Comments on: Ivy League Latin Mottos

By: Michael Kelting

Michael Kelting — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:27:53 +0000

By the way, Kansas “borrowed” Cornell’s alma mater. . .plus Harvard Crimson and Yale Blue. At least we steal from the best!

By: Michael Kelting

Michael Kelting — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:25:44 +0000

I love the University of Kansas, but does any university have a more peculiar motto? (I am trying to do this from memory–the spelling may not be perfect.):
Videbo visionem hanc magnam quare non comburatur rubus. (I shall see this great vision, how the bush does not burn.)
Just as Moses went up Mount Sinai seeking the Lord’s ultimate wisdom, so do KU students go up Mount Oread to seek the wisdom of KU’s profs.

By: Jerred Marquez

Jerred Marquez — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:38:59 +0000

The book “The Veritas Conflict” by Shaunti Feldhahn explains that Harvard’s original motto was “Veritas Cristo et Ecclesiae” which means “Truth for Christ and the Church.” In addition, the book on the bottom was originally turned upside down. By a later amendment, the book was turned right side up and the motto was changed. Feldhahn explains that it was as though Harvard decided that all truth could be gained, turning all the books up.

By: Gentleman Jesse

Gentleman Jesse — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:26:10 +0000

I have to say, it’s pretty ballsy (and, perhaps, a tad snooty) for Harvard to go with simply, “veritas.” At UCLA, ours was, Fiat Lux – “Let there be light,” which I always liked. My favorite latin motto, however, is that of our League of Gentlemen Adventurers – “Quam bene vivas refert, non quam diu.”

By: Limites

Limites — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 04:22:34 +0000

This helped so much I needed to study latin mottos for a competition :]

By: Phoebe Sengers

Phoebe Sengers — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:00:39 +0000

Today’s Ithaca Journal said that our motto won “Motto Magazine’s first annual 10 Best College Motto” contest. This caused a great deal of consternation around our home. My favorite part is where this is an annual contest, because you know those mottos change so dang frequently.

By: dopeyman

dopeyman — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 19:53:44 +0000

“I would found an institution where any person meeting certain admissions requirements can find instruction in any study offered by said institution”

By: Nate

Nate — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 02:46:43 +0000

Me Hercule!