<p>My favorite is “Knowledge is good”. Faber College</p>
<p>Literal translation differs from intent I suppose:</p>
<p>
[quote]
What is anomalous about Roman society is that, even after Rome became not only urbanized, but downright cosmopolitan, Romans still looked back to their agricultural beginnings as defining the essential character of Romanness. As a result, one of the principal cultural values in Rome was virtus, which is derived from the Latin word vir, or “man.” Virtus , then, means something like “manliness.” Unlike the Greek value aret</p>
<p>Actually, I like Evergreen’s Omnia Extares. Seems like a pretty good fit.</p>
<p>Oh, I know. Evergreen’s is priceless!</p>
<p>St. John’s College’s is “I make free men out of children by means of books and a balance.”</p>
<p>Aptly, the question of human freedom in the wake of the newtonian revolution is addressed in the final verse of our school song. The lyric goes, </p>
<p>“The deterministic limits on my freedom are erased
by the transcendental ideality of time and space
so my cells are predetermined but my will’s another case
It’s pure autonomy!” (sung to the melody of The battle hymn of the republic).</p>
<p>Maybe not exactly what our founders had in mind when they penned the school motto.</p>
<p>School songs are also fun. At all “official” Smith functions we sing Gaudeamus Igitur, though that’s not unique to Smith. The better ones are the unofficial Smith songs. There are some great old ones in pamphlet books that used to be yearly offerings, but they sang this newer one at the commencement choral concert last year. </p>
<p>“The Women of Smith” (and I should point out that this is in no way meant to offend my sisters from Mt. Holyoke and Wellesley, and is only meant with humor and friendship)
In Old Northampton, small and proud</p>
<p>We attend a college well-endowed</p>
<p>balancing class and sports and clubs and choir</p>
<p>the women of Smith are much admired.</p>
<p>Within our ancient ivied halls</p>
<p>Smith women show they’ve got some… poise.</p>
<p>Though other schools boast lots of men,</p>
<p>Smith rugby could beat all of them.</p>
<p>Those Wellesley women think they’re grand</p>
<p>but on fridays they’re off to Harvard land</p>
<p>Mount Holyoke thinks they were founded first</p>
<p>but Sophia built our college while they went to church.</p>
<p>At Smith we know we’re number one.</p>
<p>Our Alma Mater’s second to none</p>
<p>and you should know we’ll never stop</p>
<p>Smith women always land on top,</p>
<p>Smith women always land on top!</p>
<p>Evergreen’s opens up so many possibilities (with apologies for the dubious Latin):</p>
<p>Cum fluctu move – go with the flow
Concipe, accende, recede – tune in, turn on, drop out
Hic nunc esse – be here now</p>
<p>no motto for Wesleyan… go figure…</p>
<p>My school has a very religious motto, and a primarily non-religious northeastern politically correct liberal student body. School: Brown, motto: In Deo Speramus (translated: In God we hope)</p>
<p>Swarthmore is apparently “Mind the Light.” I have no clue what that means.</p>
<p>Maybe it’s a reminder to flick the switch on your way out.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Hmm, I translate that as, “God, I hope so!” :)</p>
<p>My school’s motto was a quote from Karl Marx. I cannot believe the powers that be knew the source. It just sounded good to them.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>LOL. I bet it is some sort of Quaker thing.</p>
<p>Indeed it is:</p>
<p>
[Glossary</a> of Quaker terms](<a href=“어서 오십시오 * quakershaker.net”>어서 오십시오 * quakershaker.net)</p>
<p>I can’t believe that you **** out the last part of the first word of McGill’s motto!!! Maybe you erred on the side of caution. I don’t think those ancient Romans ever imagined that their phrases would be subject to internet obscenity filters!!</p>
<p>Actually, McGill’s motto didn’t pass the CANADIAN filter…</p>
<p>Interesting. In Wikipedia’s US version, the full word is shown. I never thought that Canada would be more puritanical than America.</p>
<p>I love Northwestern’s motto … Not the Latin per se, but the full context of it. The official motto is “Quaecumque Sunt Vera” (whatsoever things are true) and the full context is from St. Paul in Philippians: “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”</p>
<p>Don’t forget Yale’s other motto, on its seal: Urim and Thummim (האורים והתומים) – variously translated as light and truth (same as lux et veritas), lights and perfections, revelation and truth, doctrine and truth, oracle and command, cursed or faultless, and as referring to the divination objects associated with the high priest’s sacred breastplate.</p>
<p>Harvard’s motto is as short and to the point as it could be, but it’s the last line of the alma mater that evokes the place for me. It’s 150 years older than the United States, and has every intention of outliving whatever empire happens to be ruling Cambridge at the moment:</p>
<p>“Calm rising through change and through storm.”</p>