I’ll admit: I’m a bit of a sucker for inspirational thoughts. And I’m especially vulnerable to ones that encourage me to overcome doubt, face fears, tackle challenges, prioritize my time, and seize every opportunity. Maybe that’s because I have a lot of work to do in these areas. Or maybe it’s because I get a thrill out getting the occasional swift kick in the pants. Regardless, inspirational thoughts help me shift my perspective, redirect my priorities, and remind me not to waste my time on frivolous things—like incessantly checking the stock market or toggling between my Twitter feed and the other 20 tabs open in my browser.
Assuming like a good quote now and again as well, I thought I’d share with you 10 of my favorite inspirational Latin phrases—ones that came from famous ancient people like, you know, Descartes and Julius Caesar. If you have other great thoughts/quotes (and they don’t need to be in Latin!), please add them in the comments!
Amor Vincit Omnia | “Love Conquers All”
The phrase comes from the Baroque Italian artist Caravaggio, who named his painting depicting Cupid this. In a world of so much anger and division, this phrase has never rung more true for me. Let’s all just love a little more, shall we? Love, truly, is the most powerful of all emotions.
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Audere Est Facere | “To Dare Is to Do”
This may very well be the ancient precursor to Nike’s famous “Just Do It.” While (to my knowledge) Nike doesn’t claim its inspiration from this phrase, English professional soccer team Tottenham Hotspur FC does, in fact, include the phrase in its logo. I love this phrase because it acknowledges that it does take bravery sometimes to just get up and do something. If we’re going to make a difference in this world, we have to dare to do.
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Bono Malum Superate | “Overcome Evil with Good”
While we were all taught the phrase “two wrongs don’t make a right,” let’s be honest: sometimes the temptation when someone wrongs us is to get angry, fight back, and seek revenge. But hate and anger added upon hate and anger never, ever does anybody good. What’s the best way to overcome the problems in the world? Just do more good.
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Carpe Diem | “Seize the Day”
Probably the most famous of all Latin phrases, this list wouldn’t be complete without it. The phrase is attributed to Roman poet Horace, who suggested that we should all enjoy the day while we can. The complete original quote from which “carpe diem” derives is even more fun: “carpe diem quam minimum credula postero,” which, directly translated means, “pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the next one.” Let’s all “pluck” the day. Because we really don’t know what tomorrow will bring. The opportunity is now. Let’s seize it.
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Cogito Ergo Sum | “I Think, Therefore I Am.”
Maybe less inspirational (and more metaphysical) than the others in my list , this famous phrase by Descartes proves our existence. If you’re ever questioning your space in the universe, you can calmly remind yourself that you’re thinking. And, therefore, you exist. As far as I’m concerned, that means you matter, too. If we think, we have something to contribute, therefore our existence always has purpose!
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Fac Fortia Et Patere | “Do Brave Deeds and Endure”
This may be my favorite on the list because it speaks to the challenges of life and the need to persevere. In many ways, it’s the Latin equivalent of “I can do hard things.” Life won’t be easy, but we can live it with bravery, do hard things, and press forward. If we do brave deeds and endure, life will, most certainly, feel more substantive. Let’s do those brave deeds!
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In Omnia Paratus | “Ready for Anything”
Made famous by the sitcom Gilmore Girls, this cool phrase encourages us to be prepared. If you Google “in omnia paratus,” you’ll see a lot of merchandise made with the phrase juxtaposed with an image of an umbrella, suggesting prepared for rainy weather. I like to use this phrase more mentally, though. If we are mentally prepared for anything, we’re more likely to accomplish something unexpected, do something exciting and memorable, weather the storms of life, and find the good, regardless of what surrounds us.
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Semper Fortis | “Always Brave“
Bravery seems to be a consistent theme in these Latin phrases, but I live the pithy nature of this thought. “Always brave.” Sometimes that’s just what we have to be—in our jobs, in our life, in our religion, in the things that matter most to us. If we’re always brave, we’re less likely to have regrets.
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Veni, Vidi, Vici | “I Came, I Saw, I Conquered.”
Attributed to Julius Caeser after winning a swift victory over Pharnaces II at the Battle of Zela, this is a phrase ripe with metaphorical motivation. While we’re hopefully not in any real war, we might look at the battles we need to tackle in front of us. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the tasks ahead, let’s face it, see it for what it is, and win it.
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Vita Brevis | “Life Is Short”
This might as well be our life’s bumper sticker. We will all die some day. And time seems to speed up the older we get. So…what will we do with this short time on Earth?
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