gratia gratiam parit

Latin

Etymology

Calque of Ancient Greek ἡ χάρις χάριν φέρει (hē kháris khárin phérei), from Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 779.

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈɡraː.ti.a ˈɡraː.ti.am ˈpa.rit/, [ˈɡräːt̪iä ˈɡräːt̪iä̃ˑ ˈpärɪt̪]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈɡrat.t͡si.a ˈɡrat.t͡si.am ˈpa.rit/, [ˈɡrät̪ː͡s̪iä ˈɡrät̪ː͡s̪iäm ˈpäːrit̪]

Proverb

grātia grātiam parit (New Latin)

1. kindness results in kindness
   • 1726, Adriaan van Cattenburgh, S. S. Theologiæ inter Remonstrantes Professoris, Spicilegium Theologiæ Christianæ Philippi a Limborch […], page 901:

     Gratificatio provocat benefactorem ad plura & majora beneficia: gratia gratiam parit.

     Showing kindness provokes a benefactor to further and greater favours: kindness begets kindness.