Latin is a dead language, they say. Much like the great Empires of the past, it’s art (which language is as well) usually dies with it. Unless you work in a medical environment, nobody uses Latin anymore.
Which is a shame because latin words and latin phrases still carry a lot of punch.
They don’t just make you sound cool (which is a proven fact), they carry the power of the men of the past. But why bother with it?
Why should you know Latin words and Latin phrases?
Latin was the language used when all the greatness was existing in the West. From about the 16th century until the middle of the 20th century, Latin was taught or was the common language. Great men of the past which’ books we still read today wrote them in Latin.
Big discoveries and innovations were written in Latin, and till today we still use many phrases in every day communication. Things such as “ad hoc,” “ad nauseam,” “versus,” “veto,” and “post meridiem (P.M.).”
Why wokeism killed Latin
Until the middle of the 20th century, Latin was still taught virtually everywhere, despite the fact the vernacular (common language) was already used in many art-forms. This slowly eroded the meaning of the high language Latin.
We actually see a similar effect these days. Since marketing intentionally writes language for 6th graders to understand (to reach more people with their product, maximizing profit) and nobody reads books anymore, the general vocabulary of the average people keeps declining.
This, however, was only the beginning. It was, again, misguided college students. Beginning in the 1960s (good times create weak men), where college students demanded that the curriculum is more “open, inclusive,” and less Euro-centric, the decline of Latin was sealed.
Again, by trying to include everyone, greatness is killed.
A method we see again these days with the woke left that kills a countries’ culture by including everyone.
Except for a few phrases which still exist in the English language itself, nobody uses Latin anymore, except in medical environments. And if people use the Latin in the common language, they don’t know the real meaning, I.e. carpe diem.
Knowing Latin Phrases improves your vocabulary
Most of the English prefixes and many root words are derived from Latin. If you come across one of the phrases below in every day life, you will then understand it more profoundly and the correct meaning of it.
Latin improves your foreign language vocabulary as well. I am not a native English speaker, but once I learned that PM used in timekeeping stands for “post meridiem” I could make much more sense of the abbreviation. It “sticks” better in my mind than connecting “after noon” with “PM.”
If you happen to visit Spain, Italy, France, or many other European countries, you will notice that many of their words are directly derived from Latin. Knowing Latin itself would help you learn these languages as well.
Studies have also shown that people proficient in the ancient language scored better in college tests and seem to have elevated IQ. This has also later been confirmed by a great book “Hot to multiply your baby’s intelligence.” In this book (which I have read) the basic discovery was that the sooner and the more your baby hears and reads words, the higher its IQ will be.
Imagine the mind as a huge sponge, the more input (water) it has, the more connections can be made, the more can pour out in any situation you come across.
“Latin is a hard language!”
It is, yes. That is the point. labor omnia vincit – Hard work conquers all.
Knowing and understanding a high language like Latin or even just the meaning of Latin words and phrases elevates your mind and yourself above the common peasant. I use that word intentionally. Our society prides itself on being advanced and “above” the cast system, but that is a comforting lie.
Slavery was never abolished. It’s just not physical slavery anymore. It is slavery for your mind. You, as a wage slave is deemed below the political and rich cast. Part of it is due to the fact that you cannot converse as they do.
Ever felt insignificant when a Doctor is throwing around Latin words about your condition?
Knowing Latin words increases your vocabulary and thus cognitive ability. It is hard to learn. But hard things usually yield great results and benefits.
Below is a list of over 150 Latin words and Latin phrases. This list isn’t exhaustive, obviously. But going through it, you will realize a lot of Latin words we use every day, and this alone should elevate your knowledge, IQ, and language.
Latin Words and Phrases every man should know
- a priori — from what comes before; knowledge or justification is independent of experience
- acta non verba — actions, not words
- ad hoc — to this — improvised or made up
- ad hominem — to the man; below-the-belt personal attack rather than a reasoned argument
- ad honorem — for honor
- ad infinitum — to infinity
- ad nauseam — used to describe an argument that has been taking place to the point of nausea
- ad victoriam — to victory; more commonly translated into “for victory,” this was a battle cry of the Romans
- alea iacta est — the die has been cast
- alias — at another time; an assumed name or pseudonym
- alibi — elsewhere
- alma mater — nourishing mother; used to denote one’s college/university
- amor patriae — love of one’s country
- annuit coeptis –He (God) nods at things being begun; or “he approves our undertakings,” motto on the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States and on the back of the United States one-dollar bill
- ante bellum — before the war;
- ante meridiem — before noon; A.M., used in timekeeping
- aqua vitae — water of life; was also used for Whiskey in Scotland for example
- arte et marte — by skill and valour
- astra inclinant, sed non obligant — the stars incline us, they do not bind us; refers to the strength of free will over astrological determinism
- audemus jura nostra defendere — we dare to defend our rights; state motto of Alabama
- audere est facere — to dare is to do
- audio — I hear
- aut cum scuto aut in scuto — either with shield or on shield; do or die, “no retreat”; said by Spartan mothers to their sons as they departed for battle
- aut neca aut necare — either kill or be killed
- aut viam inveniam aut faciam — I will either find a way or make one; said by Hannibal, the great ancient military commander
- barba non facit philosophum — a beard doesn’t make one a philosopher
- bis dat qui cito dat — he gives twice, who gives promptly; a gift given without hesitation is as good as two gifts
- bona fide — good faith
- bono malum superate — overcome evil with good
- carpe diem — seize the day
- caveat emptor — let the buyer beware; the purchaser is responsible for checking whether the goods suit his need
- circa — around, or approximately
- citius altius forties — faster, higher, stronger; modern Olympics motto
- cogito ergo sum — “I think therefore I am”; famous quote by Rene Descartes
- corpus christi — body of Christ
- corruptissima re publica plurimae leges — when the republic is at its most corrupt the laws are most numerous; said by Tacitus
- creatio ex nihilo — creation out of nothing; a concept about creation, often used in a theological or philosophical context
- cura te ipsum — take care of your own self; first look at your own issues, before you help others, I.e. being “selfish”
- curriculum vitae — the course of one’s life; in business, a lengthened resume
- de facto — from the fact;
- deo volente — God willing
- deus ex machina — God out of a machine; a term meaning a conflict is resolved in improbable or implausible ways, often used in movies
- dictum factum — what is said is done
- discendo discimus — while teaching we learn
- docendo disco, scribendo cogito — I learn by teaching, think by writing
- ductus exemplo — leadership by example
- ducunt volentem fata, nolentem trahunt — the fates lead the willing and drag the unwilling; attributed to Lucius Annaeus Seneca
- dulce bellum inexpertis — war is sweet to the inexperienced
- dulcius ex asperis — sweeter after difficulties
- emeritus — veteran; retired from office
- ergo — therefore
- et alii — and others; abbreviated et al.
- et cetera — and the others
- et tu, Brute? — last words of Caesar after being murdered by friend Brutus in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, used today to convey utter betrayal
- ex animo — from the heart; thus, “sincerely”
- ex libris — from the library of; to mark books from a library
- ex nihilo — out of nothing
- ex post facto — from a thing done afterward; said of a law with retroactive effect
- faber est suae quisque fortunae — every man is the artisan of his own fortune; quote by Appius Claudius Caecus
- fac fortia et patere — do brave deeds and endure
- flectere si nequeo superos, acheronta movebo — if I cannot move heaven I will raise hell; from Virgil’s Aeneid
- fortes fortuna adiuvat — fortune favors the bold
- fortis in arduis — strong in difficulties
- gloria in excelsis Deo — glory to God in the highest
- habemus papam — we have a pope; used after a Catholic Church papal election to announce publicly a successful ballot to elect a new pope
- historia vitae magistra — history, the teacher of life; from Cicero;
- hoc est bellum — this is war
- honor virtutis praemium — esteem is the reward of virtue
- hostis humani generis — enemy of the human race; Cicero defined pirates in Roman law as being enemies of humanity in general
- humilitas occidit superbiam — humility conquers pride
- igne natura renovatur integra — through fire, nature is reborn whole
- ignis aurum probat — fire tests gold; a phrase referring to the refining of character through difficult circumstances, I.e. struggle
- in absentia — in the absence
- in aqua sanitas — in water there is health
- in flagrante delicto — in flaming crime; caught red-handed, or in the act
- in memoriam — into the memory; more commonly “in memory of”
- in omnia paratus — ready for anything
- in situ — in position; something that exists in an original or natural state
- in toto — in all or entirely
- in umbra, igitur, pugnabimus — then we will fight in the shade; made famous by Spartans in the battle of Thermopylae and by the movie 300
- in utero — in the womb
- in vitro — in glass; biological process that occurs in the lab
- incepto ne desistam — may I not shrink from my purpose
- intelligenti pauca — few words suffice for he who understands
- invicta — unconquered
- invictus maneo — I remain unvanquished
- labor omnia vincit — hard work conquers all
- labore et honore — by labor and honor
- leges sine moribus vanae — laws without morals [are] vain
- lex parsimoniae — law of succinctness; also known as Occam’s Razor; the simplest explanation is usually the correct one
- lex talionis — the law of retaliation
- magna cum laude — with great praise
- magna est vis consuetudinis — great is the power of habit
- magnum opus — great work; said of someone’s masterpiece
- mala fide — in bad faith; said of an act done with knowledge of its illegality; opposite of bona fide
- malum in se — wrong in itself; a legal term
- malum prohibitum — wrong due to being prohibited; a legal term meaning that something is only wrong because it is against the law
- manifestum (the Italian “manifesto” is more common) — a published declaration of intentions
- mea culpa — my fault
- meliora — better things; carrying the connotation of “always better”
- memento mori — remember that [you will] die; was whispered by a servant into the ear of a victorious Roman general to check his pride as he paraded through cheering crowds after a victory;
- memento vivere — remember to live
- memores acti prudentes future — mindful of what has been done, aware of what will be
- modus operandi — method of operating; abbreviated M.O.
- morior invictus — death before defeat
- morte magis metuenda senectus — old age should rather be feared than death
- mulgere hircum — to milk a male goat; to attempt the impossible
- multa paucis — say much in few words
- nanos gigantum humeris insidentes — dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants;
- nec aspera terrent — they don’t terrify the rough ones; frightened by no difficulties; less literally “difficulties be damned”
- nec temere nec timide — neither reckless nor timid
- nil volentibus arduum — nothing [is] arduous for the willing
- non ducor, duco — I am not led; I lead
- non progredi est regredi — to not go forward is to go backward
- non scholae, sed vitae discimus — we learn not for school, but for life; from Seneca
- non sum qualis eram — I am not such as I was; or “I am not the kind of person I once was”
- nosce te ipsum — know thyself; from Cicero, also seen in The Matrix
- novus ordo seclorum — new order of the ages; from Virgil; motto on the Great Seal of the United States
- nulla tenaci invia est via — for the tenacious, no road is impassable
- panem et circenses — bread and circuses; originally described all that was needed for emperors to placate the Roman mob; these days used to describe the easy pleasures people indulge in to be “satisfied” with their life and don’t revolt since they are blind to real issues
- para bellum — prepare for war; if you want peace, prepare for war; if a country is ready for war, its enemies are less likely to attack
- pater familias — father of the family; the eldest male in a family; the patriarch
- pecunia, si uti scis, ancilla est; si nescis, domina — if you know how to use money, money is your slave; if you don’t, money is your master
- per annum — by the year
- per capita — by the person
- per diem — by the day
- per se — through itself
- persona non grata — person not pleasing; an unwelcome, unwanted or undesirable person
- pollice verso — with a turned thumb; used by Roman crowds to pass judgment on a defeated gladiator
- post meridiem — after noon; P.M.; used in timekeeping
- post mortem — after death
- postscriptum — thing having been written afterward; in writing, abbreviated P.S.
- praemonitus praemunitus — forewarned is forearmed
- praesis ut prosis ne ut imperes — lead in order to serve, not in order to rule
- primus inter pares — first among equals; a title of the Roman Emperors
- pro bono — for the good; in business, refers to services rendered at no charge
- quam bene vivas referre (or refert), non quam diu — it is how well you live that matters, not how long; from Seneca
- quasi — as if; as though
- qui totum vult totum perdit — he who wants everything loses everything; attributed to Seneca
- quid pro quo — this for that; an exchange of value
- quis custodiet ipsos custodes? — who will guard the guards themselves?; commonly associated with Plato
- requiescat in pace — let him rest in peace; abbreviated R.I.P.
- rigor mortis — stiffness of death
- scientia ac labore — knowledge through hard work
- scientia ipsa potentia est — knowledge itself is power
- semper anticus — always forward
- semper fidelis — always faithful; U.S. Marines motto
- semper fortis — always brave
- semper paratus — always prepared
- semper virilis — always virile
- si vales, valeo — when you are strong, I am strong
- si vis pacem, para bellum — if you want peace, prepare for war
- sic parvis magna — greatness from small beginnings — motto of Sir Frances Drake
- sic vita est — thus is life; the ancient version of “it is what it is”
- sola fide — by faith alone
- sola nobilitat virtus — virtue alone ennobles
- status quo — the situation in which; current condition
- subpoena — under penalty
- sum quod eris — I am what you will be; a gravestone inscription to remind the reader of the inevitability of death
- summa cum laude — with highest praise
- summum bonum — the supreme good
- tabula rasa — scraped tablet; “blank slate”; John Locke used the term to describe the human mind at birth, before it had acquired any knowledge, in German this is used for “chaotic moments”
- tempora heroic — Heroic Age
- tempus edax rerum — time, devourer of all things
- tempus fugit — time flees; commonly mistranslated “time flies”
- terra incognita — unknown land; used on old maps to show unexplored areas
- vae victis — woe to the conquered
- veni vidi vici — I came, I saw, I conquered; famously said by Julius Caesar
- verbatim — repeat exactly
- veritas et aequitas — truth and equity
- versus — against
- veto — I forbid
- vice versa — to change or turn around
- vincit qui se vincit — he conquers who conquers himself (*cough* selfconquering)
- virile agitur — the manly thing is being done
- viriliter agite — act in a manly way
- virtus tentamine gaudet — strength rejoices in the challenge
- virtute et armis — by virtue and arms; or “by manhood and weapons”; state motto of Mississippi
- vive memor leti — live remembering death
- vivere est vincere — to live is to conquer; Captain John Smith’s personal motto
- vivere militare est — to live is to fight
- vox populi — voice of the people
