Veritas


For other uses, see Veritas (disambiguation).
Statue of Veritas outside the Supreme Court of Canada

In Roman mythology, Veritas (meaning truth) was the goddess of truth, a daughter of Saturn and the mother of Virtue. It was believed that she hid in the bottom of a holy well because she was so elusive. Her image is shown as a young virgin dressed in white.[1] Veritas is also the name given to the Roman virtue of truthfulness, which was considered one of the main virtues any good Roman should have possessed. In Greek mythology, Veritas was known as Aletheia.

This Latin word now appears in many University mottos. Veritas is the motto of Harvard University, the Dominican Order of the Roman Catholic Church, and Providence College which is run by the Dominicans. It is included in Indiana University's and Yale University's motto Lux et Veritas (Light and Truth). It also appears on the California State University's motto Vox Veritas Vita (Speak the Truth as a way of Life). Veritas (Truth) is also the motto of Bishop Lynch High School, appearing over the entrance doorway. Caldwell College issues a "Veritas Award" each year in honor of the Dominican Sisters who founded and administer the college. Those who have been honored exemplify the philosophy and spirit of the Dominican mission embodied by the College and demonstrate accomplishment in a chosen field.

Public Affairs Officers in the Canadian Forces wear insignia emblazoned with the word "Veritas" as part of their standard uniform.

The word is also used in the phrase in vino veritas, meaning "In wine, truth", referring to the circumstance that people seem to become uninhibited and tell what they really think (i.e. the truth) when they drink alcohol.

References

  1. ^ Mercantante, Anthony S. The Fact on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend. Facts on File, 1988, p. 654, ISBN 0-8160-1049-8.

External links


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