Page 30 - Yearbook 2021-2022

AN ISC-DUBAI SCHOOLWIDE DIRECTIVE

Manners Maketh Man?

William of Wykeham (1324 - 1404) of St Mary’s
College of Winchester, New College, Oxford,
UK is famed for coining the motto. The words
‘Manners Maketh Man’ adorn the college’s coat
of arms. But what does this mean?

The motto was quite revolutionary for its time.
Firstly, it is written in English, rather than Latin,
which makes it very unusual in Oxford. Secondly,
and most importantly, the motto makes a social
statement; it is not by birth, money, or property
that an individual is defined, but by how he or
she behaves towards other people.

The motto was quite revolutionary for its time.
Firstly, it is written in English, rather than Latin,
which makes it very unusual in Oxford. Secondly,
and most importantly, the motto makes a social
statement; it is not by birth, money, or property
that an individual is defined, but by how he or she
behaves towards other people.

So, how should one behave?

The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, himself wrote - a man or a woman is what he or she does,
and what we do is what we are. Confused? Basically, Aristotle believed that a person must have
“experience of the actions in life” and must have been “brought up in fine habits” in order to become
good. For a person to become virtuous, he or she can’t simply study what virtue is, but must actually
do virtuous things. Politeness, civility, and good manners are essential to everyday interactions with
others in society.