“Nihil Utile Quod Non Honestum”

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28766, 11 December 1958, Page 3

“Nihil Utile Quod Non Honestum”

Sir, —I was interested to note that a correspondent in today’s issue of “The Press” quoted its well-known motto. I have always assumed that the motto, admirable in sentiment and impeccable in Latinity, had been chosen by G. S. Sale, first Professor of Classics at Otago University, who, I understand, had for a short time been editor during the first year of the paper. I would be pleased to know whether my assumption is correct. If Professor Sale was responsible, may I add that in the context “utile” must be understood as the Latin equivalent of “expedient,” and “honestum” as the equivalent of “honourable”.—Yours, etc., DISCIPULUS. December 5, 1958. [Mr Sale was the first editor of “The Press.” He held the position for only six months, but as the motto appeared on the first issue of the paper it is probable that he had something to do with the choice. Professor D. A. Kidd, professor of classics at the University of Canterbury, said he would not accept the translation “expedient.” His translation would be literal: “There is nothing useful that is not honourable.”]