After a longer while, another Latin phrase. This time a very short one, but one full of promise, with its meaning “toward better things”. And suits today, as it is the 20th Anniversary Commemoration of what happened in the United States on September 11th, 2001.
Ad meliora
is actually part of the sentence Ad meliora (toward better things) et (and) ad maiora (toward bigger things) semper (always). “Always towards better and bigger things”. It is a way to congratulate someone for being successful, and wish them even bigger success in the future. In New York, after all the calamity and tragedy, One World Trade Center (formerly known as Freedom Tower) marked the definite beginning of something better as it was opened in 2016. It is the tallest building in the United States, and a constant and grand reminder - for visitors and New Yorkers alike - of what happened and of the fact that we can rise above the past.
So, do we know who is the person behind this Latin phrase? We don’t. But does it matter? All that matters is that we do strive towards better and perhaps even bigger things in our lives. We can’t all be building skyscrapers, but we can all try a bit harder, whatever we do.
Below an image of the 911 Memorial in New York City. For more Latin phrases, check here.
