Expert: Maria - 10/7/2010

Question
Hello.  I am having some trouble translating the motto "For the Greater Good" into Latin.  The best I could come up with was pro quantum bonus.  And I know that is not right.  Can you help me?

Answer
Hello,

The motto "For the Greater Good” translates correctly into Latin as follows:

1-“Ad summum bonum”, if this motto means  that  your  goal  is to reach the greater good, i.e. you are struggling to reach  the greater good.

2-“Pro summo bono”, if this motto means that you are struggling in defense of the greater good.

See below for grammatical analysis.

As for “Pro quantum bonus”, I’m sorry, but it is absolutely wrong, as you say yourself.

Best regards,
Maria
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Note that:

-For = AD (preposition which takes the accusative BONUM)  or PRO (preposition which requires the ablative BONO)

-the Greater = SUMMUM  (accusative of the adjective SUMMUS agreed with BONUM) or SUMMO (ablative of the adjective SUMMUS agreed with BONO)

-Good = BONUM (accusative, 2nd.declension)  or BONO (ablative of the neuter noun BONUM, 2nd.declension)