Ever to Excel
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"Ever to Excel" is the English translation of the Ancient Greek αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν ("aien aristeuein"). It has been used as motto by a number of different educational institutions.
History
It is derived from the sixth book of Homer's Iliad, (Iliad 6. 208) in a speech Glaucus delivers to Diomedes. During a battle between the Greeks and Trojans, Diomedes is impressed by the bravery of a mysterious young man and demands to know his identity. Glaucus replies: "Hippolocus begat me. I claim to be his son, and he sent me to Troy with strict instructions: Ever to excel, to do better than others, and to bring glory to your forebears, who indeed were very great ... This is my ancestry; this is the blood I am proud to inherit."
Usage as a motto
It has been the motto of a number of educational institutions, including:
- The University of St Andrews, founded 1410[1]
- Caistor Grammar School
- The Edinburgh Academy[2]
- Boston College[3]
- Kelvinside Academy[4]
- Old Scona Academic High School[5]
References
- ^ "Coat of Arms". University of St Andrews. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
- ^ "Edin Acad". Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- ^ "Boston College". Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- ^ "Kelvinside". Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- ^ "Old scona" (PDF). Retrieved 30 January 2013.