Expert: Maria - 11/20/2005

Question
Hi,

This phrase is on our family crest and no one remembers what it means, can you help?

"non nobis tantum nati"

"nati" could also be a similar word like "natio", but the inscription is faded.

Thank you!

Melinda

Answer
Hi Melinda,

The phrase "Non nobis tantum nati" is correct and literally means:

“Born not for us alone”.

In fact ‘Born' is NATI ; ‘not' is NON; ‘for us' is NOBIS,  and ‘alone' is TANTUM.

The motto in fact points out that  we are not born for ourselves alone, but also to help others.

Best,
Maria
____________________________________________
Please note that:
-NON = not
-NOBIS(dative case, plural) = for us
-TANTUM (adverb)= alone (only)
-NATI( past participle, nominative plural of the deponent verb NASCOR ) = born.
This past participle has nothing to do with ‘natio' which means “nation”.