Drawing from ancient philosophy, literature, and common proverbs, Greek tattoo quotes are a greatly admired choice thanks to their timeless wisdom and profound meanings. These quotes offer a wide range of philosophical, inspirational, and meaningful sentiments that can express your values, beliefs, and connection to ancient culture.
Greek tattoo words capture themes of strength, self-knowledge, resilience, and the beauty of life, whether derived from the works of famous philosophers like Socrates and Heraclitus or from traditional sayings passed down through generations. Getting them on your skin is a beautiful way to cherish and forever remember the Greek heritage.
As you explore the categories below, you’ll find a rich variety of Greek tattoo words. We hope these inspire and guide you in choosing the perfect words for your tattoo.
CONTENTS
Philosophy and Wisdom
1. “Δίκαιος ἀνήρ” – A just man (Attributed to Heraclitus)
2. “Γνῶθι σαυτόν” – Know thyself (Attributed to Socrates)
3. “Πάντα ῥεῖ” – Everything flows (Attributed to Heraclitus)
4. “Μὴν εἶδος ἀλλὰ ψυχή” – Not appearance but soul (Plato)
5. “Μαθαίνω ζώντας” – I learn by living (General Greek proverb)
6. “Ὁ λόγος ἔργον ἀεί” – The word is always a deed (Heraclitus)
7. “Σοφία” – Wisdom (A highly regarded virtue in Greek philosophy)
8. “Νίκα τὸν ἑαυτόν σου” – Conquer yourself (Philosophical saying)
9. “Η αρετή είναι δύναμη” – Virtue is strength (General Greek proverb)
10. “Αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν” – Always strive for excellence (Attributed to Homer)
11. “Αρετή και σοφία” – Virtue and wisdom (Attributed to Socratic philosophy)
12. “Γνῶθι σεαυτόν” – Know yourself (Inscribed in the Temple of Apollo at Delphi)
13. “Ἀεὶ κολοιὸς παρὰ κολοιῷ ἱζάνει” – Birds of a feather flock together (Aristophanes)
14. “Το ήθος ανθίζει από τη σοφία” – Ethics blossoms from wisdom (General Greek proverb)
15. “Τὰ πάντα ἤ εἶναι ἤ γίγνεσθαι” – All things either are or are becoming (Philosophical concept)
16. “Ἀρχὴ ἁπαντῶν μεγίστη τὸ μετρον” – Moderation is the greatest virtue (Attributed to Cleobulus)
17. “Οὐ γὰρ ἔστιν ἄνευ ἀλόγου καλοκαγαθία” – There is no true virtue without reason (Democritus)
18. “Η αλήθεια είναι η ψυχή της φιλοσοφίας” – Truth is the soul of philosophy (General Greek proverb)
19. “Οἱ ταχεῖς παραφρονοῦσιν, οἱ δὲ βραδεῖς φρονοῦσιν” – The swift are prudent, the prudent are slow (Aristotle)
20. “Ὅρα τὸ ἀληθὲς, ἐπεὶ τὸ ἔργον αὐτὸ τοῦτον δηλοῖ” – See the truth, for the action itself reveals it (Heraclitus)
21. “Η εκπαίδευση είναι η διακόσμηση της ψυχής” – Education is the decoration of the soul (Attributed to Socratic philosophy)
22. “Ἀνδρεία” – Fortitude or Courage. This term is used to denote courage, bravery, or fortitude, typically in the context of facing physical or moral challenges with steadfastness and courage (A highly regarded virtue in Greek philosophy)
23. “Η καλοσύνη είναι πιο σημαντική από τη σοφία, και η αναγνώρισή της είναι η αρχή της σοφίας” – Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom (Attributed to Theodore Isaac Rubin)
Harmony and Affection
24. “Εὐνοία” – Goodwill (Common Greek value)
25. “Ἑαυτῷ φίλος” – A friend to oneself (Solon)
26. “Χαρά” – Joy (A common Greek word for joy)
27. “Ἐρως πάντα νικᾷ” – Love conquers all (Virgil)
28. “Ἡδονὴ ἐν ἀρετῇ” – Joy in virtue (Pythagoras)
29. “Ἀγάπη” – Love (A powerful Greek word for love)
30. “Στοργή” – Affection (A common Greek sentiment)
31. “Εἰρήνη” – Peace (A common Greek word for peace)
32. “Ἐν οἴκῳ ἡμῖν ἡ ἀρετή” – Virtue is in our home (Sophocles)
33. “Αἰώνια φιλία” – Eternal friendship (Common Greek phrase)
34. “Εὔνοια καὶ φιλία” – Goodwill and friendship (Common Greek values)
35. “Τοῖς φιλοῦσιν ἀγαθὸν ἀεί” – Good is always to those who love (Plato)
36. “Φιλία πάντα νικᾷ” – Friendship conquers all (Attributed to Menander)
37. “Καλὸν ἀδελφοῖς ὁμολογεῖν” – It is good for brothers to agree (Homer)
38. “Ἡ στοργὴ φιλοτίμων γένεται” – Affection becomes ambitious (Theognis)
39. “Φίλοι πολλοὶ, ὀλίγοι δὲ καλοί” – Many friends, but few are good (General Greek proverb)
40. “Ἑταῖροι πιστοὶ καὶ ἀληθεῖς εἰσίν” – True friends are faithful and truthful (Attributed to Aristotle)
Strength and Courage
41. “Νίκη” – Victory (Common Greek term)
42. “Ὁ τολμῶν νικᾷ” – He who dares, wins (Greek proverb)
43. “Ακαταμάχητος” – Unconquerable (General Greek term)
44. “Άκαμπτη θέληση” – Unyielding will (General Greek proverb)
45. “Κρατήστε τη γραμμή” – Hold the line (General Greek proverb)
46. “Ακαταμάχητη δύναμη” – Irresistible force (General Greek term)
47. “Ἡ τύχη τοῖς τολμῶσιν βοηθεῖ” – Fortune favors the bold (Virgil)
48. “Ἐν ἀρετῇ ἡ ἰσχύς” – Strength is in virtue (Attributed to Democritus)
49. “Υπέρβαση εαυτού” – Overcoming oneself (General Greek proverb)
50. “Αλκή και ανδρεία” – Strength and bravery (General Greek proverb)
51. “Ἀνδρεία καὶ σοφία” – Courage and wisdom (Common Greek values)
52. “Ἀνδρεία καὶ ἰσχύς” – Courage and strength (Common Greek values)
53. “Ο αγώνας είναι η ζωή” – The struggle is life (Attributed to Heraclitus)
54. “Οἱ τολμῶντες νικῶσι” – Those who dare, win (Common Greek saying)
55. “Ἕλεος νικᾷ ἄλκαν” – Mercy conquers strength (Attributed to Auripides)
56. “Νίκη ἢ Θάνατος” – Victory or death (Attributed to Ethos and Simonides)
57. “Ὁ κίνδυνος διδάσκει τοὺς ἀνδρὰς” – Danger teaches men (Thucydides)
58. “Η τόλμη φέρνει νίκη” – Courage brings victory (Attributed to Thucydides)
59. “Ἰσχύς μου, ἡ δύναμίς μου” – My strength is my power (Common Greek values)
60. “Μολὼν λαβέ” – Come and take [them] (Attributed to King Leonidas I of Sparta)
61. “Άνδρα μη μνησικακείν” – A man does not hold grudges (Attributed to Plutarch)
62. “Ισχύς εν τη ενώσει” – Strength in unity (Attributed to Ancient Greek philosophy)
63. “Η επιμονή οδηγεί στην επιτυχία” – Persistence leads to success (General Greek saying)
64. “Ἐὰν μὴ κινδυνεύσῃς, οὐκ ἀνδρεύσῃς” – If you do not risk, you will not succeed (Herodotus)
65. “Τὸ πεπρωμένον φυγεῖν ἀδύνατον” – It is impossible to escape destiny (Ancient Greek saying)
Life and Purpose
66. “Τὸ ζῆν ἔτι καιρόν” – Life is time (Sophocles)
67. “Ὁ βίος ὁ βραχύς” – Life is short (Common saying)
68. “Ζήσε με πάθος” – Live with passion (General Greek saying)
69. “Ζήσε τη στιγμή” – Live the moment (General Greek saying)
70. “Ἡ ζωή εἶναι ὡραία” – Life is beautiful (Common Greek saying)
71. “Ἐλευθερία” – Freedom (A deeply valued concept in Greek culture)
72. “Ἐν οἴνῳ ἀλήθεια” – In wine, there is truth (Common Greek proverb)
73. “Ζήσε τὴν κάθε μέρα” – Live each day (A motivational Greek saying)
74. “Η ζωή είναι μια περιπέτεια” – Life is an adventure (General Greek saying)
75. “Ἕν τὸ οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα” – One thing I know, that I know nothing (Socrates)
76. “Η ελπίδα είναι η άγκυρα της ζωής” – Hope is the anchor of life (General Greek saying)
77. “Η ζωή είναι μια σειρά από επιλογές” – Life is a series of choices (General Greek proverb)
78. “Ἀνεξέταστος βίος οὐ βιωτὸς ἀνθρώπῳ” – An unexamined life is not worth living (Socrates)
79. “Κάλλιον ὀλίγον ἔργον ἢ πολύς λόγος” – Better a little work than a lot of talk (Greek proverb)
80. “Η ζωή είναι το ταξίδι, όχι ο προορισμός” – Life is the journey, not the destination (General Greek proverb)
81. “Νόστος” – Homecoming or return. It carries a deep meaning of nostalgia, longing, and the journey back home after a long absence or after a difficult journey (A theme in Greek literature, especially in the Odyssey)
Keep in mind that tattoo trends evolve and individual tastes differ. It’s crucial to select a quote that has personal significance and will remain meaningful throughout your life. Additionally, ensure the accuracy of quotes and their attributions before committing to them permanently.
If you haven’t found one that resonates with you yet and are looking for more tattoo ideas, we highly recommend taking a look at Latin, the ancient language of Italy. Check out our selected list of The 20 Best Latin Tattoo Quotes. These phrases are a great choice to capture the essence of the soul and express profound messages.
