Errare humanum est St. Augustine Proverb Late Roman Empire Rome 0 0 0 0 Write the first comment Meaning This phrase recognizes the intrinsic fallibility of humans. It means that making mistakes is a natural part of the human experience and is something everyone does. This thought promotes the idea of accepting human limitations and imperfections as part of life. By acknowledging that errors are inevitable, the phrase fosters a more compassionate and understanding approach toward human nature. Allegory This image includes several elements that symbolize the meaning of the phrase "Errare humanum est." The grand, ancient library represents the accumulation of human knowledge, where learning is a continuous process. The fallen book with chaotic scribbles signifies human errors and the effort to amend them. The person’s thoughtful yet resolute posture reflects acceptance and determination to improve. The soft light halo symbolizes the intrinsic worth and dignity of every human being despite their flaws. Statues of thinkers and philosophers encourage wisdom and understanding. The banner with the Latin phrase directly connects to the proverb’s origin, and the lush garden signifies growth and new beginnings, emphasizing that acknowledging and learning from errors leads to personal and collective progress. Applicability Understanding that errors are a natural part of being human can help individuals be more forgiving toward themselves and others. This realization can be beneficial in personal relationships, work environments, educational settings, and other areas of life where perfection might be unrealistically expected. By adopting a mindset that allows for mistakes, people can foster a growth mentality, where learning and improvement are valued over blame and punishment. Impact This phrase has had a significant impact on various aspects of Western culture. It has been frequently invoked in literature, philosophy, psychology, and everyday discourse to reflect a compassionate and forgiving attitude towards human errors. It continues to serve as a reminder and an acceptance that the human condition is inherently flawed yet fundamentally valuable. Historical Context The phrase "Errare humanum est" is believed to have been coined during the late Roman Empire period, specifically within early Christian writings. St. Augustine, a prominent early Christian theologian and philosopher whose works spanned from 354 to 430 AD, includes similar sentiments in his religious discourses. Criticisms There have been criticisms suggesting that this phrase could be used as an excuse for incompetence or repeated failure. Others argue it might be too lenient and promote a lack of accountability. However, the complementary phrase "sed perseverare diabolicum" ("but to persist is diabolical") aims to address these concerns by emphasizing that while making mistakes is part of being human, failing to learn from them is not acceptable. Variations Variations of this phrase exist in many cultures, reflecting the universal recognition of human imperfection. Different cultures have their nuanced interpretations, such as the Japanese saying "Shippai wa seikō no moto," meaning "Failure is the mother of success," which emphasizes learning and growing from mistakes. These variations underscore the global acceptance of human fallibility while celebrating resilience and continuous improvement. Go back to the description 280 characters left Send Comment No Comments Ex nihilo nihil. Parmenides, Lucretius Read more Dum spiro, spero. Popular culture Read more Fama volat. Virgil Read more Hell is empty and all the devils are here. William Shakespeare Read more In vino veritas. Pliny the Elder Read more Audaces fortuna iuvat. Publius Vergilius Maro (Virgil) Read more Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto. Publius Terentius Afer (Terence) Read more In dubio, abstine. Popular culture Read more By signing in, you'll enable saving your preferences and be able to post comments. By signing in, you'll enable saving your preferences and be able to post comments. Sign in with: or Sign in with your email address: Email Password Sign in Loading... Name Insert your name or nick (3 to 20 char). Email Insert a valid email address to be verified. Password 8+ chars, 1 uppercase, 1 lowercase, 1 number, 1 special @$!%*?_+ Clicking the Create account button will send you a verification email. Create account New here? Create an account. Previous Close