The Rotary Mottos – Created by Whom and When

Rotary International was founded in 1905 by Paul Percy Harris in Chicago without an official motto. Two key mottos emerged over time that represent Rotary’s service philosophy. The first, “He Profits Most Who Serves Best,” was introduced in 1910 by Chicago Rotarian Arthur Frederick Sheldon and approved in 1911. Around the same time, Benjamin Franklin Collins of the Minneapolis Rotary Club promoted “Service, Not Self,” which evolved into the famous “Service Above Self.” Both mottos were formally adopted in 1950. In 1989, the Council on Legislation designated “Service Above Self” as Rotary’s principal motto, emphasizing selfless volunteerism. These mottos have been translated into many languages, including Chinese, highlighting Rotary’s global dedication to service and ethical values.

O Rotary International foi fundado em 1905 por Paul Percy Harris em Chicago sem um lema oficial. Ao longo do tempo, dois lemas principais surgiram para representar a filosofia de serviço do Rotary. O primeiro, “He Profits Most Who Serves Best” (Quem mais lucra é aquele que melhor serve), foi introduzido em 1910 pelo rotariano de Chicago Arthur Frederick Sheldon e aprovado em 1911. Na mesma época, Benjamin Franklin Collins do Rotary de Minneapolis promoveu “Service, Not Self” (Serviço, não o eu), que evoluiu para o famoso “Service Above Self” (Serviço acima de si mesmo). Ambos os lemas foram formalmente adotados em 1950. Em 1989, o Conselho de Legislação designou “Service Above Self” como o lema principal do Rotary, destacando o voluntariado altruísta. Esses lemas foram traduzidos para várias línguas, incluindo o chinês, evidenciando a dedicação global do Rotary ao serviço e aos valores éticos.

国际扶轮社（Rotary International）于1905年由保罗·珀西·哈里斯（Paul Percy Harris）在芝加哥创立，创始时无正式座右铭。后来出现了两个代表扶轮服务理念的关键座右铭。第一个座右铭“He Profits Most Who Serves Best”（服务最好者获益最多）由芝加哥扶轮会员亚瑟·弗雷德里克·谢尔顿（Arthur Frederick Sheldon）于1910年提出，并于1911年获得批准。同期，明尼阿波利斯扶轮社的本杰明·富兰克林·柯林斯（Benjamin Franklin Collins）倡导“Service, Not Self”（服务非自我），后演变为著名的“Service Above Self”（服务高于自我）。这两个座右铭于1950年正式采用。1989年，扶轮立法委员会确定“Service Above Self”为扶轮的主要座右铭，强调无私的志愿服务。这些座右铭已被翻译成多种语言，包括多种中文版本，彰显扶轮全球致力于服务与道德的承诺。