Nullius in verba facts for kids
Nullius in verba is a famous Latin phrase. It means "on the word of no one" or "take nobody's word for it." This powerful motto belongs to the Royal Society, a very old and respected group of scientists. John Evelyn and other early members of the Royal Society picked this motto in 1660, not long after the group was started.
What Does Nullius in Verba Mean?
The Royal Society explains that their motto shows something very important. It means their members are determined to not just believe what someone tells them. Instead, they want to check everything themselves. They do this by doing experiments and looking at facts. It's all about finding out the truth through careful study, not just accepting old ideas.
Where Did the Motto Come From?
The phrase Nullius in verba comes from an ancient Roman poet named Horace. He wrote it in one of his famous Epistles, which were like long letters in poetry. Horace was writing to his friend Maecenas. In his poem, Horace said he wasn't loyal to any single group or way of thinking. He preferred to learn from many different sources.
The full line from Horace's poem is:
Nullius addictus iurare in verba magistri, – quo me cumque rapit tempestas, deferor hospes.
(This means: "Not bound to swear allegiance to any master's words; wherever the storm carries me, I am brought as a guest.")
The Royal Society took just the first part, Nullius in verba, to create their motto. It perfectly captures their spirit of independent thinking and scientific discovery.
A Motto in Space
This important phrase is even found in space! There's a minor planet in the asteroid belt named 11059 Nulliusinverba. It's a small rocky body orbiting the Sun, and it was given this name because of the famous motto. This shows how widely recognized and respected the idea behind Nullius in verba is.
