Latin Phrases Every SigEp Should Know

As SigEp’s, we focus on developing our self Growth, leadership, brotherly love, and the pursuit of excellence. Understanding these Latin quotes is valuable because they promote critical thinking, personal growth, and effective communication. They encourage virtues like resilience, discipline, and purpose—essential qualities for becoming a better leader and individual. These timeless phrases connect you to a rich intellectual tradition and can guide your decisions, leadership, and interactions with others, helping you navigate college life and beyond with wisdom, confidence, and integrity.

Philosophical & Intellectual

Cogito, ergo sum — I think, therefore I am.
— Descartes' philosophical declaration, affirming existence through the act of thinking.
Ex nihilo nihil fit — Nothing comes from nothing.
— Suggests that everything must have a cause or origin; it’s impossible to create something from nothing.
Veni, vidi, vici — I came, I saw, I conquered.
— Signifying swift and decisive victory, often used to represent intellectual or personal triumph.
Carpe diem — Seize the day.
— Encourages making the most of the present moment, often associated with living life fully.
Vox populi, vox Dei — The voice of the people is the voice of God.
— Suggests that the opinion of the majority holds ultimate authority or truth.

Everyday Life & Popular Culture

In vino veritas — In wine, there is truth.
— Suggests that alcohol can lead people to reveal their true thoughts and feelings.
Et tu, Brute? — And you, Brutus?
— Caesar’s famous last words in Shakespeare’s play, expressing betrayal by a close ally.
Memento vivere — Remember to live.
— A positive counterpart to memento mori (remember that you will die), urging one to appreciate life.
Festina lente — Hurry slowly.
— Encourages a balance of speed and caution, useful for making thoughtful decisions in life.
Audentes fortuna iuvat — Fortune favors the bold.
— Encourages taking risks, implying that bravery often leads to success.

Law, Politics & Social Context

Alea iacta est — The die has been cast.
— A point of no return, used to indicate a decisive action that starts something irreversible.
Persona non grata — An unwelcome person.
— Refers to someone who is not welcome, especially in social or diplomatic contexts.
Ad hominem — To the person.
— A fallacy where the argument is directed at the person rather than their ideas.
Quid pro quo — Something for something.
— A reciprocal exchange; one thing is given in return for another.
Cui bono? — Good for whom?
— A question used to ask who benefits from a particular situation, often in the context of investigating motives.
Carthago delenda est — Carthage must be destroyed.
— Expressing unwavering support for a cause, historically used to push for war but applicable to modern political struggles.
De facto — In fact.
— Something that exists in reality, even if not officially recognized or legally established.

General Wisdom

Acta, non verba — Deeds, not words.
— Actions speak louder than words; it emphasizes the importance of doing over merely talking.
Barba non facit philosophum — A beard doesn’t make one a philosopher.
— Just like clothes don’t make the man, outward appearances don’t define a person’s intellectual worth.
Mea culpa — Through my fault.
— An acknowledgment of guilt or responsibility for a wrongdoing.
Sui generis — Of its own kind.
— Something unique, one-of-a-kind, or in a category by itself.
Bona fide — In good faith.
— Describes something that is genuine, sincere, or authentic.
Mulgere hircum — To milk a male goat.
— Attempting the impossible; a humorous way of acknowledging futile efforts.
Sine qua non — Without which, not.
— An essential element; something that is absolutely necessary for a particular outcome.
Ita vero — Thus indeed.
— The Latin equivalent of “yes,” used to affirm or agree with something.
Ex nihilo nihil fit — Nothing comes from nothing.
— Work is required to succeed; a reminder that everything has an origin or cause.
Veni, vidi, vici — I came, I saw, I conquered.
— Signifying swift victory or success, applicable both in history and in life.
Deus ex machina — God from the machine.
— A plot device that refers to an unexpected or unlikely resolution to a problem, used in both literature and life.
Tempus fugit — Time flies.
— Reminds us how quickly time passes, urging us to make the most of it.
Non sequitur — It does not follow.
— Something that doesn’t logically follow from what was previously stated.

Humor & Wit

Memento mori — Remember that you will die.
— A reminder of the inevitability of death, encouraging us to live with awareness of our mortality.
Lapsus linguae — A slip of the tongue.
— A minor verbal mistake, often revealing more than intended.
Me vexat pede — It annoys me at the foot.
— Referring to a small annoyance, like a “pebble in your shoe.”
Nitimur in vetitum — We strive for the forbidden.
— The human tendency to desire what is restricted or forbidden.
Pecunia non olet — Money doesn’t smell.
— Even dirty money is still valuable. Often used to point out the disregard for how money is obtained.

Commonly Used

Caveat emptor — Let the buyer beware.
— A warning to buyers to be cautious and do due diligence before making a purchase.
Ad hoc — For this.
— A solution designed for a specific purpose or issue.
Per se — By itself or in itself.
— Describes something considered on its own, without any relation to other factors.
Alma mater — Nourishing mother.
— Refers to the school or university one attended, symbolizing intellectual nurturing.
Status quo — The existing state (of affairs).
— The current state or condition of things, often used in politics or social matters.