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Carpe Diem & Other Latin Phrases You Can Add to Your Personal Vocabulary!

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There’s a common misconception that Latin is a dead language. While nowadays no one gets caught in a pleasant conversation in Latin about the weather, the truth is that this ancient language is by no means completely extinct. For instance, it is still routinely used by the scientific world: the scientific names of animals and plants are strictly written in Latin. And, perhaps more importantly for this article, there are a myriad of Latin phrases that we still employ in our everyday lives.

Here are ten selected Latin phrases that are still extremely relevant in our modern world. Keep on reading, maybe you’ll find a new motto to live by. Enjoy!

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We’ll start with a classic. This Latin phrase was made famous by Robin Williams in the 1989 film "Dead Poets Society", in which he plays a literature teacher committed to imparting his love of poetry to his students. Williams’ character uses this expression to encourage his students to "seize the day", and to make the most of what life has to offer.

With all due respect to this iconic film, it seems a more acceptable translation to this phrase would be to "pluck the day". The first written use of Carpe Diem comes from the Roman poet Horace, who lived during the 1st century B.C. Horace wrote, "Seize the day; put no trust in the morrow."

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This Latin phrase, which means "always faithful", is mostly associated with the United States Marine Corps, since Semper Fidelis has been this military branch’s official motto since 1883. Usually shortened to "Semper Fi", this maxim is meant to reflect the marine’s devotion to the safety of their country.

Moreover, Semper Fidelis is also the official motto of cities like Abbeville in France and Exeter in England. It has also been the motto of several European families since the 16th century, particularly in England, Ireland, and France.

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Having a few glasses of wine with some friends can definitively be a pleasant experience, but this Latin phrase serves as a reminder of what can happen when we have too much to drink. In Vino Veritas translates to "there’s truth in wine", which is a classier description of that feeling we can get the morning after when we grasp our heads in shock and think "Did I really say that?"

The first written record of this phrase dates back to the first century AD and was recollected by Roman author and philosopher Pliny the Elder. However, since Pliny classifies this saying as a popular proverb, it is likely that the origins of In Vino Veritas are even older.

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Just like with Carpe Diem, this Latin phrase can be an excellent piece of advice and motivation for those times when we need a little pick-me-up. Per Angusta Ad Augusta translates to "through difficulties to honors" or "through trial to triumph".

Whichever version you prefer, every meaning attributed to this expression seems to encourage us to push forward through adversity, with the promise of greater things on the horizon. Per Angusta Ad Augusta is a phrase particularly popular among those whose everyday lives include facing obstacles, such as soldiers, boxers, and first responders.

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Veni, vidi, vici is attributed to Roman emperor Julius Caesar, and the story behind it reveals the leader’s more boastful side. Allegedly, Caesar wrote this phrase in a letter to the Roman senate informing victory by the Roman army in Zile, Turkey. In his letter, Caesar brags about the quick triumph achieved by simply stating "I came, I saw, I conquered".

Veni, vidi, vici is one of the most popular Latin phrases. From Caesar’s time until the late 17th century, it was mostly used in military contexts. Since then, it has been featured in several popular films, songs, and books.

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If you ever find yourself visiting London’s stunning St. Paul’s Cathedral, go pay your respects to Sir Christopher Wren, the Cathedral’s architect, by visiting his tomb. You’ll come across a simple slab of black marble with an engraved inscription written by Wren’s son: Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice.

This short phrase translates to "Reader, if you seek a monument, look around you". Just by looking at this architectural masterpiece, we realize that these engraved words are truly a wonderful tribute to Wren’s legacy.

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Let’s travel back in history, to the dark and mysterious ages before we were able to return purchased items back to the store. In Ancient Rome, a common law advised buyers to thoroughly inspect the products they were buying before the transaction was completed since there was little to no recourse they could take against the sellers.

This rule of thumb was known as caveat emptor, which loosely translates to "let the buyer beware". Interestingly, the word "caveat" has been adopted by the English language, and it has retained a slightly similar meaning to caveat emptor.

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This entry might feel a little bit like cheating, but it is too iconic to ignore it. When Rene Descartes introduced the first principle of his philosophy in 1637, he meant for it to reach a wider audience: Therefore, his now iconic principle, "I think therefore I am", was originally written in French.

However, in 1644, Descartes published his "Principles of Philosophy" completely in Latin, coining the famous expression Cogito Ergo Sum. This particular phrasing would later become the essential philosophical concept still studied to this day.

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Bronze can surely last a long time: Many museums proudly exhibit bronze statues, sculptures, and artworks made thousands of years ago by ancient civilizations. In that sense, Roman poet Horace was fully aware of this fact when he boasted about the quality of his prose. After all, he chose bronze to illustrate the timelessness of his poetry.

In his "Odes", Horace stated Exegi monumentum aere perennius. This pompous phrase literally translates to "I have made a monument more lasting than bronze". That being said, Horace’s bragging might be very well-deserved, considering we still read his contributions to poetry over 2000 years after his death.

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We’ll end with our favorite phrase, or at the very least the one we believe has the most powerful message.Amor Vincit Omnia is an expression first coined by Roman poet Virgil, and it can be translated to the simple yet deeply moving message "love conquers all things".

This phrase was popularized by timeless English authors, including the Bard himself: Shakespeare included Amor Vincit Omnia in his play "King John". It also appears in Chaucer’s iconic "Canterbury Tales", on which a character wears a distinctive brooch engraved with Amor Vincit Omnia.

TIMELESS MELODIES

Let's Sing And Dance To Ten Of The Best Songs Of All Time

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With so many voices, instruments, and melodies over the years, it's a real challenge to name only 10 of the best songs in history. However, some pieces have something that transcends time and trends. We know we've had to omit some iconic hits here (there could be a part two, what do you say?), but here are, in no particular order, 10 songs from the history of music that we've chosen for you. We promise each one has the power to get the whole neighborhood singing along!

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Let's start with a classic of classics. It's hard to find an adult who hasn't heard this song at least once in their lifetime. In 1958, the legendary Chuck Berry released an anthem that would define a whole era: "Johnny B. Goode."

A rock and roll masterpiece, you don't even need three seconds of that guitar riff to recognize it and start dancing.

The artist has revealed that this hit has some autobiographical hints, and a quick listen to the lyrics and the title confirms it: Did you know that the talented musician was born at 2520 Goode Avenue in St. Louis?

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In 1965, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote a song that would become one of the world's most danced-to hits. We're talking about "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones.

Richards' iconic guitar at the beginning of the song is one of the most recognizable hooks in music history! But that's not all; Keith Richards claimed to have recorded that unforgettable guitar riff while he was sleepwalking! When he woke up the next morning, little did he know that he had created a masterpiece destined to be remembered for generations!

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1965 was full of hits, and among them is one of the most famous songs of the legendary Bob Dylan. Ever found yourself singing "Like a Rolling Stone" at the top of your lungs? If not, we highly recommend it.

This hit reached the impressive number 2 spot on the US Billboard charts. But this success came close to never materializing: Rumor has it that, believe it or not, the label hesitated to release the song due to its unusually lengthy duration of nearly 6 minutes.

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When it comes to funk, one track stands out above the rest: "Superstition," Stevie Wonder's 1972 hit.

Shortly after it was first released, this hit had already reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It is said that during the recording sessions, Wonder improvised most of the song, complementing the rhythm set by the talented musician Jeff Beck.

Although Wonder and Beck had initially agreed that Beck would release the track first as part of his album, Stevie eventually took the lead and released it first on his Talking Book album.

Just remember: after you listen, give a knock on some wood for good luck!

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While the original song was penned and performed by Otis Redding in 1965, Aretha Franklin's 1967 version of "Respect" lives forever in our memories. With an irresistible rhythm and the Queen of Soul's divine voice, this song was crowned by Rolling Stone magazine as the number 1 among the 500 best songs!

Did you know that Franklin's version subtly changes the original lyrics? "Respect" transcended music to become a feminist anthem of its time, helping to question gender roles in our society.

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Standing as one of the most universally recognized and covered songs, "My Way" by Frank Sinatra was recorded over five decades ago, but is still in our hearts.

As many already know, this hit takes its music from the French song "Comme d'habitude" (we highly recommend listening to it if you haven't already.) And it was the talented Paul Anka who wrote the lyrics specifically for our beloved "Ol' Blue Eyes".

Sinatra's charismatic style and voice propelled this song to international fame, surpassing the original in popularity and making it one of the artist's signature pieces.

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Universally acclaimed across generations and continents, Queen's famous 1975 song, "Bohemian Rhapsody," could not be left out of this list.

The opening chorus of voices, questioning, "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?" became an emblematic moment for the band. Furthermore, the song's incredible span of 6 minutes allowed for exploration and combinations of rhythms, styles, and harmonies, separating from the conventional rock norms.

Incredibly, no synthesizers were used during the recording process (which took 3 weeks of work), opting to produce all sounds using traditional voices and instruments!

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Marking a crucial moment for the King's career revival in the 1970s, "Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley and its iconic guitar solo is to this day a treasure for Elvis fans and the music world in general.

Originally written and first recorded by American songwriter Mark James, it wasn't until Elvis gave voice to this song that it reached commercial success.

Rumor has it that Elvis was initially uncomfortable with Mark James' presence in the studio, so James decided not to attend the recording session, which took place between 4 and 7 am (yes, the working hours of the King). However, when the song was completed, James was blown away by Elvis' version, a fact that ultimately brought the two artists together.

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Regarded by music specialists as one of the Beatles' finest, if not their absolute best, "A Day in the Life" showcases a mountain of talent in both its musical composition and lyrical prowess.

Released as part of their iconic 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, this piece marked a pivotal moment in music production and had a major impact on the society of its time.

According to Lennon himself, the lyrics were inspired by a news article in the Daily Mail reporting the tragic death of Tara Browne, the young heir to the Guinness fortune.

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Composed by the legendary Bob Marley and released with his band Bob Marley and the Wailers in 1980 (almost 45 years ago!), this gem transcends time and cultures.

We're talking about none other than "Redemption Song". But what makes it so special? Well, it is generally acclaimed for its deep and meaningful lyrics. Bob Marley was preaching a message of self-liberation that still hits today. This hit is characterized by its acoustic nature; all we hear is a captivating guitar and Marley's moving voice.

But there is much more behind the music. Some historians say that when Bob Marley penned this song, he was dealing with the pain of the illness that would claim his life just a year later.