This table was compiled from multiple sources on the Internet; in other words, it's guaranteed to be inaccurate. Caveat lector!
| Cacoethes scribendi | Bad habit of writing -- i.e., an insatiable urge to write. From Juvenal. |
| Cadenti porrigo dextram | I extend my right hand to the falling |
| Cadit quaestio | The question drops |
| Cadus et virginitas semel dirupi eramus non possum reparare | Casks and maidenhoods, once broached, cannot be repaired |
| Caeca invidia est | Envy is blind. (Livy) |
| Caeci caecos ducentes | Blind are led by the blind. Leaders are not more knowledgeable than the ones they lead |
| Caeli enarrant gloriam Dei | The heavens declare the glory of God |
| Caelitus mihi vires | My strength is from Heaven |
| Caelitus vires | Strength from Heaven |
| Caelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt | They change the sky, not their soul, who run across the sea. (Horace) |
| Caelum videre iussit, et erectos ad sidera tollere vultus | He bid them look at the sky and lift their faces to the stars. (Ovid) |
| Caesar si viveret, ad remum dareris. | If Caesar were alive, you'd be chained to an oar. |
| Caeteris major qui melior | He is greater who is better than the rest |
| Calcar honeste | A spur with honor |
| Calcitrate me | Kick me |
| Callide et honeste | With skill and honor |
| Calvo turpius est nihil comato | Nothing is uglier than a bald man with hair |
| Camera obscura | Dark chamber. A darkened enclosure having an aperture usu. provided with a lens through which light from external objects enters to form an image of the objects on the opposite surface. |
| Candide | With candor |
| Candide et caute | With candor and caution |
| Candide et constanter | Candidly and steadily |
| Candide et secure | Openly and fearlessly |
| Candide, sed caute | Openly, but cautiously |
| Candidiora pectora | Purer hearts |
| Candor dat viribus alas | Candor gives wings to strength |
| Candore | By candor |
| Canis meus id comedit | My dog ate it |
| Canis timidus vehementius latrat quam mordet | A timid dog barks more violently than it bites. (Curtius Rufus) |
| Capillamentum? Haudquaquam conieci esse! | A wig? I never would have guessed! |
| Capta majora | Employed in greater things |
| Cara Deo nihilo carent | God’s beloved are in want of nothing |
| Caro putridas es! | You're dead meat |
| Carpe canum | Seize the dog |
| Carpe cerevisi | Seize the beer! |
| Carpe diem | Seize the day. The enjoyment of the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future. |
| Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero | Seize the day, trust as little as possible in tomorrow. (Horace) |
| Carpe narem | Pick your nose |
| Carthago delenda est | Carthage must be destroyed. Cato the Elder often ended his speeches with "ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam" (see below for "ceterum censeo"). "Carthago delenda est" is the same phrase in the nominative case; "Carthaginem delendam esse" is an accusative infinitive. |
| Cassis tutissima virtus | Virtue is the safest helmet |
| Casu consulto | Accidentally on purpose |
| Casus belli | Occasion of war. An event or action that justifies or allegedly justifies a war or conflict. |
| Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam. | I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head. |
| Caterva carissima mea est Cimictus | My favorite group is the Beatles |
| Catonis admodum scitum est, qui mirare se aiebat quod non rideret haruspex haruspicem vidisset. | What astonishes me, is that when two diviners meet, they can keep from laughing at one another. Marcus Tullius Cicero [De divinatione] |
| Causa mortis | Fact that forced an individous death, literally "cause of death." |
| Caute et sedulo | Cautiously and carefully |
| Caute, non astute | Cautiously, not treacherously |
| Caute, sed strenue | Cautiously, but vigorously |
| Cautus a futuro | Cautious for the future |
| Cave | Beware |
| Cave canem | Beware of the dog -- found written on a floor mosaic depicting a dog, at the entrance of a Roman house excavated at Pompeii [2]. |
| Cave canem, te necet lingendo | Beware of the dog, he may lick you to death |
| Cave cibum, valde malus est | Beware the food, it is very bad |
| Cave lupam | Beware the she-wolf. The term 'shewolf' (lupa) since Roman times has been a slang term for a prostitute. |
| Cave lupum | Beware the wolf |
| Cave ne ante ullas catapultas ambules. | If I were you, I wouldn't walk in front of any catapults. |
| Cave paratus | Be prepared, and beware |
| Cave quid dicis, quando, et cui | Beware what you say, when, and to whom |
| Cave quid rogas | Beware what you ask |
| Cave, adsum | Beware, I am here |
| Cave, Deus videt | Beware, God sees |
| Caveant hostes | Let enemies beware |
| Caveat emptor | Let the buyer beware -- i.e., the purchaser of the goods is responsible for checking whether they suit his need. |
| Caveat lector | Let the reader beware -- i.e., the writer does not vouch for the accuracy of a text. Probably a recent calque on caveat emptor. |
| Caveat venditor | Let the seller beware -- the seller of goods is responsible for providing information about the goods to the purchaser. |
| Cavendo tutus | Safe by warning |
| Cedant arma togae | Let arms yield to the toga. (Let violence give place to law) |
| Cedo maiori | I yield to a greater person |
| Cedo nulli. | I yield to no one. |
| Celer atque fidelis | Swift and faithful |
| Celer et audax | Swift and bold |
| Celer et vigilans | Swift and watchful |
| Celeriter et jucunde | Quickly and pleasantly |
| Celeriter nil crede | Believe nothing hastily |
| Cepe indicum | Take a hint |
| Certa stant omnia lege | All things stand under a fixed law |
| Certamen bikini-suicidus-disci mox coepit? | Does the Bikini-Suicide-Frisbee match start soon? |
| Certamine parata | Prepared for the contest |
| Certamine summo | In the midst of the battle |
| Certavi et vici | I have fought and conquered |
| Certe cruce salus | Sure salvation by the cross |
| Certe, Toto, sentio nos in Kansate non iam adesse. | You know, Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore. |
| Certior in coelo domus | A surer habitation in heaven |
| Certoir dum cerno | While I discern more surely |
| Certum est, quia impossibile | It is certain, because it is impossible. (Tertullianus) |
| Certum pete finem | Aim at a sure end |
| Cervus lacessitus leo | The stag harassed by the lion |
| Cervus, non servus | A stag, not a slave |
| Cetera desunt | The rest is missing. |
| Ceteris paribus | All else being equal |
| Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam. | I also think Carthago should be destroyed. Marcus Porcus Cato Major |
| Christi crux est mea lux | Christ’s cross is my light |
| Christi pennatus sidera morte peto | Through the death of Christ, on wings I seek the sky |
| Christo duce feliciter | Happily, Christ being my conductor |
| Christus mihl lucrum | Christ is my reward |
| Christus providebit | Christ will provide |
| Christus rex | Christ the King |
| Christus sit regula vitae | Let Christ be the rule of life |
| Circa (ca.) | Around -- in the sense of "approximately, about"; usually of a date, eg. "Jesus was actually born circa 6 BC" |
| Circulus vitiosus | Vicious circle -- in logic, a fallacy involving the presupposition of a proposition in one of the premises (see petitio principii); in science, a positive feedback out of control. |
| Citius altius fortius | Faster, higher, stronger -- Motto of the modern Olympics. |
| Cito fit quod dei volunt | What the gods want, happens soon |
| Clamo, clamatis, omnes clamamus pro glace lactis. | I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. |
| Clara pacta, boni amici | Clear agreements, good friends |
| Clarior e tenebris | Brighter after obscurity |
| Clarior ex obscuro | More glorious from obscurity |
| Clarior hine honos | Hence the greater honor |
| Clariora sequor | I pursue more illustrious objects |
| Clariores e tenebris | Brighter after the darkness |
| Clarum reddit industria | Industry renders illustrious |
| Claves Sancti Petri | The keys of St. Peter -- symbol of the Papacy. |
| Clementia et animis | By clemency and courage |
| Clementia tecta rigore | Clemency tempering rigor |
| Codex juris canonici | Book of canon law |
| Coelestia canimus | We sing of heavenly things |
| Coelestia sequor | I follow heavenly things |
| Coelis exploratis | Having searched the heavens |
| Coelitus datum | Granted by heaven |
| Coelitus mihi vires | My strength is from heaven |
| Coelitus sublima dantur | From the heavens is the high given |
| Coelitus vires | Strength from the sky |
| Coelum quid quaerimus ultra | What seek we more than heaven |
| Coelum versus | Heavenward |
| Coelum, non animum | Heaven, not courage |
| Coelum, non solum | Heaven, not the earth |
| Coeur fidele | Faithful heart |
| Cogadh na sith | Peace or war |
| Cogit amor | Love compels |
| Cogita ante salis | Think before you leap, or look before you leap |
| Cogitationis poenam nemo patitur | Nobody should be punished for his thoughts |
| Cogito sumere potum alterum. | I think I’ll have another drink. |
| Cogito, ergo doleo | I think, therefore I am depressed |
| Cogito, ergo sum | I think therefore I am -- (French philosopher René Descartes) Through this ultimate rationalistic view, Descartes attempts to prove the existence of one's self not through one's sense experience but through reasoning. |
| Cogito, facio, fio! | Think it, do it, become it! |
| Cognosce teipsum, et disce pati | Know thyself, and learn to suffer |
| Cognosce veritate - ecce libertas | Know the Truth - It is Freedom |
| Coito, ergo sum. | I have sex, therefore I am |
| Coitus interruptus | Interrupted sex -- aborting the sexual act prior to ejaculation - the only allowable form of birth control in some religions |
| Coitus non circum. | No fucking around |
| Colens Deum et regem | Worshipping God and the king |
| Collaboratio maximi momenti est, quia eis alterum scopum praebet. | Teamwork is essential, it gives them someone else to shoot at. |
| Colluvio culturae | A cultural dumping ground |
| Color fidesque perennis | Beauty and everlasting faith |
| Columna regni sapientia | Wisdom is the support of the state |
| Commodum ex iniuria sua nemo habere debet | No person ought to have advantage from his own wrong |
| Commodum, non damnum | A gain, not a loss |
| Commune bonum | The common good |
| Commune hoc ignorantiae vitium est: quae nescias, nequicquam esse profiteri | A common vice among ignorants is to reject the idea that there is anything to know. |
| Commune periculum concordiam parit | Common danger brings forth harmony |
| Communi consilio | By common consent |
| Compone Accomoda Supera | Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. |
| Compos mentis | Of sound mind (and judgement) |
| Compositum jus fasque animi | Law and equity |
| Conamine augeor | I am enriched by the effort |
| Conare nullius momenti videri fortasse missilibus careant. | Try to look unimportant, they may be low on ammo. |
| Conare persevare | Endeavor to persevere |
| Concipe spescertes | Indulge sure hopes |
| Concordant nomini facta | Deeds suiting our name |
| Concordia | Harmony |
| Concordia cum veritate | In harmony with truth -- Motto of the University of Waterloo |
| Concordia discors | Discordant harmony |
| Concordia et sedulitate | With harmony and diligence |
| Concordia praesto | Concord at hand |
| Concordia res crescunt | Riches increase by concord |
| Concordia res parvae crescent | Work together to accomplish more |
| Concordia vincit | Unanimity overcomes |
| Concordia, integrita, industria | Concord, integrity, and diligence |
| Concussus surgit | Rises though shaken |
| Concussus surgo | I arise from the shock |
| Condemnant quod non intellegunt | They condemn what they do not understand. This phrase can be used for defense in various situations. |
| Condide | Be secret |
| Conditio sine qua non | Condition without which not, or an essential condition or requirement |
| Confer (cf.) | Compare -- used as an abbreviation in text to recommend a comparison with another thing. Literally, "bring together". See: citation signal. |
| Confide | I trust |
| Confide recte agens | Trust in fair dealing |
| Confido in Deo | I trust in God |
| Confido in Domino | I trust in the Lord |
| Confido, conquiesco | I trust, I am content |
| Confido, non confundor | I trust, I am not put to shame |
| Confisus veribus | Expecting the spring |
| Confiteor | I confess |
| Confoederatio Helvetica (C.H.) | Helvetian Confederation -- the official name of Switzerland, which explains the use of "ch" for its ISO country code and Internet domain. |
| Congregatio de Propaganda Fide | Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith |
| Coniecturalem artem esse medicinam | Medicine is the art of guessing. (Aulus Cornelius Celsus) |
| Coniunctis viribus | With united powers |
| Conjuncta virtuti fortuna | Fortune is joined to bravery |
| Conjunctio firmat | Union strengthens |
| Conlige suspectos semper habitos | Round up the usual suspects |
| Conquiesco | I am at rest |
| Consensu omnium | By the agreement of all |
| Consensus audacium | An agreement of rash men. (a conspiracy) (Cicero) |
| Consequitur quodcunque petis | Whatever you seek is obtained |
| Consequitur quodcunque petit | He obtains whatever he seeks |
| Consilio ac virtute | By wisdom and virtue |
| Consilio et animis | With prudence and courage |
| Consilio et impetus | By wisdom and valor |
| Consilio et prudential | By policy and prudence |
| Consilio et vi | By wisdom and might |
| Consilio, non impetus | By wisdom not rashness |
| Consilium habemus | We have a plan |
| Constance et ferme | Perseverance and decision |
| Constans contraria spernit | Firmly spurns opposition |
| Constans et fidelis | Constant and faithful |
| Constans et prudens | Firm and prudent |
| Constans fidei | Constant to honor |
| Constans justitiam moniti | Persevering in justice with moderation |
| Constant en tout | Constant in all |
| Constanter et prudential | With constancy and with prudence |
| Constantia et virtute | By constancy and virtue |
| Construimus, Batuimus | We Build, We Fight (US Navy Sea Bees motto) |
| Consuetudinis magna vis est | The force of habit is great. (Cicero) |
| Consule planco | In the consulship of Plancus (In the good old days) (Horace) |
| Consummatum est | It is completed -- In the Latin translation of John 19:30, the last words of Jesus on the Cross. |
| Contemptus saeculi | Contempt for the secular (world) -- the monk's or philosopher's rejection of mundane life and values. |
| Contendere, explorare, invenire, et non cedere. | To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. (Alfred Lord Tennyson, translated by Gangalius) |
| Contentment passe richesse | Contentment surpasses riches |
| Contra felicem vix deus vires habet | Against a lucky man a god scarcely has power |
| Contra legem | Against the law. Term used to describe an equitable decision of a court or tribunal that is contrary to the law governing the controversy. Such a decision would not normally be permitted unless the tribunal had been empowered to act ex aequo et bono. As opposed to intra legem. |
| Contra mundum | Against the world |
| Contraria contrariis curantur | The opposite is cured with the opposite. (Hippocrates) |
| Copiose et opportune | Plentifully and in time |
| Cor ad cor loquitur | Heart speaks to heart -- Commonly referring to a quote by Cardinal John Henry Newman; a motto of Newman Clubs. Seen earlier in Augustine's Confessions referring to a prescribed method of prayer: having a "heart to heart" with the Lord. |
| Cor nigrum, spiritus levis | Black of heart, light of spirit |
| Cor nobyls, cor immobile | A noble heart, a heart immovable |
| Cor regis in manu Domini | The king's heart (is) in the Lord's hand |
| Cor unum, via una | One heart, one way |
| Cor vulneratum | A wounded heart |
| Coram Deo | Before the face of God -- A phrase from Christian theology which summarizes the idea of Christians living in the presence of, under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God. |
| Coram populo | In the presence of the people. (Horace) |
| Corda serata fero | I carry a heart shut up |
| Corda serata pando | I lay open a heart shut up |
| Corde et animo | With heart and soul |
| Corde et manu (Corde manugue) | With heart and hand |
| Cordi dat robora virtus | Virtue strengthens the heart |
| Cornix cornici oculos non effodiet | A crow doesn't rip out the eyes of another crow |
| Cornu sono! | Beep-beep! |
| Cornucopia | Horn of plenty |
| Corona Asinorum | Crown of Fools |
| Corona mea Christus | Christ is my crown |
| Coronat fides | Fidelity crowns |
| Corpus christi | The body of Christ |
| Corpus delicti | Body of the crime -- the body of facts that prove a crime. |
| Corpus juris canonici | The body of canon law |
| Corpus juris civilis | The body of civil law |
| Corpus vile | Vile body -- a person or thing fit only to be the object of an experiment. |
| Corrigenda | A list of things to be corrected. (in a book) |
| Corruptio optimi pessima | Corruption of the best is worst |
| Coruscantes disci per convexa caeli volantes | Flying saucers |
| Cosi vivo piacer conduce a morte | Such intense pleasure leads to death. |
| Cotidiana vilescunt | Familiarity breeds contempt |
| Cotidie damnatur qui semper timet | The man who is constantly in fear is every day condemned. (Syrus) |
| Crapulam terriblem habeo | I have a terrible hangover |
| Crapulentus sum | I'm wasted |
| Cras amet qui nunquam amavit; Quique amavit, cras amet | May he love tomorrow who has never loved before |
| Cras mihi | Tomorrow for me |
| Crede amor | Believe (trust) in love |
| Crede Byron | Trust Byron |
| Crede cornu | Trust in horn |
| Crede Deo | Trust in God |
| Crede et vince | Believe and conquer |
| Credidi me felem vidisse! | I tought I taw a puddy tat! |
| Credite amori vera dicenti | Believe love speaking the truth. (St. Jerome) |
| Credo cruci Christi | Trust in the cross of Christ |
| Credo Elvem etiam vivere. | I believe Elvis lives. |
| Credo Elvem ipsum etian vivere | I believe that Elvis is still alive |
| Credo et videbo | I believe and I shall see |
| Credo nos in fluctu eodem esse. | I think we're on the same wavelength. |
| Credo potest | I think I can |
| Credo quia absurdum | I believe it because it is absurd. (contrary to reason) (Tertullian) |
| Credo ut intelligam | I believe in order that I may understand. (St. Augustine) |
| Credo, amo et regno | I believe, love and rule |
| Credula vitam spes fovet et melius cras fore semper dicit | Credulous hope supports our life, and always says that tomorrow will be better. (Tibullus) |
| Crescam ut prosim | I will increase, that I may do good |
| Crescat Deo promotore | Let him prosper under the guidance of God |
| Crescat scientia | May knowledge increase |
| Crescendo prosim | Let me do good by increasing |
| Crescit amor nummi, quantum ipsa pecunia crevit | The love of wealth grows as the wealth itself grew. (Juvenalis) |
| Crescit sub pondere virtus | Virtue thrives under oppression |
| Crescite et multiplicamini | Increase and multiply |
| Crescitque virtute | And grows by virtue |
| Crescitur culti | It increased by culture |
| Cresco et spero | I increase and I hope |
| Cresco per crucem | I grow through the cross |
| Crevi | I have grown |
| Crimen falsi | Perjury |
| Cruce delector | I joy in the cross |
| Cruce glorior | I glory in the cross |
| Cruce salus | Salvation in the cross |
| Cruce spes mea | In the cross is my hope |
| Cruce, non leone fides | My trust is in the cross, not in the lion |
| Cruce, non prudentia | By the cross, not by wisdom |
| Crucem ferre dignum | Bear your cross with dignity |
| Cruci, dum spiro, fido | While I breathe, my trust is in the cross |
| Cruciata cruce junguntur | Troubles are connected with the cross |
| Crudelius est quam mori semper timere mortem | It is more cruel to always fear death than to die. (Seneca) |
| Crux Christi mea corona | Christ’s cross is my crown |
| Crux Christi nostra corona | The cross of Christ is our crown |
| Crux Christi salus mea | My salvation is the cross of Christ |
| Crux dat salutem | The cross gives salvation |
| Crux mea stella | The cross is my star |
| Crux mihi grata quies | The cross gives me welcome rest |
| Crux salutem confert | The cross brings salvation |
| Cubo, sed curo | I lie down but am on my guard |
| Cubo, ut excubo | I rest while I watch |
| Cucullus non facit monachum | The cowl does not make a monk |
| Cui bono? | To whom is the good? -- a maxim which suggests that considering who will benefit is likely to reveal who is responsible for an unwelcome happening. |
| Cui debeo fidus | Faithful to whom I am under an obligation |
| Cui dono lepidum novum libellum? | To whom do I give my new elegant little book? (Catullus) |
| Cui malo? | Who suffers a detriment? |
| Cui peccare licet peccat minus | One who is allowed to sin, sins less. (Ovid) |
| Cui prodest | Whom does it benefit? -- short form for cui prodest scelus, is fecit in Seneca's Medea; the murderer is the one who gains by the murder. |
| Cuidich an righ | Assist the king |
| Cuimhnich bas Alpin | Remember the death of Alpin |
| Cuislean mo chridhe | The pulsation of my heart |
| Cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos | To whomsoever that owns the land, he owns what is above and below it |
| Cuius regio, eius religio | Whose rule, his religion -- The religion of the regional prince is the religion of people, see Peace of Augsburg. |
| Cuius testiculous habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum | When you have their full attention in your grip, their hearts and minds will follow |
| Cuivis dolori remedium est patientia | Patience is the cure for all suffer |
| Culpa | A sin |
| Culpa est mea | The fault is mine |
| Culpam poena premit comes | Punishment closely follows crime as its companion. (Horace) |
| Cum catapultae proscriptae erat, tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt | If catapults are outlawed, then only outlaws will have catapults |
| Cum corde | With the heart |
| Cum Deo et victricibus armis | With God and victorious arms |
| Cum gladiis et fustibus | With sword and staff -- from the Bible. |
| Cum gladio et sale. | With sword and salt. Motto of a well-paid soldier. |
| Cum grano salis | With a grain of salt -- i.e., not to be taken too seriously. |
| Cum hic vincemus | With this we conquer |
| Cum hoc, ergo propter hoc | With this, therefore because of this -- the logical fallacy that the fact that one thing happens after another means that the first thing caused the second. |
| Cum homine de cane debeo congredi. | I've got to see a man about a dog. |
| Cum laude | With honors. |
| Cum periculo lucrum | Gain with danger |
| Cum plena magis | When more full |
| Cum progressu euntis | Moving with progress |
| Cum prudential sedulous | Careful, with prudence |
| Cum tacent, clamant | When they are silent, they cry out. (Their silence speaks louder than words.) (Cicero) |
| Cunctanter, tamen Fortier | Leisurely, yet resolutely |
| Cunta mea mecum | All my property is with me |
| Cupiditas praemium suum est | Greed is it's own reward |
| Cur etiam hic es | Why are you still here? |
| Cur non isti mictum ex occasione? | Why didn't you go when you had the chance? |
| Cur rides? Ridiculum non sum! | Why are you laughing? I'm not weird! |
| Cur tu me vexas? | Why do you annoy me? |
| Cur ullum imprimere non vis? | Why won't you print out? |
| Cura atque industria | By care and industry |
| Cura cedit fatum | Carefulness is a substitute for fortune |
| Cura dat victoriam | Foresight gives victory |
| Cura et candore | By prudence and sincerity |
| Cura et Constantia | Care and constancy |
| Cura et industria | Care and industry |
| Cura nihil aliud nisi ut valeas | Pay attention to nothing except that you do well. (Cicero) |
| Cura posterior | A later concern |
| Cura quietem | Regard your repose |
| Cura te ipsum | Physician, heal thyself! |
| Cura ut valeas | Take care |
| Curae cedit fato | Destiny yields to care |
| Curae leves loquuntur ingentes stupent | Slight griefs talk, great ones are speechless. (minor losses can be talked away, profound ones strike us dumb) |
| Curae pii Diis sunt | The pious are the care of the gods |
| Curo dum quiesco | I am on my guard while I rest |
| Curriculum vitae | Course of life -- a résumé. |
| Currit qui curat | He runs who takes care |
| Cursum perficio | I have completed the course |
| Cuspis fracta causa coronae | The broken spear the cause of the coronet |
| Custos morum | Guardian of morals |
