I Ranked All Of The 50 State Mottos From "Truly Inspirational" To "Y'all Are Obsessed With The Word Liberty"
The United States has been around for quite some time now, and each state has a unique motto that represents them. I'm here to rank each of them, from "boring" to "belongs on a motivational poster."
50.Utah
That's it? Nothing about the natural beauties that are Zion and Bryce Canyon. Nothing about its deserts, mountains, and everything in between. Just "industry." Sounds a little lazy.
49.Tennessee
Honestly, like Utah, it's just not that great of a motto. It could've even mentioned its location in Appalachia and mountains galore but no, all we have is agriculture and commerce. Groundbreaking.
48.Oklahoma — "Labor conquers all things"
As someone who enjoys rest, this does not resonate with me at all. It reminds me of those people who are always like "I'll sleep when I'm dead." This is literally the slogan for the "nonstop grind" folks, and I want no part of it.
47.Illinois
This reads like a list of demands. I studied international relations and we always talked about state sovereignty, so this feels like it was pulled from one of my textbooks. It sounds like the US is still asking for its independence from Great Britain.
46.Wyoming
This also reads like it belongs on a list of demands. However, I will give them credit because apparently their motto and nickname, The Equality State, were chosen because they were the first territory and state to give (some) women the right to vote.
45.Nevada
Simply put, I am not nor will I ever be that patriotic.
44.Virginia — "Thus always to tyrants"
This motto is basically saying that bad but fair things will happen to tyrants. Cool. But it's definitely been poorly used by John Wilkes Booth who (supposedly) shouted this after assassinating President Lincoln.
So...there's that...
43.Delaware
I'm all for liberty and independence, but where's the pizzazz, Delaware? You had some truly poetic mottos that already existed to inspire you, so this is shocking to me. I'm begging you to try again.
42.Pennsylvania
Another motto with "liberty" in it. What else is new? They literally copied and pasted Delaware's and added "virtue," thinking people wouldn't notice. But I noticed. And I'm shaking my head.
41.New Jersey
New Jersey. The place I've called home my entire life. I'm sorry to say this, but the motto is bland. We're The Garden State and this is the best we could come up with? I'm a tad embarrassed.
40.Georgia
I'm cool with "wisdom" and "justice," but the "moderation" bit is throwing me off. What are we moderating, Georgia? I'm very confused.
39.Louisiana
The people apparently love justice. And the "confidence" bit adds a nice touch.
38.Vermont
I'm starting to sense a theme here... It's like these states just busted out a thesaurus and put words together for their mottos. But it's the only one with "freedom" and "unity," so you get points for that Vermont.
37.North Dakota
At this point, my eyes are tired of seeing the word "liberty," but it's the power that this statement holds that piques my interest. They are not messing around with their "liberty" and "union" and have no plans on giving them up...ever.
36.Iowa
They are very serious about their rights and liberties. So maybe think twice before picking a fight with Iowans. They are small but (clearly) very mighty.
35.Indiana
Considering that Indianapolis is the center of four major interstate highways, including US Highways 40 and 41, this is very fitting. And here I was thinking all Indiana was good for was the Indy 500 and being the setting of Parks and Recreation.
34.Alabama — "We dare defend our rights"
I'm all for defending people's rights, so I have no choice but to agree with this statement by itself. However, because it's Alabama, I'm curious to know what rights they were referring to...
33.Florida
I mean, this is a pretty American motto, so I have no qualms with it. It's also on all of our money and it's the official motto of the US, so I'm pretty familiar with the phrase.
32.Connecticut — "He who transplanted sustains"
These people had a lot of faith, and I'm not even mad at them. And so far, Connecticut is still standing, so God really did sustain them.
31.North Carolina — "To be, rather than to seem"
This is actually really deep, and I love that. It reminds me of the saying "don't talk about it, be about it" and I will now be using this one when I want to flex my Latin. Thank you, North Carolina.
30.Arizona — "God enriches"
Seriously, have you been to Arizona? They've been enriched all right. The Grand Canyon really is that girl.
29.Ohio
Gotta have faith.
28.Colorado — "Nothing without providence"
Other translations include "nothing without divine will," and honestly, just look at the landscape. If that isn't divine, I don't know what is.
27.Nebraska
Now this is a solid motto. To make it clear that everyone is equal under the law is what I like to see. And considering that they came up with this the same year they became a state was a perfect way to set the tone. How this actually played out in 1860s Nebraska, I'm not too sure. But the sentiment is still there.
26.Arkansas — "The people rule"
We love a strong democracy. Too bad they literally copied and pasted South Dakota's motto.
25.South Dakota
No strong feelings about this one, honestly. Just love to see people ruling, I guess.
24.Mississippi — "By valor and arms"
It's giving a "by any means necessary" energy and I'm with it, especially given this came out in 1894, after the Civil War.
23.California — "I have found it"
It's pretty catchy, and the fact that I can use it in conversation makes it alright in my book. It also makes me feel like a cool scientist, so it's a win-win.
22.Texas
So wholesome! Y'all can take your negative energy elsewhere because we're all friends here and we're in the middle of making friendship bracelets.
21.Rhode Island
Another wholesome one. This is something I'd hang in my beach house in Newport if I had one. This motto belongs on a motivational poster and I love it. Why can't all mottos be like this?
20.Wisconsin
Even though it's only one word, it gets me pumped. I just imagine Wisconsinites are always walking around with a can-do attitude because their motto is so dang inspirational.
(But for real, can someone from Wisconsin confirm this please?)
19.Montana — "Gold and Silver"
I mean, it's pretty literal, but it lives up to its unofficial nickname, The Treasure State. It's not fancy or anything, but it gets the job done.
18.West Virginia — "Mountaineers are always free"
This sounds like something you'd say at a school pep rally or professional sports event. I suddenly want to drop everything and become a mountaineer. Forget about student loans. I'll be free.
17.Maine — "I lead"
Maine is basically telling other states to follow their lead, and I love their self-confidence. Get in line you rowdy bunch of states. Maine is taking us to higher heights.
16.Idaho — "Let it be perpetual"
Perpetual? As in forever, ever, forever, ever? Looks like Idaho ain't going anywhere, folks. And I'm eternally grateful, because let's be honest, who would we be without our Idahoan potatoes? I, for one, would be nothing. I would cease to exist.
15.Missouri — "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law"
They basically said "put the people first," and that's the kind of state I want to live in. Law shmaw. If the people aren't happy, that's cause for anarchy, and I love a revolution.
14.Minnesota — "The star of the North"
Their motto is literally "the north star," the symbol of exploration, discovery, and freedom. And it's in French?! It's bougie and classic, so you've got my stamp of approval, Minnesota.
13.Michigan — "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you"
Okay, I don't know how many of you are familiar with Henry David Thoreau's book Walden, but this feels like it came straight out of that book. I've never heard of a peninsula being described like this, and any state that calls itself "pleasant" is a state I gotta see.
12.Washington — "By and by"
I personally always got the vibe that people from the Pacific Northwest were always so chill, and this confirms it for me. It's like Alaska's motto with their forward-looking nature but all in a two-syllable phrase. While Washington doesn't have an official motto, I (who isn't a resident and have never been) will personally start a petition to make this happen.
11.Alaska
It doesn't get more north than Alaska, and boy did they pick a great motto to remind us. It makes me want to embark on a perilous adventure across mountains and glaciers, so if that's what you were going for Alaska, congratulations, you've succeeded.
10.Kentucky
I've never seen a truer statement. Teamwork really does make the dream work, and I'm glad Kentucky agrees.
9.Massachusetts — "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty"
Basically, "I will fight you and your mother for our liberty," but in a more poetic way. It's also important to know that they made this the motto two years after the Boston Tea Party, so they are not the ones to be played with. I like your spunk, Massachusetts.
8.New York — "Ever upward"
I see why Stan Lee always used this as his signature catchphrase. This makes me want to write a novel, direct a film, learn another language, get in shape, and become the president at the same time. You can always count on New York to remind you of your potential.
7.New Mexico — "It grows as it goes"
Essentially, another inspirational motto on the map. They're trying to tell us if we keep going, good things are sure to come. So I will be staying the course thanks to good ol' New Mexico.
6.Maryland — "Strong deeds, gentle words"
Now, I know the original translation has "deeds" being described as manly and "words" being described as womanly. But I'm interpreting it as you can speak softly but still get the job done. So, no need to shout across the harbor to get your point across, friends.
5.New Hampshire
Does this remind anyone else of Erik "death is better than bondage" Killmonger? No? Just me? Okay then. New Hampshire obviously doesn't have time for all of the flowery language the other mottos have. They're too busy living free.
4.Oregon — "She flies with her own wings"
Oregon is a woman?? That's literally all I needed to hear. I will now be referring to Oregon as Queen of the West Coast, and you can't tell me otherwise. No further questions.
3.Kansas — "To the stars through difficulties"
Kansas really took the saying "shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars," put it in Latin, plopped it on their seal, and earned their spot as number three on this list. I am once again inspired to kick my procrastination in the butt and go seize the day while running through a field of wheat, quoting The Wizard of Oz.
2.South Carolina — "While I breathe, I hope" and "Ready in soul and resource"
My friends, these aren't mottos. These are positive affirmations. This is the kind of thing you keep on a sticky note on your bathroom mirror. This is what you say to yourself when you're in need of a pick-me-up. For those of you who live in South Carolina, y'all must be using these in breathing exercises. There's no way their only purpose is to sit on your seal.
1.Hawaii — "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"
There are apparently a bunch of different ways to translate this, because that's just how cool the Hawaiian language is. The word "pono" alone has over 20 meanings (there's waaay more than that, but honestly, I lost count). One motto? More like 100 mottos. There isn't a single state that can compete.
It's even more meaningful when you know that it came out of the Kingdom of Hawaii being returned to the king from Great Britain (before they eventually became part of the US).
Hawaii, you officially have the best motto in the US.
