Virtus et labor
“Virtue and hard work.”
Traditional Latin motto
What does “Virtus et labor” mean?
Virtus et labor translates as “Virtue and hard work.”
Good character and steady effort together lead to lasting success. Talent matters less than integrity and diligence.
“Virtus et labor” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Virtus | virtue, excellence, courage | nominative singular feminine noun of virtus, “virtue, manly excellence, courage”; the subject of the motto |
| et | and | a conjunction joining the two nouns |
| labor | hard work, toil, effort | nominative singular masculine noun of labor, “work, toil”; the second part of the pair |
How to pronounce “Virtus et labor”
Classical Latin sounds the v as w and the u as in “put”. The Church pronunciation uses a v sound and a long ee in the first syllable. Both stress the first syllable of virtus and labor.
The story behind it
Word for word the motto says “virtue and labor”, in English “virtue and hard work”. It is a traditional motto of the kind used by schools, families and institutions, not a line from a classical author, and no single origin can be pinned down.
The two ideals are old. Roman writers praised virtus as the sum of courage and moral excellence, and labor as the effort needed to achieve anything of worth. Pairing them is a natural way to say that character and effort belong together.
Today the phrase appears on school house crests, family mottoes, workshop signs and club badges. As a motto it is short, easy to remember and easy to read.
How to use “Virtus et labor”
Suits a school house crest, a family or team motto, a workshop or studio sign, or a graduation card. It also works as a tattoo or desk motto for someone who values character as much as effort.
- Latin
- Virtus et labor
- English
- Virtue and hard work.
- Source
- Traditional Latin motto
- Era
- Modern Latin
- Theme
- Work
Common mistakes
- It is not a quotation from Cicero, Virgil or any other classical author. It is a later, traditional motto.
- Virtus does not mean “virtue” in the narrow modern sense of purity. In Latin it covers courage, strength and excellence.
- Labor means effort or toil, not “labor” in the sense of employment or a labor union.
- Changing it to a plural subject needs care. The two nouns stand in the nominative, so extending the motto, for example with a verb, changes the grammar and should be checked.
Questions about “Virtus et labor”
What does “Virtus et labor” mean literally?
“Virtue and labor”, meaning “virtue and hard work”. Virtus carries the sense of courage and excellence, and labor means toil or effort.
Who said “Virtus et labor”?
No one in particular. It is a traditional motto, not a classical quotation, and it has been adopted by various schools and families.
How do you pronounce “Virtus et labor”?
In Classical Latin: WIR-toos et LAH-bor. In Church Latin: VEER-toos et LAH-bor. The stress falls on the first syllable of virtus and of labor.
Is “Virtus et labor” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes. Both nouns are in the nominative and joined by et, so the grammar is sound. Just remember it is a modern motto, not an ancient quote.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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