Nec temere, nec timide

Nec temere, nec timide is a Latin phrase that translates to 'Neither rashly nor timidly'. Its exact origin is unknown although Aristotle in Ethica Nicomachea, Book III, mentions, along with other examples, that the virtuous man is not temerarious nor timorous, but courageous.[1] It is best known as the motto of the Dano-Norwegian naval hero Niels Juel, who supposedly used it first at the dawn of July 1, 1677, just before the Battle of Køge Bay.

The phrase has been used as a motto by armigerous families Bent, Buckley and Sherbourne, as well as individuals including the Williams-Bulkeley baronets and Charles Western, 1st Baron Western.[2]

Today, it is used as a motto by various institutions, including:

  1. ^ "Latin Proverb of the Day: Nec temere, nec timide". Archived from the original on September 3, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
  2. ^ The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, Bernard Burke, Harrison & Sons, 1884, p. 142, 1094-5
  3. ^ "Oswestry - Coat of arms (crest) of Oswestry". www.heraldry-wiki.com.
  4. ^ "Cottrell Brewing Co. — The local beer of choice in Connecticut and Rhode Island".
  5. ^ "The Michigan eXploration Lab".
  6. ^ "National Paramount Services, LLP". www.hirenps.co. Retrieved 2016-09-10.