The Meaning Behind Famous Mottos Around the World

Mottos can inspire and motivate us. Many famous mottos have an uplifting message about compassion, unity, or overcoming adversity.

School Mottos

School mottos aim to instill values in students. For example, Harvard University’s motto is “Veritas” (Truth) and Yale’s is “Lux et Veritas” (Light and Truth). These mottos speak to the purpose of education – the pursuit of truth and knowledge.

‘Do Your Best’

The Olympic motto since 1894 has been “Citius, Altius, Fortius!” which means “Faster, Higher, Stronger!” But we don’t all need to be Olympians. As parents and teachers like to say, “Do your best!” Giving our best is something we can all aspire to every day.

‘Unity in Diversity’

“Unity in diversity” reminds us we are all part of the same human family. Though we have differences, we share hopes, dreams and capacity for love. Embracing diversity enriches society.

FAQ

What are some famous school mottos?

Some famous university mottos are Harvard’s “Veritas” (Truth), Yale’s “Lux et Veritas” (Light and Truth), and University of Michigan’s “Artes, Scientia, Veritas” (Arts, Knowledge, Truth). These mottos speak to the ideals of education.

What is the meaning of “Citius, Altius, Fortius”?

“Citius, Altius, Fortius!” is the Olympic motto. It means “Faster, Higher, Stronger” in Latin. It encourages athletes to aspire to excel according to the Olympic spirit.

What does “unity in diversity” mean?

“Unity in diversity” means that while humanity is composed of people with many differences, we are all part of one human family sharing core hopes. Embracing diversity enriches us.

What are some other uplifting mottos?

Some other inspirational mottos are: “Do your best”, “The only way out is through”, “Not all who wander are lost”, “It always seems impossible until it’s done”, and “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”

How can mottos inspire us?

Mottos can lift our spirits with their poetic uplifting messages. They remind us of our potential for good. By speaking to our ideals they can motivate us to become our best selves in service of compassion and justice.