Latin Proverbs, Mottoes, Phrases, and Words: Group N

(classical-language maxims, slogans, adages, proverbs, and words of wisdom that can still capture our modern imagination)

Expressions of general truths: Latin to English maxims, proverbs, and mottoes

Word entries are from Latin unless otherwise indicated.

Nemo in amore videt.
No one in love can see.

From Propertius: Love is blind.

Nemo liber est qui corpori servit.
Translation: "No man is free who is a slave to the flesh [body]."

From Seneca, who may have been referring to those who indulged in the unbridled pursuit of pleasure and other physical excesses.

Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit.
No mortal is wise at all times.
Nemo scit praeter me ubi soccus me pressat.
I am the only one who knows where my shoe pinches.
Nemo solus satis sapit. (Latin)
Translation: "No one is sufficiently wise by himself."

"Two heads are better than one."

Nemo tenetur ad impossibile. (Latin statement)
No one is bound to an impossibility.

A legal term.

Nemo tenetur divinare.
No man is bound to divine, or to have foreknowledge of, a future event.

A legal term.

Nemo tenetur edere instrumenta contra se.
No one is bound to produce writings against himself or herself.

A rule of the Roman law, adhered to in criminal prosecutions, but departed from in civil questions.

Nemo tenetur informare qui nescit, sed quisquis scire quod informat.
No one is bound to give information about things he is ignorant of, but every one is bound to know that which he gives information about.

A legal term.

Nemo tenetur jurare in suam turpitudinem.
No one is bound to swear to the fact of his own criminality.

No one can be forced to give his own oath in evidence of his guilt.

Nemo tenetur prodere seipsum.
On one is bound to betray himself/herself.

No one can be compelled to incriminate himself/herself.

Nemo tenetur seipsum accusare.
No one is bound, or required, to accuse himself.

A legal term.

Nemo unquam judicet in se. (Latin statement)
Translation: "No one can ever be a judge in his own cause."

A legal expression.

Nemo unquam vir magnus fuit, sine aliquo divino afflatu.
No one was ever a great man without some divine inspiration.

A legal term.

Nescio de quo loqueris.
I don't know what you're talking about.

Pointing to a page about a kleptomaniac Units of mottoes and proverbs listed by groups: A to X.