Item 202000624 - Confortare Esto Vir - in School Newsletter

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From the Desk of the Senior Deputy Headmaster
The words of our Latin motto appear in the Old Testament Latin versions of the Bible, when
King David, on his death bed, tells his son Solomon to accept the reality of his impending
death and face the challenge of becoming Israel’s next King. In 1-Kings Chapter 2: verses
2-4 of the Old Testament, King David says: "ego ingredior viam universae terrae confortare
et esto vir" which transalates to: "”I am going the way of all the earth: be thou strong
therefore, and show thyself a man".
The School’s Latin motto of “Confortare Esto Vir” implies courage and a respect of others.
The slogan’s meaning is related to the concepts of resilience and being a gentleman. A true
gentleman would certainly respect all human beings, whatever their nationality, place of
residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status.
Our motto is referred to frequently at St David’s Marist Inanda, and rightly so; but usually
very superficially and without much thought as to its deeper meaning. Boys frequently link
the motto with concepts such as ‘my brother’s keeper’ and ‘band of brothers’ – these are very
noble concepts and are encouraged. However, some Marist Inanda boys associate the motto
with standing by peers even if they are wrong, if they cheat, if they lie, or if they bully others
– if one boy is wrong, well then we’ll take courage and stand together like men: we will
cover up for our brother’s wrongs. While the intentions might seem to be noble, the
consequences and actions are certainly not; this interpretation of what the motto should
inspire and stand for is deeply flawed.
The Latin word “confortare” translates to ‘wax strong; take courage’. Words such as ‘grit,
mettle, pluck, resilience’ are synonyms for courage and these character traits need to be
constantly encouraged as to what we are looking for in the young men who attend St David’s.
It takes courage to stand up for what is right and our boys need to focus on our
interconnectedness, belonging, friendship, respect and generosity – all concepts which are at
the core human rights, and indeed our Marist values.
The Latin word “vir” translates as ‘man or husband’; it also means ‘a person of honour.’ The
connotations and actions associated with a gentleman or person of honour are in many ways
similar to the principles which are espoused in South Africa’s Constitution and Bill of Rights
– to name a few: dignity, altruism, decency, respectability, righteousness, morality,
trustworthiness, and being just, ethical, upright and reputable – i.e. being a gentleman.
Having resilience and being a gentleman is what our School’s Code of Conduct espouses -
there is nothing courageous and honourable in bullying or being disrespectful to others, for
whatever reason. Not respecting differences in fellow pupils is the antithesis of what the St
David’s motto “Confortare Esto Vir” stands for.
Interestingly, the motto “Confortare Esto Vir” is also the motto of Sacred Heart College,
Auckland and St Paul's College, Auckland – both fellow Marist Schools.