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

Force; power; energy; violence; faculty.

The singular form is vis; the plural form is vires.

Force from behind.

Armed force.

Comic force.

Caesar used the expression in some lines of poetry about Terence in which he praised his poetic gifts but lamented his lack of comic power. From Suetonius, Lives of the Poets, Terence.

Force without good sense falls by its own weight.

Divine force.

In civil law, a divine or superhuman force; the act of God which refers to any accident produced by any physical cause which is irresistible; such as, lightning, tempests, perils of the seas, tornados, earthquakes, etc.

1. The tendency of a body to resist acceleration: "In physics, vis inertiae is the resistance of a force of inertia; by extension, this may be applied to resistance in matters of social progress or change. It explains why a plan set in motion is difficult to stop, and vice versa.
2. The resistance of matter: "Vis inertiae exists when a body at rest is set in motion, or a body in motion is brought to rest, or when it has its motion changed, either in direction or in velocity."

A greater or superior (major) force; an irresistible force.

A loss that results immediately from a natural cause without the intervention of man, and could not have been prevented by the exercise of prudence, diligence, and care. In civil law, this term is sometimes used as synonymous with vis divina or the "act of God".

The restorative, healing power of nature.

New power, new energy.

Strength united is stronger.

Motto on the 1776 seal of the State of New Hampshire, USA.

Life force.

Life is short, art is long.

It is also often quoted as Ars longa, vita brevis.

The life of man without letters [learning] is death.

Motto of Derby School, U.K.

Life is not [just] to live, but life is to be strong, vigorous.

Life is more than merely staying alive.