fortis Fortuna adiuvat

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Latin

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Literally "(the) strong (ones), Fortune helps." From Terence's comedy play Phormio, line 203. Cited by Cicero in the 1st century BCE as a vetus prōverbium (old proverb).

Pronunciation

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Proverb

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fortīs Fortūna adiuvat

  1. fortune favors the bold

Usage notes

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Often misquoted in English texts as fortēs Fortūna juvat, which uses the accusative plural ending -ēs instead of the accusative ending -īs. Although grammatically correct, the form ending in -ēs is not the one used in Terence's play.

Descendants

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  • English: fortune favors the bold (calque)