Quare verbis parcam? Gratuita sunt
“Why should I spare words? They are free.”
Latin saying
What does “Quare verbis parcam? Gratuita sunt” mean?
Quare verbis parcam? Gratuita sunt translates as “Why should I spare words? They are free.”
Kind words cost nothing, so give them freely.
“Quare verbis parcam? Gratuita sunt” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Quare | why | interrogative adverb, “why? for what reason?” |
| verbis | with words | ablative plural of verbum, “word”; the verb parco takes an object in the dative or ablative here, so “spare words” is “be sparing with words” |
| parcam | should I spare | first person singular present subjunctive active of parco, “I spare”; the subjunctive makes it a deliberative question (“why should I…?”) |
| Gratuita | free, given without payment | nominative neuter plural of the adjective gratuitus, “free, without charge”; agrees with verba, “words”, understood |
| sunt | they are | third person plural present indicative of sum, “I am” |
How to pronounce “Quare verbis parcam? Gratuita sunt”
The classical version says v as w (WEHR-bees) and keeps the c of parcam hard. The church version says v as v (VEHR-bees). In both, stress the first syllable of quare and verbis, the second of parcam, and the second of gratuita.
The story behind it
Word for word the line asks “Why should I be sparing with words? They are free.” The first half is a rhetorical question and the second half is the answer.
The author and the period are unknown, so it is best described as a traditional Latin saying rather than a quotation from a named writer. It turns a simple, practical observation into a short question and answer.
Today it is used as a gentle argument for generosity in speech: praise, thanks and encouragement cost the speaker nothing.
How to use “Quare verbis parcam? Gratuita sunt”
A good fit for a thank-you or appreciation card, a caption on a post that praises someone, a desk motto for a teacher or manager, or a tattoo for someone who values kind speech.
- Latin
- Quare verbis parcam? Gratuita sunt
- English
- Why should I spare words? They are free.
- Source
- Latin saying
- Era
- Traditional
- Theme
- Kindness
Common mistakes
- It is not a classical quotation. No ancient author is known for it, so do not credit it to Cicero or anyone else.
- Gratuita is neuter plural to agree with verba (words). Do not change it to gratuitus or gratuita est when you adapt the line.
- Parcam is a question form (“why should I spare?”), not a statement. Written as parco it would mean “I spare” and lose the rhetorical force.
- The line is about being generous with kind words. It does not mean that words carry no consequences.
Questions about “Quare verbis parcam? Gratuita sunt”
What does “Quare verbis parcam? Gratuita sunt” mean literally?
“Why should I be sparing with words? They are free.” It is a rhetorical question that argues for being generous with kind words.
Who said “Quare verbis parcam? Gratuita sunt”?
The author is unknown. It is a traditional Latin saying, not a documented line from a known ancient writer.
How do you pronounce “Quare verbis parcam”?
Classical: KWAH-reh WEHR-bees par-KAHM. Church Latin: KWAH-reh VEHR-bees par-KAHM.
Is “Quare verbis parcam? Gratuita sunt” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, the grammar is sound: parcam is a correct deliberative subjunctive and gratuita agrees with verba. Keep the question mark and the full two-part wording.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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