finis coronat opus

Latin

Etymology

Literally "the end crowns the work". Traditionally attributed to Ovid.

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈfiː.nis koˈroː.nat ˈo.pus/, [ˈfiːnɪs̠ kɔˈroːnät̪ ˈɔpʊs̠]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈfi.nis koˈro.nat ˈo.pus/, [ˈfiːnis koˈrɔːnät̪ ˈɔːpus]

Proverb

fīnis corōnat opus

1. the true value of an undertaking or a work of art cannot be fully discerned until it is finished