Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem. Such were the words of the famous English patriot, Algernon Sydney in 1659.  By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty. Serit ut alteri saeclo prosit. "Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~ ... That does not mean jack to big ol' boys shoulder though. Oklahoma. Quietly, Pseudomeritastis quieta, Xestia quieta, Quietism, La quietud, Lactarius quieticolor, Quietdale, Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem, Quietude In english it means "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty". North Dakota. In translates loosely to English as, “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty." Excelsior. Michigan. The state motto (in Latin and written in yellow on a blue ribbon) reads "ENSE PETIT PLACIDAM SUB LIBERTATE QUIETEM," meaning "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty." It was written around 1660 by Algernon Sidney, a member of the British "long parliament".He was an opponent of Charles II, who had him executed for treason. A blue ribbon surrounds the shield, bearing the state motto Ense Petit Placidam, Sub Libertate Quietem (“By the Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty”). Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem is a Latin phrase meaning "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty". North Carolina. The state motto of Massachusetts is a mouthful in Latin, but it speaks to Colonial Massachusetts’ desire for freedom and liberty from English rule: Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem. Crescit eundo. New York. Submitted by Katerina Proeski on Mon, 09/02/2015 - 14:37. ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. This motto relates to when the colony of Massachusetts officially broke off relations with England in … Esse Quam videri. Above the shield is a arm wielding a sword (demonstrating the state motto). Missouri. Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice. It is the motto of both Massachusetts and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.. The earliest record we can find of the motto being used is 1775. Look around you'll find those who sight in safari rifles will want to stand up and not be at a bench for exactly this reason. The official state motto of Massachusetts is "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" (Latin translation; "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty"). The arm and sword in the crest, together with the Latin motto on the surrounding ribbon—“Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem” (“By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty”)—refer to lines written in the 17th century by the English politician Algernon Sidney. What does Massachusetts flag mean? New Mexico. State Mottos Now you know the state motto of Massachusetts… Virtute et armis. State flag The shield depicts an Algonquian Native American with bow and arrow; the arrow is pointed downward, signifying peace. A white star on the shield represents Massachusetts, one of the original 13 states. Labor omnia vincit. All Free. Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem The Massachusetts motto is in Latin. Mississippi. Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem. His words live on today as they appear as the motto on The Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This comes from the Book of Mottoes in the Royal Danish Library in Copenhagen, Denmark ; written about 1659 by Algernon Sydney , … Salus populi supreme lex esto. A blue ribbon (blue, signifying the Blue Hills of Quincy, Canton and Milton) surrounds the shield, bearing the state motto "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem." 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