"Mens agitat molem" is the motto of the University of Oregon, where I went to grad school. (For those of you not educated in classical languages, it means "Men agitate moles.")* I was so impressed by this motto when I first heard it that I drew a cartoon about it. BTW, this is actually the only carton I've ever drawn first cartoon I ever drew.
*Or maybe it means something like "Mind moves the mass." I like my translation better.
I like your translation better too. LOL.
ReplyDeleteCY
Oh, and I'm so glad that you now have a recent comments doodad.
ReplyDeleteCY
Blogger really needs to upgrade its whole commenting thing.
ReplyDeleteI think Duck Central translates it,
ReplyDeleteMind Moves Mountains
'71
Friends don't let friends go to OSU.
ReplyDelete- Ducks for a Beaver Free America
Go Ducks!
ReplyDeleteGO Green....
ReplyDeleteIt actually means mind moves matter please be educated before attempting
ReplyDeletePlease finish writing before clicking "Publish."
ReplyDeleteHaving read both Emerson and Pirsig, I think the translation I like best is: "Mind moves not-mind." "Mind moves matter," as was posted on 10/7/12, seems to be the same. If there is a difference, I cannot tell it. I have not studied Latin except digging through etymology. I don't think it is spoken anywhere these days except in the Catholic church. I like my translation better, if for no other reason than I feel pretty certain Pope Ratzinger would translate it as "Mind moves matter," and no other options would be viable, and I am not Catholic, I do not live in Italy, and what would it matter anyway?
ReplyDeleteVery clever to come up with your own translation. Look what you started! Regardless, I hope the motto doesn't change for at least 4,000 years, give or take a decade.
"What is mind? No matter. What is matter? Never mind."
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying reading your posts...thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm glad you like it.
ReplyDeleteyou guys are so stupid.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very intelligent comment. It really added to the conversation. I hope someday I'll be smart enough to make valuable comments like that.
ReplyDeleteThose moles look like beavers from Corvallis!!
ReplyDelete"Ducks agitate beavers"? But beavers don't have pointy noses like those moles do.
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