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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!ariel!houti!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxr!lew
From: lew@ihuxr.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.nlang
Subject: what does "Non Serviam" mean?
Message-ID: <647@ihuxr.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 16-Sep-83 18:35:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxr.647
Posted: Fri Sep 16 18:35:13 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 17-Sep-83 17:29:24 EDT
Organization: BTL Naperville, Il.
Lines: 21

The story "Non Serviam" by Stanislav Lem has been mentioned several
times by myself and others. I liked this story but I'm puzzled by the
title. What is the exact meaning of it? I noticed a picture of a RC
bishop in the newspaper recently - he had the word SERVIAM on his
"crown", or whatever it's called. Evidently, "Non Serviam" is an allusion
to this religious usage.

I tried looking this up in a Latin book I have, although my knowledge
of Latin is nil. "servio" means "I serve" and as near as I can
figure "serviam" means "I served", but I certainly wouldn't want to
rule out some other grammatical form being used here.

I want to know: 1) what is the exact Latin meaning of "Serviam"? 2)
2) what is its religious significance?, and 3) what does "Non Serviam"
have to do with Lem's story? 

It seems like the title must have something to do with the reluctance
of the personoid's creator to interfere in their world, but I can't
really tie it together.

		Lew Mammel, Jr. ihuxr!lew