| Greek and Latin |
| e pluribus unum composed of many. The motto of the United States of America. Can also be translated as "one out of many." |
| de nihilio nihil, in nihilum nil posse reverti From nothing nothing is made, and nothing that exists can be reduced to nothing. Also known as the Conservation of Matter. |
| e tan, e epi tan either this, or upon this. The words of a Spartan mother when she gave her son a shield, which symbolized his entrance into the military. What the phrase implicity means is "Either bring this back or be brought home upon it, dead." |
| nosce te ipsum (Latin) gnothi seatuon (Greek) know thyself. Greek translation was inscribed over the portico of the temple of Delphi. According to Juvenal, the precept descended from heaven. |
| hos ego versiculos fec, tulit alter honores I wrote these lines, another has borne away the honor. Virgil's words when verses he had written were claimed by Bathyllus, who was rewarded for them. |
| in hoc signo vinces in this sign, thou shalt conquer. Said to be adopted by Constantine after his vision of the cross in the sky just before his battle with Maxentius. |
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| in vino veritas (Latin) en oino aletheia (Greek) in wine there is truth. A comment made that an individual under the influence often shows his true nature. Alcohol is no excuse for one's poor behavior. |
| lateat scintillula forsan perchance some small spark may lie concealed. Motto of the Royal Humane Society, an organization that bestows awards upon individuals who have risked their lives savings or attempting to save the lives of others. |
| sit tibi terra levis may the earth lie light upon thee. An inscription found on Roman tombstones, abbreviated STTL. |
| veni,vidi, vici I came, I saw, I conquered. Julius Caesar's method of announcing his victory of Pharnaces to the Senate. |