Almost all examples of the written word are found on paper. Until the late 20th century, the only significant alternative was on gravestones. We can now add another source – tattoos.
The language of tattoos has expanded considerably from the 1950s, when only a few people had tattoos and the words used were limited to a hearted-encircled ‘Mum’ or to ‘Love’ and ‘Hate’ tattooed on the knuckles.
Now, many people have tattoos and the language is obtained from many sources – whatever feels meaningful to the tattooee. If you are looking for a saying to use as a tattoo, here’s a list of ideas to get you going:
A sound mind in a sound body.
In Latin – Mens sana in corpore sano
A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart
A word is enough for a wise man.
In Latin – Verbum sat sapienti
Actions speak louder than words.
In Latin – Facta non verba
Alas, the fleeting years slip away.
In Latin – Eheu fugaces labuntur anni
All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.
Movie quote.
All things change, and we change with them.
In Latin – Mutantur omnia nos et mutamur in illis
All things change, and we change with them.
In Latin – Omnia mutantur nos et mutamur in illis
As you sow so will you reap.
In Latin – Ut sementem feceris ita metes
Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle
Be patient and tough; some day this pain will be useful to you.
In Latin – Perfer et obdura; dolor hic tibi proderit olim
Be patient and tough; some day this pain will be useful to you.
In Latin – Perfer et obdura; dolor hic tibi proderit olim
Beautiful life.
In Italian – La vita è bellissima.
Beautiful love.
In Italian – L’amore bella.
Believe that you have it, and you do.
In Latin – Crede quod habes, et habes
Count the garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall
Count your life with smiles and not the tears that roll
Do not take as gold everything that shines like gold.
In Latin – Non teneas aurum totum quod splendet ut aurum
Dreams are free, so free your dreams
Dreams only last one night, but love can last forever
Each day is a new life. Seize it. Live it
Either to conquer or to die.
In Latin – Aut vincere aut mori
Everything happens for a reason.
In Latin – Omnia causa fiunt
Examine the past, examine the present, examine the future.
In Latin – Respice, adspice, prospice
Failure is success if we learn from it
Family forever.
In Italian – La famiglia sempre.
Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.
Movie quote.
Flatterers are the worst type of enemies.
In Latin – Pessimum genus inimicorum laudantes
Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future
Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.
Movie quote.
Friends are the sunshine of life
Friendship is one mind in two bodies
Go ahead, make my day.
Movie quote.
Greed is good.
Movie quote.
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony
Hasta la vista, baby.
Movie quote.
He conquers who conquers himself.
In Latin – Vincit qui se vincit
He is richest who is content with the least
He who feared he would not succeed sat still.
In Latin – Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet.
He who feared he would not succeed sat still.
In Latin – Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet.
Here’s looking at you, kid.
Movie quote.
Hunger sweetens the beans.
In Latin – Fabas indulcet fames
I am big! It’s the pictures that got small.
Movie quote.
I am the captain of my soul
I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.
Movie quote.
I feel the need for speed.
Movie quote.
I know you are, but what am I?
Movie quote.
I love the smell of napalm in the morning.
Movie quote.
I love you with all my heart.
In Italian – Ti amo con tutta l’anima.
If you build it, he will come.
Movie quote.
If you don’t have a smile, I’ll give you one of mine
If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it
Ignorance is the cause of fear.
In Latin – Timendi causa est nescire
I’ll either find a way or make one.
In Latin – Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!
Movie quote.
I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.
Movie quote.
In love, one and one are one
It is fitting that a liar should be a man of good memory.
In Latin – Mendacem memorem esse oportet
It is human nature to hate a person whom you have injured.
In Latin – Proprium humani ingenii est odisse quem laeseris
It is not goodness to be better than the worst.
In Latin – Bonitas non est pessimis esse meliorem
It will not always be summer.
In Latin – Non semper erit aestas
I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.
Movie quote.
Know thyself.
In Latin – Nosce te ipsum
Let justice be done through the heavens fall.
In Latin – Flat justitia ruat coelum
Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen carefully
Let your joy scream against the pain
Life is not being alive but being well.
In Latin – Non est vivere sed valere vita est
Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often
Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Movie quote.
Love is a journey not a destination.
In Italian – L’amore è un viaggio, non una meta.
Love means never having to say you’re sorry.
Movie quote.
Made it, Ma! Top of the world!
Movie quote.
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart
May the Force be with you.
Movie quote.
Much in little.
In Latin – Multum in parvo
My heart is ever at your service
No one gives what he does not have.
In Latin – Nemo dat quod non habet
No one is free who is a slave to his body.
In Latin – Nemo liber est qui corpori servit
Nothing in excess.
In Latin – Ne quid nimis
Remember that you will die.
In Latin – Memento mori
S/he conquers who conquers her/himself.
In Latin – Vincit qui se vincit
Second to none (male)/(female).
In Latin – Nulli secundus /nulli secunda
Small things amuse small minds.
In Latin – Parva leves capiunt animas
So passes away earthly glory.
In Latin – Sic transit gloria mundi
Some love lasts a lifetime. True love lasts forever
That man is wise who talks little.
In Latin – Vir sapit qui pauca loquitur
The appearances of things are deceptive.
In Latin – Fallaces sunt rerum species
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
The law does not distinguish and so we ought not distinguish.
In Latin – Lex non distinguitur nos non distinguere debemus
The love of money is the root of all evil.
In Latin – Radix omnium malorum est cupiditas
The one safety for the vanquished is to abandon hope of safety.
In Latin – Una salus victis nullam sperare salutem
The only disability in life is a bad attitude
The result validates the deeds.
In Latin – Exitus acta probat
The smallest things are most important.
In Latin – Minima maxima sunt
The truth shall make you free.
In Latin – Veritas vos liberabit
The voice of the people is the voice of god.
In Latin – Vox populi vox dei
There is no easy way from the earth to the stars.
In Latin – Non est ad astra mollis e terris via
There is truth in wine.
In Latin – In vino veritas
There’s no place like home.
Movie quote.
They call me Mister Tibbs!
Movie quote.
They can because they know they can.
In Latin – Possunt quia posse videntur
Through difficulties to the stars!
In Latin – Per aspera ad astra!
Time flies.
In Latin – Tempus fugit
To err is human.
In Latin – Errare humanum est
Together, forever, never apart. Maybe in distance, but never in heart
True love begins when nothing is looked for in return
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you
Turn your wounds into wisdom
We are slaves of the law in order that we may be able to be free.
In Latin – Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give
What nurishes me also destroys me.
In Latin – Quod me nutrit me destruit.
When a woman weeps, she is setting traps with her tears.
In Latin – Struit insidias lacrimis cum femina plorat.
When you give up your dreams, you die.
Movie quote.
When your heart speaks, take good notes
Who is silent gives consent.
In Latin – Qui tacet consentire
Who will watch the watchers themselves?
In Latin – Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them.
In Latin – Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito.
You had me at hello.
Movie quote.
You talkin’ to me?
Movie quote.