In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas
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The Latin phrase in necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas means "in certain things unity; in doubtful things liberty; in all things charity". It is often misattributed to St. Augustine of Hippo, but seems to have been first used in the seventeenth century by a German Lutheran theologian called Rupertus Meldenius in the form "in necesariis unita[s], in non-necessariis liberta[s], in utrisque charita[s]", meaning "in certain things, unity; in uncertain things, liberty; and in both, charity". It is widely quoted in defence of theological and religious freedom. This phrase is the motto of the ÖCV, the association of Catholic student fraternities of Austria.
External links
- 'A common quotation from "Augustine"?' (http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/jod/augustine/quote.html) -- A detailed history of the origin and interpretation of the phrase.