Posted on 10/22/2008 7:58:46 PM PDT by seastay
This is just a little extra lesson in response to the ANNUIT COEPTIS image at the top of this post. – Origin and Meaning
of the Motto Above the Eye
Secretary of Congress Charles Thomson suggested “Annuit Coeptis” when he put together the final design of the Great Seal in June 1782.
He placed the motto at the top of the Seal’s reverse side, where its meaning is associated with the Eye of Providence in a triangle surrounded by light rays.
Thomson did not provide an exact translation of the motto, but he explained its symbolism: The Eye and the motto Annuit Coeptis “allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in favour of the American cause.”
“Signal” means unusual, notable, outstanding.
“Interposition” means intervention. (In this case, a divine intervention.)
Many leaders of the American Revolution felt that Providence had a hand in securing their Independence, particularly George Washington who often referred to the “smiles of Providence.”
“I salute you Gentlemen most Affectionately, and beg leave to remind you, that Liberty, Honor, and Safety are all at stake, and I trust Providence will smile upon our Efforts, and establish us once more, the Inhabitants of a free and happy Country.” (August 8, 1776)
“The many remarkable interpositions of the divine government. in the hours of our deepest distress and darkness, have been too luminous to suffer me to doubt the happy issue of the present contest.” (March 26, 1781)
“The Commander in Chief earnestly recommends that the troops not on duty should universally attend with that seriousness of Deportment and gratitude of Heart which the recognition of such reiterated and astonishing interpositions of Providence demand of us.” (October 20, 1781)
Translating ANNUIT COEPTIS
Annuit means to nod assent, to favor, to smile upon.
Coeptis means undertakings, endeavors, beginnings.
Annuit coeptis means “favors (lit., gives the nod to) undertakings.” The subject must be supplied. Who favors? The Eye (Providence) does.
The verb annuit can be either present tense or perfect tense, therefore an accurate translation of the motto is: “Providence favors our undertakings” or “Providence has favored our undertakings.” (The word “our” is supplied.)
(It has also been translated as: “He favors our undertakings” or “He has prospered our endeavors.”)
The meaning of this motto is better understood when seen in its original classical context.
Discover the source of Annuit Coeptis.
On June 20, 1782, Congress approved Thomson’s design for both sides of the Great Seal, whose official description states:
“A Pyramid unfinished. In the Zenith
an Eye in a triangle surrounded with a glory proper.
Over the Eye these words ‘Annuit Cœptis’.”
NOTE: “Coeptis” is interchangeable with “cœptis.” That “œ” is an example of a ligature where two letters are combined into a single character.
“Annuit” does not mean “to announce” (which is annuntio).
Annuit Coeptis reflects the mottoes suggested for the third committee’s reverse side
and Ben Franklin’s suggestion for the first committee’s reverse.
They won't increase taxes, they will merely “roll back” Bush's “irresponsible tax cuts”.
So, if I receive a pay raise from $100K to $125K, and my manager approaches me a few years later to inform me that starting in January, my new salary will be $100K, in libland it could be argued that I did not have my salary cut, the company merely “rolled back my pay raise”.
In Washington, when a pet entitlement like school lunch has been increasing at the annual rate of 6%, and Republicans propose that next year the program be increased by 4.5%, liberals scream about “draconian cuts” evoking visions of starving, malnourished rugrats.
Ask anyone with the slightest inkling of an interest in politics which party it is that’s in favor of socialization, and which it is that’s in favor of privatization and I’ll think they’ll be able to tell you which is which.
“It’s kind of hard to figure how Warren Buffett endorsed me, Colin Powell endorsed me, and John McCain thinks I’m socialist.”
Warren Buffet is a socialist! ROTLMFAO!!! Obama says he is not a socialist by holding up an endorsement from a socialist! What a maroooon!
Powell is a racist and an opportunist looking for a job.
Yeah, right. An opportunity to freeload, on my dime. That’s what I see.
Your post should be Post of the Day.
And doesn’t Obama say that he will NOT keep the Bush tax cuts? So our taxes go up first before his little scheme, anyway.
Word smithing at its best! I would say stealing money from one to give it to another using the forceful coercion of the state is exactly “socialism”, not “opportunity”.
JoMa
So, if I receive a pay raise from $100K to $125K, and my manager approaches me a few years later to inform me that starting in January, my new salary will be $100K, in libland it could be argued that I did not have my salary cut, the company merely “rolled back my pay raise”.
so well put...deserved a BUMP
“America knows it is called S-O-C-I-A-L-I-S-M.”
It is communism.
Here’s a tack that might stick to the boy wonder:
Socialism is slavery. If I do not fully control the fruits of my labor I am a slave.
How’s that fit, Barry?
We already ‘spread the wealth around’. It’s called a progressive tax rate.
I was pretty stupid about all that when I was young. I went away to school in France and one of my professors was a Communist. I expected him to be simple and poor, not a pick up artist in an expensive velour tracksuit with gold medallions around his neck. Living in Europe taught me so much about both freedom and socialism. I became a conservative only after my job there became redundant and I then got paid for 2 years at 80% to stay home.
i'd call that an opportunity for another democrat backed government program.... country wide welfare for the masses
otherwise known as buying democrat votes with our money
Warren Buffet said he endorsed you so that the market would tank and he could reap mucho bucks from the downturn and coincidently avoid the rath of the moaists you’ve unleashed on the unsuspecting “joe plumbers.” My guess is that his vote is still only one vote.
As Dennis Miller said of this election:
“For me it has nothing to do with the color of Barack Obama’s skin and everything to do with the thinness of it.”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.