大学的灵魂是它的独立和传统精神。创新之意识，自由之，科学、人文之传统等等，这些都是大学最重要的、共同的精神支柱。由于历史的不同，以及地域文化与学科差异的影响，不同大学之间又形成了各自的传统和精神，这是大学在共性之外的与个性。

哈佛图书馆校训口号：

1、[英文]：Even if the present, the match does not stop changes the page.

[中文]：即使现在，对手也不停地翻动书页。

2、[英文]：Nobody can casually succeed, it comes from the thorough self-control and the will.

[中文]：谁也不能随随便便成功，它来自彻底的自我管理和毅力。

3、[英文]：I leave uncultivated today, was precisely yesterday perishes tomorrow which person of the body implored.

[中文]：我荒废的今日，正是昨日殒身之人祈求的明日。

4、[英文]：Today does not walk, will have to run tomorrow.

[中文]：今天不走，明天要跑。

5、[英文]：This moment will nap, you will have a dream; But this moment study, you will interpret a dream.

[中文]：此刻打盹，你将做梦；而此刻學習，你将圆梦。

6、[英文]：The investment future person will be, will be loyal to the reality person.

[中文]：投资未来的人是，忠于现实的人。

7、[英文]：One day, has not been able again to come.

[中文]：一天过完，不会再来。

8、[英文]：Perhaps happiness does not arrange the position, but succeeds must arrange the position.

[中文]：幸福或许不排名次，但成功必排名次。

9、[英文]：Has not been difficult, then does not have attains.

[中文]：没有艰辛，便无所获。

10、[英文]：Please enjoy the pain which is unable to avoid.

[中文]：请享受无法回避的痛苦。

11、[英文]：Now drips the saliva, will become tomorrow the tear.

[中文]：现在淌的哈喇子，将成为明天的眼泪。

12、[英文]：The dog equally study, the gentleman equally plays.

[中文]：狗一样地学，绅士一样地玩。

13、[英文]：Studies this matter, lacks the time, but is lacks diligently.

[中文]：學習这件事，不是缺乏时间，而是缺乏努力。

14、[英文]：Only has compared to the others early, diligently diligently, can feel the successful taste.

[中文]：只有比别人更早、更勤奋地努力，才能尝到成功的滋味。

15、[英文]：The time is passing.

[中文]：时间在流逝。

16、[英文]：Not matter of the today will drag tomorrow.

[中文]：勿将今日之事拖到明日。

17、[英文]：The study certainly is not the life complete. But, since continually life part of - studies also is unable to conquer, what but lso can make?

[中文]：學習并不是人生的全部。但，既然连人生的一部分——學習也无法征服，还能做什么呢？

18、[英文]：The education level represents the income.

[中文]：教育程度代表收入。

19、[英文]：Thought is already is late, exactly is the earliest time.

[中文]：觉得为时已晚的时候，恰恰是最早的时候。

20、[英文]：Time the study pain is temporary, has not learned the pain is life-long.

[中文]：學習时的苦痛是暂时的，未学到的痛苦是终生的。

最能反映一所大学传统和的即是校训了，因为校训是学校制定的对全校师生具有指导意义的行为准则，是对学校办学传统与办学目标的高度概括。校训对激励全校师生弘扬传统，增强荣誉感、责任感，继续奋发向上，具有特别重要的意义。