Detroit's motto

Is it speramus meliora [[indicative: "we hope for better things")

Or sperimus meliora [[hortatory subjunctive: "let us hope for better things")?

I've seen it written both ways. CAYMC has the first version; one of the plaques on a Belle Isle footbridge has the second. Old seals seem to have the first version.

Either would be correct in Latin, but I guess the question is: which is more in line with the attitude of people here? And was the Belle Isle version the product of a person's learning the phrase in Latin, remembering it in English, and then working his way back to Latin?

I'd go with A and not I. The flag and city seal both have the A version, plus it sounds more optimistic.

Among his many talents, fellow forumer, Danny is a Latin scholar and expert in the Motto. Once he gets a chance, I'm sure he'll chime in and give you more info than you need.

It sounds like a disease a man might get.

Nothing Detroit Hope Hospital physicians can't cure.

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Originally Posted by Retroit

It sounds like a disease a man might get.

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Lol. But could you imagine if this was a disease and getting diagnosed with the first one, a life-threatening 6-month-to-live type deal, but then it really turns out to be the second one, a non-life threatening, just take these pills and you're all better deal? Just because of one vowel!

I think it's just beautiful. I love words and language, and the imagery suited the historical moment in which it was written. Thanks, Father Richard.

I also love the way that Dudley Randall remixed it almost 200 years later: "Cities have died, have burned/Yet phoenix-like, returned."

"hortatory subjunctive"

I just had a flash on why I flunked HS Latin. And probably never fared very well in English, either..........:)

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Originally Posted by Ray1936

"hortatory subjunctive"

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Is that what police call a man who stops his car to talk to a woman standing on the corner in a mini-skirt?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dtowncitylover

Lol. But could you imagine if this was a disease and getting diagnosed with the first one, a life-threatening 6-month-to-live type deal, but then it really turns out to be the second one, a non-life threatening, just take these pills and you're all better deal? Just because of one vowel!

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It's better than having the wrong leg amputated.

...I think. :confused:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Retroit

It's better than having the wrong leg amputated.

...I think. :confused:

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You can't sue for that. You haven't a leg to stand on.

Officially isn't the motto Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus
'we hope for better, it rises from ashes'.

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Originally Posted by kryptonite

Officially isn't the motto Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus
'we hope for better, it rises from ashes'.

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Reflected in the city flag:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...troit_flag.png