大学的灵魂是它的独立思想和传统精神。创新之意识，自由之思想，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特色与个性。
哈佛图书馆校训：
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；而此刻学习，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]：学习这件事，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]：学习并不是人生的全部。但，既然连人生的一部分——学习也无法征服，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]：学习时的苦痛是暂时的，未学到的痛苦是终生的。
最能反映一所大学传统和特色的即是校训了，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。
