LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum

Sapere audē

“Dare to be wise”

SAPERE · AVDE

Classical: the author's own words

Horace, Epistles 1.2.40

Kant took it as the motto of the Enlightenment in 1784.

Word by word

  1. Saperesapiō -ereto be wise, or sensible, discreet, prudentpres. act. inf.
  2. audēaudeō -ēredare, be eager2nd 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 “Sapere aude” mean?
“Sapere audē” means “Dare to be wise”. Kant took it as the motto of the Enlightenment in 1784.
Who said “Sapere aude”?
Horace, Epistles 1.2.40.

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