Boni mores plus valent quam divitiae.

good

Breakdown of Boni mores plus valent quam divitiae.

• quam: than
• plus: more
• valere: to be worth

Questions & Answers about Boni mores plus valent quam divitiae.

Why is boni used instead of bonus?

Because mores is plural, and the adjective has to agree with it.

• bonus = good (masculine singular nominative)
• boni = good (masculine plural nominative)

Since mores is masculine plural, Latin uses boni mores = good morals / good character / good conduct.

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Why is mores plural? Why not singular mos?

In Latin, mos means something like custom, habit, or moral character. Its plural, mores, is very commonly used to mean:

• morals
• character
• conduct
• customs

So boni mores is a very natural Latin expression. It does not just mean several separate customs; it can also mean a person's good moral character or good behavior more generally.

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What case are boni mores and divitiae?

Both are nominative plural.

• boni mores = nominative plural masculine
• divitiae = nominative plural feminine