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Georgia State...
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State Mottos
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A list of US state slogans is available, as well
as a list of US state nicknames, origin of the state names, and the state resident's
names.
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Georgia Symbols
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Georgia State Motto
"Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation"
"Agriculture and Commerce" 
Adopted in 1799; 1914 .
Language: English
Focus: Progress and Prosperity and Justice
These mottos appear on the great seal of the state: one on the obverse, the other on the reverse.
- Obverse: "Wisdom, justice, and moderation"
- Reverse: "Agriculture and commerce"
The Georgia General Assembly has never adopted an official motto as such. However, in 1799, when the legislature adopted a new state seal, it provided for an arch containing the word "Constitution" supported by three pillars. The legislation specified that the three pillars represented the three branches of government. Appearing on a banner that encircling the three pillars were the words "Wisdom," "Justice," and "Moderation"--with each word associated with one pillar. This later led one historian to conclude that "Wisdom" was to apply to the legislative branch in making the laws, "Justice" to the judicial branch in their decisions, and "Moderation" to the executive branch to administer laws in moderation. [Lawton B. Evans, A History of Georgia for Use in Schools (New York: American Book Co., 1898, 1908), p. 152]
"Agriculture and commerce" on the reverse describe the mainstay of Georgia's economic well-being. In 1914, the date of 1799 was changed to 1776, the date of national independence rather than the date of Georgia's admission to the Union.
Actually, the qualities of wisdom, justice, and moderation with reference to government were first mentioned in chapter 4 of Plato's Republic. In that work, Plato analyzed four cardinal "virtues" associated with government: wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice. It is possible that the soldier with drawn sword standing between two of the pillars was meant as a symbolic representation of Plato's fourth virtuecourage. In any event, the 1799 law creating the state seal specifically provides that the man with drawn sword represents "the aid of the military in defense of the Constitution."
These state have mottos that reference justice:
- Georgia: "Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation"
- Louisiana: "Union, justice, and confidence"
Code
Georgia Code, Title 50, Chapter 3, Section 50.3.30.
TITLE 50. STATE GOVERNMENT.
CHAPTER 3.
SECTION 50.3.30.
50-3-30.
(a) The Secretary of State shall keep the great seal of the state adopted August 17, 1914, and on deposit in
the office of the Secretary of State. The seal shall be either of silver or of some harder and more durable
metal or composition of metals, 2 1/4 inches in diameter.
(b) The device on one side is a view of the seashore, with a ship bearing the flag of the United States
riding at anchor near a wharf, receiving on board hogsheads of tobacco and bales of cotton, emblematic of
the exports of this state; at a small distance a boat, landing from the interior of the state, with
hogsheads, etc., on board, representing the state's internal traffic; in the back part of the same side a
man in the act of plowing; and at a small distance a flock of sheep in different postures, shaded by a
flourishing tree. The motto inscribed thereon is 'Agriculture and Commerce, 1776.'
(c) The device on the other side is three pillars supporting an arch, with the word 'Constitution' engraved
within the same, emblematic of the Constitution, supported by the three departments of government, namely
the legislative, judicial, and executive. The first pillar has engraved upon a scroll 'Wisdom,' the second,
'Justice,' the third, 'Moderation'; between the second and third pillars a man stands with a drawn sword,
representing the aid of the military in the defense of the Constitution, and the motto is 'State of Georgia,
1776.
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Mottos of the States
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State motto is a word, phrase, or sentence inscribed on or
attached to a coin, building, or other object. A state motto expresses an important idea for a group
of people within the state.
motto (ˈmä-(ˌ)tō)
n.
Etymology:
Italian, from Late Latin muttum grunt, from Latin muttire to mutter
Date: 15th century
1: a sentence, phrase, or word inscribed on something as appropriate to or indicative
of its character or use
2: a short expression of a guiding principle |
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