Latin Phrases

ab antiquo--from ancient times.

absit omen--the omen is absent.

abyssus abyssum invocat--the deep calls to the deep.

Acta non verba--Deeds, not Words.

Amor et melle et felle est fecundissimus--Love is rich with both honey and venom.

Auribus teneo lupum--I hold the wolf by the ears.

Ave atque vale--Hail and farewell!

Boni pastoris est tondere pecus non deglubere--It is a good shepherd's job to shear his flock, not to flay them.

Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius.--Kill them. For the Lord knows those who are his. [Supposed statement by Abbot Arnaud Amalric before the massacre of Béziers during the Albigensian Crusade, recorded 30 years later, according to Caesar of Heisterbach.] Neca eos omnes, deus suos agnoscet--Kill them all, God will know his own.

Canis canem edit--Dog eats dog.

Carpe mirum--Seize the wonder.

Carpe deium--Seize the day.

Caveat emptor--Let the buyer beware.

Credo quia absurdum est--I believe it because it is absurd.

Credo quia absurdum--I believe the absurd.

Credo quia incredibile--I believe the incredible.

Dea ac veritati--For the Goddess and Truth

Dis manibus sacrum--Sacred to the divene Manes. [Refers to the Manes, "Good Ones," Roman spirits of the dead. Loosely "To the memory of". A conventional inscription preceding the name of the deceased on pagan grave markings, often shortened to dis manibus. ]

Do ut des--Roman religious formulation meaning "I give, in order that you give." (A devotee gives worship and offerings; in return the deity provides aid and blessings to the devotee.)

Ex luna scientia--from the moon, knowledge!

Fiat panis--Let there be bread.

Homo sum humani a me nihil alienum puto--I am a human being; nothing human is strange/irrelevant to me.

IUPPITER OMNIPOTES, AUDACIBUS ANNUE COEPTIS--All-powerful Jupiter favor [my] daring undertakings.

Memento mori--remember death or remember that you are mortal.

Memento vivere--a reminder of life or remember that you are alive.

Mos maiorum--the custom of our ancestors

Nil nisi bonum de mortuis dicere--Speak nothing about the dead, unless it is good.

ophidia in herba--snake in the grass.

ora pro nobis--pray for us

pax maternum, ergo pax familiarum--peace of mothers, thus peace of families.

Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi--What is premited to Jove (Iove), is not permited to an ox (bovine).

Sum quod eris--I am what you will be.
Tu fui ego eris--I was you, you will be me.
Fui quod sis--I have been what you are.

Ubi mel ibi apes--Where honey, there bees.

Vivat Regina--May the Queen live!

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