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Ad astra per aspera

Posted by Masakim January 28, 2002In reply to Ad astra per aspera posted by Bruce Kahl on January 28, 2002

HELP !
Can anyone tell me what the phrase "Ad Astar Per Aspera" means in English ? Even if you only know a part of it, please email me at Thunt4@towson.edu Thanks!

Ad astra per aspera means 'to the stars through difficulties' and is the state motto of Kansas ( USA ).
More state mottoes in Latin at the link below.

"TO the stars through stars" means figuratively "Greatness is only achieved by surmounting problems."

Virgil wrote in _Aeneid_ Book 9:

Macte nova virtute, sic itur ad astra.
(Blessings on your young courage, boy; that's the way to the stars.)

The motto of the Mulvany family "Per ardua ad astra" (Through struggles to the stars) has become that of the Royal Air Force in 1913.

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