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Missouri

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State Mottos

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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for the 50 States

Missouri Symbols

Missouri State Motto

"Salus populi suprema lex esto"

(The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law)

Adopted in 1822.

Language: Latin

Focus: People

Missouri's motto is not an official state motto, as such, but is accepted as an element of its official seal adopted in 1822. The State motto of Missouri, Salus Popili Suprema Lex Esto, signifying Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law, may be found in Cicero's De Legibus, Book III, Part III, Sub. VIII.

There are three states with mottos that focus on the people:

Arkansas: "The People Rule"
Missouri: "The Welfare of the People"
South Dakota "Under God the People Rule"

Statute

Missouri Revised Statutes, Title 2, Chapter 10, Section 10-060.

TITLE II - SOVEREIGNTY, JURISDICTION AND EMBLEMS.
CHAPTER 10 - STATE EMBLEMS.
SECTION 10-060.

Seal of state--device. 10.060. The device for an armorial achievement for the state of Missouri is as follows: Arms, parted per pale, on the dexter side; gules, the white or grizzly bear of Missouri, passant guardant, proper on a chief engrailed; azure, a crescent argent; on the sinister side, argent, the arms of the United States, the whole within a band inscribed with the words "UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL". For the crest, over a helmet full-faced, grated with six bars; or, a cloud proper, from which ascends a star argent, and above it a constellation of twenty-three smaller stars, argent, on an azure field, surrounded by a cloud proper. Supporters on each side, a white or grizzly bear of Missouri, rampant, guardant proper, standing on a scroll, inscribed with the motto, "Salus populi suprema lex esto", and under the scroll the numerical letters MDCCCXX. And the great seal of the state shall be so engraved as to present by its impression the device of the armorial achievement aforesaid, surrounded by a scroll inscribed with the words, "THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI", in roman capitals, which seal shall be in a circular form and not more than two and a half inches in diameter.

(RSMo 1939 § 15437, RSMo 1949 § 10.110, A.L. 1957 p. 726)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 14312; 1919 § 11608; 1909 § 11180

Mottos of the States

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 ('mä-(")tO)
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