Dusty Phrases

Hi! Welcome to “Dusty Phrases.” You will find below an ancient phrase in one language or another, along with its English translation. You may also find the power to inspire your friends or provoke dread among your enemies.

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Latin:

Pertransiit benefaciendo

English:

He went about doing good

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This phrase is a common Latin epitaph, deriving originally from the New Testament Book of Acts. From wiki:

Pertransiit benefaciendo is a Latin phrase which means “He went about doing good”. The first word may synonymously be spelled pertransivit. When spelled pertransit it means “He goes about” (present tense).

It is applied about one who has died, to show that they have done good in their life. It originates from the words of St. Peter to Cornelius the centurion when speaking of Jesus Christ. The quotation is from the Holy Bible, Acts 10:38.34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said …38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil;for God was with him.Latin38 Iesum a Nazareth quomodo unxit eum Deus Spiritu Sancto et virtutequi pertransivit benefaciendo et sanando omnes oppressos a diaboloquoniam Deus erat cum illo.

The phrase is also found as Pertransivit benefaciendo, Per transiit benefaciendo, etc.