Many Latin expressions are used in books and in everyday English speech, and you will certainly find most those phrases listed and translated on my site. However, the existing body of Latin literature, both Classical and Medieval is extremely vast. There are many undiscovered gems of wit and wisdom, so I encourage you to study Latin :) The source for a quote is sometimes indcated, but one must remember that Latin quotations are often used as if they were anonymous maxims of universal wisdom. Unlike the collections of quotes that you will find on some other websites, these lines have been actually looked at more than once by someone who knows Latin. I am sure, however, that some typos have not been fixed, so do not assume that anything you find here is safe and good enough to be tattooed on your person! Always ask a Latinist before using a Latin quote for any permanent purpose.
This site also hosts a plethora of imporant resources about Latin, as well as some other languages. Most notably, there a list of legal Latin maxims. Elsewhere on this site there are Latin phrases used in medicine, heraldry, jewelry engravings, sundials and Latin love poems. There is even a motto generator that lets you create Latin phrases without knowing Latin!
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V
Habeas corpus - You must have the body, i.e. You must justify an imprisonment
Habemus Papam - We have a pope. (used at the announcement of a new pope)
Hac lege - With this law
Haec olim meminisse ivvabit - Time heals all things, i.e. Wounds, offenses
Hannibal ante portas! - Hannibal is at the doors! The enemy/danger is at the doors!
Haud ignota loquor - I say things that are known
Helluo librorum - A glutton for books. (bookworm)
Hic et nunc - Here and now
Hic habitat felicitas - Here dwells happiness
Hic jacet (HJ) - Here lies. (written on gravestones or tombs)
Hic jacet sepultus (HJS) - Here lies buried
Hinc illae lacrimae - Hence these tears. (Terence)
Historia est vitae magistra - The history is the tutor of life
Hoc erat in votis - This was among my prayers
Hoc est in votis - This is in my prayers
Hoc est verum et nihili nisi verum - This is the truth and nothing but the truth
Hoc est vivere bis vita posse priore frvi - To live twice is to make useful profit from one's past. Experience is the best teacher, so learn from it
Hoc natura est insitum, ut quem timueris, hunc semper oderis - It's an innate thing to always hate the one we've learnt to fear
Hoc tempore obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit - In these days friends are won through flattery, the truth gives birth to hate. (Terence)
Hodie mihi, cras tibi - Today for me, tomorrow for you
Homines libenter quod volunt credunt - Men believe what they want to. (Terentius)
Homines, dum docent, discunt - Men learn while they teach. (Seneca)
Homo doctus is se semper divitias habet - A learned man always has wealth within himself
Homo homini lupus - Man is a wolf to man
Homo praesumitur bonus donec probetur malus - One is innocent until proven guilty
Homo proponit, sed Deus disponit - Man proposes, but God disposes
Homo sum - I am a man
Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto - I am human, therefore nothing human is strange to me
Homo vitae commodatus non donatus est - Man has been lent to life, not given. (Pubilius Syrus)
Honor virutis preamium - Honour is the reward of virtue
Honores mutant mores - The honours change the customs. (Power corrupts)
Honoris causa (h.c.) - As in doctorate, an honorary degree
Horas non numero nisi serenas - I count only the bright hours. (Inscription on ancient sundials)
Horribile dictu - Horrible to tell
Horror vacui - Fear of empty places
Hostis humani generis - Enemy of the human race