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This seems to be a rumor that is prevalent on the Internet, particularly in China. We have found no trace of any mottos on a Harvard library wall, and Professor Robert Darnton states unequivocally, "As the university librarian, I can attest that no such writings exist on any of the walls at Harvard's 73 libraries." (The Wall Street Journal, "A generation of Chinese students draws inspiration from a hoax about Harvard. " Nov 15th, 2012)
There is also a thorough refutation at http://www3.sympatico.ca/dstephen1/harvardnonsense.htm.
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