LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum

Fortēs fortūna iuvat

“Fortune helps the brave”

FORTES · FORTVNA · IVVAT

Classical: the author's own words

Pliny the Younger, Letters 6.16.11

Pliny's uncle said it as he sailed toward Vesuvius to rescue friends; Terence has 'fortīs fortūna adiuvat' (Phormio 203).

Word by word

  1. Fortēsfortis -ebravepl. nom. m./f.
  2. fortūnafortūna -ae f.fortunesg. nom.
  3. iuvatiuvō -ārehelp, assist; please, delight3rd sg. pres. act. ind.

Using it as a motto or tattoo

Latin endings carry gender and number, so a saying about one person may need changing for another. Check your own version, or have three new ones composed, on the motto desk.

Check this wordingOpen it in the reader

Quick answers

What does “Fortes fortuna iuvat” mean?
“Fortēs fortūna iuvat” means “Fortune helps the brave”. Pliny's uncle said it as he sailed toward Vesuvius to rescue friends; Terence has 'fortīs fortūna adiuvat' (Phormio 203).
Who said “Fortes fortuna iuvat”?
Pliny the Younger, Letters 6.16.11.

Related sayings