Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem
“Whatever you do, do it wisely and consider the end.”
Gesta Romanorum, ch. 103
What does “Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem” mean?
Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem translates as “Whatever you do, do it wisely and consider the end.”
Before you act, think about where it will lead. A good start is worth little if the outcome is bad.
“Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Quidquid | whatever | neuter singular relative pronoun (indefinite), here the object of agis; also spelled quicquid |
| agis | you do | second person singular present indicative active of ago, “I do, I drive, I act” |
| prudenter | wisely | adverb formed from the adjective prudens, “far-sighted, prudent” |
| agas | (you) should do | second person singular present subjunctive active of ago; the subjunctive gives a mild command or exhortation |
| et | and | coordinating conjunction |
| respice | look back at, consider | singular imperative of respicio, “I look back at, I take into account” |
| finem | the end | accusative singular of finis, “end, outcome” (masculine here), object of respice |
How to pronounce “Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem”
The differences are in agis (hard g or j), respice (hard c or ch) and the vowel sounds of the c and g letters. The stress stays on the same syllables in both: AH-gis, proo-DEN-ter, AH-gas, RES-pi-ce, FEE-nem.
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “Whatever you do, may you do it prudently, and look back at the end.” The first half sets a standard for any action, and the second adds the check: think about the outcome before you commit.
The line comes from the Gesta Romanorum, a medieval collection of moral tales. In the story a philosopher sells this advice to a king for a high price. The king later escapes an assassination attempt because he follows it.
The second half circulates on its own as “Respice finem”, and in English it is often rendered “Whatever you do, do wisely, and consider the end.” Today it is quoted as a short rule about foresight and consequences.
How to use “Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem”
Good for a graduation card, a desk motto or a tattoo for someone who values careful judgment. It also suits an essay on foresight, ethics or decision-making.
- Latin
- Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem
- English
- Whatever you do, do it wisely and consider the end.
- Source
- Gesta Romanorum, ch. 103
- Era
- Medieval
- Theme
- Prudence
Common mistakes
- Respice finem does not mean “look at the end of your life”. In this saying finem means the outcome or result of what you do.
- Quidquid is sometimes spelled quicquid. Both forms are correct.
- Agis and agas are different forms of the same verb (indicative and subjunctive), not a repeated word or a typo.
- The shortened “Respice finem” is often quoted alone, but then the point about acting wisely is lost.
Questions about “Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem”
What does “Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem” mean?
“Whatever you do, do it wisely and consider the end.” It advises thinking about the outcome before you act.
Where does “Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem” come from?
From the Gesta Romanorum, a medieval collection of moral tales (chapter 103). It is a medieval saying, not a line of classical Latin.
What does “respice finem” mean?
Literally “look back at the end”, meaning “consider the outcome”. It is often quoted on its own as a short motto.
How do you pronounce “Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et respice finem”?
In Classical Latin: KWID-kwid AH-gis proo-DEN-ter AH-gas et RES-pi-ke FEE-nem. In Church Latin the g and c in agis and respice soften to j and ch.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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