A good motto is hard to find
Andrea’s observation today that the Oregon state motto, “She Flies With Her Own Wings,” is pretty awesome got us looking up the state mottos.
And wondering what Clark County’s motto should be … it’s hard to pick a phrase that encompasses the mood of the entire county.
“Want fries with that?” would work well for the fast food nation that is Highway 99 in Hazel Dell, but not so much for Prune Hill or Hockinson.
“Hit me” is a nice nod to the cardrooms of La Center, but otherwise would refer to crime.
“Welcome to the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge and its National Scenic Area, whether you like the accompanying federal regulations or not,” is too lengthy.
What say you, loyal blog readers? Any ideas for a Clark County motto (one better than the generic “proud past, promising future”?)
For inspiration, here are the state mottos:
Alabama
We Dare Defend our Rights
(Audemus jura nostra defendere)
Alaska
North to the Future
Arizona
God Enriches (Ditat Deus)
Arkansas
The People Rule (Regnat populus)
California
Eureka … I have found it!
Colorado
Nothing without the Deity (Nil sine Numine )
Connecticut
He who is transplanted still sustains
(Qui transtulit sustinet)
Delaware
Liberty and Independence
Florida
In God We Trust
Georgia
Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation
Hawaii
Ua mau ke ea o ka aina I ka pono
(The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness)
Idaho
Let it be Perpetual (Esto perpetua)
Illinois
State Sovereignty, National Union
Indiana
The Crossroads of America
Iowa
Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain
Kansas
To the stars through difficulties
(Ad astra per aspera)
Kentucky
United we stand, divided we fall
Louisiana
Union, Justice, and Confidence
Maine
I direct (Dirigo)
Maryland
Manly deeds womanly words
(Fatti maschil parole femine)
Massachusetts
By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty (Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem)
Michigan
If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you
(Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam, circumspice)
Minnesota
The star of the north (L’Etoile du nor)
Mississippi
By valor and arms (Virtute et armis)
Missouri
The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law (Salus populi suprema lex esto)
Montana
Gold and Silver (Oro y plata)
Nebraska
Equality before the law
Nevada
All for our country
New Hampshire
Live free or die
New Jersey
Liberty and Prosperity
New Mexico
It grows as it goes (Crescit eundo)
New York
Excelsior
North Carolina
To be, rather than to seem (Esse quam videri)
North Dakota
Liberty and Union Now and Forever, One and Inseparable
Ohio
With God, all things are possible
Oklahoma
Labor conquers all things (Labor omnia vincit)
Oregon
She Flies With Her Own Wings (Alis Volat Propiis)
Pennsylvania
Virtue, Liberty, and Independence
Rhode Island
Hope
South Carolina
Prepared in mind and resources /
While I breathe, I hope
South Dakota
Under God the people rule
Tennessee
Agriculture and Commerce
Texas
Friendship
Utah
Industry
Vermont
Freedom and Unity
Virginia
Thus Always to Tyrants
(Sic Semper Tyrannis)
Washington
Bye and Bye (Alki)
West Virginia
Mountaineers are always free
(Montani semper liberi)
Wisconsin
Forward
Wyoming
Equal rights
