Fortune favours the bold facts for kids

Audentes Fortuna Iuvat is a famous Latin saying that means "Fortune favors the bold" or "Fortune favors the brave." This proverb is used all over the world as a slogan to show the importance of courage and bravery. You can find it on the coats of arms of families and clans, and it's also used by many military groups even today.

What Does "Fortune Favors the Bold" Mean?

The saying "Fortune favors the bold" comes from an old Latin proverb. It means that people who are brave and take risks are more likely to succeed. It suggests that good luck, or "fortune," often comes to those who are daring and not afraid to act.

Where Did It Come From?

This idea has been around for a very long time! The Roman poet Virgil used a version of it in his famous story, the Aeneid. Another Roman writer, Terence, also used a similar phrase in a play way back in 151 BC.

Even Pliny the Elder, a famous Roman writer, said "Fortune favors the brave" when he decided to sail his fleet towards the erupting Mount Vesuvius to help a friend. Sadly, he died during this brave act.

The French scientist Louis Pasteur had a similar idea, saying that "chance favors only the prepared mind." This means that even if you're lucky, it helps to be ready and smart.

Where Is This Motto Used Today?

This powerful saying is used by many different groups and organizations around the world. It often serves as a motto to inspire courage and determination.

In the United Kingdom

• The British Army's Yorkshire Regiment uses a version of this motto, "Virtutis Fortuna Comes" (meaning "Fortune is the companion of valor"). It was also used by the Duke of Wellington's Regiment.
• Wellington College, Berkshire, a school, also uses this motto.
• Many old families, like Clan MacKinnon and Clan Turnbull, have this motto on their family coats of arms.
• The Royal Air Force station at East Fortune used this phrase as its motto during its time of operation.
• The football club Linfield F.C. in Belfast also uses it.
• Liverpool John Moores University has it as their motto.
• The Turing family has used the Latin phrase "Fortuna audentes juvat" since 1316 AD.

In the United States

Many military units and schools in the United States use variations of "Fortune favors the bold":

• The 3rd Marine Regiment in Hawaii has "Fortes Fortuna Juvat" on its crest.
• The United States Coast Guard's Special Missions Training Center uses it on their seal.
• It's the official motto for several classes at the United States Coast Guard Academy and the United States Naval Academy.
• The 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines and 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines use "Fortes Fortuna Juvat" or "Audentes Fortuna Juvat" as their unit mottos.
• It appears on the gates of Honor Hill at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
• Several United States Navy ships, including the USNS Carl Brashear and the USS Florida, have used this motto.
• The 366th Fighter Wing of the United States Air Force and the 80th Fighter Squadron use "Audentes Fortuna Juvat" on their patches.
• The Seattle Police Department's SWAT unit patch also features "Audentes Fortuna Juvat."
• US Navy Growler Squadron VAQ-209 uses it as their squadron motto.
• Trumbull College at Yale University uses "Fortuna favet audaci."
• During the American Civil War, the 7th Alabama Cavalry of the Confederate States of America Army displayed "Fortuna Favet Fortibus" on its flag.

See also

• God helps those who help themselves
• Who Dares Wins