north carolina motto

North Carolina’s official state motto is the Latin phrase “Esse Quam Videri,” which means “to be rather than to seem.”

Motto and Meaning

• The motto “Esse Quam Videri” was adopted by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1893 as the state’s official motto.

• Translated into English, it means “to be rather than to seem,” emphasizing genuine character over appearances.

Historical Background

• The phrase comes from the Roman philosopher Cicero’s work De Amicitia (“On Friendship”), where it appears in a longer sentence about true virtue.

• North Carolina was the last of the original thirteen states to adopt an official motto, finally doing so with “Esse Quam Videri” in 1893.

Use on the Great Seal

• By law, the motto “esse quam videri” must appear on the Great Seal and coat of arms of the State of North Carolina.

• Along with the motto, the date “May 20th, 1775” is inscribed, commemorating the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.

TL;DR: North Carolina’s motto is “Esse Quam Videri” (“to be rather than to seem”), adopted in 1893 and featured on the state seal with the date May 20, 1775.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.