Why are mottos in latin

It can be a way to reflect the origin of universities in medieval institutions, its guiding principles and a connection to a tradition of education. It is about paying tribute to a language tradition and to higher education. The Latin language is an anchor; it was the foundation of education and though no longer spoken it lives on through its use at institutions of learning, like the ones below. College of Charleston: Sapientia ipsa libertas Knowledge itself is liberty. Active Oldest Votes.

Improve this answer. Tom Cotton Tom Cotton Nice find on Eton. It beats Oxford's Dominus Illuminatio Meus by a century. I'd say Semper Eadem should count, too. Hugh Hugh 8, 2 2 gold badges 14 14 silver badges 26 26 bronze badges. The Eton College arms granted in website has 'floreat Etona', but suggests that 'Esto perpetua' may be earlier. An insightful line of poem or prose that becomes famous is not necessarily a motto. It can become a motto if some person or institution adopts it as their motto.

Whose mottoes were the ones you propose? A single instance does not qualify something as a motto, unless stated very clearly as a motto. How often were the mottoes repeated? Perhaps I could rephrase the question: When did someone first adopt a motto? JoonasIlmavirta Actually, that likely wasn't Cato's motto after all. Sign up or log in Sign up using Google. Sign up using Facebook. Sign up using Email and Password. Post as a guest Name. These were presumably meant to encapsulate the ambition and vision for the new institution and provide a motivation for students and staff alike.

Many newer universities have also adopted a motto which is, more often than not, in Latin — though some UK universities do have English mottos. Around the world a similar mix can be observed, with many universities plumping for Latin rather than their native languages. China, Malaysia, India and Mexico have generally avoided the Latin trend but universities in most other countries seem to find it irresistible. So, time for a quick quiz. Without googling — can you match the UK university with the motto?

Plaudits for the best score. You likely know it well in English already since it's frequently used to describe commiseration. Marlowe wrote this Latin phrase, which means "misery loves company," into his play The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. If you're dealing with someone who's obsessed with their own horoscope, you may want to tell them this.

It means, "The stars incline us, they do not bind us. Seneca was well ahead of his time when he wrote, "Timendi causa est nescire. Translating to, "The end crowns the work," this phrase is useful any time you're tempted to judge a project—whether it's yours or someone else's—when you're still in the middle of it. Difficult times are daunting in the moment, but you never know how time passed will change your opinion of them. Also from the Aeneid , by Virgil, this phrase means, "Perhaps even these things will be good to remember one day," and it may be a helpful motto to keep you going.

Are you terrible at deviating from your to-do list, even when circumstances evolve? You may want to write, "Malum consilium quod mutari non potest" at the top of your bullet journal.

This quote from Syrus means, "Bad is the plan that cannot change. Meaning, "If the winds fail you, use the oars," this phrase is a reminder that there's usually a Plan B. Just because a task isn't as easy as you thought it would be doesn't mean that it's not achievable—though it may take a little more elbow grease than you expected.

If you've ever wanted to strike fear into the heart of your enemies or just want a good comeback for when you catch someone cheating on game night , try out this expression. Meaning,"Mortal actions never deceive the gods," this Latin phrase certainly fits the bill.

Do you live life on the edge? Then "dulce periculum" might just be your new motto. It means "danger is sweet," and dropping this phrase in casual conversation certainly lets people know what you're about. If your conspiracy theorist friend needs a good talking to, hit them with a quick "condemnant quo non intellegunt. For those eager to make it clear that they don't give second chances, keep "factum fieri infectum non potest" in your back pocket.

This phrase, which means, "It is impossible for a deed to be undone," also serves as a grave reminder for your friends when they say they're about they're about to do something rash. Finding yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place?

Pump yourself up by letting forth an "aut viam inveniam aut faciam. While Wall Street may have told us that greed is good, the Latin language begs to differ. If you want to refute an acquaintance's obsession with having it all, hit them with a "qui totum vult totum perdit," or, translated: "He who wants everything loses everything.

Of all the Latin phrases in the world, there's one perfect for picking yourself up when you feel like the stars aren't aligning in your favor.