State Mottos

NewHampshire motto

State Mottos

A state motto is a phrase or sentence that states a unifying belief, goal, or intention. It’s much different than a nickname or a state slogan. A motto is almost like a rallying cry. Each one of the 50 states has at least one motto. Many of the state mottos are originally in other languages like Latin, Spanish, Italian, French, Hawaiian or even Native American Chinook, but have no fear, we have provided the translations for you! 


State

Official Motto

English Translation

 

Alabama

Audemus jura nostra defendere

We dare to defend our rights 

 

Alaska

North to the Future

  

Arizona

Ditat Deus

God enriches

 

Arkansas

Regnat populus

The people rule

 

California

Eureka (Greek)

I have found it

 

Colorado

Nil sine numine

Nothing without Providence 

 

Connecticut

Qui transtulit sustinet

He who transplanted sustains

 

Delaware

Liberty and independence

  

Florida

In God we trust

  

Georgia

Wisdom, Justice, Moderation

  

Hawaii

Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ‘Āina i ka Pono (Hawaiian)

The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness

 

Idaho

Esto perpetua

Let it be perpetual

 

Illinois

State sovereignty, national union

  

Indiana

The crossroads of America

  

Iowa

Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain

  

Kansas

Ad astra per aspera

To the stars through difficulties

 

Kentucky

United we stand, divided we fall and Deo graham habeamus

Let us be grateful to God

 

Louisiana

Union, justice, and confidence

  

Maine

Dirigo

I direct

 

Maryland

Fatti maschi, parole femmine (Italian)

Strong deeds, gentle words

 

Massachusetts

Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem

By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty

 

Michigan

Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice

If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you

 

Minnesota

L’étoile du Nord (French)

The star of the North

 

Mississippi

Virtute et armis

By valor and arms

 

Missouri

Salus populi suprema lex esto

The Welfare of the People is the Highest Law

 

Montana

Oro y plata (Spanish)

Gold and silver

 

Nebraska

Equality before the law

  

Nevada

All for our country

  

New Hampshire

Live free or die

  

New Jersey

Liberty and Prosperity

  

New Mexico

Crescit eundo

It grows as it goes

 

New York

Excelsior!

Ever Upward!

 

North Carolina

Esse quam videri

To be, rather than to seem

 

North Dakota

Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable 

  

Ohio

With God, all things are possible

  

Oklahoma

Labor omnia vincit

Hard work conquers all things

 

Oregon

The Union 
 Alis volat propriis

She flies with her own wings

 

Pennsylvania

Virtue, Liberty and Independence

  

Rhode Island

Hope

  

South Carolina

Dum spiro spero

While I breathe, I hope

 

South Dakota

Under God the people rule

  

Tennessee

Agriculture and commerce

  

Texas

Friendship

  

Utah

Industry

  

Vermont

Freedom and Unity and Stella quarta decima fulgeat

May the 14th star shine bright

 

Virginia

Sic semper tyrannis

Thus always to tyrants

 

Washington

Al-ki (Chinook Jargon)

Bye and bye

 

West Virginia

Montani semper liberi

Mountaineers are always free

 

Wisconsin

Forward

  

Wyoming

Equal Rights