Expert: Maria - 10/28/2006

Question
does fortitudo et decus means strength and honor, stength as in physical strength , moral bravery, courage and honoras in distinction , honor, glory, grace; moral dignity, virtue,pride?

Answer
Hello,

The Latin noun  FORTITUDO  means  “moral robustness” or "courage", as opposed to fear, rather than “physical strength”.
As for DECUS it means  ‘grace’, ‘ornament’, ‘glory’, ‘beauty’, virtue’, ‘decorum’ and sometimes ‘ honour’ as something that is morally good.

Therefore “Fortitudo et decus” means “ Fortitude and virtue / decorum” rather than “Strength and honour” which in Latin would be “Virtus et honor”.

Best regards,
Maria
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It’s correct to say simoly Latin, not Roman Latin as Latin was obviously the language of the ancient Romans.