Articles

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Bona Fides in Business and Legal TrustTrust is an essential part of commerce, yet it can be difficult to define in a contract, negotiation or professional relationship. The Latin expression bona…
Bene Tamen Vivendum: A Latin Guide to Ethical LivingLatin sayings often survive because they compress a large moral question into a few carefully chosen words. Bene tamen vivendum can be read as ā€œnevertheless,…
Aut Caesar Aut Nihil In Ambition And Riskā€œAut Caesar aut nihilā€ translates as ā€œeither Caesar or nothingā€. It is a compact Latin expression for extreme ambition: the speaker wants the highest possible…
Aurora Borealis in Science and PoetryAurora borealis is the scientific name for the northern lights, a luminous display produced when energy from the Sun interacts with Earth’s upper atmosphere.…
Ars Gratia Artis and the Philosophy of Creative WorkArs gratia artis is a compact Latin phrase meaning ā€œart for art’s sakeā€. It expresses the belief that creative work has value because it is art, rather than…
Ante bellum and the historical periods it describesThe Latin phrase ante bellum means ā€œbefore the warā€. In historical writing, it identifies a period that came before a particular conflict, though its meaning…
Anno Domini and the Meaning of Chronological DatingAnno Domini is a Latin expression used to organise years in relation to the traditional birth of Jesus Christ. Often abbreviated as AD, it appears in…
The Use of Amor Vincit Omnia in Literature and ArtFew Latin phrases have travelled so easily from ancient poetry into modern visual culture as amor vincit omnia. Usually translated as ā€œlove conquers allā€, the…
Alea Iacta Est in Decisive MomentsAlea iacta est is one of the most recognisable Latin sayings in the English language. Usually translated as ā€œthe die is castā€, it describes the instant when a…
Acta Non Verba in Leadership and ActionLeadership is often described through vision, strategy and persuasive communication. Yet a concise Latin phrase captures a more demanding standard: acta non…