do good with pen or sword

[asouadangel]

Hi,

I need help to make sure i translated the motto of my group properly: benefac cum stylo aut gladius it's basically my translation of "do good with pen or sword" in the sense of doing the right thing with words or actions.

Please help me make sure the grammar is proper before I go to print.

Thank you!

 

[Pacifica]

Hi,

No, it isn't correct.

I would suggest benefac vel stilo vel gladio.

 

[asouadangel]

Ah, it does sound better indeed. Much appreciated, feedback is always welcomed!

 

[Deleted member 13757]

How would you differentiate vel ... vel and aut ... aut?

Do good, if you want with pen if you want with a sword.
Do good, or with pen or with sword.

 

[Bitmap]

How would you differentiate vel ... vel and aut ... aut?

Do good, if you want with pen if you want with a sword.
Do good, or with pen or with sword.

vel -> inclusive or
aut -> exclusive or

 

[Deleted member 13757]

So what sounds better here? I am for aut...aut.

 

[Bitmap]

I didn't take pen and sword to be mutually exclusive, so I liked vel... but I suppose you can argue for aut as well.

 

[asouadangel]

Indeed, pen and sword are not mutually exclusive.

 

[asouadangel]

This motto is basically for an initiative that wants to encourage people who might be dissuaded from doing something they think it's right and help their community. If you feel alone in your quest for doing the right thing, for doing good, you might abstain from doing it. But if you know there are others like you, that you are not alone, that you will have backup, whether through a simple encouragement or through an actual helping hand, then maybe we'll see some positive change in this world, whether with pen or with sword, whether with words or with actions (not violent, the sword being just a symbol for action).

 

[R. Seltza]

Given that "pen" & "sword" are not mutually exclusive, I'm not sure how you could argue for aut.

Vel would be more appropriate here.