Just over a year ago I decided I wanted a personal motto, something to focus my mind on to remind myself of my goals and values. I wanted something distinct, but not esoteric. I wanted something in Latin (the language of learning), but not a tired platitude. After an afternoon of gentle soul-searching and fierce googling, I settled on something I could call my own…

Animus Supra Omnia.

The originally intended meaning was “passion above all”, but as I searched for a suitable Latin translation I was pleasantly surprised to find words which even better communicated my values through their shades of subtlety.

The meaning of the word “passion” can be difficult to pin down [1]. While I do mean passion in the sense of “following your passion”, I’m trying to communicate something much deeper than mere enthusiasm. My passion is for thinking, learning, reasoning, studying, and understanding. Knowledge, and my reverence for it, guides my life in ways beyond simple preferences. True learning, the pure satisfaction of grasping something previously incomprehensible, is what I live for.

Animus…

Both “animus” and “anima” have been given new meanings in English over the centuries, but here I’m only discussing the original Latin terms. “Anima” is understood to mean something’s actual soul or essence, its literal breath of life [2]. “Animus”, on the other hand, is taken to mean the spiritual force that causes someone to move, the force guiding him [2]. It’s your mind, your reason, your intention, your courage, your willpower. “Animus”, as I mean it, is the fire of will pulling my fingers as I type this, my capital-p Passion, the thing I revere.

…Supra…

Both “super” and “supra” can mean “above”, though “super” is much more common in Latin sayings. However, I chose “supra” because of a slight difference in usage: “super” can also mean “on top of” or “resting on,” while “supra” can only mean “above, but not touching” [3]. By extension, “supra” can more firmly be taken to mean “greater than” or “superior to”, my intended meaning.

…Omnia.

“Omnia” simply means “all” or “everything”, it doesn’t communicate any additional meaning. My passion stands above and beyond everything in my life, full stop, as a god stands above and beyond all of humanity. This phrase is my guiding principle in life. I hope to one day get it tattooed in bold on my left forearm, somewhere I’ll always be able to see it.

References

  1. Weisbrot, Racheal. “The Metamorphosis of Passion.” Once Upon A Written Word. https://onceuponawrittenword.wordpress.com/2018/02/19/the-metamorphosis-of-passion/ (accessed September 29, 2026)

  2. “Anima vs. Animus”. Stack Exchange, Latin Language. https://latin.stackexchange.com/a/6099 (accessed September 29, 2026)

  3. “Difference between super and supra?”. Stack Exchange, Latin Language. https://latin.stackexchange.com/a/2288 (accessed October 2, 2026)