About the phrase Balian has in his workshop

About the phrase Balian has in his workshop - Red and White Wall Paint

There is a quote in Kingdom of Heaven, when Balian explains to Liam Neeson's character the meaning of a phrase he has carved in wood in his workshop.

He says the meaning is "What man is a man who does not make the world better."

I have two questions regarding this phrase:

  1. In what language and alphabet is the phrase carved in the wood? Can you reproduce it here with a great degree of confidence?

  2. Was this phrase invented for the movie, or does it have a historical precedence? Does it appear elsewhere in literature or history?



Best Answer

The film script indicates that it's Latin

ODO, still eating his apple, sees: a LATIN PHRASE CUT DEEP INTO A BLACKENED BEAM (or painted, like a frieze, onto the plaster). He points with the sword.

That being the case, the translation would be

Nemo vir est qui mundum non reddat meliorem

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About the phrase Balian has in his workshop - Man in Black T-shirt Wearing White Face Mask Holding Brown Wooden Board
About the phrase Balian has in his workshop - Man in Black Crew Neck T-shirt Wearing Black Headphones Holding Brown Wooden Box
About the phrase Balian has in his workshop - Man in Black Crew Neck T-shirt Holding Green and Black Power Tool





Surrender of Jerusalem from the amazing movie Kingdom of Heaven




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