Articles

TitleDateExcerpt
Cogito ergo sum and its meaning in modern philosophyFew Latin phrases have travelled as far from their original setting as cogito ergo sum. Usually translated as ā€œI think, therefore I amā€, it appears in…
How Ad Astra Per Aspera Relates to Perseveranceā€œAd astra per asperaā€ is a concise Latin motto meaning ā€œto the stars through difficultiesā€ or ā€œthrough hardships to the starsā€. Its imagery is simple: the…
Vox populi and the meaning of public voice in democracyThe Latin phrase vox populi means ā€œthe voice of the peopleā€. It is often used as a compact way to describe popular opinion, public sentiment, or the collective…
Veni, Vidi, Vici in Triumphant NarrativesFew Latin phrases have travelled as efficiently through history as veni, vidi, vici: ā€œI came, I saw, I conquered.ā€ Its compact rhythm turns a military victory…
Terra Incognita in Exploration and DiscoveryTerra incognita is a Latin expression meaning ā€œunknown landā€. For centuries, mapmakers used it to mark places that European scholars had not surveyed,…
Tempus Fugit And The Practice Of Better Time ManagementThe Latin phrase tempus fugit is commonly translated as ā€œtime fliesā€ or ā€œtime fleesā€. Its force comes from the image of time moving away while people are still…
Tabula Rasa in Philosophy and PsychologyTabula rasa is one of Latin’s most enduring expressions. Literally meaning ā€œscraped tabletā€ or ā€œblank slateā€, it describes the idea that the mind begins…
Sui Generis in Legal ClassificationsSui generis is a Latin phrase meaning ā€œof its own kindā€ or ā€œof its own classā€. In legal writing, it describes something that has distinctive characteristics…
The Role of Status Quo in Political and Social ChangeThe phrase status quo means the existing state of affairs. It describes the arrangements, habits, institutions, and expectations that currently shape public…
Sine Qua Non And The Language Of Essential ConditionsSome conditions are useful, some are preferred, and some are absolutely necessary. The Latin expression sine qua non identifies the last category: a…