The literal translation of the Ames Family Motto [ link ] "Fama candida rosa dulcior" usually comes out to something like "Fame is sweeter than the white rose", however as a rank amateur latin speaker that doesn't seem to translate the intent of the motto.
It "feels" like the motto should translate to something like "Only the whiteness of a rose is sweeter than the reputation of this family" (ie: "A roses whiteness is sweeter than the fame/reputation of this family"). The literal translation seems to come out as "We're better than roses" (probably not intended), or "I prefer fame to a white rose" (also probably not intended).
However, I'm really not a latin expert so have no true basis for complaining about the accuracy of the translation. If I were to try and translate the idea behind the original latin motto, the best I've come up with is "Spotless Reputation", which has nothing to do with roses or fame, but seems to get to the gist of what I imagine the original motto is trying to say.
Any thoughts? Is there a better way of translating the motto that also includes the original desire to be compared to white roses?