"Ever to Excel" is the English translation of the Ancient Greek phrase 'αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν' aièn aristeúein. It has been used as motto by a number of educational institutions.
Origin and etymology
The phrase is derived from the sixth book of Homer's Iliad, in which it is used 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: "Hippolochus 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 is the motto of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff. The phrase has also been used as the motto of a number of schools and universities, mainly in the United Kingdom, notably the University of St Andrews, but also in the United States and Canada. These include schools such as Caistor Grammar School, the Edinburgh Academy, Kelvinside Academy and Old Scona Academic High School, also primary school in Malaysia, SK Sg Karangan as well as universities such as Boston College.
References
- "Coat of Arms". University of St Andrews. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
- "Edin Acad". Archived from the original on 1 January 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- "Kelvinside". Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- "Old scona" (PDF). Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- "Boston College". Archived from the original on 21 May 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2013.