ANCIENT WISDOM

8 Latin Phrases To Impress Colleagues And Friends

Credit: Joseph Corl

Is Latin really dead? Far from it. Its heritage is deeply ingrained in the English language –a gift from Roman conquerors– and its remnants have evolved into many modern languages. Countless professional fields still use a lot of Latin words and phrases daily, such as law, science, and medicine.

Moreover, several day-to-day words and sayings have roots in roughly equivalent Latin expressions or are still used in their Latin form. Think of YOLO as a sort of freshened-up Carpe Diem, "seize the day".

So, why not keep Latin alive by learning a few ancient tidbits of wisdom? You might even impress your friends and family!

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Literal meaning: "The die is cast."

This ominous (and badass sounding) phrase is attributed to Julius Caesar, who allegedly pronounced it after crossing the Rubicon river with his army, thus defying the Roman Senate and starting the civil war against Pompey that eventually led him to glory. It indicates a point of no return, where irreversible actions with unforeseen consequences have been taken already.

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Literal meaning: "Always loyal."

You probably heard this one already as the motto of the United States Marine Corps (sometimes shortened to Semper Fi), but it is ubiquitous. Towns, family crests, schools, and other military units all benefit from the eloquent and powerful brevity of this one.

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Literal meaning: "Something for something."

In other words, "You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours." They say there is no such thing as a free lunch, and although you might disagree, this ancient phrase encompasses that feeling. It is extensively used in legal settings, usually referring to contracts and transactions.

Quid pro quo might also be the origin of the use of "quid" as slang for the British currency, and many popular expressions make puns out of the original phrase.

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Literal meaning: "Who benefits?"

Detectives and journalists will wonder this aloud whenever they get the hunch that following the money might solve a crime or lead to identifying its perpetrators. Disclaimer: rocking a pipe and a deerstalker hat is not required to make use of this adage of criminal investigation.

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Literal meaning: "I came, I saw, I conquered."

Again, a hardcore quote attributed to Julius Caesar. It is pretty self-explanatory, but if you are still wondering, it signifies a swift and decisive victory (and likely an oversized ego).

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Literal meaning: "I think, therefore I am."

Suitable for the philosophically inclined, it surely is an intriguing way to begin a speech or lecture. Actually, cogito, ergo sum is the first principle of René Descartes’ 1637 magnum opus Discourse on the Method. A French philosopher and polymath, Descartes inaugurated a philosophical school of thought called Cartesianism.

In Descartes’ own words, "we cannot doubt our own existence while we doubt."

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Literal meaning: "In wine, there is truth."

If you are already tired of pompous witticisms, in vino veritas definitely breaks the mold. The phrase suggests that, when under the influence of alcohol, people are more likely to speak their true minds.

According to ancient Greek historian Herodotus, the Persians believed so much in this maxim that they had the custom of rethinking decisions taken while sober after imbibing a few drinks. Even if you have your doubts about this one, you can’t deny it’s great for parties.

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Literal meaning: "Art is long, life is short."

A more nuanced interpretation of the phrase might be something along the lines of "skilfulness takes time and life is short." In other words, learning anything takes time, and there never seems to be enough time to go around.

Superficially, it might look like a sad thing to think about, but it can also provide a little encouragement when you are feeling frustrated or impatient while picking up new skills or tackling long-term projects. Good things take time, so take it easy on yourself!