LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum

Ōrā et labōrā

“Pray and work”

ORA · ET · LABORA

Later Latin: medieval or modern

Benedictine motto

The balance of the monastic day.

Word by word

  1. Ōrāōrō -ārepray2nd sg. pres. act. imper.
  2. etetand
  3. labōrālabōrō -āretoil, work; be in trouble or distress2nd sg. pres. act. imper.

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 “Ora et labora” mean?
“Ōrā et labōrā” means “Pray and work”. The balance of the monastic day.
Who said “Ora et labora”?
It is not classical: Benedictine motto.

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