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 | |
Audemus jura nostra defendere | We dare to defend our rights | ||
North to the Future | |||
Ditat Deus | God enriches | ||
Regnat populus | The people rule | ||
Eureka (Greek) | I have found it | ||
Nil sine numine | Nothing without Providence | ||
Qui transtulit sustinet | He who transplanted sustains | ||
Liberty and independence | |||
In God we trust | |||
Wisdom, Justice, Moderation | |||
Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ‘Āina i ka Pono (Hawaiian) | The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness | ||
Esto perpetua | Let it be perpetual | ||
State sovereignty, national union | |||
The crossroads of America | |||
Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain | |||
Ad astra per aspera | To the stars through difficulties | ||
United we stand, divided we fall and Deo graham habeamus | Let us be grateful to God | ||
Union, justice, and confidence | |||
Dirigo | I direct | ||
Fatti maschi, parole femmine (Italian) | Strong deeds, gentle words | ||
Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem | By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty | ||
Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice | If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you | ||
L’étoile du Nord (French) | The star of the North | ||
Virtute et armis | By valor and arms | ||
Salus populi suprema lex esto | The Welfare of the People is the Highest Law | ||
Oro y plata (Spanish) | Gold and silver | ||
Equality before the law | |||
All for our country | |||
Live free or die | |||
Liberty and Prosperity | |||
Crescit eundo | It grows as it goes | ||
Excelsior! | Ever Upward! | ||
Esse quam videri | To be, rather than to seem | ||
Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable | |||
With God, all things are possible | |||
Labor omnia vincit | Hard work conquers all things | ||
The Union | She flies with her own wings | ||
Virtue, Liberty and Independence | |||
Hope | |||
Dum spiro spero | While I breathe, I hope | ||
Under God the people rule | |||
Agriculture and commerce | |||
Friendship | |||
Industry | |||
Freedom and Unity and Stella quarta decima fulgeat | May the 14th star shine bright | ||
Sic semper tyrannis | Thus always to tyrants | ||
Al-ki (Chinook Jargon) | Bye and bye | ||
Montani semper liberi | Mountaineers are always free | ||
Forward | |||
Equal Rights |