line 159, written around 1 BC to AD 2.
In that poem Ovid gives tongue-in-cheek advice on winning lovers. Here he is describing women at the Roman games, whom he says are won by small attentions such as fetching a cushion or fanning them. The line is a wry comment on how easily the shallow are pleased.
Out of that context it became a freestanding saying about petty pleasures and shallow minds. Today it is quoted with a smile, sometimes as a gentle jab and sometimes in self-mockery.
How to use “Parva leves capiunt animas”
Suits a witty caption, a teasing card, or a desk motto for someone who enjoys life’s trivia. As a tattoo it carries an ironic edge, so be sure you want the slightly sharp tone.
- Latin
- Parva leves capiunt animas
- English
- Small things capture light minds.
- Source
- Ovid, Ars amatoria 1.159
- Era
- Antiquity
- Theme
- Humor
Common mistakes
- Leves is not “levis” the singular. Here it is the accusative plural, matching animas.
- Do not read leves as “levies” or “lifted”. It comes from levis (light), not levo (to raise).
- Parva is the thing doing the capturing, not an adjective for animas. The word order is scrambled, so do not read “small minds” literally from the Latin.
- The quote is Ovid’s, not a proverb of unknown origin, and it was first said about trifling gifts in love.
Questions about “Parva leves capiunt animas”
What does “Parva leves capiunt animas” mean literally?
“Small things capture light souls.” Parva (small things) is the subject, leves animas (light, shallow minds) is what they capture.
Who said “Parva leves capiunt animas”?
The Roman poet Ovid, in Ars amatoria 1.159.
How do you pronounce “Parva leves capiunt animas”?
Classically: PAR-wah LEH-wehs KAH-pee-oont AH-nee-mahs. In Church Latin the w becomes v.
Is “Parva leves capiunt animas” a good tattoo?
The Latin is correct and short. Remember the tone: it says shallow minds are won by trifles, so it reads as wry, not inspiring.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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