Via et veritas et vita

The motto as it appears on the arms of the city of Arad, Romania.

Via et veritas et vita (Classical Latin: [ˈwi.a ˈweːritaːs ˈwiːta], Ecclesiastical Latin: [ˈvi.a ˈveritas ˈvita]) is a Latin phrase meaning "the way and the truth and the life". The words are taken from John 14:6, and are said to have been spoken by Jesus Christ in reference to himself.

These words, and sometimes the asyndetic variant via veritas vita, have been used as the motto of various educational institutions and governments.

New Testament

John 14:6 sign along U.S. Route 66 in Shamrock in Wheeler County, Texas

The phrase is found in verse 6 of chapter 14 of the Gospel of John, as part of Jesus' Farewell Discourse during the Last Supper:

"5 Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ 6 Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’"(New Revised Standard Version)

In the Latin Vulgate, verse 6 states 'dicit ei Iesus ego sum via et veritas et vita nemo venit ad Patrem nisi per me.[1]

The phrase "The Way" is also found in Acts 9:2 and 19:23 as a term to describe the early church.

Usage as a motto

Government

Educational institutions

The motto also appears on the arms of the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

Higher education

Secondary education

It is also the motto of some Canossian schools:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Latin Vulgate side-by-side: John (www.latinvulgate.com) and Latin Vulgate: John (www.fourmilab.ch)
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