Badass Latin phrases are so satisfying, and I guess it’s not surprising. Latin mottos are appealing as tattoos for a number of different reasons. First of all, obviously, these sayings have endured the test of time. They’ve been meaningful to Western civilization for centuries, so you’re not likely to grow tired of them quickly. Additionally, because few people speak Latin these days, their meaning is often private unless you choose to share the meaning with others. They are also, quite literally, classic. And finally, some things just sound better in Latin!
When I was revising a paranormal romance novel (this one), I was researching a bunch of Latin phrases about death and Latin quotes about success and so on, as one does. I realized many of these would be fantastic for tattoos, so I thought I would share them with you!
But please, you ink any of these badass Latin quotes on your skin (or engrave any of the Latin love quotes onto your wedding rings)…
Double-check the phrase’s meaning and the spelling!
Do your research and cross-reference it with other sources.
You’ve been warned! I’m not a Latin scholar, I’m only human, and I do make a mistake now and again.
Badass Latin Phrases
Please note: I’ve gotten great suggestions in the comments, so I’ve added to the list! Thank you, everyone!
ad astra per aspera – “through difficulties, to the stars”
This is the motto of the state of Kansas, and of bunches of colleges and military organizations. So it’s very common. But still nice!
alis volat propriis – “she flies with her own wings” This is also popular for tattoos, and why not? It’s awesome.
amor ipse notitia est – “love itself is a form of knowing”
amor vincit omnia – “love conquers all”
You might’ve known that one!
ancora imparo – “I am still learning.”
It’s supposedly something Michelangelo said when he was in his 80s. Pretty awesome, right?
audere eat facere – “to dare is to do”
aut viam inveniam aut faciam – “I will either find a way or make one”
Attributed to Hannibal. The ancient military commander, not the cannibal.
carpe diem – “seize the day”
A classic.
contra felicem vix deus vires habet – “against the lucky even the gods are powerless”
dulce periculum – “danger is sweet”
To let everyone know you are a badass.
dum spiro spero – “while I breathe, I hope”
Richard Armitage’s character Lucas North had this one on the back of his neck in the TV show Spooks (called MI-5 in the U.S.) North got the tattoo during the eight years he was in prison in Russia. Great show, by the way. A variation suggested in the comments is: quamdiu spirabo, numquam despondebo – “as long as I breathe, I will never quit”
esto quod es – “be what you are”
ex favilla nos resurgemus – “from the ashes we will rise”
excelsior – “ever higher”
The motto of the late, great Stan Lee. (And also Bradley Cooper’s character in Silver Linings Playbook.)
fiat lux – “let there be light”
From the book of Genesis in the Bible.
finis vitae sed non amoris – “the end of life, but not of love”
This would be appropriate for a memorial tattoo.
fortes fortuna adiuvat – “fortune favors the bold”
I actually think this is the rare phrase that sounds better in English, but that’s just me.
fortis et liber – “strong and free”
frango dura patientia – “I break hard things through perservereance”
This makes me think of how drops of water…the softest things in the world…can bore a hole through solid rock over time.
ignis aurum probat – “fire tests gold”
This might be nice if you’ve been through some bad times lately.
in omnia paratus – “ready for anything”
Another choice for a badass. This is also the motto of the U.S. Army’s 18th Infantry Regiment, but you can use it too.
invictus maneo – “I remain unvanquished”
lege atque lacrima – “read ’em and weep”
As noted by the anonymous commenter who kindly contributed this one, it’s perfect for poker aficianados!
luctor et emergo- “I struggle and emerge”
(Thanks for this one, Sara!)
memento vivere – “remember to live”
Similar to “carpe diem.”
minima maxima sunt – “The smallest things are the most important.”
This might be a good tattoo after you have a baby. For you, not the baby.
non ducor, duco – “I am not led; I lead”
You tell ’em, honey.
non timebo mala – “I will fear no evil”
This is probably one of my favorite badass Latin phrases. I know from the TV show Supernatural, because it’s inscribed on the barrel of a Colt that can kill demons. Of course, it’s from Psalm 23 in the Bible.
omnia causa flunt – “Everything happens for a reason.”
I do not believe this, personally, but I know lots of people do.
pax aeterna – “eternal peace”
Might be a graceful alternative to “R.I.P.” for a memorial tattoo.
per volar sunata – “born to soar”
Damn right you were!
primum non nocere – “first, do no harm”
This sentiment is the most famous part of the Hippocratic oath for physicians, and the Wiccan rede paraphrases it (“an you harm none, do as you will.”) No matter who you are, it’s a great philosophy to live by.
pulchrum est paucorum hominum – “Beauty is for the few”
A tattoo for the smugly attractive.
quia pulvis es et in pulverem reverteris – “for dust you are, and unto dust you shall return”
quid ad infinitum – “what is it in the light of eternity?” Or, what does it matter in the infinite scheme? (Thanks for this, Susan!)
semper ad meliora – “always toward better things”
tempus fugit – “time flies”
totus tuus – totally yours”
So romantic!
usque ad finem – “to the very end”
veni et pugna, a die bono non est mori – “I came to fight, it is a good day to die”
vincit qui se vincit – “one conquers who conquers himelf”
This would be amazing for a recovered addict…maybe to celebrate a year or more of sobriety?
vivamus, moriendum est ~ “let us live, since we must die”
I love that last one especially!
Do you have others to add, or do you have a phrase (in any language) that means a lot to you? Let us know in the comments!
Want to check out the book that inspired the research? The Phoenix Codex is the first book in my series about the secret society called Manus Sancti.
Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you have a great week!
Love “she flies with her own wings” one! Great list. I don’t believe that everything happens for a reason either.
I’m a fan of totus tuus (“totally yours.”) 🙂
Oh nice!
born free
live free
die free
can you translate this to Latin ? thanks
Spelling: Alis volat propriis. (He or she BTW)
Parata or invicta if a woman
“Per volare…” is Italian. You want “ad volandum natus/nata”
My favorite Latin saying: “contra felicem vix deus vires habet.” Against the lucky even the gods are powerless (you can omit “vires habet” if you want; it’s implied).
can you help me say a warriors quote in Latin
(ex:) Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil
I mean give me a list please! Lol even bible quotes
Dei soli filius sum.
Qui morituri te salutant! Those who are about to die salute you!
STEQVBE (commonly used abbreviation) If you and the army are going strong, all is well!
I am trying to discover how you say “written in the stars” in Latin
Could you help me.?
Easy—”in astrīs scripta” (the macron is optional)
“nothing kills you like your mind” would be so glad if you could translate this.
Can someone please translate “the will is decisive?” Thanks
I tend to be a big believer in the Nietzsche, “That which does not kill me” school of thought. After a lot of research, thought and reflection i got my first none utilitarian tattoo ( i had blood type and medical info inked under my left armpit) in Romania. “Frango dura patientia” ,,,i break hard things though perseverance….. It summed up the mindset that got me through my time in the sand… In Italy I picked up “Omnia Mea Mecum Porto” ,,,all i have i carry with me,,,referencing both the burden we carry and self-contained mindset that allows you to remain calm and effective in the midst of chaos….I also like Sustineo- I endure, ( if my conjugation is correct) .. In person I’m usually reticent to discuss or explain my ink, it’s never gonna mean to others what it does to you. To explain is to weaken. It feels like giving away your juju.
That which does not kill me gives me more ammunition for the evil in my books.
semper ad mellora – ”mellora” is wrong, ”meliora” is right.
Vincit qui se vincit – One conquers who conquers oneself. Or, one conquers twice who conquers oneself.
Ahh, I love that. Thank you, Brian!
“Res Ipsa Loquitur” – meaning the thing speaks for itself, or more literally, “the thing itself speaks”
The potential for a tattoo is there.. Just use your imagination 😉
“Sic itur ad astra”
That is how you get to the stars
It is the Colombian Air Force motto, it is taken from the Aeneid.
‘Vive ut Vivas’ which literally means ‘live, so that you may live’ (make the most of life). Simple but powerful I think.
Memento Mori, which means remember death or perhaps remember that you too will die.
I have that on my forearm!
Primum non nocere is a Latin phrase that means “first, to do no harm.”
I have this phrase with a caduceus tattoo on my forearm.
Si vis pacem, para bellum, meaning “If you want peace, prepare for war”
Semper ubi sub ubi. Say that out loud. My fave. Second fave is: Sic luceat lux. Let your light so shine.
I don’t get the first one. 😀 But I love the second one!
I left out two words “in English”. “Always where under where. “. Tee hee.
i think the first one means literally “if something is worth saying it is worth saying out LOUD (or pretty close to it)
Should have said say it aloud in English. i.e. “Always where under where…”
OHHHH. Hahahaha! A classic proverb, to be sure. 😀
Transcendi – transcend
Surge sursus – Rise up
To translate “surge sursus” as “rise up” doesn’t do it justice, since “surge” already means “rise up.” There’s a repetitive emphasis here, since both words are derived from the same Latin root. “Onwards and upwards” is memorable, although I’d recommend “having gotten this far, go for it” as capturing the saying’s full implications (If you wonder where I’m coming from, I’m a Latin teacher.)
Thanks Eric. I was basically using google translate. Wanted to capture something like going or pushing beyond the current limits in as few words as possible. Transcend or rise up seemed to be a starting point.
im the only gods child,, help me please find this in latin
si vis pacem para bellum
“if you want peace prepare for war”
a fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi
“in front of me a cliff (precipice), behind me the wolves” – basically between a rock and a hard place, but with wolves!
I literaly have that in a book, But it is not what you first think.
“ex favilla nos resurgemus” from the ashes we will rise
Oh, that’s amazing! I’m going to add that to the post. Thank you!!
‘Austere Est Facere’ translates into, ‘to do is to dare’
Sorry, it’s misspelled. Should be “audere eat facere.” Looks like an autocorrect error somewhere along the line.
Damn autocorrect got me too! “Audere EST facere” is correct.
si vis amaris ama , if you want to be loved , LOVE , by Seneca roman philosopher and senator.( i had it tattooed after some emotional controversies )
also , i always loved
” alea iacta est ” the dice are cast ( Julius Caesar said it just before passing the rubicon river and in effect declaring war to the roman senate and announcing himself caesar. it in effect is said afer crossing the point of no return in a dilemma )
and last but not least ACTA NON VERBA , actions and not words
“Mors certa vita incerta” – death is certain life is uncertain
Memento mori
Remember that you must die
i really like ars longa, vita brevis which translates to art is long life is short ithink
my fave is dum vivimus vivus… “while we live, let us live”
Are you sure it’s not “dum vivimus vivamus”? “Vivus” (“alive” sing.) doesn’t make sense in this context.
Age quod agis – “do well whatever you do” literal translation is “drive because you are driven” perfect for a commercial truck driver.
Ran across a good one today, “mea culpa, sed non me paenitet” which translates roughly to “It may be my fault, but I’m not sorry.” A bad apology, but maybe a good affirmation.
I am trying to check if their is a latin translation for true strength comes from within?
Can anyone translate “born free live free die free” into latin??
Thanks a lot
I want to know the Latin phrase for
“ I fight for family
Le casa và licà
How can we write this in Latin? I wanted this to be tattooed.. “For dust you are, and unto dust you shall return”
Easy, since we have the actual words of the Vulgate, Genesis 3:19 “quia pulvis es et in pulverem reverteris.”
Hi: THanks for the list. I love Latin. No matter the language, I would advise a person getting a tattoo to at least triple check a quotation before setting it in ink. I have seen some bad ones.
non timebo mala = I shall not fear evil(s).Your translation had the correct sense but was not precise. As my Latin teacher told us a million times, Latin willl kill you! Also, ancora imparo is Italian another great language.
Amor ipse notitia est Love itself is a form of knowing
Lege atque lacrima – “Read ’em and Weep” for the poker aficionado
Cum spiro, perseverantiam excitent. – As I breathe, I persevere.
Dum spiro, non quit. – As long as I breathe, I will never quit.
Ut dum spiro, nusquam erit quit. Better translation.
“Ancaro imparo” are the LAST words spoken by Michelangelo.
It’s “ancOrA imparo” (still, I am learning) and it’s Italian. And although the sentiment fits, we’re not sure Michelangelo said it at all. That said it would be a great tattoo, and there’s nothing lost in attributing it to one of history’s greatest geniuses.
Oh and it’s “finis vitae sed non amoris.” Tragic to misspell tattoos.
Thank you! This has been corrected!
Quid ad infinitum – what is it in the light of eternity. Or what does it matter in the infinite scheme.
Ooh, I love that, Susan. I’m going back to add that later! Thank you!
non illegitimi carborundum – Yeah, I know it is dog-Latin, but it still cracks me up. (don’t let the bastards grind you down)
Hi Robert! I don’t actually know what dog-Latin means, I’m going to look that up…but I love this one, of course!
Lux Aeterna – Light eternal or Light everlasting
Lux Aeterna = Light Eternal or Light everlasting
Ooh, that’s a good one! Thanks, Donald!
Luctor et Emergo- I struggle and emerge
Requiescat, in Pacem – Rest in Peace
Requiescat, in Pacem = Rest in Peace.
Veni et pugna, a die bono non est mori. – I came to fight, it is a good day to die.
“Nemo me impune lacessit,” meaning “No one provokes me with impunity.” Scottish Motto.
Vivamus, moriendum est ~ Let us live, since we must die
One of my favorites
usque ad finem
To the very end
a military slogan I am having placed on my arm
My personal favourites have to be “Alea iacta est” – the die has been cast and “Morior Invictus” – death remains unconquered
aut vincere aut mori – either conquer or die
Can anybody translate “i believe in me” or I have faith in me” to latin? Thanks
can anyone please translate in latin this phrase “always and forever till forever ends”
carpe noctum “seize the night”
I have a few that I use in my writings. The first I thought was original but alas, not so: Quamdiu spirabo, numquam despondebo
As long as I breathe, I will never quit
This I heard in the movie Little Big Man, the English phrase: Veni ut pugnem, nam dies bonus est quo mori
I came to fight, it is a good day to die
my next tattoo is going to read:
Nobilitatem Nascitur Ex Justorum Actus, Non Per Cogitationes Vel Orationes , – or –
“Nobility arises from righteous action, not from thoughts or prayers”
Egredere et pugna: bonum est mori, et nondum mortuus es. – Come out and fight, it is a good day to die, and you are not yet dead.
VI ET VIRTUTI – Strength and Virtue from the Knowlton coat of arms
“Dum spiro spero” is the state motto for South Carolina.
Virginia, Commonwealth motto – Sic Semper Tyrannus -Thus always to tyrants. It has the only state flag depicting an exposed breast.
Sic Transit – thus passes -short for Sic Transit Gloria Mundi – Thus passes the glory of the world A Roman general returning in glory had a slave also riding in the chariot, holding a laurel over his head and whispering, “This too will pass.”
It is the motto of roman gladiators
Usqve ad Finem
I’m needing a quote with 10 letters Max! For a finger tattoo, any suggestions?
Lux Aeterna or Lux Æterna – Light Everlasting
Ne Conjugare Nobiscum
Don’t f…k with us
Could anyone confirm that “Progredi non respicere” means “Go ahead, don’t look back” please?
I would translate it as, “Go forward, don’t look back!” Although technically it reads, “to advance is to not look back.”
Here are four I find usfull in life.
Vita mutationes
Life changes
Egredere et pugna.
Dies enim bona est ut moriar.
Et nondum mortui estis.
Come out and fight.
It is a good day to die.
And you are not yet dead
Nondum consummavi.
I am not yet finished
Ego sum.
I am.
One of my favorites: “Vox populi, Vox Dei.” (The voice of the people is the voice of God.” Perfect for lawyers and other institutionalists.
Moriar, sed prius vivam. I will die, but first, I will live.
Moriar prius, vivam.
“de oppresso liber” To Liberate the Oppressed. Motto of U.S. Army Special Forces, The Green Berets.
If I am death is not, if death is I am not.
How would this be written in Ancient Greek or Latin?