Allusionary

Decode the canon

Browse

phrase
Latin

Carpe Diem

lit. โ€œseize the dayโ€

Make the most of the present.

Origin

From Horace's Odes (~23 BCE). The full line is 'carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero' โ€” 'seize the day, trusting as little as possible in tomorrow.' Dead Poets Society burned the phrase into 1990s pop culture.

Modern usage

Now nearly inescapable โ€” yearbook quotes, motivational posters, tattoos. Sometimes mocked, but still everywhere.

Tags

present
stoicism

Related