Latin quote · Weakness

Spiritus quidem promptus est, caro autem infirma

“The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Vulgate, Matthew 26:41

Translation

What does “Spiritus quidem promptus est, caro autem infirma” mean?

Spiritus quidem promptus est, caro autem infirma translates as “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

We often sincerely want to do the right thing but lack the strength to follow through. It is an honest admission of human frailty, used both seriously and with a smile.

Word by word

“Spiritus quidem promptus est, caro autem infirma” word by word

Latin	English	Grammar
Spiritus	the spirit	nominative singular masculine of spiritus, “spirit, breath”; the subject of the first half
quidem	indeed	adverb; an emphasising particle that sets up the contrast with autem
promptus	willing, ready	nominative singular masculine of promptus, “ready, eager”; agrees with spiritus
est	is	third person singular present indicative of sum, “I am”
caro	the flesh	nominative singular feminine of caro, carnis, “flesh”; the subject of the second half
autem	but	conjunction; a mild “but” or “on the other hand”, placed second in its clause
infirma	weak	nominative singular feminine of infirmus, “weak, feeble”; agrees with caro; est is understood

Pronunciation

How to pronounce “Spiritus quidem promptus est, caro autem infirma”

Classical LatinSPEE-ri-toos KWEE-dem PROHMP-toos ehst KAH-roh OW-tem in-FEER-mah

Church LatinSPEE-ri-toos KWEE-dem PROHMP-toos ehst KAH-roh OW-tem in-FEER-mah

Both systems sound almost the same here, because the quote has no c or g before e or i and no ae. The stress falls on SPEE of spiritus, PROHMP of promptus, KAH of caro and FEER of infirma.

Origin & context

The story behind it

Word for word the line says “The spirit indeed ready is, the flesh but weak”. Latin leaves out the second “is”, so caro autem infirma means “but the flesh is weak”.

The words come from the Latin Vulgate, the Bible translation made largely by Jerome in the late fourth century. In Matthew 26:41 Jesus says them in the garden of Gethsemane, after finding his disciples asleep when he had asked them to keep watch and pray.

Because Matthew wrote in Greek, the Latin is a translation of his wording. The same saying appears in Mark 14:38, and the line has since become a common phrase for good intentions defeated by human weakness.

When to use it

How to use “Spiritus quidem promptus est, caro autem infirma”

Works as a rueful caption for a missed workout, a broken diet or a stack of unfinished resolutions, and also in a serious reflection on temptation or tiredness. For a tattoo or motto it suits a personal reminder of human limits, with its religious origin in view.

Latin: Spiritus quidem promptus est, caro autem infirma
English: The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Source: Vulgate, Matthew 26:41
Era: Church Latin
Theme: Weakness

Good to know

Common mistakes

“Spirit” here is the inner will or willingness, not a ghost. “Flesh” means the physical, mortal side of a person, not only the body in a narrow sense.
Quidem and autem are small linking words, not extra content. Dropping them gives a shortened form that still works, but it loses the balanced “indeed … but” contrast.
The line is not about sin in general. In context it is about failing to stay awake and watch, so reading it only as an excuse for bad behaviour misses the setting.
Changing the gender or number of the adjectives needs care: promptus agrees with spiritus (masculine) and infirma with caro (feminine), so they cannot simply be swapped.

FAQ