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232 Cards in this Set

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radix malorum est cupiditas
the root of evils is desire
Or "greed is the root of all evil". Theme of the "The Pardoner's Tale" from The Canterbury Tales.
rara avis (Rarissima avis)
rare bird (very rare bird)
An extraordinary or unusual thing. From Juvenal's Satires: rara avis in terris nigroque simillima cygno ("a rare bird in the lands, and very like a black swan").
rari nantes in gurgite vasto
Rare survivors in the immense sea
Virgil, Aeneid, I, 118
ratio decidendi
reasoning for the decision
The legal, moral, political, and social principles used by a court to compose a judgment's rationale.
ratio legis
reasoning of law
A law's foundation or basis.
ratione personae
because of the person involved
Also "Jurisdiction Ratione Personae" the personal reach of the courts jurisdiction.[1]
ratione soli
by account of the ground
Or "according to the soil". Assigning property rights to a thing based on its presence on a landowner's property.
ratum et consummatum
confirmed and completed
in Canon law, a consummated marriage
ratum tantum
confirmed only
in Canon law, a confirmed but unconsummated marriage (which can be dissolved super rato)
re
[in] the matter of
More literally, "by the thing". From the ablative of res ("thing" or "circumstance"). It is a common misconception that the "Re:" in correspondence is an abbreviation for regarding or reply; this is not the case for traditional letters. However, when used in an e-mail subject, there is evidence that it functions as an abbreviation of regarding rather than the Latin word for thing. The use of Latin re, in the sense of "about, concerning", is English usage.
rebus sic stantibus
with matters standing thus
The doctrine that treaty obligations hold only as long as the fundamental conditions and expectations that existed at the time of their creation hold.
recte et fideliter
Upright and Faithful
Also "just and faithful" and "accurately and faithfully". Motto of Ruyton Girls' School
reductio ad absurdum
leading back to the absurd
A common debate technique, and a method of proof in mathematics and philosophy, that proves the thesis by showing that its opposite is absurd or logically untenable. In general usage outside mathematics and philosophy, a reductio ad absurdum is a tactic in which the logic of an argument is challenged by reducing the concept to its most absurd extreme. Translated from Aristotle's "ἡ εις άτοπον απαγωγη" (hi eis atopon apagogi, "reduction to the impossible").
reductio ad infinitum
leading back to the infinite
An argument that creates an infinite series of causes that does not seem to have a beginning. As a fallacy, it rests upon Aristotle's notion that all things must have a cause, but that all series of causes must have a sufficient cause, that is, an unmoved mover. An argument which does not seem to have such a beginning becomes difficult to imagine.
regnat populus
the people rule
State motto of Arkansas, adopted in 1907. Originally rendered in 1864 in the plural, regnant populi ("the peoples rule"), but subsequently changed to the singular.
Regnum Mariae Patrona Hungariae
Kingdom of Mary, the Patron of Hungary
Former motto of Hungary.
rem acu tetigisti
You have touched the point with a needle
i.e., "You have hit the nail on the head"
repetita juvant
repeating does good
Usually said as a jocular remark to defend the speaker's (or writer's) choice to repeat some important piece of information to ensure reception by the audience.
repetitio est mater studiorum
repetition is the mother of study
requiem aeternam
eternal rest
requiescat in pace (R.I.P.)
let him rest in peace
Or "may he rest in peace". A benediction for the dead. Often inscribed on tombstones or other grave markers. "RIP" is commonly mistranslated as "Rest In Peace", though the two mean essentially the same thing.
rerum cognoscere causas
to learn the causes of things
Motto of the University of Sheffield, the University of Guelph, and London School of Economics.
res gestae
things done
A phrase used in law representing the belief that certain statements are made naturally, spontaneously and without deliberation during the course of an event, they leave little room for misunderstanding/misinterpretation upon hearing by someone else ( i.e. by the witness who will later repeat the statement to the court) and thus the courts believe that such statements carry a high degree of credibility.
res ipsa loquitur
the thing speaks for itself
A phrase from the common law of torts meaning that negligence can be inferred from the fact that such an accident happened, without proof of exactly how. A clause sometimes (informally) added on to the end of this phrase is sed quid in infernos dicit ("but what the hell does it say?"), which serves as a reminder that one must still interpret the significance of events that "speak for themselves".
res judicata
judged thing
A matter which has been decided by a court. Often refers to the legal concept that once a matter has been finally decided by the courts, it cannot be litigated again (cf. non bis in idem and double jeopardy).
res, non verba
"actions speak louder than words", or "deeds, not words"
From rēs ("things, facts") the plural of rēs ("a thing, a fact") + nōn ("not") + verba ("words") the plural of verbum ("a word"). Literally meaning "things, not words" or "facts instead of words" but referring to that "actions be used instead of words".
res nullius
nobody's property
Goods without an owner. Used for things or beings which belong to nobody and are up for grabs, e.g., uninhabited and uncolonized lands, wandering wild animals, etc. (cf. terra nullius, "no man's land").
respice adspice prospice
look behind, look here, look ahead
i.e., "examine the past, the present and future". Motto of CCNY.
respice finem
look back at the end
i.e., "have regard for the end" or "consider the end". Generally a memento mori, a warning to remember one's death. Motto of Homerton College, Cambridge and Trinity College, Kandy.
respondeat superior
let the superior respond
Regarded as a legal maxim in agency law, referring to the legal liability of the principal with respect to an employee. Whereas a hired independent contractor acting tortiously may not cause the principal to be legally liable, a hired employee acting tortiously will cause the principal (the employer) to be legally liable, even if the employer did nothing wrong.
restitutio in integrum
restoration to original condition
Principle behind the awarding of damages in common law negligence claims
resurgam
I shall arise
‘I shall rise again’, expressing Christian faith in resurrection at the Last Day. It appears, inter alia, in Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, as the epitaph written on Helen Burns's grave; in a poem of Emily Dickinson: Poems (1955) I. 56 ("Arcturus" is his other name), I slew a worm the other day — A ‘Savant’ passing by Murmured ‘Resurgam’ — ‘Centipede’! ‘Oh Lord—how frail are we’!; and in a letter of Vincent van Gogh. The OED gives "1662 J. Trapp Annotations Old & New Testament I. 142 Howbeit he had hope in his death, and might write Resurgam on his grave" as its earliest attribution in the English corpus.
retine vim istam, falsa enim dicam, si coges
Restrain your strength, for if you compel me I will tell lies
An utterance by the Delphic oracle recorded by Eusebius of Caesarea in Praeparatio evangelica, VI-5, translated from the Greek of Porphyry (c.f. E. H. Gifford's translation) and used by William Wordsworth as a subtitle for his ballad "Anecdote for Fathers".
rex regum fidelum et
king even of faithful kings
Latin motto that appears on the crest of the Trinity Broadcasting Network of Paul and Jan Crouch.
rigor mortis
stiffness of death
The rigidity of corpses when chemical reactions cause the limbs to stiffen about 3–4 hours after death. Other signs of death include drop in body temperature (algor mortis, "cold of death") and discoloration (livor mortis, "bluish color of death").
risum teneatis, amici?
Can you help laughing, friends?
An ironic or rueful commentary, appended following a fanciful or unbelievable tale.
risus abundat in ore stultorum
laughter is abundant in the mouth of fools
excessive and inappropriate laughter signifies stupidity; see also LOL
Roma invicta
Unconquerable Rome
Inspirational motto inscribed on the Statue of Rome.
Romanes eunt domus
Romanes go the house
An intentionally garbled Latin phrase from Monty Python's Life of Brian. Its intended meaning is "Romans, go home!", but is actually closer to "'People called Romanes they go the house'", according to a centurion in the movie. When Brian is caught vandalizing the palace walls with this phrase, rather than punish him, the centurion corrects his Latin grammar, explaining that Romanus is a second declension noun and has its plural in -i rather than -es; that ire or eo ("to go") must be in the imperative mood to denote a command; and that domus takes the accusative case without a preposition as the object. The final result of this lesson is the correct Latin phrase Romani ite domum.
rosa rubicundior, lilio candidior, omnibus formosior, semper in te glorior
redder than the rose, whiter than the lilies, fairer than all things, I do ever glory in thee
From the Carmina Burana's song "Si puer cum puellula".
rus in urbe
A countryside in the city
Generally used to refer to a haven of peace and quiet within an urban setting, often a garden, but can refer to interior decoration.
saltus in demonstrando
leap in explaining
a leap in logic, by which a necessary part of an equation is omitted.
salus in arduis
a stronghold (or refuge) in difficulties
a Roman Silver Age maxim, also the school motto of Wellingborough School.
salus populi suprema lex esto
the welfare of the people is to be the highest law
From Cicero's De Legibus, book III, part III, sub. VIII. Quoted by John Locke in his Second Treatise, On Civil Government, to describe the proper organization of government. Also the state motto of Missouri.
salva veritate
with truth intact
Refers to two expressions that can be interchanged without changing the truth value of the statements in which they occur.
Salvator Mundi
Savior of the World
Christian epithet, usually referring to Jesus. The title of paintings by Albrecht Dürer and Leonardo da Vinci.
salvo errore et omissione (s.e.e.o.)
save for error and omission
Appears on statements of "account currents".
salvo honoris titulo (SHT)
save for title of honor
Sancta Sedes
Holy Chair
literally, "holy seat". Refers to the Papacy or the Holy See.
sancta simplicitas
holy innocence
Or "sacred simplicity".
sancte et sapienter
with holiness and with wisdom
Also sancte sapienter (holiness, wisdom), motto of several institutions.
sanctum sanctorum
Holy of Holies
referring to a more sacred and/or guarded place, within a lesser guarded, yet also holy location.
sapere aude
dare to be wise
From Horace's Epistularum liber primus, Epistle II, line 40. Popularized by its use in Kant's What is Enlightenment? to define the Enlightenment. Frequently used in mottos; also the name of an Australian Heavy Metal band.
sapienti sat
enough for the wise
From Plautus. Indicates that something can be understood without any need for explanation, as long as the listener has enough wisdom or common sense. Often extended to dictum sapienti sat est ("enough has been said for the wise", commonly translated as "a word to the wise is enough").
sapientia et doctrina
wisdom and learning
Motto of Fordham University, New York.
sapientia et eloquentia
wisdom and eloquence
One of the mottos of the Ateneo schools in the Philippines.[1] Motto of the Minerva Society
sapientia et veritas
wisdom and truth
Motto of Christchurch Girls' High School, New Zealand.
sapientia et virtus
wisdom and virtue
Motto of University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Sapientia melior auro
wisdom is better than gold
Motto of University of Deusto, Bilbao, San Sebastián, España.
sapientia, pax, fraternitas
Wisdom, Peace, Fraternity
Motto of Universidad de las Américas, Puebla, Cholula, México.
scientiae cedit mare
The sea yields to knowledge
Motto of the United States Coast Guard Academy.
scientia ac labore
knowledge through [hard] work, or: by means of knowledge and hard work, or: through knowledge and [hard] work
Motto of several institutions
scientia, aere perennius
knowledge, more lasting than bronze
unknown origin, probably adapted from Horace's ode III (Exegi monumentum aere perennius).
scientia cum religione
religion and knowledge united
Motto of St Vincent's College, Potts Point
scientia et sapientia
knowledge and wisdom
motto of Illinois Wesleyan University
scientia imperii decus et tutamen
knowledge is the adornment and protection of the Empire
Motto of Imperial College London
scientia ipsa potentia est
knowledge itself is power
Stated originally by Sir Francis Bacon in Meditationes Sacrae (1597), which in modern times is often paraphrased as scientia est potestas or scientia potentia est (knowledge is power).
scientia vincere tenebras
conquering darkness by science
motto of several institutions
scio
I know
scio me nihil scire
I know that I know nothing
scire quod sciendum
knowledge which is worth having
motto of now defunct publisher Small, Maynard & Company
scribimus indocti doctique poemata passim
Each desperate blockhead dares to write
as translated by Philip Francis. From Horace, Epistularum liber secundus (1, 117)[2] and quoted in Fielding's Tom Jones; lit: "Learned or not, we shall write poems without distinction"
scuto amoris divini
by the shield of God's love
The motto of Skidmore College
seculo seculorum
forever and ever
sedet, aeternumque sedebit
seat, be seated forever
a Virgi's verse, means when you stop trying, then you lose
sed ipse spiritus postulat pro nobis, gemitibus inenarrabilibus
But the same Spirit intercedes incessantly for us, with inexpressible groans
Romans 8:26
sede vacante
with the seat being vacant
The "seat" is the Holy See, and the vacancy refers to the interregnum between two popes.
sedes apostolica
apostolic chair
Synonymous with Sancta Sedes.
sedes incertae
seat (i.e. location) uncertain
Used in biological classification to indicate that there is no agreement as to which higher order grouping a taxon should be placed into. Abbreviated sed. incert.
semel in anno licet insanire
once in a year one is allowed to go crazy
Concept expressed by various authors, such as Seneca, Saint Augustine and Horace. It became proverbial during the Middle ages.
semper ad meliora
always towards better things
Motto of several institutions.
semper anticus
always forward
Motto of the 45th Infantry Division (United States) and its successor, the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (United States).
semper ardens
always burning
Motto of Carl Jacobsen and name of a line of beers by Danish brewery Carlsberg.
semper eadem
always the same
personal motto of Elizabeth I, appears above her royal coat of arms. Used as motto of Elizabeth College, Guernsey, Channel Islands, which was founded by Elizabeth I, and of Ipswich School, to whom Elizabeth granted a royal charter. Also the motto of the City of Leicester.
semper excelsius
always higher
Motto of the K.A.V. Lovania Leuven.
semper fidelis
always faithful
Motto of several institutions. One of the most well known institutions that uses this as a motto is the United States Marine Corps.
semper fortis
always brave
The unofficial motto of the United States Navy.
semper idem
always the same
Motto of Underberg.
semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat
We're always in the manure; only the depth varies.
Lord de Ramsey, House of Lords, 21 January 1998[3]
semper instans
always threatening
Motto of 846 NAS Royal Navy.
semper invicta
always invincible
Motto of Warsaw.
semper liber
always free
Motto of the city of Victoria, British Columbia.
semper paratus
always prepared
Motto of several institutions. One of the most well known institutions that uses this as a motto is the United States Coast Guard.
semper primus
always first
Motto of Company A-1 of the United States Military Academy at West Point and Charlie Corps of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets
semper reformanda
always in need of being reformed
A phrase deriving from the Nadere Reformatie movement in the seventeenth century Dutch Reformed Church and widely but informally used in Reformed and Presbyterian churches today. It refers to the conviction of certain Reformed Protestant theologians that the church must continually re-examine itself in order to maintain its purity of doctrine and practice. The term first appeared in print in Jodocus van Lodenstein, Beschouwinge van Zion (Contemplation of Zion), Amsterdam, 1674.[4]
semper sursum
always aim high
Motto of St. Joseph's College, Allahabad, India. Motto of Palmerston North Girls' High School, Palmerston North, New Zealand
semper ubi sub ubi
always where under where
A common English-Dog Latin translation joke. The phrase is nonsensical in Latin, but the English translation is a pun on "always wear underwear".
semper vigilans
always vigilant
Motto of several institutions (Such as the US Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol). Also the motto of the city of San Diego, California.
semper vigilo
always vigilant
The motto of Scottish Police Forces, Scotland.
Senatus Populusque Romanus (SPQR)
The Senate and the People of Rome
The official name of the Roman Republic. "SPQR" was carried on battle standards by the Roman legions. In addition to being an ancient Roman motto, it remains the motto of the modern city of Rome.
sensu lato
with the broad, or general, meaning
Less literally, "in the wide sense".
sensu stricto cf. stricto sensu
"with the tight meaning"
Less literally, "in the strict sense".
sensus plenior
in the fuller meaning
In biblical exegesis, the deeper meaning intended by God, not intended by the human author.
sequere pecuniam
follow the money
In an effort to understand why things may be happening contrary to expectations, or even in alignment with them, this idiom suggests that keeping track of where money is going may show the basis for the observed behavior. Similar in spirit to the phrase cui bono (who gains?) or cui prodest (who advances?), but outside those phrases' historically legal context.
sero venientes male sedentes
those who are late are poorly seated
sero venientibus ossa
those who are late get bones
servabo fidem
Keeper of the faith
I will keep the faith.
serviam
I will serve
The answer of St. Michael the Archangel to the non serviam, "I will not serve" of Satan, when the angels were tested by God on whether they will serve an inferior being, a man, Jesus, as their Lord.
servus servorum Dei
servant of the servants of God
A title for the pope.
sesquipedalia verba
words a foot and a half long
From Horace's Ars Poetica, "proicit ampullas et sesquipedalia verba" ("he throws down his high-flown language and his foot-and-a-half-long words"). A self-referential jab at long words and needlessly elaborate language in general.
Si monumentum requiris circumspice
If you seek (his) monument, look around you
from the epitaph on Christopher Wren's tomb in St Paul's Cathedral.
si omnes... ego non
if all ones... not I
si peccasse negamus fallimur et nulla est in nobis veritas
if we deny having made a mistake, we are deceived, and there's no truth in us
From Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, where the phrase is translated "if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there's no truth in us". (cf. 1 John 1:8 in the New Testament)
si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice
if you seek a delightful peninsula, look around
Said to have been based on the tribute to architect Christopher Wren in St Paul's Cathedral, London: si monumentum requiris, circumspice (see above). State motto of Michigan, adopted in 1835.
si quid novisti rectius istis, candidus imperti; si nil, his utere mecum.
if you can better these principles, tell me; if not, join me in following them
Horace, Epistles I:6, 67–68
si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses
If you had kept your silence, you would have stayed a philosopher
This quote is often attributed to the Latin philosopher Boethius of the late fifth and early sixth centuries. It translates literally as, "If you had been silent, you would have remained a philosopher." The phrase illustrates a common use of the subjunctive verb mood. Among other functions it expresses actions contrary to fact. Sir Humphrey Appleby translated it to the PM as: "If you'd kept your mouth shut we might have thought you were clever".
si vales valeo (SVV)
if you are well, I am well
A common beginning for ancient Roman letters. Also extended to si vales bene est ego valeo ("if you are well, that is good; I am well"), abbreviated to SVBEEV. The practice fell out of fashion and into obscurity with the decline in Latin literacy.
si vis amari ama
If you want to be loved, love
This quote is often attributed to the Roman philosopher Seneca.
si vis pacem, para bellum
if you want peace, prepare for war
From Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus, De Re Militari. Origin of the name parabellum for some ammunition and firearms, such as the Luger Parabellum. (Similar to igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum)
sic
thus
Or "just so". States that the preceding quoted material appears exactly that way in the source, despite any errors of spelling, grammar, usage, or fact that may be present. Used only for previous quoted text; ita or similar must be used to mean "thus" when referring to something about to be stated.
sic et non
thus and not
More simply, "yes and no".
sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc
we gladly feast on those who would subdue us
Mock-Latin motto of The Addams Family.
sic infit
so it begins
sic itur ad astra
thus you shall go to the stars
From Virgil, Aeneid book IX, line 641. Possibly the source of the ad astra phrases. Motto of several institutions.
sic parvis magna
greatness from small beginnings
Motto of Sir Francis Drake
sic passim
Thus here and there
Used when referencing books; see passim.
sic semper erat, et sic semper erit
Thus has it always been, and thus shall it ever be
sic semper tyrannis
thus always to tyrants
Attributed to Brutus at the time of Julius Caesar's assassination, and to John Wilkes Booth at the time of Abraham Lincoln's assassination; whether it was actually said at either of these events is disputed. Shorter version from original sic semper evello mortem tyrannis ("thus always death will come to tyrants"). State motto of Virginia, adopted in 1776.
sic transit gloria mundi
thus passes the glory of the world
A reminder that all things are fleeting. During Papal Coronations, a monk reminds the pope of his mortality by saying this phrase, preceded by pater sancte ("holy father") while holding before his eyes a burning paper illustrating the passing nature of earthly glories. This is similar to the tradition of a slave in Roman triumphs whispering memento mori.
sic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas
use [what is] yours so as not to harm [what is] of others
Or "use your property in such a way that you do not damage others'". A legal maxim related to property ownership laws, often shortened to simply sic utere ("use it thus").
sic vita est
thus is life
Or "such is life". Indicates that a circumstance, whether good or bad, is an inherent aspect of living.
sidere mens eadem mutato
Though the constellations change, the mind is universal
Latin motto of the University of Sydney.
signetur (sig) or (S/)
let it be labeled
Medical shorthand
signum fidei
Sign of the Faith
Motto of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
silentium est aureum
silence is golden
Latinization of the English expression "silence is golden". Also Latinized as silentium est aurum ("silence is gold").
similia similibus curentur
similar things take care of similar things"
let similar things take care of similar things
"like cures like" and "let like be cured by like"; the first form ("curantur") is indicative, while the second form ("curentur") is subjunctive. The indicative form is found in Paracelsus (16th century), while the subjunctive form is said by Samuel Hahnemann, founder of homeopathy, and is known as the law of similars.
similia similibus solvuntur
similar substances will dissolve similar substances
Used as a general rule in chemistry; "like dissolves like" refers to the ability of polar or non polar solvents to dissolve polar or non polar solutes respectively.[5]
simplex sigillum veri
simplicity is the sign of truth
expresses a sentiment akin to Keep It Simple, Stupid
sine anno (s.a.)
without a year
Used in bibliographies to indicate that the date of publication of a document is unknown.
sine die
without a day
Originally from old common law texts, where it indicates that a final, dispositive order has been made in the case. In modern legal context, it means there is nothing left for the court to do, so no date for further proceedings is set.
sine ira et studio
without anger and fondness
Thus, impartially. From Tacitus, Annals 1.1.
sine labore non erit panis in ore
without labour there will be no bread in mouth
sine loco (s.l.)
without a place
Used in bibliographies to indicate that the place of publication of a document is unknown.
sine metu
"without fear"
Motto of Jameson Irish Whiskey
sine nomine (s.n.)
"without a name"
Used in bibliographies to indicate that the publisher of a document is unknown.
sine poena nulla lex
Without penalty, there is no law
Refers to the ineffectiveness of a law without the means of enforcement
sine prole
Without offspring
Frequently abbreviated to "s.p." or "d.s.p." (decessit sine prole – "died without offspring") in genealogical works.
sine prole superstite
Without surviving children
Without surviving offspring (even in abstract terms)
sine timore aut favore
Without Fear or Favor
St.George's School, Vancouver, Canada motto
sine qua non
without which not
Used to denote something that is an essential part of the whole. See also condicio sine qua non.
sine remediis medicina debilis est
without remedies medicine is powerless
Inscription on the stained-glass in the conference hall of pharmaceutical mill in Kaunas
sine scientia ars nihil est
without knowledge, skill is nothing
Motto of The International Diving Society
sisto activitatem
I cease the activity
Phrase, used to cease the activities of the Sejm upon the liberum veto principle
sit nomine digna
may it be worthy of the name
Motto of Rhodesia
sit sine labe decus
let honour stainless be
Motto of the Brisbane Boys' College (Brisbane, Australia).
sit tibi terra levis
may the earth be light to you
Commonly used on gravestones, often contracted as S.T.T.L., the same way as today's R.I.P.
sit venia verbo
may there be forgiveness for the word
Similar to the English idiom "pardon my French".
sol iustitiae illustra nos
Sun of Justice, shine upon us
Motto of Utrecht University
sol lucet omnibus
the sun shines on everyone
Petronius, Satyricon Lybri 100
sol omnia regit
the sun rules over everything
Inscription near the entrance to Frombork Museum
sola fide
by faith alone
The material principle of the Protestant Reformation and one of the five solas, referring to the Protestant claim that the Bible teaches that men are saved by faith even without works.
sola gratia
by grace alone
A motto of the Protestant Reformation and one of the five solas, referring to the Protestant claim that salvation is an unearned gift (cf. ex gratia), not a direct result of merit.
sola lingua bona est lingua mortua
the only good language is a dead language
Example of dog Latin humor.
sola scriptura
by scripture alone
The formal principle of the Protestant Reformation and one of the five solas, referring to the Protestant idea that the Bible alone is the ultimate authority, not the pope or tradition.
sola nobilitat virtus
Virtue alone ennobles
soli Deo gloria (S.D.G.)
glory to God alone
A motto of the Protestant Reformation and one of the five solas, referring to the idea that God is the creator of all good things and deserves all the praise for them. Johann Sebastian Bach often signed his manuscripts with the abbreviation S.D.G. to invoke this phrase, as well as with AMDG (ad maiorem Dei gloriam).
solus Christus
Christ alone
A motto of the Protestant Reformation and one of the five solas, referring to the Protestant claim that the Bible teaches that Jesus is the only mediator between God and mankind. Also rendered solo Christo ("by Christ alone").
solus ipse
I alone
solvitur ambulando
It is solved by walking
The problem is solved by taking a walk, or by simple experiment.
Spartam nactus es; hanc exorna
your lot is cast in Sparta, be a credit to it
from Euripides's Telephus, Agamemnon to Menelaus.[6]
specialia generalibus derogant
special departs from general
speculum speculorum
mirror of mirrors
spem reduxit
he has restored hope
Motto of New Brunswick.
spes bona
good hope
Motto of University of Cape Town.
spes vincit thronum
hope conquers (overcomes) the throne
Refers to Revelation 3:21, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." On the John Winthrop family tombstone, Boston, Massachusetts.
spiritus mundi
spirit of the world
From The Second Coming (poem) by William Butler Yeats. Refers to Yeats' belief that each human mind is linked to a single vast intelligence, and that this intelligence causes certain universal symbols to appear in individual minds. The idea is similar to Carl Jung's concept of the collective unconscious.
spiritus ubi vult spirat
the spirit spreads wherever it wants
Refers to The Gospel of Saint John 3:8, where he mentions how Jesus told Nicodemus "The wind blows wherever it wants, and even though you can hear its noise, you don't know where it comes from or where it goes. The same thing happens to whomever has been born of the Spirit". It is the motto of Cayetano Heredia University[7]
splendor sine occasu
brightness without setting
Loosely "splendour without diminishment" or "magnificence without ruin". Motto of British Columbia.
stamus contra malo
we stand against by evil
The motto of the Jungle Patrol in The Phantom. The phrase actually violates Latin grammar because of a mistranslation from English, as the preposition contra takes the accusative case. The correct Latin rendering of "we stand against evil" would be "stamus contra malum".
stante pede
with a standing foot
"Immediately".
stare decisis
to stand by the decided things
To uphold previous rulings, recognize precedent.
stat sua cuique dies
There is a day [turn] for everybody
Virgil, Aeneid, X 467
statim (stat)
"immediately"
Medical shorthand used following an urgent request.
status quo
the situation in which
The current condition or situation. Also status quo ante ("the situation in which [things were] before"), referring to the state of affairs prior to some upsetting event (cf. reset button technique).
status quo ante bellum
the state before the war
A common term in peace treaties.
stet
let it stand
Marginal mark in proofreading to indicate that something previously deleted or marked for deletion should be retained.
stet fortuna domus
let the fortune of the house stand
First part of the motto of Harrow School, England.
stipendium peccati mors est
the reward of sin is death
From Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. (See Rom 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.")
strenuis ardua cedunt
the heights yield to endeavour
Motto on the coat of arms of the University of Southampton.
stricto sensu cf. sensu stricto
with the tight meaning
Less literally, "in the strict sense".
stupor mundi
the wonder of the world
The title by which Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, was known. More literally translated "the bewilderment of the world", or, in its original, pre-Medieval sense, "the stupidity of the world".
sua sponte
by its own accord
Legal term when a court takes up a motion on its own initiative, not because any of the parties to the case has made the motion.
sub anno
under the year
Commonly abbreviated sa, it is used in citing annals, which record events by year.
sub cruce lumen
The Light Under the Cross
Motto of the University of Adelaide, Australia. Refers to the figurative "light of learning" and the Southern Cross constellation, Crux.
sub divo
under the wide open sky
Also, "under the sky", "in the open air", "out in the open" or "outdoors". Ablative "divo" does not distinguish divus, divi, a god, from divum, divi, the sky.
sub finem
toward the end
Used in citations to refer to the end of a book, page, etc., and abbreviated 's.f.' Used after the page number or title. E.g., 'p. 20 s.f. '
sub Iove frigido
under cold Jupiter
At night; from Horace's Odes 1.1:25
sub judice
under a judge
Said of a case that cannot be publicly discussed until it is finished. Also sub iudice.
sub poena
under penalty
Commonly rendered subpoena. Said of a request, usually by a court, that must be complied with on pain of punishment. Examples include subpoena duces tecum ("take with you under penalty"), a court summons to appear and produce tangible evidence, and subpoena ad testificandum ("under penalty to testify"), a summons to appear and give oral testimony.
sub rosa
under the rose
"In secret", "privately", "confidentially" or "covertly". In the Middle Ages, a rose was suspended from the ceiling of a council chamber to indicate that what was said in the "under the rose" was not to be repeated outside. This practice originates in Greek mythology, where Aphrodite gave a rose to her son Eros, and he, in turn, gave it to Harpocrates, the god of silence, to ensure that his mother's indiscretions—or those of the gods in general, in other accounts—were kept under wraps.
sub silentio
under silence
implied but not expressly stated.
sub specie aeternitatis
under the sight of eternity
Thus, "from eternity's point of view". From Spinoza, Ethics.
sub specie Dei
under the sight of God
"from God's point of view or perspective".
sub tuum praesidium
Beneath thy compassion
Name of the oldest extant hymn to the Theotokos (Blessed Virgin Mary). Also "under your protection". A popular school motto.
Sub umbra floreo
Under the shade I flourish
National Motto of Belize, referring to the shade of the mahogany tree.
sub verbo; sub voce
(s.v)
Under the word
Under the word or heading, as in a dictionary; abbreviated s.v.
sublimis ab unda
Raised from the waves
Motto of King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Lytham
subsiste sermonem statim
stop speaking immediately
Sudetia non cantat
One doesn't sing on the Sudeten Mountains
Saying from Haná region
sui generis
Of its own kind
In a class of its own.
sui iuris
Of one's own right
Capable of responsibility. Has both legal and ecclesiastical use. Commonly rendered sui juris.
sum quod eris
I am what you will be
A gravestone inscription to remind the reader of the inevitability of death (cf. memento mori). Also rendered fui quod sis ("I have been what you are") and tu fui ego eris ("I have been you, you will be I").
sum quod sum
I am what I am
from Augustine's Sermon No. 76.[8]
summa cum laude
with highest praise
summa summarum
all in all
Literally "sum of sums". When a short conclusion is rounded up at the end of some elaboration.
summum bonum
the supreme good
Literally "highest good". Also summum malum ("the supreme evil").
summum ius, summa iniuria
supreme justice, supreme injustice
From Cicero (De officiis, I, 10, 33). An acritical application of law, without understanding and respect of laws's purposes and without considering the overall circumstances, is often a means of supreme injustice. A similar sentence appears in Terence (Heautontimorumenos, IV, 5): Ius summum saepe summa est malitia ("supreme justice is often out of supreme malice (or wickedness)").
sunt lacrimae rerum
there are tears for things
From Virgil, Aeneid. Followed by et mentem mortalia tangunt ("and mortal things touch my mind"). Aeneas cries as he sees Carthaginian temple murals depicting the deaths of the Trojan War. See also hinc illae lacrimae.
sunt omnes unum
they are all one
sunt pueri pueri, pueri puerilia tractant
Children are children, and children do childish things
anonymous proverb
suo jure
in one's own right
Used in the context of titles of nobility, for instance where a wife may hold a title in her own right rather than through her marriage.
suo motu
upon one's own initiative
Also rendered suo moto. Usually used when a court of law, upon its own initiative, (i.e., no petition has been filed) proceeds against a person or authority that it deems has committed an illegal act. It is used chiefly in South Asia.[citation needed]
suos cultores scientia coronat
Knowledge crowns those who seek Her
The motto of Syracuse University, New York.
super fornicam
on the lavatory
Where Thomas More accused the reformer, Martin Luther, of going to celebrate Mass.
superbia in proelia
pride in battle
Motto of Manchester City F.C.
supero omnia
I surpass everything
A declaration that one succeeds above all others.
surdo oppedere
to belch before the deaf
From Erasmus' collection of annotated Adagia (1508): a useless action.
surgam
I shall rise
Motto of Columbia University's Philolexian Society.
sursum corda
Lift up your hearts
sutor, ne ultra crepidam
Cobbler, no further than the sandal!
Thus, don't offer your opinion on things that are outside your competence. It is said that the Greek painter Apelles once asked the advice of a cobbler on how to render the sandals of a soldier he was painting. When the cobbler started offering advice on other parts of the painting, Apelles rebuked him with this phrase in Greek, and it subsequently became a popular Latin expression.
suum cuique tribuere
to render to every man his due
One of Justinian I's three basic precepts of law. Also shortened to suum cuique ("to each his own").