sapere aude

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Contents 1 Latin 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Phrase 1.2.1 Usage notes 1.2.2 References

[edit] Latin

[edit] Etymology

It is from the epithet of a parable, which explains that the fool waits for the stream to stop before crossing it. But the wise man forgoes comfort and crosses anyway. The original use seems to be in Epistle II of Horace's Epistularum liber primus ^[1]: Dimidium facti qui coepit habet: sapere aude ("He who has begun is half done: dare to know!").

[edit] Phrase

sapere aude

1. "Dare to know"
2. "Dare to be wise"
3. "Have courage to use your own reason", in the context of committing to tasks that need to be embarked upon, however unpleasant or awkward.

[edit] Usage notes

• Immanuel Kant described it as the motto of the Enlightenment in his essay "What Is Enlightenment?".
• It is a frequently used motto for academic institutions.

[edit] References

• Notes:

1. ^ Epistularum liber primus from The Latin Library, line 40