LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum

Nōsce tē ipsum

“Know thyself”

NOSCE · TE · IPSVM

Adapted: a later form of a classical line

the Delphic maxim; Cicero, Tusculan Disputations 1.52

nōsce tē

Latin for the Greek 'gnōthi seauton' inscribed at Delphi. Cicero explains it as 'know your soul'.

Word by word

  1. Nōscenōscō -erelearn, know2nd sg. pres. act. imper.
  2. tētūyou (sing.)sg. acc.
  3. ipsumipse -sa -sumhim- her- itselfsg. acc. m.

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.

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Quick answers

What does “Nosce te ipsum” mean?
“Nōsce tē ipsum” means “Know thyself”. Latin for the Greek 'gnōthi seauton' inscribed at Delphi. Cicero explains it as 'know your soul'.
Who said “Nosce te ipsum”?
the Delphic maxim; Cicero, Tusculan Disputations 1.52, where the Latin reads “nōsce tē”.

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