Universities and Their Mottos

Many universities, as they are established, naturally adopt a logo, a crest and a motto. Some of these mottos have stood the test of time. Others perhaps not so much.

May 3, 2024

3–4 minutes

Latin, mottos, Quiz

It’s all Greek to me. Or Latin. Or indeed Middle English.

Many universities, as they are established, naturally adopt a logo, a crest and a motto. Some of these mottos have stood the test of time. Others perhaps not quite so much.

These were presumably meant to encapsulate the ambition and vision for the new institution and provide a motivation for students and staff alike. It’s fair to say that with the general societal decline in Latin knowledge and the growth of more sophisticated marketing approaches the Latin motto has fallen by the wayside on the whole.

It’s not just an issue for ancient and older universities. 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. Anyway, what follows is a set of hopefully interesting mottos from several different nations – this is expanded from the list published some years ago on Wonkhe. Plus a motto-based Latin quiz. What fun.

A “small but excellent” list

A few examples of some of the best mottos around:

Fudan University – Rich in knowledge and tenacious of purposes, inquiring with earnestness and reflecting with self-practice

Calgary University actually has a Gaelic motto – Mo Shùile Togam Suas – I will lift up my eyes

University of Gothenburg – Tradita innovare innovata tradere – A Tradition of Invention, an Inventor of Tradition

University of Potsdam – Klein aber fein – Small but excellent

Macquarie University – And Gladly Teche – And gladly teach — Middle English from The Canterbury Tales

University of Mumbai – in Sanskrit – The Fruit of Learning is Character and Righteous Conduct

University College Cork – Where Finbarr taught, let Munster learn – a reference to St Finbarr, the patron saint of Cork

University of Winchester in UK – Wisdom ond Lar – Wisdom and Knowledge – from Old English

Nankai University – Dedication to Public Interests, Acquisition of All-round Capability, Aspiration for Progress with Each Passing Day

Swansea: Gweddw crefft heb ei dawn – Technical skill is bereft without culture – in Welsh

University of Mumbai – The Fruit of Learning is Character and Righteous Conduct

Autonomous University of Campeche (Mexico) – From Mystery Without a Dawn to Triangles of Light

Leiden University – Praesidium Libertatis – Bastion of Freedom

University of Gdańsk – In mari via tua – Your path is through the sea

Thammasat University (Thailand) – Be the finest, be the fairness, be the main engine of society

Harper Adams University – Utile Dulci – Useful and agreeable

Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg – Semper apertus – Always open – an early adopter of 24 hour library services presumably.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University – When you drink water, never shall you forget its source; love your motherland and add credit to your Alma Mater

Latin homework

So, time for a quick quiz. Without googling – can you match the UK university with the motto?

1 Nisi sapientia frustra – Without knowledge, all is in vain
2 Altiora Petamus – Let us seek higher things
3 In animo et veritate – In spirit and truth
4 Post nubes, lux – Out of darkness, light

5 Via, Veritas, Vita – The Way, the Truth, and the Life
6 Indagate Fingite Invenite – Explore, Dream, Discover
7 Fundamenta eius super montibus sanctis – Her foundations are upon the holy hills
8 Ut Vitam Habeant et Abundantius – That they have life and have it more abundantly
9 Sapientia urbs conditur – A city is built on wisdom
10 Patet omnibus veritas – Truth lies open to all