大學的靈魂是它的獨立和傳統精神。創新之意識，自由之，科學、人文之傳統等等，這些都是大學最重要的、共同的精神支柱。由于歷史的不同，以及地域文化與學科差異的影響，不同大學之間又形成了各自的傳統和精神，這是大學在共性之外的與個性。

哈佛圖書館校訓口號：

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

[中文]：即使現在，對手也不停地翻動書頁。

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

[中文]：誰也不能隨隨便便成功，它來自徹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]：我荒廢的今日，正是昨日殞身之人祈求的明日。

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，你將做夢；而此刻學習，你將圓夢。

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

[中文]：投資未來的人是，忠于現實的人。

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

[中文]：一天過完，不會再來。

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

[中文]：幸福或許不排名次，但成功必排名次。

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

[中文]：沒有艱辛，便無所獲。

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

[中文]：請享受無法回避的痛苦。

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

[中文]：現在淌的哈喇子，將成為明天的眼淚。

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

[中文]：狗一樣地學，紳士一樣地玩。

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

[中文]：學習這件事，不是缺乏時間，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]：只有比別人更早、更勤奮地努力，才能嘗到成功的滋味。

15、[英文]：The time is passing.

[中文]：時間在流逝。

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

[中文]：勿將今日之事拖到明日。

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，既然連人生的一部分——學習也無法征服，還能做什么呢？

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]：覺得為時已晚的時候，恰恰是最早的時候。

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

[中文]：學習時的苦痛是暫時的，未學到的痛苦是終生的。

最能反映一所大學傳統和的即是校訓了，因為校訓是學校制定的對全校師生具有指導意義的行為準則，是對學校辦學傳統與辦學目標的高度概括。校訓對激勵全校師生弘揚傳統，增強榮譽感、責任感，繼續奮發向上，具有特別重要的意義。