A Battle-Cry That Became a Beacon “ Fortes fortuna iuvat ” — Fortune favors the brave. These four Latin words have marched through history like a compact battle-cry and settled into the softer corners of everyday courage. They invite us to risk, to begin, and to act when hesitation would be easier. But this proverb is more than an exhortation; it is a bridge between ancient belief and modern mindset — a short, sharp reminder that action often opens the door where wishing cannot. Ancient Voices: Where the Saying Came From and What It Meant The sentiment behind “Fortes fortuna iuvat” is echoed across Roman literature and beyond: Virgil’s Aeneid includes the line audentis Fortuna iuvat — a rallying cry by Turnus urging bold action in battle. This is one of the most famous classical appearances of the idea. Terence , the Roman playwright, used a related phrase earlier in his comedy Phormio (2nd century BCE), showing that variations of the proverb were already part of Rom...