Latin proverbs

Hear, see, be silent, if you wish to live (in peace).

This is a list of Latin proverbs and sayings. Alphabetized by first word of proverb
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• A diabolo, qui est simia dei.
  • Translation: "From the devil, who is a monkey god."
  • English equivalent: Where god has a church the devil will have his chapel.
  • "Wherever God erects a house of prayer,
    The Devil always builds a chapel there:
    And 'twill be found, upon examination,
    The latter has the largest congregation."
  • "where there's good there's also Evil"
  • Daniel Defoe, The True-Born Englishman (1701)
  • Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 874. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Abbati, medico, patronoque intima pande.
  • Hide nothing from thy minister, physician and lawyer.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "768". Dictionary of European Proverbs. II. pp. 666–667. ISBN 978-0-415-10381-7. 

• Quidquid praecipies esto brevis.
  • "Whatever advice you give, be short."
    • Horace, Ars Poetica (18 BC), CCCXXXV. Reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 10-11.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 695. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Acquirit qui tuetur.
  • English equivalent: Sparing is the first gaining.
  • Burke (2009). The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, Comprising a Registry of Armorial Bearings from the Earliest to the Present Time. Heritage Books. p. 710. ISBN 0788437208. 

• Acta non verba.
  • Deeds, not words
    • Fuschetto (2003). Kings Point: Acta Non Verba. Diversified Graphics, Incorporated. 

• Ancipiti plus ferit ense gula.
  • Gluttony kills more than the sword.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 864. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Aegrescit medendo.
  • English equivalent: The remedy is often worse than the disease.
    • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 232. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Cantera Ortiz de Urbina, Jesús (16 November 2005). Refranero Latino. Ediciones AKAL. p. 306. ISBN 978-84-460-1296-2. 

• Aegroto dum anima est, spes est.
  • English equivalent: As long as there is life there is hope.
  • Erasmus, Mynors (1991). Collected Works of Erasmus: Adages II I 1 to II VI 100. University of Toronto Press. p. 467. ISBN 0802059546. 

• Aeque pars ligni curvi ac recti valet igni.
  • English equivalent: Crooked logs make straight fires.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 683. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Age quod agis.
  • Do what you do, in the sense of "Do well what you do", "Do well in whatever you do" or "Be serious in what you do"
    • The Nation. Nation Company. 1884. p. 425. 

• Aliis si licet, tibi non licet.
  • Translation: If others are allowed to, that does not mean you are. (see also quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi)
  • Patrick (1810). Terence's Comedies. Gilbert and Hodges. p. 345. 

• An nescis, mi fili, quantilla prudentia mundus regatur? (alternatively: regatur orbis)
  • Translation: Don't you know, my son, with how little wisdom the world is governed?
  • Axel Oxenstierna (1583 – 1654), 1648 letter to son, who was involved in negotiating the Peace of Westphalia^[1]
  • Sometimes attributed to Cardinal Richelieu. Variant form due to John Selden

• Aliquando dormitat Homerus.
  • English equivalent: Even Homer sometimes nods.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "208". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. pp. 57–58. ISBN 978-1-136-78971-7. 

• Aliquis in omnibus est nullus in singulis.
  • Translation: Someone in all, is nothing in one.
  • English equivalent: Jack of all trades, master of none; Jack of all trades begs bread on Sundays.
  • "Somebody who has a very wide range of abilities or skills usually does not excel at any of them."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 156. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 70. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Arcem ex cloacâ facĕre.
  • English equivalent: Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
  • Proverbs of All Nations. W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue). 1859. p. 58. 

• Aries cornibus Iasciviens.
  • English equivalent: Better fed than taught.
  • "'Tis better for thee to be wise and not seem so, than to seem wise and not be so: Yet Men, for the most Part, desire and endeavor the contrary."
  • Thomas Fuller, Introductio ad prudentiam: Part II (1727)
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 16. 

• Atqui, ex lotio est.
  • Translation: Yet it comes from urine.
  • Emperor Vespasian to his son Titus, when the latter, complaining about the former's urine tax, acknowledged a coin collected had no odor.
  • Suetonius Tranquillus, Gaius (9 December 2003) [121 CE]. "Divus Vespasianus". University of Chicago. pp. section 23.3, page 317. Retrieved on 2006-09-09. 
  • "The Life of Vespasian". University of Chicago. 9 December 2003. Retrieved on 2006-09-09. 

• Auctoritas non veritas facit legem
  • Translation: Authority, not truth, makes law.
  • Thomas Hobbes, "Leviathan" II, 26

• Audaces fortuna iuvat.
  • Translation: Fortune favors the brave.(Virgil, Aeneid 10, 284)
  • English equivalent: Fortune favours the bold.
  • "Those who act boldly or courageously are most likely to succeed."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 94. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 

• Audentes fortuna juvat.
  • Translation: Fortune favors the bold. (Motto of the 80th Fighter Squadron, of the US Air Force, and of the USS Florida)

• Audi, vide, tace, si tu vis vivere (in pace).
  • Translation: Hear, see, be silent, if you wish to live (in peace).
  • English equivalent: Those who wish to live in peace, must hear, see, and say nothing.
  • Bailey, Nathan. An Universal Etymological English Dictionary, etc. 

• Aut inveniam viam aut faciam.
  • Alternate phrasing: Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
  • Translation: I'll either find a way or make one.
  • English equivalent: Where there's a will, there's a way.
  • "If you are sufficiently determined to achieve something, then you will find a way of doing so."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 299. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Stone, J. R. (2005). The Routledge Dictionary of Latin Quotations: The Illiterati's Guide to Latin Maxims, Mottoes, Proverbs and Sayings, Routledge. p. 351

• Ave Caesar, morituri te salutant.
  • Hail Caesar, those who are about to die salute you.
  • Gladiators saluting the Roman Emperor. Suetonius Claudius 21

• Basio saepe volam, cui plagam diligo solam.
  • English equivalent: Many kiss the hand they wish to cut off.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1084. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Bellum se ipsum alet.
  • War will feed on itself.
  • Roberts (2003). The Age of Liberty: Sweden 1719-1772. Cambridge University Press. p. 19. 

• Bene diagnoscitur, bene curatur.
  • English equivalent: A disease known is half cured.
  • Meyer, Ndura-Ouédraogo (2009). Seeds of new hope: pan-African peace studies for the 21st century. Africa World Press. p. 331. ISBN 1592216625. 

• Bis dat qui cito dat.
  • English equivalent: He gives twice, who gives in a trice.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 38. 

• Brevis oratio penetrat coelos; Longa potatio evacuat scyphos.
  • English equivalent: Short prayers reach heaven.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 75. 

• Canus honoretur, puer ad documenta citetur.
  • English equivalent: Gray hairs are honorable.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 35. 

• Carpe diem.
  • Translation: "Seize the day." By Horace, Odes I,11,8, to Leuconoe: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero ("take hold of the day, believing as little as possible in the next"). The verb "carpere" has the literal meaning "to pick, pluck," particularly in reference to the picking of fruits and flowers, and was used figuratively by the Roman poets to mean "to enjoy, use, make use of."
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 765. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Carthago delenda est.
  • Translation: "Carthage is to be destroyed." Actually, ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam ("Apart from that, I conclude that Carthage must be destroyed") Cato the Elder used to end every speech of his to the Senate, on any subject whatsoever, with this phrase. Mentioned to indicate that someone habitually harps on one subject.

• Cave ab homine unius libri.
  • English translation: Fear the man of one book.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 851. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Cedens in uno cedet in pluribus.
  • English equivalent: Virtue which parleys is near a surrender.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 957. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Citius venit malum quam revertitur.
  • English equivalent: Misfortune comes on horseback and goes away on foot.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 65. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Cito maturum cito putridum.
  • English equivalent: Early ripe, early rotten.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 758. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Cogitationes posteriores sunt saniores.
  • English equivalent: Second thoughts are best; We shall lose nothing by waiting.
  • Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 747. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Consilio, quod respuitur, nullum subest auxilium.
  • English equivalent: He that will not be counseled cannot be helped.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 964. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Consuetudinis magna vis est
  • English equivalent: Old habits die hard.
  • Cicero, Tusculanae Quaestiones, II.37

• Consuetudo altera natura est
  • English equivalent: Old habits die hard.
  • Breen (2010). Imagining an English Reading Public, 1150-1400. Cambridge University Press. p. 46. ISBN 0521199220. 

• Contritium praecedit superbia.
  • English equivalent: Pride comes before fall.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 1148. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Cor boni concilii statue tecum non est enim tibi aliud pluris illo.
  • English equivalent: Though thou hast ever so many counsellors, yet do not forsake the counsel of thy own soul.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1044. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Corruptio optimi pessima
  • Translation: The corruption of the best is the worst of all.
  • Farquhar Shaw, John (1858). "Corruptio optimi pessima". A New Dictionary of Quotations from the Greek, Latin and Modern Languages, translated into English and occasionally accompanied with illustrations, historical, poetical, and anecdotical. By the author of "Live and Learn" ... With an extensive index, referring to every important word. p. 89. 

• Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges
  • Translation: The greater the degeneration of the republic, the more of its laws.
  • (Tacitus) Annals (117)

• "Credula est spes improba.
  • English equivalent: He that lives on hope dances without music.
  • "Hope is itself a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords."
  • Samuel Johnson, letter of 8 June 1762, in James Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), Vol. 1, p. 103
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 952. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Crede quod habes, et habes.
  • English equivalent: Fake it till you make it.
  • Hugh Moore (1831). A dictionary of quotations from various authors in ancient and modern languages. p. 61. Retrieved on 14 August 2013. 

• Cui caput dolet, omnia membra languent.
  • English equivalent: When the head is sick, the whole body is sick.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1117. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Cuilibet fatuo placet sua calva.
  • English equivalentː Every fool is pleased with his own folly.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "147". Dictionary of European Proverbs. I. Routledge. p. 139. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7. 

• Cuiusvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare. —
  • Any man can make a mistake; only a fool keeps making the same one.
  • English equivalent: He wrongfully blames the sea who suffers shipwreck twice.
  • Marcus Tullius Cicero, Philippica XII, ii, 5

• Curae canitiem inducunt.
  • English equivalent: Fretting cares make grey hairs.
  • Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 631. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Custode et cura natura potentior omni.
  • English equivalent: Nature is beyond all teaching.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 764. ISBN 0415096243. 

• De gustibus non est disputandum.
  • Translation: There is no disputing about tastes.
  • English equivalent: There is no accounting for taste.
  • Alternative form:
• De gustibus et coloribus non est disputandum.
  • Translation: "There's no arguing about tastes and colors."
  • De Gustibus Non Est Disputandum: Dramma Giocoso Per Musica Da Rappresentarsi In Monaco Di Baviera. Vötter. 1759. 
  • H. Z Riley (1866). Dictionary of Latin Quotations Proverbs Maximus and Mottos, Classical and Medieval, Including Law Terms and Phrases. Bell & Daldy. p. 73. 

• De mortuis nil nisi bonum [dicendum est].
  • Literal translation: Concerning the dead, nothing should be said unless it is good.
  • English equivalent: Speak well of the dead.
  • Traversari, Ambrogio (1432). Benedictus Brognolus (ed.). Laertii Diogenis vitae et sententiae eorvm qvi in philosophia probati fvervnt (in Latin). Venice: Impressum Venetiis per Nicolaum Ienson gallicum. Retrieved 12 May 2013.

• Deus quem punire vult dementat.
  • Literal translation: He whom God wants to punish, he drives mad.
  • English equivalent: Whom God will destroy, he first make mad.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 841. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Diem vesper commendat.
  • Literal translation: The evening commends the day."
  • Translation: Celebrate the day when it is evening.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 200. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem.
  • Literal translation: It is difficult to suddenly lay aside a long-standing love.
  • English equivalent: True love never grows old.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1107. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Dii facientes adiuvant.
  • Translation: Gods help those who do.
  • English equivalent: God helps them that help themselves.
  • "When in trouble first of all every one himself should do his best to improve his condition."
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 150. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Cantera Ortiz de Urbina, Jesús (16 November 2005). "975". Refranero latino. Ediciones Akal. p. 83. ISBN 978-84-460-1296-2. 

• Dives aut iniquus est, aut iniqui heres.
  • Literal translation: The rich man either cold-hearted, or heir to the cold-hearted.
  • English equivalent: No one gets rich quickly if he is honest.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 963. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Dives est qui sibi nihil deesse putat.
  • Translation: Rich is he who thinks he lacks nothing.
  • English equivalent: Wealth rarely brings happiness.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 670. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Divide et impera.
  • Translation: Divide and rule [or conquer]. Attributed to Julius Caesar.
  • English equivalent: Divide and conquer.
  • "The best way to conquer or control a group of people is by encouraging them to fight among themselves rather than allowing them to unite in opposition to the ruling authority."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 13 August 2013. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "823". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6. 

• Docendo discimus.
  • Translation: By teaching, we learn. (Seneca)
  • Vahros (1986). Docendo discimus. University Press. 

• Duabus ancoris fultus.
  • Literal translation: Propped up by two anchors.
  • English equivalent: Good riding at two anchors, men have told, for if the one fails, the other may hold.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 879. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Ductus Exemplo
  • Translation: Lead by Example.
  • Gray (2009). Embedded: a Marine Corps adviser inside the Iraqi army. Naval Institute Press. p. 74. ISBN 1591143403. 

• Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.
  • Translation: It is sweet and honorable to die for the motherland. By Horace, Odes III, 2, 13, frequently quoted on war memorials, and notably in the poem Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen, who calls it "the old lie".

• Dulce pomum quum abest custos.
  • Translation: Sweet is the apple when the keeper is away.
  • English equivalent: Forbidden fruit is sweetest.
  • "Things that you must not have or do are always the most desirable."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • János Erdélyi (1851). Magyar közmondások könlyve. Nyomatott Kozma Vazulnál. p. 169. 
  • Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations (W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue) ed.). p. 93. 

• Dulcior illa sapit caro, quae magis ossibus haeret.
  • Literal translation "That flesh tastes sweeter, which clings more to the bones."
  • English equivalent: The sweetest flesh is near the bones.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "1666". Dictionary of European proverbs. II. Routledge. p. 1176. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Dum canem caedimus, corrosisse dicitur corrium.
  • Translation: If you want to beat a dog you will easily find a stick.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 104. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Dum lusus bonus est, ipsum dimittere fas est.
  • English equivalent: Leave a jest when it pleases you best.
  • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "122, aufhören" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. p. 59-60. 

• Dum satur est venter, gaudet caput inde libenter.
  • Translation: When the belly is full, the head is pleased.
  • English equivalent: Full stomach, contented heart.
  • Cantera Ortiz de Urbina, Jesús (16 November 2005). "768". Refranero latino. Ediciones Akal. p. 68. ISBN 978-84-460-1296-2. 

• Dum spiro, spero.
  • Translation: "As long as I breathe, I hope." Translated as "While I breathe, I hope" the motto of the State of South Carolina []
  • Gunter (2000). Dum Spiro, Spero: While I Breathe, I Hope. In His Steps Publishing. pp. 180. ISBN 1585350192. 
  • English equivalent: As long as there is life there is hope.

• Dum vivimus, vivamus!
  • Translation: While we live, let us live!
  • Organization) (1972). Dum Vivimus, Vivamus: A Chronicle of the First Century of the Knights of Momus, 1872-1972. 

• Dum vita est, spes est.
  • Translation: While there is life, there is hope.
  • Bretzke (1998). Consecrated Phrases: A Latin Theological Dictionary : Latin Expressions Commonly Found in Theological Writings. Liturgical Press. p. 41. ISBN 1 Invalid ISBN. 

• Ecce omnis, qui dicit vulgo proverbium, in te assumet illud dicens: Sicut mater, ita et filia ejus.
  • English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
  • "Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily."
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Effectus sequitur causam.
  • Literal translation: Effect follows cause.
  • English equivalent: Every why has a wherefore.
  • "Everything has an underlying reason."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 22 September 2013. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 765. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Eodem cubito, eadem trutina, pari libra.
  • English equivalent: Whatever measure you deal out to others will be dealt back to you.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1219. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Errare humanum est.
  • English meaningː To err is human.
  • Green, Tamara M. (2003). The Greek & Latin roots of English. p. 215. 

• Ex granis fit acervus.
  • English equivalent: Every little helps.
  • "All contributions, however small, are of use."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 20 September 2013. 
  • Source for proverbs: Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 26. 

• Et ipsa scientia potestas est.
  • Translation: "And knowledge itself, is power" (Francis Bacon, Meditationes sacrae)
  • Djité (2008). The Sociolinguistics of Development in Africa. Multilingual Matters. p. 53. ISBN 1847690459. 

• Ex malis moribus bonae leges natae sunt.
  • Literal translation: From bad customs, good laws are born.
  • English equivalent: Good laws have sprung from bad customs.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 879. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Ex nihilo nihil fit.
  • Translation: "Nothing comes from nothing" (you need to work for something; also the Conservation Law in philosophy and modern science) (Lucretius). This is also a famous Shakespeare quote in King Lear.
  • "If you would have any thing done for you, you must give something, for people will not serve you for nothing."
  • James Kelly (1818). A Complete Collection of Scottish Proverbs Explained and Made Intelligible to the English Reader. Rodwell and Martin. p. 13. 
  • Campbell, O'Rourke, Silverstein (2007). Causation and Explanation. Mit Press. p. 291. ISBN 0262033631. 

• Exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis.
  • Translation: "The exception confirms the rule in cases not excepted" (Cicero, Pro Balbo)
  • Meaning: If an exception to a rule is explicitly stated (such as a "no right turns on red light" sign at an intersection), that allows one to conclude the general rule to which this is an exception (i.e. "right turns are permitted on red lights unless a sign says otherwise").
  • English equivalent: "The exception proves the rule" (though this is often used in other senses).

• Excusatio non petita, accusatio manifesta.
  • Literal translation: Unasked for excuse, obvious accusation.
  • English equivalent: A guilty conscience needs no accuser.
  • Meaning: "People who know they have done wrong reveal their guilt by the things they say or the way they interpret what other people say."
  • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "243". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 227. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6. 

• Extremis malis extrema remedia.
  • Literal translation: Extreme cures for extreme evils.
  • English equivalent: Desperate diseases must have desperate remedies.
  • Meaning: "Drastic action is called for – and justified – when you find yourself in a particularly difficult situation."
  • Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 10 August 2013. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 688. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Expecta bos olim herba.
  • Latin translation: Cow, wait for grass soon!"
  • English equivalent: While the grass grows the steed starves.
  • Meaning: Dreams or expectations may be realized too late.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1228. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Facilis descensus Averni.
  • Literal translation: The easy descent of the underworld.
  • The descent into hell is easy.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 39. 

• Factis ut credam facis.
  • Literal translation: By your deeds I may trust you do."
  • English equivalent: No need of words, trust deeds.
  • "Actions may be, and indeed sometimes are deceptive in a measure though not as much so as words; and accordingly are received in general as more full and satisfactory proofs of the real disposition and character of persons than verbal expressions."
  • Source for meaning:Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 10. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 91. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Festina lente!
  • Literal translation: Hurry slowly!
  • English equivalent: Make haste slowly.
  • English meaning: proceed quickly but with caution, a motto of Marcus Aurelius
  • Rochester Institute of Technology (1980). Festina lente. 

• Fides facit fidem.
  • English equivalent: Confidence begets confidence.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 187. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Fidite Nemini
  • Translation: Trust no one.
  • Conciones Adventuales: De De Captivitate Petri, Figurante Captivitatem Peccatoris. Verdussen. 1737. p. 113. 

• Finis origine pendet.
  • Translation: The end depends on the beginning.
  • English equivalent: Such a beginning, such an end.

• Forma bonum fragile est.^[2]
  • Literal translation: Beauty is a fragile advantage.
  • English equivalent: All that is fair must fade.
  • English meaning: Nothing lasts forever.
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 21 September 2013. 
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 10. 

• Fortes fortuna iuvat
  • Translation: Fortune favors the brave. (cf. Audaces fortuna iuvat.) (Terence)
  • Marchesi (2008). The Art of Pliny's Letters: A Poetics of Allusion in the Private Correspondence. Cambridge University Press. p. 176. ISBN 0521882273. 

• Fraus hominum ad perniciem, et integritas ad salutem vocat.
  • Literal translation: Men's deceit brings ruin, and integrity brings security.
  • English equivalent: Honesty is the best policy.
  • "Being honest or telling the truth is always the wisest course of action."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 128. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. X. 

• Fronti nulla fides.
  • Literal translation: No trust in appearances.
  • English equivalent: Appearances deceive.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 124. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Generosus equus non curat canem latrantem.
  • Literal translation: A well-bred horse does not care for a barking dog.

• Gloriosum est iniurias oblivisci.
  • Literal translation: It is a glorious thing to forget injuries.
  • English equivalent: Forgive and forget.
  • Rauschen, Geyer, Albers, Zellinger (1933). Florilegium patristicum. P. Hanstein. p. 58. 

• Gutta cavat lapidem
  • A drop hollows out the stone. (Ovid, Epistles)

• Gutta cavat lapidem non bis, sed saepe cadendo; sic homo fit sapiens non bis, sed saepe legendo.
  • A drop hollows out the stone by falling not twice, but many times; so too is a person made wise by reading not twice, but many times.

• Gutta cavat lapidem non vi, sed saepe cadendo
  • A drop hollows out the stone not by force, but falling many times. (original latin proverb).

• Historia est vitae magistra.
  • Translation: "History is the teacher of life.”

• Hodie mihi, cras tibi.
  • Translation: "What's to me today, tomorrow is to you.”
  • English equivalent: The door swings both ways; What goes around comes around.
  • Ferler, J. (1723). Hodie Mihi, Cras Tibi, Gruber.

• Homines quod volunt credunt.
  • Translation: "Men believe what they want to." (Julius Caesar)
  • Lautenbach, E. (2002). Latein-Deutsch: Zitaten-Lexikon: Quellennachweise, Lit.

• Homo cogitat, Deus iudicat.
  • Literal Translation: Man thinks, God judges.
  • Meaning: Things often don't turn out as you have planned.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 103. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Honor sequitur fugientem.
  • Literal translation: Honour follows the fleeing man.
  • English equivalent: Follow glory and it will flee, flee glory and it will follow thee.
  • "For peace do not hope—to be just you must break it
    Still work for the minute and not for the year;
    When honor comes to you, be ready to take it;
    But reach not to seize it before it is near."
  • John Boyle O Reilly, Legends and Ballads, "Rules Of The Road" (1878)
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 832. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Hortamur fari, quo sanguine cretus.^[3]
  • Literal translation: We encourage [him] to say, from what blood he was sprung.
  • English equivalent: Good blood always shows itself.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 34. 

• Hostium munera, non munera.
  • Translation: Gifts of enemies are no gifts.
  • Note: "This advice has its root in the story of the Trojan Horse, the treacherous subterfuge by which the Greeks finally overcame their trojan adversaries at the end of the Trojan War."
  • English equivalent: Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.
  • "Do not trust gifts or favors if they come from an enemy."
  • Martin H. Manser; David H. Pickering (2003). The Facts On File Dictionary of Classical and Biblical Allusions. Infobase Publishing. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-8160-4868-7. Retrieved on 1 July 2013. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 855. ISBN 0415096243. 

Note: I and J are the same letter in Latin.

• Ignavum fortuna repugnat.
  • Fortune disdains the lazy.
  • "Don't yield to that alluring witch, laziness, or else be prepared to surrender all that you have won in your better moments."
  • Horace, Satires
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 601. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Ignorantia legis non excusat
  • Translation: Ignorance of the law does not excuse.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 287. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Imperare sibi maximum imperium est.
  • Translation: To rule yourself is the ultimate power. (Seneca)
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 915. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Improbe Neptunum accusat, qui iterum naufragium facit.
  • Literal translation: He who causes a shipwreck twice shamelessly blames Neptune.
  • English equivalent: He complains wrongfully at the sea that suffer shipwreck twice.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 898. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Incus robusta malleum non temnit.
  • Literal translation: The strong anvil does not despise the hammer.
  • English equivalent: A good anvil does not fear the hammer.
  • von Düringsfeld, Ida (1872). "83 Amboss". Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. p. 37. 

• In dubio, abstine.
  • Translation: When in doubt, abstain.
  • English equivalent: When in doubt, leave it out; When in doubt, do nothing.
  • "If you are unsure what to do, it is best to do nothing at all."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 296. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1223. ISBN 0415096243. 

• In dubio pro reo.
  • Translation: "When in doubt, in favour of the accused". (Corpus Juris Civilis)
  • Stree, W. (1962). In dubio pro reo, Mohr.

• In iudicando criminosa est celeritas.^[4]
  • Literal translation: In judgement, speed is slanderous.
  • Translation: Hasty judgments are criminal.

• In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas
  • Translation: "In necessary things unity, in doubtful things liberty, in all things charity" (often misattributed to St Augustine).
  • Bretzke, J. T. (1998). Consecrated Phrases: A Latin Theological Dictionary : Latin Expressions Commonly Found in Theological Writings, Liturgical Press.

• In nullum avarus bonus est, in se pessimus.
  • Literal translation: The bitter man is good to no one, [but] the worst to himself.
  • English equivalent: The covetous man is good to none and worst to himself.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 83. ISBN 0415096243. 

• In propria causa nemo debet esse iudex.
  • Translation: No one should be the judge in his own trial.
  • English equivalent: No one can be the judge in his own case.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1038. ISBN 0415096243. 

• In risu agnoscitur fatuus.
  • Literal translation: The fool is recognised in laughter.
  • English equivalent: A fool is ever laughing.
  • Emanuel Strauss (1994). "137". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 102. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6. 

• In vino veritas.
  • Translation: There is truth in vine.
  • English equivalent: In wine there is truth.
  • "Alcohol consumed removes the inhibition against telling the truth that occasionally one would like to keep secret."
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 272. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Inimicum quamvis humilem docti est metuere.
  • Literal translation: It is the mark of a learned man to fear his enemy although humble.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 718. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Literal translation: The wise man must fear a humble enemy.

• Innumeras curas secum adferunt liberi.
  • Translation: Children bring with them countless troubles.
  • English equivalent: Children are uncertain comforts but certain cares.
  • "Children are bound to cause their parents anxiety, and may or may not also bring them joy."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 2 August 2013. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 654. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Intemperans adulescentia effetum corpus tradit senectuti.
  • Literal translation: The intemperate youth hands over his worn-out body to old age.
  • English equivalent: They who would be young when they are old must be old when they are young.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "1605". Dictionary of European proverbs. II. Routledge. p. 1151. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Inter gladium et iugulum.
  • Literal translation: Between sword and neck. [note that iugulum, referring anatomically to the collarbone and the area above it, can also be used figuratively to refer to the crux of an argument]
  • English equivalent: Don't go between the tree and the bark.
  • Meaning: Do not interfere when two parts are having an argument.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 729. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Interdum stultus bene loquitur.'
  • Literal translation: Occasionally a fool speaks well.
  • English equivalent: ”A fool may give a wise man counsel.”
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 40. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Invidus alterius macrescit rebus opimis .
  • Literal translation: Envy wastes away on the fatness of another.
  • English equivalent: Envy is its own torturer.
  • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "168". Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. p. 93. 

• Ira furor brevis est.
  • Translation: "Anger is brief insanity" (Horace, epistles I, 2, 62).
  • Stone, J. R. (2005). The Routledge Dictionary of Latin Quotations: The Illiterati's Guide to Latin Maxims, Mottoes, Proverbs and Sayings, Routledge.

• Longum iter est per praecepta , breve et efficax per exempla.
  • Literal translation: Long is the road by teaching, short [is the road] by example.
  • English equivalent: Example is better than precept.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 28. 

• Iucundum est narrare sua mala.
  • Literal translation: It's pleasant to recount your troubles.
  • English equivalent: A problem shared is a problem halved.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 351. ISBN 0415096243. 

The letter "k" was not commonly used in Classical Latin.

• Latet anguis sub herbis in herba.
  • Literal translation: A snake keeps out of sight under weeds in the grass.
  • English equivalent: Look before you leap, for snakes among sweet flowers do creep.