Expert: Maria - 12/12/2007

Question
I don't know if you can help or not, but anything you can come up with would be greatly appreciated. Could you tell me what would be the best Latin Word to mean "Courage"? I have come up with Animus and Virtus. I was just wondering which would be best. Thank you very much


Answer
Hello,

I think that the best Latin word for “courage” is “Virtus” which means “courage", "bravery", "valour", as well as "strength of mind", "excellence", "virtue", "moral perfection“.

As for “Animus”, in a general sense it indicates the rational soul in a man, and then means "heart”, “spirit”, “feeling”, “affection”, rather than “courage” , even  though  it has also this meaning.

Anyway it would need to know the context where you wish to use the term “courage”, in case  it is a phrase,  and not a single word.

Finally I have to point out that both VIRTUS and ANIMUS are in the nominative which is the case used to indicate the subject of a sentence. There are however other five cases, according to the function of the word in a context.

Best regards,
Maria