Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus
“Trained in small things, you can safely attempt great ones.”
Latin proverb
What does “Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus” mean?
Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus translates as “Trained in small things, you can safely attempt great ones.”
Master the basics first; big goals become possible step by step.
“Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Parvis | with small things | ablative plural (neuter) of parvus, “small”; used as a noun, “small things” |
| imbutus | having been steeped, trained | perfect passive participle (masculine nominative singular) of imbuo, “I steep, soak, imbue”; here “having been imbued (with)” |
| tentabis | you will attempt | future indicative active, 2nd person singular, of tento, “I try, attempt” |
| grandia | great things | accusative plural (neuter) of grandis, “great, large”; the object of tentabis |
| tutus | safe, safely | nominative singular (masculine) of tutus, “safe”; agrees with the unstated “you” and works like an adverb: “as a safe person” |
How to pronounce “Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus”
The two systems differ only in the v (w in Classical, v in Church) and the final i of parvis and tentabis (short i in Classical, ee in Church). Stress falls on the second-to-last syllable of imbutus and tentabis, and on the first of parvis, grandia and tutus.
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “steeped in small things, you will attempt great things, safe”. It is a proverb, so no single author or work is known for it, and it is usually placed in the medieval and later tradition of school maxims.
The picture behind imbutus is of cloth soaked in dye or a vessel filled with liquid. Being steeped in small things means absorbing the basics so thoroughly that they become part of you.
The idea is much older than the phrase. Ancient teachers also held that skill grows from steady practice of simple exercises, and the line is quoted today in teaching, sport and training as an argument for patient preparation.
How to use “Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus”
Fits a teacher’s or coach’s wall, a graduation or new-job card, a student’s desk motto, or a tattoo for someone building a skill step by step. It suits any moment where basics come before ambition.
- Latin
- Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus
- English
- Trained in small things, you can safely attempt great ones.
- Source
- Latin proverb
- Era
- Middle Ages (proverb)
- Theme
- Learning
Common mistakes
- Parvis is not a person’s name or an adjective for you. It means “small things” and is the thing you are trained in.
- Tutus agrees with the person addressed. A woman would be tuta, and a group of men tuti, but then tentabitis (“you all will attempt”) and a plural imbuti are needed too.
- Tentabis is future (“you will attempt”), not a command. Some translations render it as “you may attempt” or “you can attempt”, which is fair but looser.
- Do not treat it as a classical quotation from Cicero or Virgil. It is a later proverb, and sites that name a famous author for it give no real source.
Questions about “Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus”
What does “Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus” mean literally?
“Steeped in small things, you will attempt great things, safe.” In smoother English: trained in small things, you can safely attempt great ones.
Who said “Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus”?
No author is known. It is a Latin proverb, usually dated to the medieval period or later, so it is best credited as “Latin proverb”.
How do you pronounce “Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus”?
Classical: PAR-wees im-BOO-toos ten-TAH-bis GRAN-dee-ah TOO-toos. Church Latin: PAR-vees im-BOO-toos ten-TAH-bees GRAN-dee-ah TOO-toos. Stress is on the capitalised syllables.
Is “Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, the grammar is sound. Note that tutus is masculine singular, so the wording is addressed to one male person. Someone else should check the endings before changing it.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
One Latin line. Every Monday.
A quote, its translation and the story behind it, free in your inbox.